Like Lisa at Marble and Mud I have a hard time being happy when it's nearly 110 outside. Yuck. Instead of focusing on what I don't like about this season I'm choosing to focus on what's making my happy right now:
**The only nice thing I have to say about the hot weather is . . . at least the pool is warming up :)
Since school is out for the summer, here are the things I'm enjoying about our break in no particular order:
**We're all still in our pj's at 8:45am and don't have anywhere to be until this afternoon
**No more playground sand EVERYWHERE (the floor, my son's shoes, his socks, the dryer's lint trap, etc.
**Not having to pack school lunches
**Wearing less clothes (and more swimsuits) makes laundry easier
**The kids are able to wear flip flops every day and I don't have to help anyone tie their shoes
**Time with the kids
**Not really being on a schedule
**There are empty spaces on the calendar this month
**Lots of time in the pool makes for tired kids and less of a bedtime battle
**Arranging get-togethers with friends is much easier now that we don't have to worry about school schedules.
What is making you happy right now?
Showing posts with label gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gratitude. Show all posts
Monday, June 3, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
Thankful
Back in December I wrote about how thankful I am for my Moms in Prayer group. My group meets at 9am on Monday. At first I found the time inconvenient because first thing Monday morning my priority was getting the house "re-set" from the weekend and getting everything done I didn't get to on Saturday or Sunday. I was jealous of my friends at other schools that have their meetings later in the week, because the first half of my week tends to be busier than the second half.
In the months since I've been meeting with these ladies I've become increasingly thankful for the time. Sure, 9am on Monday isn't the most convenient, but I've come to love knowing that first thing Monday morning our school, our kids' teachers and our kids are being lifted up. I know Monday mornings are hectic for everyone and I can't think of a better time to pray for teachers as they begin a long week of teaching our kids.
As we were praying today I was just overwhelmed with gratitude, not just that our group exists, but that we live in a country where we can openly meet as Christians. I am well aware that all over the world Christians are being tortured, arrested and murdered for their beliefs. I know Christians have to gather in underground communities to pray, worship and study God's word.
I'm thankful that I'm able to gather with other believers on the weekends to worship God corporately without concern for my safety, the safety of my family, or of my husband losing his job. I'm thankful the ladies in my Moms in Prayer group and I are able to gather without the same concerns.
I'm thankful that if I want to acquire a copy of the Bible it is easy to do so. I can download a free app of the Bible. I can order one online. I can walk in to almost any store that sells books. I can even send a Bible to someone in prison. Churches and ministries give Bibles away to those who want one, but don't have one. It is not an exaggeration to say that almost anyone in America who wants access to God's word can have it. I am thankful for this.
Many of my brothers and sisters in Christ aren't nearly as fortunate. Single pages of God's word are memorized, passed down, treasured and shared. Those who have studied the Bible are asked to share their wisdom and God's truth is shared via story and word of mouth.
On this Monday morning my heart is full and I'm thankful . . .
In the months since I've been meeting with these ladies I've become increasingly thankful for the time. Sure, 9am on Monday isn't the most convenient, but I've come to love knowing that first thing Monday morning our school, our kids' teachers and our kids are being lifted up. I know Monday mornings are hectic for everyone and I can't think of a better time to pray for teachers as they begin a long week of teaching our kids.
As we were praying today I was just overwhelmed with gratitude, not just that our group exists, but that we live in a country where we can openly meet as Christians. I am well aware that all over the world Christians are being tortured, arrested and murdered for their beliefs. I know Christians have to gather in underground communities to pray, worship and study God's word.
I'm thankful that I'm able to gather with other believers on the weekends to worship God corporately without concern for my safety, the safety of my family, or of my husband losing his job. I'm thankful the ladies in my Moms in Prayer group and I are able to gather without the same concerns.
I'm thankful that if I want to acquire a copy of the Bible it is easy to do so. I can download a free app of the Bible. I can order one online. I can walk in to almost any store that sells books. I can even send a Bible to someone in prison. Churches and ministries give Bibles away to those who want one, but don't have one. It is not an exaggeration to say that almost anyone in America who wants access to God's word can have it. I am thankful for this.
Many of my brothers and sisters in Christ aren't nearly as fortunate. Single pages of God's word are memorized, passed down, treasured and shared. Those who have studied the Bible are asked to share their wisdom and God's truth is shared via story and word of mouth.
On this Monday morning my heart is full and I'm thankful . . .
Monday, January 28, 2013
41 wks, 1 day and ALIVE!
My first pregnancy was relatively uneventful and my husband and I were excited new parents. As my due date got closer we found out my OB was scheduled to go on vacation starting when I was about 40.5 weeks. While my OB was sure I'd have the baby before he left town my husband and I agreed that there were legitimate reasons for me to be induced, but my OB's vacation was not one of them.
I was due on a Saturday. The Tuesday after my due date my husband and I went to the OB and my Dr. told me that since I was past my due date he wanted me to go to the hospital every 5 days, starting the next day for a non-stress test (NST) to make sure our son was healthy and thriving in my womb. At that point I still wasn't dilated or effaced. The Dr. considered stripping my membranes, but since I was "so closed" he said it probably wouldn't work. My OB also wanted me to come back Thursday morning, his last day in the office before his vacation. Wednesday my husband and I went to the hospital and waited while I was monitored for an hour. My son was doing wonderfully and I wasn't having any contractions so I went home while my husband went back to work.
Thursday morning my husband and I arrived at the OB's office for our 7:30 appt (the first one of the day). After over an hour of waiting the receptionist informed us that he was still at the hospital attending to a birth and asked if we could come back in the afternoon. My husband went to work for a few hours and I went home. At 2:30 Thursday afternoon we were back in the OB's office. I still wasn't dilated or effaced, but my OB said "If you'd been here this morning I probably would've induced you." What I was thinking (but didn't say) was, "Um . . . we WERE here this morning. You weren't AND I don't want to be induced just because you're going on vacation". Instead of saying anything I just thanked God for the way it worked out since I didn't want to be induced for that reason.
Friday night I started feeling a bit uncomfortable. I wasn't having contractions, but I knew something was going on (I was 40 weeks, 6 days. In Phoenix. In the summer. I was LOOKING for signs labor was imminent!). Basically I felt like I was having menstrual cramps---the pressure was dull and constant--not sharp or coming and going so I knew they weren't contractions.
Saturday morning I told my husband, "Um . . . if you want to go in to work and get things done before you leave for the next two weeks today would be a REALLY good day to go do that." My husband almost NEVER works Saturdays so he knew it had to be serious for me to suggest that. When he asked "Why?" (knowing the answer) I told him, "I've been up all night feeling like I have cramps". Due to some things going on at work that day my husband would've ended up having to go in, even if I hadn't already suggested it. (BTW--he told me he got major bonus points at work by telling them he was working while I was in the earliest stages of labor). Because I suspected that the show was about to go on I sat on the couch and did NOTHING that day. I didn't want to wear myself out and be tired if I was going to be in labor, soon.
By the time my husband came home from work, at about 6, I was tired of sitting around the house all day and suggested we go out to dinner. Before I got dressed for dinner I asked my husband to take some final "belly shots" since I knew they would probably be the last pictures of me pregnant. Here is one of those. Yeah, I should've kept the shirt COVERING the belly!
 |
| At 41 weeks pregnant wearing one of my husband's shirts while realizing I was in the early stages of labor. |
We went to a restaurant around the corner from our house and when the hostess/server saw us she said "Hi! How are you two (glancing at my belly) oh . . . THREE of you doing tonight". My husband told her (with a straight face) "I'm fine. She's in pre-labor" I don't think I've ever seen any one's eyes be that big :). I had been consistently having contractions since the first one when I was putting on my flip flops, but hadn't said anything to my husband. I had looked at my watch when each one started and noticed that they were about 5 minutes apart. Since my OB told me to wait to go to the hospital until they were consistently 5 minutes apart for an hour I hadn't felt a huge sense of "this is it" urgency at that point. Finally, at 7:30 we had our food and were eating when I told my husband, "We don't need to leave now, but after we're done eating it might be a good idea to go home and grab our bags before heading to the hospital." My husband asked, "Why?" and I said, "Because I've been having contractions every 5 minutes for the past 30 minutes". After we were full we asked for to-go boxes and my husband told our server (the same woman who had seated us) and told her "We're heading to the hospital now . . . " I have never received my to-go box OR my check as fast in my life :)
We got to the hospital about 8:30 or 9pm. It was around midnight when they finally decided to admit me and give me my epidural. Because it was so late on a Saturday night I was assigned to the Dr. on call. My OB had already given me the name of another Dr. who was covering for him while he was gone, but since that Dr. was off for the weekend there was a 3rd OB taking both of the other doctors' patients. Though I was told her name I couldn't remember it. My husband and I jokingly called her the "3rd string"
At this point the time gets a little fuzzy, but here's what I remember:
I was told to lay on my left for 30 minutes and then lay on my right for 30 minutes through out labor. At one point, in the middle of the night, the overnight nurse had me lay on my left. Immediately she started getting VERY busy and put an oxygen mask on my face as she started making phone calls. Because I couldn't see the monitors I didn't know what was going on. Though he is an engineer by trade my husband is a certified EMT and his mom and sister are both nurses so my husband is pretty well versed in medical situations. Neither my husband or the nurse were talking to me (the nurse was busy with her phone calls, watching the monitors and putting the mask on me). After a few minutes when it seemed a bit calmer I asked the nurse what happened and she told me my son's heart rate dropped into the 50's, but it had stabilized as long as I stayed on my right. The oxygen mask I was wearing was to make sure my son had enough O2 while I was in labor. During the busy few minutes my husband could see the monitors and knew what was going on, but I was blissfully ignorant. Both he and the nurse were trying to keep me ignorant until I asked what was happening.
 |
| After the first scare |
As long as I kept the oxygen mask on and stayed on my right side my son was fine. We have pictures of the monitors showing us that his heart rate was 117 after the scare. Through all of this the nurses were in touch with the Dr. on call.
Throughout the night I wouldn't fully dilate, despite having come in at a 3 and being 41 weeks so I was given pitocin. (At some point a Dr. was delivering next door and the night nurse asked her if she would come break my water). Even after being given the maximum dosage of pitocin I was "stuck" at a 9.5 for quite a while. I believe it was hours. I know the nurse was trying to get me to fully dilate, but she couldn't. At this point the nurse told me she was off for the next few days, but she wouldn't be surprised if I was still there on Tuesday when she came back to work because I'd had a c-section. That was NOT what I wanted. I FINALLY dilated about the time the shift changed.
Once I met the new nurse my son's heart rate was stabilized, I was fully dilated, BUT he hadn't dropped far enough for me to be able to deliver him. Throughout my labor my parents were with us in my room, but my mom had made it clear that she thought my husband and I should be alone (with the medical staff) as we welcomed our first child. My dad left the room whenever the nurses came in, but my mom stayed in my room and behind the curtain to give me some privacy. At one point the morning nurse thought maybe if I started pushing I would drop. She had my mom and my husband help. I could tell my mom was a bit uncomfortable, but she obeyed the nurses command to help me. That didn't do the trick. The nurse told me "You're probably going to have a c-section" and left the room. I cried and silently prayed, "Lord, I don't want a c-section". Less than 10 minutes later the nurse came in and my son had dropped.
At this point it was about 8:30 and the nurse told me, "The Dr. will be here at 9. Don't push, even if you feel the urge". A few minutes later I told her I needed to push and she said, "Don't". Um . . . ok . . . At 9 the nurse had me start to push. My husband, the nurse and I were the only ones in the room. I remember thinking, "Um . . . shouldn't there be a few more people in here?" I pushed a few more times. The nurse made a phone call and stepped outside. This part is VERY fuzzy (after all, I'd been up for more than 24 hours already). My husband said the nurse and Dr. were having a "discussion" on the phone. All I know is I was told the Dr. wouldn't be there until 10 and not to push. Um . . . Ok . . .
At 10am the Dr. came in. Looking back I remember her having been in a few other times during the night, introducing herself and checking on me, but she didn't really play into the story until this point. When the Dr. came several other nurses came by with her and they brought several trays of equipment with them. It felt like the whole maternity ward had stepped into my room. Since this was my first I didn't think too much of it.
The Dr. had me push a few times. After a few pushes the Dr. said in a very no-nonsense manner, "Your baby is in distress. He needs to come out NOW. We're doing an episiotomy and using the vacuum. He's coming out NOW". Um . . . Ok.
I pushed a few more times while the Dr. used the vacuum to deliver my son. My husband jokes I had "Nike" imprinted on my bottom because of how hard she was having to pull while I pushed (as in she had her foot on my bottom. Obviously, she didn't). I do know, from my husband's description that the ENTIRE vacuum was used. I also know my son never dropped below a 0 station.
At 10:07 our son entered the world. I don't know how long it was until my son took his first breath, but I know it was long enough for me to have the conscious thought, "Come on, Baby. Breathe." before we heard a faint cry. The cord had been wrapped around his neck 2x. Every time I pushed his heart rate dropped and he was nearly strangled by it. His initial APGAR was 6 and he was rushed over to the nurses who gave him oxygen. He recovered quickly and his 5 minute APGAR was a 9. Phew.
Honestly, as I look back I'm amazed at how well everything turned out. I know several friends who have had emergency c-sections for "failure to progress" for less reasons than I did with my son. a) I wouldn't dilate b) He wouldn't drop c) The cord was wrapped around his neck causing his heart rate to drop. My husband's grandmother lost two sons in childbirth because they were strangled by their cord. I'm very aware at how differently things could've gone for all of us that night.
I have since met women who are labor and delivery nurses at the hospital where I delivered. Their consensus (confirmed after I had a "boring" delivery at the same hospital) was that the Dr. was prepared to do an emergency c-section in my room, without taking the time to wheel me into the ER and prep me there. Yes, it was that close.
I'm extremely thankful for the medical staff that night at the hospital who did what was necessary for my son and I PRAISE GOD for his grace and his mercy in allowing my son to be a normal, healthy 6 year old today.
 | ||
|
First family picture. Excuse Mommy and Daddy's appearance. We'd been up all night :)
|
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Inspired!
I started out 2012 feeling like there was a life lesson to be learned, but that I just couldn't grasp what it was. Because of separate incidents that occured in the same area of my life I just KNEW there was something I was supposed to be learning, but I just couldn't figure out what it was.
As the year progressed my quest for this big "answer" never really got anwered, or at least not answered in an easy to sum up "What I Learned in 2012" facebook status (Not even this blog is big enough), but one thing I did learn is that there are amazing people in my life who can teach me lessons and help me grow as a person, even when they're not trying to. Just through observing the lives of 3 friends in particular this year I have come away inspired. Only one of these women has chosen the challenge she's faced this year, but all three of them have climbed some pretty big mountains this year (like Mt. Everest sized mountains). Watching them struggle, stumble, succeed, and learn has caused me to look at the challenges in my own life and know they're not impossible.
*****************
About this time last year I, along with a few others, received an e-mail from a friend of ours who had found a lump in her breast. In the first few business days of 2012 my friend was in her car, on the freeway, when she received the offical diagnosis of breast cancer. Through her journey I have followed her progress on facebook where she's been extremely transparent about the good days and bad. Since her diagnosis in January my friend has faced a mastectomy, chemo and finally reconstruction with a grace that just absolutely astounds me. I've followed Jesus for about half of my life now and I have NEVER seen anyone handle adversity the way this friend has been. This friend "works the room" whenever she has an appointment at her oncologists, at chemo, at Herceptin treatments, at the plastic surgeon, etc. My friend wants to get to know other women who are on the same journey with her so they can encourage each other. My friend sees her cancer diagnosis as a journey to encourage others and bring them together. My friend knows there is a purpose to her battle and is just being her (extremely extroverted) self as she goes along side other women in her (lack of) a bra.
In addition to encouraging others who are facing breast cancer, my friend is being very real and open about breast cancer for those of us who have never walked closely with someone during their treatment so that we would be able to have more empathy for those on this journey and so that we could be more educated.
Interestingly enough this same friend had finished chemo before she even made her diagnosis public on her regular facebook page (After 25+ years in marketing and media she knows A LOT of people)!
Whether she realizes it or not this friend's example should be the basis of a book titled "How to Handle Cancer and any other Life Altering Event"
***************
The only friend from this list who chose her battle is a rockstar. Ok, not literally, but she's cooler than pretty much any rock star I can think of. Bon Jovi is cool and everything but is he a mom to 4 kids, actively involved in church, cook well enough to be a chef at his own restaurant, maintain his own blog . . . and oh yeah . . . complete an Ironman? Yeah, I didn't think so. That's why Missy from Sugar Coated Athlete is cooler than a rock star.
I'm not an athlete and I don't like to bake (I sure as heck LOVE to eat sweets, though so if you want to bake me some I'll be home waiting for you!!!), but I read Missy's blog almost every day. Seeing the workouts she does, the food she cooks, and the way she makes me laugh out loud while I'm reading her blog all inspire me.
You can read about Missy's journey to the finish line of the Arizona Ironman on her blog, but briefly it has included crashes, a trip to the ER, a long, HOT, very long, VERY HOT Phoenix summer, vacation, selling a house/moving a family of 6, potty training a toddler, and other normal life stuff that occurs when you're married and have 4 kids.
I've often said I don't have time to work out because of my kids. Well . . . Missy has 2 more kids than I do, blogs more often than I do and still can ride her bike 90 miles on a Saturday afternoon. What's my excuse? Yeah, I don't have one.
If Missy can train for an Ironman (quick education: An Ironman course is a 2.4mi swim, 112 mi bike ride and as if that weren't enough for one day . . . there's a full 26.2mi marathon at the end just for kicks). I can't even run to the end of my street if I turn left out of my driveway. (I totally kick butt when I run to the end of my street by hanging a right out of my driveway because my house IS at the end of the street)
Missy has inspired me to get off the couch and get moving! I have no desire to ever be an Ironman, but I KNOW I'm capable of achieving my goals with enough determination and grit.
***************
When your husband of 14 years tells you there's someone else and he wants you and the kids to "set him free" how would you handle it?
One friend found out this fall. Like me she said she'd always considered this marital issue to be a "deal breaker". Through her blog and her facebook page I watched a true miracle occur when her husband (also a friend of mine. Actually, he's one of my good friends from college and only know her as a result of her being his wife) changed his mind and decided he was willing to work it out with his wife. I have prayed (and am continuing to pray) fervently for this couple and the reconciliation process.
As with my friend who is just finishing up her battle with cancer I never want to find out if I'm as strong as this friend is. I never want to find myself where I have to forgive so much and be tortured with the thoughts she is.
In the two years prior to the path this couple is walking now they've dealt with a deployment (they're a military family), their 8 year old having a brain tumor and a move. (Their son just turned 10 and is doing great!). Recently this family was rocked by the sudden passing of his mom and now their household is dealing with mono.
I have read my friend's blog posts and I am amazed at the faith she is showing in the midst of all this . . . YUCK. I know God is growing her and He is changing her. Watching her strength in the midst of this "It could never happen to us" crisis has been inspiring. Through her blog and her facebook page I have watched her struggle with living out the Biblical commandment to forgive, while simultaneously wondering if I could forgive if I found myself in her situation and praying I never have to experience what she is facing.
Because her husband is a longtime friend of mine and because I've developed a friendship with her online in recent years I am rooting for this couple and cheering them, praying that they're able to have a marriage that thrives again! I know this is not an easy road for them, but the fact they've made it this far and are continuing to work things out is incredibly inspring. It's easy for me, or others, to tell them how they should handle things right now, but since I haven't ever been asked to forgive something so peronal I know all I can offer are prayers and encouragement.
I am blessed to know some amazing people but thanks to the internet I have watched as these three have climbed Mt. Everest (or maybe the entire Himilayan range) this year. I know the journey isn't over, yet (especially for my friends dealing with healing their marriage), but the fact that they're all still laughing is encouraging in and of itself!
As the year progressed my quest for this big "answer" never really got anwered, or at least not answered in an easy to sum up "What I Learned in 2012" facebook status (Not even this blog is big enough), but one thing I did learn is that there are amazing people in my life who can teach me lessons and help me grow as a person, even when they're not trying to. Just through observing the lives of 3 friends in particular this year I have come away inspired. Only one of these women has chosen the challenge she's faced this year, but all three of them have climbed some pretty big mountains this year (like Mt. Everest sized mountains). Watching them struggle, stumble, succeed, and learn has caused me to look at the challenges in my own life and know they're not impossible.
*****************
About this time last year I, along with a few others, received an e-mail from a friend of ours who had found a lump in her breast. In the first few business days of 2012 my friend was in her car, on the freeway, when she received the offical diagnosis of breast cancer. Through her journey I have followed her progress on facebook where she's been extremely transparent about the good days and bad. Since her diagnosis in January my friend has faced a mastectomy, chemo and finally reconstruction with a grace that just absolutely astounds me. I've followed Jesus for about half of my life now and I have NEVER seen anyone handle adversity the way this friend has been. This friend "works the room" whenever she has an appointment at her oncologists, at chemo, at Herceptin treatments, at the plastic surgeon, etc. My friend wants to get to know other women who are on the same journey with her so they can encourage each other. My friend sees her cancer diagnosis as a journey to encourage others and bring them together. My friend knows there is a purpose to her battle and is just being her (extremely extroverted) self as she goes along side other women in her (lack of) a bra.
In addition to encouraging others who are facing breast cancer, my friend is being very real and open about breast cancer for those of us who have never walked closely with someone during their treatment so that we would be able to have more empathy for those on this journey and so that we could be more educated.
Interestingly enough this same friend had finished chemo before she even made her diagnosis public on her regular facebook page (After 25+ years in marketing and media she knows A LOT of people)!
Whether she realizes it or not this friend's example should be the basis of a book titled "How to Handle Cancer and any other Life Altering Event"
***************
The only friend from this list who chose her battle is a rockstar. Ok, not literally, but she's cooler than pretty much any rock star I can think of. Bon Jovi is cool and everything but is he a mom to 4 kids, actively involved in church, cook well enough to be a chef at his own restaurant, maintain his own blog . . . and oh yeah . . . complete an Ironman? Yeah, I didn't think so. That's why Missy from Sugar Coated Athlete is cooler than a rock star.
I'm not an athlete and I don't like to bake (I sure as heck LOVE to eat sweets, though so if you want to bake me some I'll be home waiting for you!!!), but I read Missy's blog almost every day. Seeing the workouts she does, the food she cooks, and the way she makes me laugh out loud while I'm reading her blog all inspire me.
You can read about Missy's journey to the finish line of the Arizona Ironman on her blog, but briefly it has included crashes, a trip to the ER, a long, HOT, very long, VERY HOT Phoenix summer, vacation, selling a house/moving a family of 6, potty training a toddler, and other normal life stuff that occurs when you're married and have 4 kids.
I've often said I don't have time to work out because of my kids. Well . . . Missy has 2 more kids than I do, blogs more often than I do and still can ride her bike 90 miles on a Saturday afternoon. What's my excuse? Yeah, I don't have one.
If Missy can train for an Ironman (quick education: An Ironman course is a 2.4mi swim, 112 mi bike ride and as if that weren't enough for one day . . . there's a full 26.2mi marathon at the end just for kicks). I can't even run to the end of my street if I turn left out of my driveway. (I totally kick butt when I run to the end of my street by hanging a right out of my driveway because my house IS at the end of the street)
Missy has inspired me to get off the couch and get moving! I have no desire to ever be an Ironman, but I KNOW I'm capable of achieving my goals with enough determination and grit.
***************
When your husband of 14 years tells you there's someone else and he wants you and the kids to "set him free" how would you handle it?
One friend found out this fall. Like me she said she'd always considered this marital issue to be a "deal breaker". Through her blog and her facebook page I watched a true miracle occur when her husband (also a friend of mine. Actually, he's one of my good friends from college and only know her as a result of her being his wife) changed his mind and decided he was willing to work it out with his wife. I have prayed (and am continuing to pray) fervently for this couple and the reconciliation process.
As with my friend who is just finishing up her battle with cancer I never want to find out if I'm as strong as this friend is. I never want to find myself where I have to forgive so much and be tortured with the thoughts she is.
In the two years prior to the path this couple is walking now they've dealt with a deployment (they're a military family), their 8 year old having a brain tumor and a move. (Their son just turned 10 and is doing great!). Recently this family was rocked by the sudden passing of his mom and now their household is dealing with mono.
I have read my friend's blog posts and I am amazed at the faith she is showing in the midst of all this . . . YUCK. I know God is growing her and He is changing her. Watching her strength in the midst of this "It could never happen to us" crisis has been inspiring. Through her blog and her facebook page I have watched her struggle with living out the Biblical commandment to forgive, while simultaneously wondering if I could forgive if I found myself in her situation and praying I never have to experience what she is facing.
Because her husband is a longtime friend of mine and because I've developed a friendship with her online in recent years I am rooting for this couple and cheering them, praying that they're able to have a marriage that thrives again! I know this is not an easy road for them, but the fact they've made it this far and are continuing to work things out is incredibly inspring. It's easy for me, or others, to tell them how they should handle things right now, but since I haven't ever been asked to forgive something so peronal I know all I can offer are prayers and encouragement.
I am blessed to know some amazing people but thanks to the internet I have watched as these three have climbed Mt. Everest (or maybe the entire Himilayan range) this year. I know the journey isn't over, yet (especially for my friends dealing with healing their marriage), but the fact that they're all still laughing is encouraging in and of itself!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The day the Lord has made!
"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 119:24
Today is September 11, 2012
Almost all of us, over about the age of 16 remember where we were, what we were doing and who we were with when we heard about the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.
I was a flight attendant with America West Airlines and I happened to have the day off. Less than 2 weeks earlier I had moved and was living with a new roommate, in the townhouse she owned. My roommate (Kristina) was also a flight attendant and we were both accustomed to working red-eye flights and going to bed at odd hours, even on our days off so when the phone rang very early (probably around 6:30) I didn't get out of bed to answer it. Because I knew by the distinctive ring that the call was from one of my roommate's friends or family I stayed in bed wondering who would call her on our home phone this early, knowing we were day sleepers and rolled back over to get more sleep before having to start my day.
I don't know how long it was after the phone rang, but at some point afterwards Kristina opened my bedroom door and woke me up by saying, "There's been a terrorist attack on U.S. soil". "Huh?" Her words registered, but it sounded so foreign and so far out of anything I'd ever considered that it took me a few minutes, plus I had just woken up after only having a couple of hours sleep so I spent a moment trying to shake off the sleep and attempt to comprehend what she'd just told me.
The phone call I'd ignored was Kristina's dad telling her to turn on the news. We didn't have cable, and the only TV in our house was upstairs in her loft bedroom so we spent the next several hours watching TV while fielding phone calls from concerned friends and family wanting to find out if we were home or if we were working. While we fielded phone calls on our cell phones and our home phone we also were making outgoing phone calls to check on our friends who also worked in the industry. At one point I looked at the date on my phone and saw it was 9-11. Weird.
Kristina had a guy friend (who is now her husband and theirs was the wedding I'd attended the night I met my husband) who landed at Boston's Logan airport just as American Flight 11 was taxiing down the runway for it's doomed flight.
As Kristina and I sat on her bed while news reporters tried to make sense of the attacks Kristina and I knew what nobody else was saying: We KNEW the pilots were dead, and were not in control of their aircraft, when those planes hit their targets. Having worked in the airline industry for 3 years we knew that there was NO WAY the pilots would've crashed the planes into those buildings while they were alive. We knew, even with a gun to their head, the pilots would've crashed their aircraft into the Hudson before killing innocents on the ground.
As the reports came in about United 93 our first reaction was that the pilots had taken it down in an effort to save lives on the ground because we'd learned a few things about pilots in our day and we KNEW there wasn't a pilot out there who would commit these heinous acts, even under duress.
As the day progressed we knew our loved ones were on the ground and we had to continue living in the real world. (As an aside, I remember going to Wal-Mart at 9:30 that night to buy a toothbrush and feeling guilty for doing something so routine on such a horrific day when so many people had lost their lives.)
If I remember correctly Kristina had a dentist appointment. I was scheduled to work at my part-time job at a Christian bookstore. Two things from my afternoon shift stand out to me. I remember talking with people about how the world changed that day for all of us and I remember saying, "No. The world didn't change. Our perception of the world has changed. The world has always been an evil, fallen place. The only thing that's changed is we thought we were immune to these problems that happen in other places"
I also remember ringing up a lady's purchases and as I placed her items in the bag I noticed one of the things she had bought was a plaque with Psalm 118: 24 on it "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." In that moment I felt God speaking to me and reminding me that even on a day as dark as that one He is still God and He is still in control. Regardless of my circumstances He is still God, He is still in control and every day is a day He has made. Evil may seem to take over, but God is still God.
For the past 11 years every time I see that verse I am reminded of that moment and God's message to me. No matter what circumstances you're facing right now remember that today is the day the LORD has made and we are to rejoice and be glad in it.
Today is September 11, 2012
Almost all of us, over about the age of 16 remember where we were, what we were doing and who we were with when we heard about the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.
I was a flight attendant with America West Airlines and I happened to have the day off. Less than 2 weeks earlier I had moved and was living with a new roommate, in the townhouse she owned. My roommate (Kristina) was also a flight attendant and we were both accustomed to working red-eye flights and going to bed at odd hours, even on our days off so when the phone rang very early (probably around 6:30) I didn't get out of bed to answer it. Because I knew by the distinctive ring that the call was from one of my roommate's friends or family I stayed in bed wondering who would call her on our home phone this early, knowing we were day sleepers and rolled back over to get more sleep before having to start my day.
I don't know how long it was after the phone rang, but at some point afterwards Kristina opened my bedroom door and woke me up by saying, "There's been a terrorist attack on U.S. soil". "Huh?" Her words registered, but it sounded so foreign and so far out of anything I'd ever considered that it took me a few minutes, plus I had just woken up after only having a couple of hours sleep so I spent a moment trying to shake off the sleep and attempt to comprehend what she'd just told me.
The phone call I'd ignored was Kristina's dad telling her to turn on the news. We didn't have cable, and the only TV in our house was upstairs in her loft bedroom so we spent the next several hours watching TV while fielding phone calls from concerned friends and family wanting to find out if we were home or if we were working. While we fielded phone calls on our cell phones and our home phone we also were making outgoing phone calls to check on our friends who also worked in the industry. At one point I looked at the date on my phone and saw it was 9-11. Weird.
Kristina had a guy friend (who is now her husband and theirs was the wedding I'd attended the night I met my husband) who landed at Boston's Logan airport just as American Flight 11 was taxiing down the runway for it's doomed flight.
As Kristina and I sat on her bed while news reporters tried to make sense of the attacks Kristina and I knew what nobody else was saying: We KNEW the pilots were dead, and were not in control of their aircraft, when those planes hit their targets. Having worked in the airline industry for 3 years we knew that there was NO WAY the pilots would've crashed the planes into those buildings while they were alive. We knew, even with a gun to their head, the pilots would've crashed their aircraft into the Hudson before killing innocents on the ground.
As the reports came in about United 93 our first reaction was that the pilots had taken it down in an effort to save lives on the ground because we'd learned a few things about pilots in our day and we KNEW there wasn't a pilot out there who would commit these heinous acts, even under duress.
As the day progressed we knew our loved ones were on the ground and we had to continue living in the real world. (As an aside, I remember going to Wal-Mart at 9:30 that night to buy a toothbrush and feeling guilty for doing something so routine on such a horrific day when so many people had lost their lives.)
If I remember correctly Kristina had a dentist appointment. I was scheduled to work at my part-time job at a Christian bookstore. Two things from my afternoon shift stand out to me. I remember talking with people about how the world changed that day for all of us and I remember saying, "No. The world didn't change. Our perception of the world has changed. The world has always been an evil, fallen place. The only thing that's changed is we thought we were immune to these problems that happen in other places"
I also remember ringing up a lady's purchases and as I placed her items in the bag I noticed one of the things she had bought was a plaque with Psalm 118: 24 on it "This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." In that moment I felt God speaking to me and reminding me that even on a day as dark as that one He is still God and He is still in control. Regardless of my circumstances He is still God, He is still in control and every day is a day He has made. Evil may seem to take over, but God is still God.
For the past 11 years every time I see that verse I am reminded of that moment and God's message to me. No matter what circumstances you're facing right now remember that today is the day the LORD has made and we are to rejoice and be glad in it.
Friday, July 2, 2010
It's HOT out there . . . and I'm praising God!
I live in Phoenix, AZ. It's HOT here in the summer. The highs this week have been above 110. I vividly remember that July 4, 2007 it was 117! The overnight low has been around 90. While I'm thankful the low is 30+ degrees cooler than in the heat of the day, it's not comfortable.
I ran a couple of errands this morning. I loaded my two toddlers into and out of the car, across parking lots and into multiple stores. According to my vehicle, it was 102 at 8:30am. One of our stops was to drop 4 cases of water off at a local store, which collects items for Phoenix Rescue Mission. I got home and had to take a quick shower before guests arrrived because I needed to cool down.
I got in the shower and started thinking about how hot it's been, how my friends keep mentioning the heat on facebook, and how annoyed I was that in the rush of getting ready for friends to come over this morning I had to stop what I was doing to take a shower I hadn't planned on. I thought about the bottles of water I had just dropped off and realized the people who would be drinking that water would be THRILLED to be in an air conditioned house (like I was), taking a cool shower (like I was), and have a table full of fresh fruits, muffins, and cookies waiting for them (like I had).
God changed my perspective in that moment. It's hot outside. It's miserable. While it's hot and miserable outside, I get to hide in my air conditioned house. When I'm not in my house, I'm in an air conditioned car or an air conditioned building. I thought about the thousands of homeless people in Phoenix who have no relief from the heat. Each year homeless people die in Arizona from heat related illnesses. I thought about how I was inwardly complaining about an inconvenience when people in my city are dying. I realized how good I have it and that I have nothing to complain about when the mercury rises.
Here's my challenge to you (and me):
1) Turn your a/c up a couple of degrees this weekend and instead of giving money to your utility company donate it to Phoenix Rescue Mission or a group in your community that serves the homeless.
2) Buy a case of water to donate. For information about a drop off center in your area check out Phoenix Rescue Mission's Water Page. Maricopa County has several hydration station/heat refuges and you can donate water here
3) Next time you're tempted to complain (even inwardly) about how uncomfortable you are stop and think about how much you have to be thankful for. "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure . . ." Philippians 2:14, 15a
I ran a couple of errands this morning. I loaded my two toddlers into and out of the car, across parking lots and into multiple stores. According to my vehicle, it was 102 at 8:30am. One of our stops was to drop 4 cases of water off at a local store, which collects items for Phoenix Rescue Mission. I got home and had to take a quick shower before guests arrrived because I needed to cool down.
I got in the shower and started thinking about how hot it's been, how my friends keep mentioning the heat on facebook, and how annoyed I was that in the rush of getting ready for friends to come over this morning I had to stop what I was doing to take a shower I hadn't planned on. I thought about the bottles of water I had just dropped off and realized the people who would be drinking that water would be THRILLED to be in an air conditioned house (like I was), taking a cool shower (like I was), and have a table full of fresh fruits, muffins, and cookies waiting for them (like I had).
God changed my perspective in that moment. It's hot outside. It's miserable. While it's hot and miserable outside, I get to hide in my air conditioned house. When I'm not in my house, I'm in an air conditioned car or an air conditioned building. I thought about the thousands of homeless people in Phoenix who have no relief from the heat. Each year homeless people die in Arizona from heat related illnesses. I thought about how I was inwardly complaining about an inconvenience when people in my city are dying. I realized how good I have it and that I have nothing to complain about when the mercury rises.
Here's my challenge to you (and me):
1) Turn your a/c up a couple of degrees this weekend and instead of giving money to your utility company donate it to Phoenix Rescue Mission or a group in your community that serves the homeless.
2) Buy a case of water to donate. For information about a drop off center in your area check out Phoenix Rescue Mission's Water Page. Maricopa County has several hydration station/heat refuges and you can donate water here
3) Next time you're tempted to complain (even inwardly) about how uncomfortable you are stop and think about how much you have to be thankful for. "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure . . ." Philippians 2:14, 15a
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)