happy and sad

I know I've talked so often about change...yesterday was a day of change...Jenn and Nick moved out of their home late on Friday.  Jenn and the kids moved in for a month with me.  There was sadness and joy..  Sadness for the passing of a home and a house and good neighbors and kid's friends.  But a joy that Nick was here, and they are moving on to the next phase of their life.  I also take great joy in spending a month with them.

Friday night I went out with ladies from church as we celebrated with my friend Cindy the same transition from a life here to her new life in Florida.  She and Jenn are in the same boat.  Sadness yet joy.  Eagerness to get it started, to see what comes next but yet such sadness as an era passes.  Nothing will be the same.

Nick and I talk all the time about "when I retire" there is a place for me in Washington.  To come out...start over, start fresh.  I don't know if I am as brave as these two women.  It is a hard concept for me to think of leaving all of this (friends, work, home) for something new.  I know at this point in my life anything is possible and to rule nothing out. I keep saying a lot can change in three years and we will just see where life takes us. 

I know you have been following me through my Disciple class and we are still on the prophets of old but the message has changed.  From the message of sin and betrayal and now to a message to those in exile about a new day and a new future.  Isn't it funny how God works and how he has talked to me through this class?  He sends me a message in so many different ways, if I am open to it!  Last night...as my grand kids were laughing and playing in a sprinkler I read my lesson for the day...from Isaiah...46:10-13..

"If you will wait, if you will trust, God has a plan for you and will soon bring it to pass" (there is that patience thing again, too!)...Just like those poor folks in exile in Babylonia...we have all been in some kind of exile in our lives...but we need to know God is in charge, he hasn't forgotten us, he always loves us and he has a plan for us.

So I remind myself yet again, be patient, sit back and enjoy the ride...the plan will come...in God's time and not in mine.

holy days

This week we head into holy week.
This is one of the most special weeks in the Christian calendar as we prepare for the greatest gift of all time.
John 3:16 comes to life.  For God so loved the world that he gave his holy son.  Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

This is the week Jesus turns his face toward Jerusalem and knows what is coming.
This is the week he will stand before Pontius Pilot
This is the week he will ride triumphantly into the city to shouts of "Hosanna" (means "Save Us")
This is the week he prays that God take this cup from him
This is the week his friends betray him
This is the week he suffers
This is the week that prepared him to understand all of our suffering.
This is why he understands my pain.
This is why he understands my sorrow.
He has been where I stood this past year.  He felt what I feel...the suffering, betrayal, hurt..he has felt it.  He gets it.  He gets me all because of this holy week.

I always take time during this week to spend time with Christ and to walk the walk with him.
I find a stations of the cross and walk the walk of Holy Week.  It is a busy week of services but it is also a week to feel and react.
Think about all that was given this week for you....because of love.
Because God so love the world.
Because God so loved Kim.
Because God so loved you.

cutting grass

I just want to say...as much as I complain about cutting grass...I really love it...and this time of year requires it.  Remember the saying about April showers.  Our weather has been nothing but showers...which makes the grass grow and it rains so much you can't cut the grass...a vicious cycle...I cut it this past Sunday when it was so beautiful...got a little sun burn...it was great...rained the next four days and cut it again on day 5...looks like it has never been touched...I now know what growing like a weed means.

This probably makes the 7th or 8th time I've cut it just this year...I get on that tractor and just go to town...I sing...think and sometimes just let my mind wander. I still am not brave enough to tackle the hills.

Tonight I didn't want to come in...it was beautiful outside...blue, blue skies...more sun...got a little on my nose...what more could you ask for?  The dogs are like me...they want to spend every waking minute outside...last night they were passed out all over the living room wishing I would go to bed! 

Contentment is all I can think...I am so content...and happy in my own skin.  How does that happen?  It must be a weather thing...I get mopey when it is gloomy and I am bright and chipper when it is sunny...makes sense to me!!

Ecclesiastes 3:12
I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
Sounds like a good life doesn't it!
I'm feeling it!

the boys

I only had one melt down this weekend...It was when this photo was being taken...I have three nephews (one was getting married) and with my two sons that makes five boys on my side of the family.  These boys are all special young men.  They are all that is good in the next generation.  They are good dads, they work hard and they have wonderful families.  It is amazing that all five have become these great young men.  We still have one that is eligible.

When they were younger we would always spend New Year's together. We would stay up until midnight and go outside at midnight and bang pans and scream and welcome in the New Year.  I have great memories of them growing up together.  As together as a few hundred miles will let you be.

I am so proud of them all.  It isn't often they are all together.  We decided the last time was my dad's funeral.  It was the last time we had a picture of all five of them together. This weekend we did just that.  We took a picture of all of them together.  Add in the next generation, Zack.

All of these boys had a disappointment in their fathers.  They've had to deal with betrayal and lies from the man in their life that was suppose to teach them about values and morals.  The good thing is because of this trauma in their lives, I expect great things from them.  Family is important to them.  Their children are important to them.  Thier wives are important to them.

They attend church and are raising their children in faith.  Their faith has seen them through the hardships...I am so proud of you boys.  You bless this family and the future generations that will come our way.