Renewal, Revival, and Snow

I am renewing my blog.  There, I said it to the world.  I know I said this over a year ago, but this time it has been gnawing at me.

Spring is finally here after a looong winter, so it seems.  I felt the need to ask… snow again?  Keeping the cheerful outlook was difficult  that last month or so.  I’m usually the one telling people, “it is Minnesota, and this is normal.”  This winter I felt a little less cheerful.  I have a renewed respect (again) for the women that do it alone.  I was in “her shoes” when my husband was in the military.  You see, military wives are not issued dog tags, combat boots, or a duffel bag.  When her soldier has to go, she is left holding the household bag and she must handle it.  So this winter I was re-issued my household bag when my dear husband had to do some travelling.  I had to handle snow removal this go around.  I did have assistance from my dear son and his dear girlfriend.  It was a great bonding with a sweet girl that I am truly pleased to have around.  That’s a topic I’ll have to cover some other time.

As the snow melts and we see what has been hidden under the blanket of white, I can hardly wait to get the summer started.  The funny thing about Minnesotans.  We try to pack as much as we can into the summer months, then we hibernate in the winter.  By hibernate, I mean, either enjoy the cold stuff and do as much as we can while battling the white stuff or make plans for summer.  This winter I was the latter.  As I wait for the snow to go away, I have been planned the new vision for the interior of the camper.  I envision it to not look so much like a camper and more like a small apartment.  I think our first apartment was the same size as our camper, so this should be easy.  My big AHA moment was when I found a tip for new curtains for the front window of the camper.  The old curtains were looking a little old and well used; and to buy new curtains would put a very large dent in the budget.  I have purchased some fabric shower curtains.  My plan is to cut and hem them to fit the window, and use the pre made holes to fit the curtain hooks on the window rail.  Ingenious!  I can not wait do get this done!

Only one small problem…. snow.

 

A New Begining

I have not posted in a while.  Yes, I know it has been over a year.  I know that is more than “awhile”.   I have written many posts in my head while driving around, but I haven’t sat down to share them…… I will start again.  I want to start again.

HOWEVER, I will kindly say that criticizing me personally will be ignored.  I stopped blogging because I received a personal attack about what I have written. I didn’t receive it in written form. I received it in a phone call that was a rant. Not only was it a phone call, it was a phone call to my husband. If you wish to rant about what I write, please write it in this forum.  Rants on the phone will not be tolerated.

 

So, now that I have cleaned that slate, I will start all over and begin this whole process.

About Turn and Retreat

I used to help plan a women’s retreat.  We would spend the weekend at Cozy Bay Resort in Merrifield (hey Suzette).  We  had an absolute wonderful experience getting closer to each other and to God.  I tried to plan the activities that no matter where you were in your walk with Christ, there was as least one activity that touched your heart.  My friend, Sheila, was also there to bring great activities that would deepen you faith. 

The program was nixed a couple of years ago. 

I miss the fellowship with the other women.  I miss the ability to open my heart with women that understand what I am experiencing.  I miss watching the women whom you wouldn’t put together, become friends.   I miss the mentor relationship you develop when cut off from the rest of the world and you are with God and other women.

We started small.  The first year, we had about a handful of women.  Word got out, and the second year we doubled in size.  That year was such a success, that the third year was even better.  I don’t remember if we had a theme the second year, but I remember that the speaker rocked.  Holly Barry was her name, and she was great.  She really opened her heart and her faith story inspired the women.  The third year, we had a travel theme.  The journey was wonderful with the women.  We traveled to Israel with Julie, and our journey with God became stronger with the breakout sessions.  Our speaker with Bobbie Muncy, a friend of mine, who has had an incredible journey through life.   The ladies spiritual bags were full at the end of the weekend. 

I recently was driving and was pondering the retreats.  I even thought about how I could go ahead and have a retreat.  It’s all planned, just implementing it.   I don’t know if I would get enough interest.  I did see a friend the other day, and she said she missed them and would help if I ever planned one.   Hmmmmm….. the juices are flowing.  Any interest?

In The Beginning…

In the beginning …… of the year, we set our resolutions.  It is a time old tradition.  I could go into the history of setting resolutions, but it is just as easy for you to “Google it” than for me to cut and paste all the history.  Turning over the new calendar seems to inspire us to turn over a new “you”.    TV ads have been running to help us achieve those goals.  Ads to quit smoking, lose weight, get in shape all have been in high rotation. What resolution have you set for the new year?

The top 10 resolutions, according to “About.Com” are: 

1.  Spend more time with family & friends    

2.  Get Fit                                                                  

3.  Lose Weight

4.  Quit Smoking

5.  Enjoy Life More

6.  Quit Drinking

7.  Get Out of Debt

8.  Learn Something New

9.  Help Others

10.  Get Organized

I think I could adopt many of these goals – except the quit smoking thing; I really like my cigars.  (Just kidding.)  But in God’s plan for my life, I think these would all happen.  If, as Christians, we are to live more like Christ, would any of these be a natural by-product?  I would imagine so.  If we go into the new year with the mindset to honor God, and grow spiritually, you would study the Bible more.  By studying the Bible, you would also want to seek God’s will in your life. 

So, in setting my resolutions for the year, wouldn’t it make sense to:

1.  seek God –  Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4

2.  ask for His wisdom – If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  James 1:5

3.  rely on Him – I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 1 Timothy 1:12

4.  and always, always, give God the Glory –    So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.   1 Corinthians 10:31 

and remember to – Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.  Psalm 37:5-6

I Remember….

Yesterday was the eighth anniversary of the suicide attacks on The United States.  It’s a haunting feeling to live through the day of an anniversary of a tragedy.  I drove past the Brainerd Fire Station and they had all of the fire trucks parked in front of the building, shiny and gleaming in the sun.  They had the ladder on the ladder truck extended to high heaven, with a huge American flag flying from it.  I got choked up.  Then I started to rethink that day.   I was at work at The Office Shop and we found out via the internet.  Unbelief.  We turned on the tv in the conference room.  More unbelief.  It was hard to work, we tried to pretend to work.  It was a fake effort.  I don’t think we sold a single pen or paperclip that day.  We didn’t want to do anything, and any customer we called, didn’t want to do anything either.  Unbelief.  It was a numb feeling.  Although none of us personally knew anyone in the areas hit by the planes, we still were numb.  I still cannot believe so many lost their lives.  You just pray for a lack of suffering.  God was present that day, so many stories emerged about God at work.

I had a different feeling the day of the Luby’s Massacre in Killeen, Texas.  The tragedy was more personal.  On October 16, 1991, I was living in Killeen, Texas.  I worked in a business office for a chain of stores, and we planned on taking our boss to lunch for Bosses Day.  We were going to take him to Luby’s, but he was late.  We heard there had been a shooting at Luby’s.  We were supposed to be there.  God had intervened.  We finished the day working, not knowing how tragic the event was. I found out more on the way home.   Al was doing some advanced military training in Alabama, so I tried to call him to let him know I was ok.  No phone lines available.  I tried to call my mom.  No phone lines available, they were jammed with the huge amount of phone traffic.  When I finally got through on a line, it was to my mom.  It was the same time the 6 o’clock news came on….  my first views of the day’s events.   I broke down on my mom’s answering machine….   “Mom, I’m ok.  It’s just horrible……(crying, sobbing)”  She had no idea what was going on when she heard the message 4 hours later, until she watched the news.  Later that evening, I was able to leave a message with the CQ (charge of quarters) where Al was  going to school.  The message was “Tell Al his wife is ok.”  Simple enough.  No one could mess up that message.  Nope.  The message was too simple.  The CQ didn’t bother to tell Al.  Three days later I was finally able to talk to Al.  I told him  I had left a message.  When questioned, the CQ said he did get the message, but didn’t think it was important enough to tell Al.  It was then explained to the CQ that his wife lives in Killeen, and asked the CQ if he knew what had just happened in Killeen…….  The simple message was not so simple any longer.  To this day, I feel for the lives lost that day, and the lives changed by a man who never gave a clue to his reason for the day.

I sat on the floor of our tiny rented house.  It was an old farm house in Germany.  I was in front of the tv with the volume on low, and blow drying my hair.  I couldn’t believe was I saw, so I quickly turned off the dryer and turned up the volume.  The United States bombed Libya……  I ran upstairs to wake Al.  At the same time, the phone rang.  The Americans we being called to base, and Al was on Red Alert.  The operation lasted only a few minutes, and by the end of the day, we went home to our own beds.   All was done.  The muscle was flexed.  I don’t think anyone living in “The States” even knew anything happened on April 15, 1986.

I had started to pack my suitcases.  Just a couple of days till I was on a plane to Germany.  Al had found a house and I could finally join him.  The tv was on and I was getting ready for the day.  I had stayed up late reading.  I had acclimated myself to the time change, so I would stay up half the night reading, and sleep almost until noon.  I was about to move to Germany to be with my husband.  The buzz on the tv was focused on the teacher that was going into space.  The Challenger space shuttle launched on January 28, 1986.  I was watching the launch, then stared in disbelief as it exploded before my eyes.  It’s not supposed to do that.  My thoughts for the rest of the day flipped between the shuttle member’s families left behind and whether I would still be able to fly in two days.  What if there was debris  in the sky we couldn’t fly through…. (I know stupid thought).  

So much can happen in just an instant.  God is in control.  I know that whatever may happen, God is with me.  And I know that should something happen to me, God will call my name and I will be with Him.

Because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”  Hebrews 13:5b-6

What I Have Learned…..

I like Facebook.  It is a fun way to wind down in the evening.  I can sit on the couch, watch TV with Al, and “play on the computer. ”  It also gives me a chance to keep up with friends and family.  I have even connected with cousins that I haven’t seen in thirty years!!   (Shout out to Bryce)

I have learned so much about myself.  Besides being a dork (thats good); I also have learned I have a wide variety of friends and family.  From my church friends to my son and husband to dirt track racers to that one kid that is into cars.  I just like looking at the progress of this project cars, I’ve never met him, but sure would like some of the cars he has.

I also like taking the goofy quizzes.  So far, I have taken quizes and found out:

Which Bible book am I?  Hosea

Which Jeff Dunham character am I?  Jose the Jalepeno

Which Metallica song am I?  Broken, Beat and Scarred

I got 93% on the kitchen gadget quiz…

How country are you quiz…  only 50%

My Native American name is    Strong Heart

My red neck name is     Rhonda Sue

I had my fortune done.  It gave me 1 Corinthians 13:13 ….. “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Jesus, in his wisdom, spoke the truth. For it is by faith and hope that our love exists. To love is to lay it all down and submit, just like in faith and hope, but it is harder to submit to love than in faith and hope. ”

So what have I learned from all of this??  I spend way too much time on Facebook!   I doesn’t matter, it’s pure fun and a chance to stay connected.  So to all my Facebook friends, see ya later!

A 12 Year Milestone

It will be hard to type this blog; but I have been thinking.  I get to think quite a bit while driving the FedEx truck.  This time my thoughts wandered to the fact that we hit a milestone this past week.  It has been 12 years since my Dad passed away. 

May 23, 1997 – It was a Friday – Memorial Day Weekend.

Dad was diagnosed with melanoma (skin cancer) that had metastasized into his lymph nodes (and the rest of his body) the first weekend in March.  Three months later he was gone.

Alot has happened since then.  Molly and Kirsten are all grown up and are mommies now, so is Jodie and Lindsay.  Kelly wasn’t even a daddy then.  Add eight grandchildren.

I sometimes morn the fact none of his grandchildren will know what a great person he was.  Even Greg will not know much about him, except the information that Kelly, Jodie, Lindsay, Molly, Kirsten, Al, Tracy, Terri and myself share with them. 

He was a common person with common sense; and never forgot where he came from.  He never thought of himself better than anyone.  Labels and tags didn’t matter to him, but who you are on the inside is more important. 

A common saying he had was:  “Work 8 hours and sleep 8 hours… but not the same 8 hours.”  How can you beat that??

 

Miss ya, Dad…

It Is What It Is

I have found a new saying.   I heard it last summer and thought it covered so much.  A great answer to anything you can not change or have no control over.    We all have to recognize we do not control anything in this world.  God has it in his hands, and He knows what it is and where this world and life is going.  So some examples of times when the perfect answer is….  it is what it is.

How’s the weather?  …   It is what it is.

What is happening in the world?  …  It is what it is.

The change in government?  …  It is what it is.

The economy?  …  It is what it is.

The financial markets?  …  It is what it is.

Crime?  …   It is what it is.

My check book?  … It is what it is.   (I had to throw that one in.)

God is in complete control and the only thing we can do is pray.  It is as God is planning and we do not know the disigned end result.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  Proverbs 3:5

So whatever is happening we need to pray, and trust God.  He is in control.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Matthew 6:34

Wedding Plans

My sister is getting married!!  The reaction from my husband was, “it’s about time”. 

Lindsay is the one sister I am the closest to.  I have four sisters, two step and two half.  I consider them all sisters even though I didn’t grow up with them, and up until a few years ago, I really didn’t know them.  Long story that I really don’t want to explain.  Just that it takes time to build bridges to people you are suddenly related to.

I have always said that Lindsay and I are the most alike, and the most opposite.  We can talk forever on the phone, and we are both “tomboys”.  We both share a love of Christ, and we have great memories of Dad that we can share and compare.  Sure we have a 13 year difference in age, but Lindsay is easy to hang around with. 

The minute I heard that Lindsay was getting married, I was thrilled!  She will be a beautiful bride.  She and Russell are not spending a fortune on this wedding.  I like the idea of that.  I even volunteered to help with the decorating of the Armory.  One less thing for Lindsay to worry about.  The opinion that I shared with Dad was that no matter what happens, was the wedding effective?  To rephrase, when the day is over and all is said and done, are the bride and groom married?  If the answer is yes, then the purpose of the day was accomplished.

Pictures of Life…

I have been having a great time getting back into photography. 

When I was in elementary school, I took a photography class.  35mm cameras were used by the serious photographer & that was when f-stops were important and you had to focus your own camera.  Waaaay too complicated.  Now with digital cameras, it is a matter of point and shoot, but to look at the subject matter in a different eye.  What will the subject look like from the angle and light.  Less complicated; almost anyone can take a good picture.

A couple of years ago, Greg’s dorm mate was selling his digital camera.  Being the selfish person that I am, I didn’t like sharing a camera with the rest of the family, so I bought the camera for $100.  What a steal!!!  I’ve taken some great snap shots with the camera.  I even brought my camera to Ukraine, and took some great pictures, but it wasn’t until this summer that I got serious and started to take photographs instead of snapshots.

I like taking pictures of nature and “memorabilia”.  I have a picture from my photography class that is still one of my favorites.  It is a water pump next to a building, and the shadow of the leaves are on the building.  I like the emotion that it evokes, nostalgia of days gone by.

I may not be good at photography, but I like the creative outlet it allows.  I can be going through my normal day and see something that evokes an emotion or would be a great picture.  I can capture it on the spot and be done.  It isn’t like scrapbooking, quilting or beading.  They all need alot of space, and are time consuming to finish a project.

Do you have a great garden?  Call me for a photo session.  By the way, my new headliner photo behind the blog title is one of my photos….