"Stuffing" 2013

At this time of year we are all consumed by what Thanksgiving will bring. As a matter of fact we start planning weeks ahead of time for what we will need for the meal and try to estimate how many will attend. This year has been a little different, as most of you know that we have kids in various places. We have a married son and daughter-in-law in Minnesota with their little guy "Toby" (a schnauzer). Also a daughter and son-in-law living near Des Moines with their three little ones, Alexis, Jaxen and Grayson. Our youngest daughter is in Cedar Rapids working for CVS pharmacy for Rockwell Collins. Then down to our youngest son who finished his Army duty and is currently here in the Cedar Rapids area starting to take some college classes and awaiting the Militarty to pay the tuition! (jk).

So this Thanksgiving has been altered to fit the situation, so to speak.  Shellsburg and the church activities we have been a little busy. But, good busy and I also just added to my  jobs!I am now an Adjunct instructor for the community college for nursing. 

A couple years ago when the kids were all in other places we had our Thanksgiving or essentially  "the meal" that Ed and I usually have with the kids we had with church family. But the people that were there made everyone feel like family. We also were "pounded" upon, it is an old church tradition, and we are so thankful for the love and thoughtfulness of all the people at Grace Community Church.

Ever since we moved to Iowa back in 2000 the girls and I, and occasionally Adam had did the crazy shopping on Black friday. Before moving here we lived about 45 minutes from a Walmart so trying to get to a store at 4 in the morning was out of the question. We mainly go for the free stuff anyway and to see what other crazy people were out doing at that hour.

Anyway back to the title of this story! You probably thought I was going to talk about the food again!!

As I mention before we all try to fit so much food and activities into such a short period of time. So from the beginning of the week until the following Monday we "stuff and stuff" more and more each year. It seemed in years past that the cooking went on forever of course if distant family was coming the house had to be up to holiday standard too! When the kids were small I am sure they appreciated all the food and family on Thanksgiving day but the work ahead of time was exhausting.

Stuffing is one of my favorite parts of the meal. I am sure it is because we do not take the effort to have it more than once or twice a year. When making the stuffing you have to cut up the celery and onions and then saute them in butter then pour over the bread with the sage and poultry seasoning then everything in the whole house smells so wonderful. Since we have been married we started adding cornbread to the bread mixture and I love it. I know this sounds like a recipe exchange but I am getting to the point......

God has taken us through so many difficult situations the last few years, well every year! It all depends on how you look at things. With the directions I was giving before there are essential step to getting the final delicious "stuff". When we consider the little things that happen each day these are the suppressors that accumulate throughout the year (just like the veggies in the pan)they are then sauteed on a warm stove until everything is tender. That is truly God working in our lives when he gives us the essential seasonings to make all those things look beautiful. He adds things like love, peace, joy to our mix so we can be over comers of this stress.

Sometime it takes us until Thanksgiving to realize that we have been truly BLESSED each and every day. The things that we have "stuffed" or lives are just things that God can help us get through. He can teach us daily how to be stronger and show others how abundantly God will supply our every need. I want to be thankful for the life that God has chosen for me. I know that he has been through every event that has happened in our family  and BLESSED us beyond our best dreams.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! May your stuffing be BLESSED beyond measure!

It is OVER!

So I guess this is just a vent site today!

This was my final day at my job. I am sooooo excited for the new adventure that the Lord is working on. I am truly BLESSED today!

It was a very good day at work, I had great employees to work with, they were sorry to see me go. Thanks so much.

I know God has plans for my future as well as yours. As in my prior blog I talked of all the Blessings that the Lord had done with the moving adventure. He is still on the throne and still working in each in and everyone of our lives!

Well maybe this isn't a vent night!

God is good, yes he is, he's good all the time!

With this title of this blog, it reminded me of all the sacrifices that God has provided. I am ashamed of trying to vent on you and want to remind you..............WE ARE SO BLESSED!







Have a blessed night!

Faith Community Nurse - The Beginning

So, since the Parish Nurse program ended
I have: talked to the Pastor/Husband,
He in turn announced to our congregation my new status
Stopped to visit an old friend and she had taken the first FCN
Pastor helped me get matching business cards

I know this does not sound like a lot, especially since my husband is the Pastor. Those that I have talked to in the congregation were very happy that we are reaching out to the community. Shellsburg is such a nice little town, they have reached out to us to make us feel welcome. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to carry out the Faith Community Nurse role her in Shellsburg.

Faith Community Nurse

Parish nursing in Iowa.

Blessings!

"My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory"

I just love this scripture. I don't know how to explain, the great things that God has done in my life.

Each day, month, year holds great memories of the blessings that God has done for me. It is so hard to see them when you are in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the moment. I think each of us probably have that same feeling. As the saying goes "hindsight is 20/20". How many things would we have changed, how many blessings would we have missed out on because of those roads that in our mind was the way to go.

Some of the choices that I have made, I would have been very angry if my kids had made those same choices. Although some of the choices of my kids!!?? Well now I know a little of how my parents felt with my choices.

Well someday I will have to try and record all of the daily blessings (that I know of)! How many things do we really KNOW!

In March the purchase of the church was a great blessing, especially how you could see God's hand in each step..

In June with the prospect of the city finally finishing up the business with the flooded property we started to look at houses in Shellsburg. Well we looked at several houses, some good/bad/a little creepy. As we made "our plans" we added/subtracted, pros/cons and talked through many options. Now our plan was getting closer to looking like we knew what we were doing. Making an offer on each home, but were counter offered on each one and decided to wait till we knew exactly what the city's plan was. The pros outweighing the cons on some, not so much on others. Re-looking at the Internet pictures, to see how our memory of the real place added up.

We the final paperwork was signed for the city on the 29Th of June and were told it would be 8 weeks before we would see anything. So we slowed down on really deciding on the house that we were going to purchase. We would have plenty of time to figure things out-8 weeks worth.

So after we talked to the city and found out about their time frame, we put the mobile home up for sale. And someone wanted to look at it on the 2ND day! No, they didn't make an offer. :( All that cleaning and hiding for nothing. It isn't so hard to clean but putting things in hiding places is a little harder. And just so you know, anything placed in a box will be needed before the box is moved.

Well this week the real estate lady said she had a showing at 9:30 on July 5Th! O.K. we had plans for that weekend, now the cleaning/hiding had to begin. Adam came and visited, Bekah had a 3rd of July party on 8Th street. Great time, good view of the fireworks on the river. Well the 9:30 cancelled but she did have another appt for 11 if that was OK. Since we were working and the animals were visiting relatives it was not a problem.

Shortly after the family looked at the mobile home they had the real estate lady called with an offer, a cash offer! Ed didn't have to even ask me, we had discussed a few times what we would need when we sold our home. So it was a done deal.

Now back to look at the home we decided we were going to make an offer on. All the paperwork done, just waiting for a date, this time for the closing on the mobile home. We set the closing date for the August 2.

So we have started the process on the home...hopefully it will happen August 2 also....

I am Blessed, I am blessed, I am Blessed.....I am sheltered clothed and fed I am blessed, when I wake up in the morning till I go to bed at night, I am blessed.


Keep us in your prayers...God is NOT finished yet.....the city of Shellsburg has no idea what is on it's way.

If God is in it, set it and forget it!

Kids...

I was once asked why do you have FOUR kids? My answer was pretty simple...because I didn't have six! I just loved kids...and four seemed to be a good number.

As a parent you have to love it or leave it.

If you don't love it, you wont be able to do it!

I love this poem and thought I would share it.

My little boy came into the kitchen this evening while I was fixing supper. And he handed me a piece of paper he'd been writing on. So, after wiping my hands on my apron, I read it, and this is what it said:

For mowing the grass, $5.
For making my own bed this week, $1.
For going to the store $.50.
For playing with baby brother while you went shopping, $.25.
For taking out the trash, $1.
For getting a good report card, $5.
And for raking the yard, $2.

Well, I looked at him standing there expectantly, and a thousand memories flashed through my mind. So, I picked up the paper, and turning it over, this is what I wrote:

For the nine months I carried you, growing inside me, No Charge.
For the nights I sat up with you, doctored you, prayed for you, No charge.
For the time and the tears, and the cost through the years, No Charge.
For the nights filled with dread, and the worries ahead, No Charge.
For advice and the knowledge, and the cost of your college, No Charge.
For the toys, food and clothes, and for wiping your nose, No Charge.
Son, when you add it all up, the full cost of my love is No Charge.

Well, when he finished reading, he had great big tears in his eyes. And he looked up at me and he said

"Mama, I sure do love you." Then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote, PAID IN FULL.

...Author Unknown

Thank you God for letting me have these FOUR children, I love them with all my heart!

Holidays!?

Holiday are a great reminders for us to celebrate. That special recognition that we show to a person or a event. For the most part we don't need reminders for the "secular holidays" most work places give you the day off! (well some places) As adults we should all remember the family celebrations, dad, mom, birthday, anniversaries, giving honor to them on their day.

Today is fathers day and as we remember our fathers, living or dead, we search for the right words to lift them up with great memories.

My dad died a few years ago and there are times I wish I could call and tell him I love him. Yeah, I did it while he was here but after they are gone there is an emptiness there. The need just doesn't seem to disappear.

Dad had taught all of us girls the basics of taking care of car troubles. He also showed us how to fix things in the house some things you could fix with duct tape (lol) and most things duct tape would do until you got the right thing. It seemed we always had a drawer in the kitchen that we named the "junk drawer". It was usually pretty full of odds and ends that someone had found but wasn't sure where it came from. That is where we started our search for the right part to fix whatever we were working on. So to this day I have a junk container, one in the house one in the shed. So dad I do remember you every time I go to that jar/container and find just the right thing to fix what I am working on.

The other day Bekah and I were in the process of mowing the flooded property with a friend "Joe". When she went to pick up the extra mower at his house, my mower had lost the wingnut that held the handle on. I quickly called and asked if Joe had such a thing as a junk drawer that might have a new wingnut for the mower. She said probably not, so I mentioned the duct tape and she said he was more likely to have that! And he did.....we mowed the rest of the yard with duct tape on the handle! It worked, when I got home I found a good replacement here at the house! Thanks Dad for all of the ideas.....with this I remember you each day.

But I really don't need a fixed day on the calendar to remember him, it is an everyday event, that also goes for any member of my family. I would hope that my everyday actions would show them that there is a lot of love and appreciation for them. I know some days are so filled that there couldn't possibly be any room for appreciating family and friends.

BUT...Remember this, I do appreciate everything my family and friends mean to me. As each day goes by I thank the Lord for you! Thank you for all the love and support you have given me through the years. I have some great memories that will last a lifetime.

But for those of you that need reminding "Happy Fathers Day"!

In his Steps......

I went to a women's conference a few weeks ago and "In his steps" was the theme. I was asked to give a short devotional on Friday morning. I have done this a few times over the last 25 or so years of being as a pastors wife. But I must say, I get nervous and probably talk a lot faster, so I usually never volunteer for these things.

Anyway, I prepared for probably about 2 weeks, working through what I would say, the scripture and what kind of visual I would use. (these always take up a little time and slow down my talking) I didn't want to duplicate anything that would have been said in the services before my part. Ed is always good about listening to me practice, an abbreviated version.

So I had an idea on what to talk about.......steps!! I looked up inspiring talks on walking in Gods footsteps. I learned quite a bit, it prepared me for the conference and really set my mind to walking within the footsteps of God.

But God was kind enough to lead me to find the perfect visuals, the kids shoes. The following is my printed copy of my devotional.

Learning to walk is not an easy thing. Parents will remember when their kids were little and were attempting to take those first steps. It was almost a chore for them, like their little feet were stuck to the floor. Slowly but surely they would get the hang of picking up one foot, balancing on the other one then placing it firmly down on the solid foundation, like it weighed a ton just to pick it up. Then starting the process all over again, hanging on tightly to something or someone to make sure they could stay in the upright position. As time went by they became more and more confident in their ability to take those steps. As the steps became easier to accomplish, the grip on people and furniture became less and less. You could see the look in their eyes that they were enjoying the new ability to move around and enjoy their new found freedom. Then the day came that they took off…………..Still a little wobbly…at times taking a few steps then stopping and catching their balance and starting again.

The Shoes:
Our daughter Bekah wore this little white one over 26 years ago.

She has learned to walk with the Lord in ways that I could not imagine me doing. Last year she did an 11 month/11 country mission trip, called the “World Race.“ This bigger shoe belongs to our baby! He wouldn’t like me to call him that, he also has taken steps that I could have could never have taken. He is in the US Army and served 15 months in Iraq, driving armored vehicles and protecting our country.

I am proud of the kids accomplishments, they all have achieved great things in their walk. It all started with those first steps, holding on for dear life, knowing God was there. God leads and directs each step that we take and has people come into our lives for HIS purpose. Throughout our lifetime God has guided our steps to bring us to this place for HIS purpose. We are not here by chance!!! God has called us here.






Philippians 3:14 says:
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus


Let us continue to walk in his steps.

I appreciate the Lord so much.....he has reminded me of how we do walk in his steps. The speakers at the conference were fantastic and I would go again in a heartbeat. I learned (but always knew) that he is still leading guiding each step we have ever taken. Looking back I praise the Lord for providing for me and my needs.

Each of us are different and he has "ordered our steps" for such a time as this!

Being "50" in 2010

When I grew up we lived in the country until I started first grade. Then we moved to the big city of Sandusky, Ohio. My parents bought a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 car garage and unfinished basement ranch style home. We thought we were really special having such a big new house. We roller skated in the basement, it was so nice and cool down there. Of course the laundry room was there, but besides bringing clothes to the basement for wash day, I only remember folding the towels and wash clothes.

So we about 3-4 blocks to school, a nice walk back then. I remember my sister Sharon not wanting to walk to school on days that it had rained, too many worms on the pavement lol. You would think that she would be all prissy and dainty?? She actually fell off of their roof while trying to finish the chimney (that's another story).

So the house we grew up in did not have any air conditioning. Although the basement was plenty cool enough for dad to sleep there, he worked 3rd shift and slept while we were at school. I can't actually remember being hot in the house, and I don't remember any fans. I know there weren't any ceiling fans back them. Dad eventually bought a window air conditioner for their bed room in the late 1970's. The had finished the basement, so there was actually a living area down there and that is where we stayed at.

So getting back to being "50" my mom was pretty close to 50 at that time. Right now I am trying to compare my self to her at that time. I know with global warming the earth is MUCH warmer now, otherwise I am sure my parents would have had more than one air conditioner.

So we went to turn on the AC yesterday and we got nothing!! Just the furnace blowing, AC unit just humming not turning. So I think when you know you don't have AC it feels so much hotter. Because until we tried it late in the afternoon it didn't seem too bad just a little humid. So we decided that we could use a fan to move the air inside around a little. Well by the time we got back from the store, which has AC, and then riding in the car with AC, the house seemed really hot! Well it could be menopause kicking her ugly heels too!

So since I was on-call for the hospital all weekend I was not working this morning, so I called the repairman. They said they will try to fit me in today but no guarantee. He called me back around 10:30, telling me he would be stopping by to see what we would need and hopefully getting it fixed today. So I closed all the shades, opened all the windows, finished the few things that I had started so the house would at least look a little better. Now I am sitting in front of the t.v. "chilling" so to speak.

Top 5 reasons I was thinking to turn 50 in the 70-80's would have been o.k.
1. Global warming was not too warm yet!
2. A nice cool basement to do laundry in!
3. Window air conditioning for the adults at night!
4. 4 Great girls who were happy with just a
cool basement to play in on hot days.
5. The best repairman was my dad!

Mothers Day Serenity Prayer from Me

Mothers Day Serenity Prayer:

Dear God in whom we dedicate our children to.

Thank you for granting us the privilege of having these children

and being able to accept them for who they are
challenging them each day.

Having courage to bring them into this world
so that they might change it.

Wisdom to tell them about you
so that they might follow in your footsteps.

Thank you for the blessing
that they have brought to me each and everyday.

To God be the glory for their faith, Amen