The Lord makes honey!

Busy little bee! That's how I felt today; like a busy little bee. Bees are so important to our Eco system and if you have allergies, eat the local honey as they help your immunities. Even though I understand how this small bee helps me in so many ways, I still don't like to be stung. Which happened to me last week. I want to stay busy taking care of my family and yet I want to stop and smell the flowers and spend time with God.

Right now I am watching a television show on DOC. It is called Prophets Rising...Nashville, Tenn. has become a hub for the modern prophetic movement. Several young people are convinced that God is moving and maturing them at a much faster pace than what older Christians have matured. I believe Christians have been in a slumber and the winds are changing and we are better equipping our children for their faith. The youth of today do not want to play church, they want to understand what it truly means to be the church. The pastor just said the teens have been to the circus and seen the show and now they want reality...and Jesus is reality! He is my reality.

Bees take pollen from one plant to another and then they make honey. (Ok, that's a simple explanation, I know.) I see the Holy Spirit taking His love from one Jesus lover to another and making honey! Taste and see that the Lord is good. Yes, He is good!

The real fishermen in our family!

Yep, my three year old grandson (will be 4 next week) caught his first fish and if you had seen how we reacted, you would have thought he hit a home run at the World Series! He was so excited he reeled in a big fish (well for him it was) and his big sister was thrilled to touch the scaly thing! I thought it was rather funny though that when they wanted to remove the hook from the mouth of the fish, mama had to hold the fish. None of the guys would. I was so proud of myself! See, I can be tough when necessary.

And my youngest son (17) was the other fisherman of the group. I don't want to leave him out...he thinks I think of the grandkids more than of him. Not true and I am glad TD and I have a great relationship, so I know he knows he's loved!

Jesus told Peter He would make him a fisher of men. Today we think it is so hard to witness to people about God. We really don't want to be fishermen. We want to put the bait on the hook and then sit on the sidelines relaxing; maybe even fall asleep. I watched my son patiently wait as the fish would go back and forth without noticing the tiny fake fish on the hook. He moved the pole gently back and forth as if to tease the fish. Well it must have worked because he caught three fish that day. But my son really didn't want the fish, so he threw it back into the water.

Are we like that when we are fishing for men/women? Do we patiently wait for the Holy Spirit to move or do we move the bait back and forth, taunting and teasing the hurting and hungry people who want to meet Christ. Sometimes we move so quickly that we don't give them ample time to ask us questions about our Lord. Honestly, there was a time in my life that I really didn't want anyone to ask me questions about Jesus. I just knew enough to love Him and I thought I would totally mess up if I were to quote Scripture and explain doctrine, so I didn't say anything.

If I am to fish for women ( I leave the men for my hubby) I must learn to be patient and know the Holy Spirit is the bait. When the lady is pulled in by the Holy Spirit in me all I have to do is tell her what God through Jesus has done in my life. I could talk about that for hours! I don't need to tell her the doctrines or the views of my local church...I just need to tell her of the love of Christ and the Holy Spirit does the rest. Whew! that takes me off the hook!!

My Interpretation:

I am holding the fishing rod, Jesus, the WORD, that God uses to place the bait, the Holy Spirit inside of me, that will lure the fish to HIM. Instead of throwing the fish back into the murky water, I am to show her the love of Christ. God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit will do the rest.

Fire Alarms Blaring yet No Fire!

All the children went back home and so hubby and I was the only ones at the lake house on our last night. As we were watching the movie, "Thelma and Louise", I accidently pushed a button on the controller and the movie went off. Ron was not thrilled that I couldn't get the TV to work and it was right at a good point too! Funny how just a little thing can get so blown up. Soon we were not happy with each other even after we did get the TV working again, and we went to bed without the usual kisses and "I love you." A good night's sleep would help us. We had grown to enjoy the early mornings on the deck, reading and looking out over the water and that time together would mend any little spat.

 

I was awaken out of a very deep sleep with a piercing beep; just one beep. A few minutes later, two beeps…then we were both awake wondering what was beeping. Maybe the dishwasher had ended the cycle and it was letting us know. Maybe one of the batteries in the smoke alarms was weak. Maybe… we didn't have time to even think about it what it could have been because the piercing beep turned into a prolonged shrill. We couldn't smell anything and we went downstairs and out the front door to see if the other units were on fire. Nothing. We went from room to room investigating, looking for smoke. Nothing! The noise was almost unbearable and now it wasn't just one alarm going off, every alarm in the house was blaring!

 

It was 2:22 am and we didn't want to call the fire department if nothing was smoking or burning. What would they think? We ran through the house touching the walls and ceilings to see if anything was even warm. Ron had to get the bar stool to stand on so he could reach the fire alarm in the entry to reset it, then he went to the fire alarm in the Master bedroom and reset it. I have never heard anything that instantly gave me a headache. After 15 minutes the penetrating noise stopped abruptly. We looked at each other and wondered what had just happened.

 

Our minds were really wandering in some strange ways, although we didn't talk about it. We tried to go back to sleep but I couldn't stop thinking of the "what ifs" and I know hubby was still awake because he was tossing and turning. My heart was pounding and I was so glad that the grandchildren weren't with us because the shrill alone would have scared them and then they would have been crying. It was so weird! One good thing though…I made up real fast with hubby and was so glad he put his arm around me.

 

Sleep did not come easy but eventually I could hear the familiar snore of my husband and since he was alright then I was alright. So I fell asleep…for awhile. Once again at 4:20 am, the alarm went off, but this time it was for only a couple of minutes. What in the world was going on?

 

We decided we would get up and leave early for home. Going over the events and trying to figure out what had happened and what we would have done if it had been a real fire or a burglary. We were in a new townhouse in a new subdivision one mile from the main road. In fact, the other three townhouses were empty and so we were all alone. I had no phone numbers I could call for help other than the fire dept. and 911. I know we sound foolish but hey what would you do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danger! Man’s quest for adventure!

He took off his sunglasses and jumped in the choppy water. The knee board was the only thing my husband could use to help him swim to the boat where his youngest son, Timmy, was in trouble. There was no life jacket at the dock. The life jackets were on the boat and the three boys were obviously having problems and not able to get the boat started. As Ron and I were watching from the upper deck, we thought the boys had decided to jump in the water and swim for awhile before coming in. But they took such a long time and then it appeared they were in the water pulling the boat to shore. He had to swim out to them and bring them home. It was a, "I'm his dad and I have to help my boy" moment.

My heart pounded for my husband more than for the boys because they could get back in the boat and wave down another boater for help. There were several boats in the area…that was another problem for my husband. The farther he went out the harder it was for me to see him as the sun was going down. The glare on the water made him disappear. So if I couldn't see him then I knew boats flying on the water wouldn't be able to see him. In fact, earlier in the day, Jacob, Timmy's friend, was knee boarding and when he took a fall two boats whizzed past him without even seeing him. ..and they never even looked back. The thought that Ron could get ran over made me very nervous.

Water was splashing as Ron was kicking ferociously as the current was taking him the other way. Then he stopped. I thought he fell off the knee board. Yes, he did fall off. My mind raced and I thought if without a life jacket would he be able to swim to the knee board or would he have enough strength to reach the boat. It was only a few seconds but it seemed much longer, when he grabbed the knee board and pulled himself back on top of it. Then I yelled to warn him a boat was coming his way, but the boat turned and I said a breath prayer. Actually I began saying breath prayers as soon as I saw the boys in trouble.

Ron is diabetic and his blood sugars were spiking ever since we came to the lake house. He had just had a drop earlier and I worried that the stress would also drive his blood sugars down while he was rescuing our son and his friends. What would I do if he had a cramp and fell off the knee board? I tried to run different scenarios through my mind so I would be able to make a quick decision if that happened. I also knew that the love of a father is stronger and more propelling than anything and Ron was determined to save his son. I was never prouder of this man I am married too.

The boys were using the skis as paddles and someone was in the water pulling it as they swam. When Ron reached the boat I let out a thank you prayer, but then I noticed the boys were still in the water swimming toward the dock. Ron had taken the helm and it looked as if he was drifting with the current. I was totally confused. Why were the boys swimming and not in the boat? Was the motor running? Were they going to swim to shore and then get help for Ron?

Finally I heard laughter and saw them floating on their backs flipping over often and talking casually to each other. I think they thought that if Ron had swum out they should be able to swim in….boys !

My Interpretation:

There is something inside each man (boy) that requires "danger" to make them feel alive. Well that's great for them but for the women watching it can be terrifying. Although I must admit, it made my heart swell up with pride and admiration. Maybe that's why we read in the Bible …men love your wives, wives respect your husband. I saw both my hubby's love for our son (and me) and my respect for him grew. Ain't love grand!

Relaxing at the lake with our loved ones!

My hubby and I are sitting in Lake Pitt ( a gas station and convenience store) hooking up with the Internet. That has been the only problem we have encountered while we are here at the lake. Not that we have to be on the Internet constantly, but we have grown fond of being able to keep in touch with everyone via the air waves. Our cell phones can't get a signal...just when I get a Blackberry too! What good has it done for me?



Our four sons and the grandbabies were with us the first three days and we enjoyed water skiing and swimming. But now they have all gone home and our youngest went back home to pick up some friends so they can ski and swim for the rest of the week. We know he is old enough to take the boat out on the lake without us, but boy does that seem weird! Our baby doesn't need us. We do pray a lot though that he will use his head when out on the water. Things can happen so fast and someone could get hurt. But we have faith ...in him and in HIM.



Our grandson caught his first fish! I wish I could show you the picture but that will have to wait unitl I get home. We were all screaming like the child had just won the lottery. He kept the fish out so long so we could see it that it died before we got it back in the water. Poor thing!

I know I have said this so many times, enjoy your family...TODAY! At Clyde's funeral, I watched three of his four sons standing side by side and looking lovingly at their mother. One son was missing. I remembered Clyde and Joanne telling us that their son David died some twenty years ago. Life happens and so quickly a young man's life was shortened and his parents grieved for many months and years. Now Clyde is rejoicing with his son in heaven. In his son's place stood his friend, Jimmy. Even though David had been gone twenty years, his memory is forever sketched into Jimmy's heart and now he held back the tears just as a son would.

My hubby and I talked today in the quietness of the pool...we were the only ones there...about enjoying every moment as it happens. Not thinking about what we were going to do in a few hours or a few days; but being focused on the present. The present is a gift, a precious awakening of the soul to the love flowing one to another. I love that feeling. God is with us and we so grateful for His love and through His love we can love more deeply and passionately, for God is love.

My Interpretation:

When I live in the present, I embrace the present God has given me, my family!

A tribute to a godly man, Clyde Spence

Yesterday evening Joanne called to tell me her husband was in his last few hours here on earth and she knew he would want to see my husband. As we entered his room, I was reminded how life is but a breath and we should enjoy every moment we have with our loved ones. My hubby loves to read Ecclesiastes and so did Clyde. Here is a passage that helps us to make sense of life.

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

¹ There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

² a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

³ a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

⁴ a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

⁵ a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

⁶ a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

⁷ a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

⁸ a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peacce.

Clyde was called home in the early hours of this day, July 3, 2009. He was a wonderful friend and mentor to my husband. A couple of years ago Clyde asked him to be a pall bearer with his 3 sons and 2 grandsons. This is an honor that humbles my husband. You never know how much you mean to people. Joanne also asked my husband to say a few words at the grave yard service. May God give him the words to say that will encourage Clyde's family!

Beautiful Ohio!

What a wonderful trip to Ohio! All of my siblings (there are 6 of us) gathered at my parents for a summer time party and most of their children came too. My children were not able to be there. So here's the list: Sister C and her husband, her three daughters and husbands/boyfriend with five little ones (and one on the way); my brother and four of his six children, my sister from Texas, her husband and son, my sister from Delaware, Ohio, her husband and two of her children, my brother from Lebanon, Ohio and his three children. That's 33…and then my aunt and cousin came…35 of us! It was noisy, fun and you could feel the energy of love!

I have not lived in my home town for over 15 years and only a few times have we gathered there during the summer at my parent's house. We have gone to the beach several times as a group and to the mountains, but with mom and dad getting older it's easier on them for us to go to Ohio. I had forgotten just how beautiful Ohio is and I'll download the pictures soon.

We did have a scare on our way there. I called my mom to tell her our estimated arrival time and she seemed a little disoriented. She was talking slow and couldn't remember things...like my husband's name. We've been married for 26 years! She told me her fingers were going numb and she thought maybe she had a stroke. I called my sister who went to their house and they called the squad. It wasn't a stroke but they think a seizure. I hope she tells her heart doctor because it really sounds like she is not getting enough oxygen to her brain. She said she has told her doctor that recently but he didn't think it was anything. Hope he's right. She was fine within a few hours and she will have a follow up in the next week.

It is so relaxing being around people who love you no matter what. They know the good, the bad and the ugly of me and may even at times get upset with me, but their love covers a multitude of sin. We are blessed to be a part of a God fearing family for when we go through crisis, such as divorce, job loss or when Jamie and Brittany were called home to be with the Lord, we have the common thread of prayer and the strength of the Lord to get us through. I am so thankful God put me in this family and I only pray they feel the same.

My Interpretation:

There is a marvelous ethos that has been created within my family that gets better and better each year.