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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

There Are Times We Sit and Wait




Sadie Brie is back in Illinois with my hubby, along with Tigger the cat. Thankfully our next door neighbor is available to let Sadie out every afternoon, feed both pets dinner if Mike is staying late for work, and babysit them when he travels.

I used to catch Sadie looking out the window, waiting. Since we don’t have a patio door in the house she would longingly gaze outside, almost willing me to take her for a walk. Now I bet she looks out the window waiting for one of her “people” to come give her attention or feed her.

I can only imagine how deserted she feels. “Where is my Mom?” she must wonder. It’s confusing for her when she hears my voice as Mike and I Skype. She runs around the room looking for me and she sort of looks at the computer screen.

Currently I’m taking care of two dogs for the family I’m living with while they are on the East Coast for two weeks. These two dogs have been through a lot. They were flown to Tokyo in December when the family was stationed at a Navy base near there. They have lived through the big earthquake and serious aftershocks. They have spent another day on a plane flying back to L.A. then on to Seattle when their “people” needed to evacuate the country of Japan due to the nuclear crisis.

What must Kadie & JC the dogs be thinking? They're getting used to my voice and our routine. They both snuck in my room last night to sleep so I guess they're getting adjusted to being back in the States and have begun bonding with me. I hope my puppy is bonding with Jim the neighbor.

Waiting and wondering is hard. I was waiting to hear news from my daughter last night. She was with friends trying to locate a missing high school boy. His parents were very concerned because they have lost two sons to suicide. The police had been notified and were also out looking. All I could do while I waited for my daughter to call was pray. As I prayed with one of my prayer partners and we lifted up the situation to our all-knowing, mighty God, call-waiting interrupted.

It was not what I had prayed for. The student had apparently followed in his older brothers' footsteps and taken his life. What do I say to my child? How do I comfort her and how does anyone make sense of such a senseless tragedy?

If only this boy had taken his situation straight to God… and listened for his Master’s voice.

“That you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.”
Deuteronomy 30:20

“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and He turned to me and heard my cry.”
Psalm 40

My waiting last night continued as my little girl stayed out with other students trying to cope with what had happened. Everyone in our community is grappling with the news. (The word gets around quickly in our town, and Facebook sends the news even faster.)

In our fast-paced world full of pressures, there is so much for teenagers to have to deal with. I wish high school students could have the attitudes of puppies; clueless about time, worrying only about when the next yummy meal or playtime will be. If only they could grasp that they are LOVED, life is precious, and sometimes we just have to wait, even when it's HARD, knowing we’ll get our answers in God’s timing.

“But if we look forward to something we don’t have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.” Romans 8:24-25

Lord have Mercy…

My heart is broken for the boy’s parents and other siblings.
Please join me in lifting up the boy’s family, our high school and community in prayer.

In His Grip, Jane



Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The Simple Woman's Daybook For Today, March 29th, 2012

Outside my window...it is raining, chilly, and not looking like tennis match weather.

I am thinking…about my oldest sister Ann today. It’s her birthday!!


I am thankful for...
the week I had with my college son while he was home on spring break.


From the kitchen...
it depends on if the tennis match is canceled. If it is, I might make yummy stew that has a secret ingredient-chocolate!

I am wearing...at the moment, my fuzzy red robe! Later, a blue H & M sweater, jeans, Payless flats or polka-dot rain boots.

I am creating... the same red scarf I've been working on for weeks.


I am going...to the dermatologist this afternoon to have two little pre-cancerous “things” taken off my face. I had a Melanoma once so I have to be safe. Wish me luck and no scars!

I am reading...
Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs.

I am hoping..
.Butler wins the final four NCAA championship! It’s my husband’s Alma matter and I took some Masters classes there.

I am hearing...
the dog I am taking care of chew his bone,and The Good Morning America show.

Around the house...
I need to Swiffer again-dog fur!

One of my favorite things..
.Skyping with my hubby.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
I now work on Monday & Wednesday mornings, and on Thursday I’m in charge of the tennis team snacks. I’d better head to Costco!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...


Spring is blooming here in the Northwest! I wonder when daffodils come up in Illinois?

To join the fun, visit Peggy at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

In His Grip, Jane

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Should I Be Concerned?


It must be true. I’ve enabled by children to become “less than tidy”… As I look around and see their clothes all over the floor (clean or dirty-who knows?) and schoolwork, etc. thrown haphazardly around I know it’s true. I’ve raised slobs who count on the Momma to pick up for them.

My oldest is a type-A, Mr.Clean guy. He washes dishes, does laundry, and keeps his belongings neat. He was the one in his off-campus housing that always did the cleaning up. He is also doing a lot of housework now that he’s married since he gets home from work first. As a freshman in college, he and his roommate actually made their beds every day!

And my younger three children? There was a time when their bedrooms looked perfect -the month our home was on the market! Other than that, as I was raising them I obviously wasn’t consistent. I tried chore charts, job jars, and positive reinforcement. I still ended up picking up after them and allowing them to leave the house without completing their responsibilities.I would rather do it myself, than look at the mess. As a teacher, I should have drilled the concept of “don’t get something new out until you put away the items you’re currently playing with”. Oh, the Barbie clothes & accessories I used to organize!


Young Moms!
Listen up! Don’t do as I did! A couple weeks ago I was so impressed at a young friend’s house when I saw job magnets on a chalkboard, and she talked about them dusting. As children become teens it gets a little harder to be the “enforcer”. I wonder if they'll want to dust in ten years?

“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living…”
Hebrews 12:11

I do grapple with the balance of people vs. cleanliness. Obviously relationships should come before cleaning. When my kiddos were little I loved to rock them and read to them but somebody still had to do dishes and laundry. So now I “get” that their friends come before wanting to clean. What makes me grumpy is when my kids change outfits several times and the outfits that don't "make the cut" get thrown in a pile instead of hung back up.


It’s about respect- I want my kids to respect their belongings. It’s about order-it is so much easier to focus on the important things when there isn’t clutter all around. In the scheme of things, my kids have amazing qualities like kindness, love of the Lord, being great friends. But is anyone going to want to live day in and day out with slobs besides their Momma?

I want to apologize to my kid’s future spouses. I really didn’t intend to raise slobs. Perhaps with time they will begin to appreciate being tidy. As I write this, my youngest daughter, all on her own cleaned and shined her bedroom. Now that her space is cleaner than mine, I guess I need to go grab the Windex.

How about you? Have you found a way to motivate your family to “keep house”? My frustration comes and goes but I also know so do kids. They grow up, leave for college, take their messes, bring them back on breaks. When the house is clean, I’m usually missing them.

I love my kids, piles and all.

In His Grip, Jane

Thursday, March 24, 2011

With This Ring


The ring exchange... sweaty hands, promises spoken before God and loved ones, a symbol of love and commitment.

I'm looking down at the rings on my fingers. I'm currently wearing the three special ones given to me by my husband at different stages of our married life. My wedding & engagement set were given to me in early June,1983. We were broke during our engagement so the saying "spend two month's salary on your fiance's diamond" was pretty true for us. Mike was unemployed for a few months, so my carrot was kept pretty small and he made payments until the week before the wedding. I love my little ring and all that it signifies...the promises that we would stick by each other for better or worse, in sickness and in health-and we have for almost 28 years!

On my left middle finger (or tall man if you're a preschool teacher) is an anniversary ring with little diamonds that was supposed to be a Christmas gift our 5th year. Mike ended up giving it to me early because I was SO disappointed that we weren't getting pregnant with a 2nd child. We'd only been trying a few months, but I was very impatient. The following September we welcomed our precious Allison Grace to the family. We believe she was created on Christmas Eve in Omaha, Nebraska.When I look at my anniversary ring I think of delayed dreams, the love of my husband, the wonder of Christmas, the joy Allie has brought us and God's perfect timing.



On my right finger is my beautiful vintage ring that I received for my 50th birthday. I named it Esther. I felt it was found by Mike in a Seattle antique store for "such a time as this". I had always wanted an "upgrade" and I loved that Mike chose a beautiful ring that reminded me of my Grandma Grace's ring. It really took the sting out of my milestone birthday! I didn't feel right taking off my original engagement & wedding ring so I had "Esther" sized for my right hand.

Last weekend I was at a wonderful wedding. During the ring exchange the bridesmaids decided to play a trick and pretended that they couldn't find the groom's ring. Everyone waited anxiously to see if it could be located and the promises made. During this tense moment, my oldest son, who was the Best Man, reacted to the situation quickly and thoughtfully. He took off his own wedding ring and handed it to the Pastor! What a selfless act of love and friendship. The groom's ring suddenly turned up, Mitch's was returned and the ceremony continued. I don't think anyone in attendance will ever forget that ring exchange and what true friends do for each other. "A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need."
Proverbs 17:17

I love weddings, I'm thankful for marriage and especially MY GROOM!

There's a new song on the Christian radio station called "Dancing in the Minefields" by Andrew Peterson. Check it out; it's fabulous!

Andrew Peterson - Dancing In The Minefields lyrics

In His Grip, Jane

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Simple Woman's DaybookMarch 22,2012

Outside my window...
the sun is glistening on the water

I am thinking...
about the Japanese people

I am thankful for...
the three fun days I had in Oklahoma with my hubby

From the kitchen...
absolutely nothing-I need to hit the grocery!

I am wearing...
my new gray jeans from Cabi, a navy t-shirt from JCrew and an old pink sweater-hoody from Janeville (a store I loved that closed)

I am creating...
hmmm-same red scarf (couldn't bring my knitting needles on the plane)

I am going...
to Seattle today with my college boy and his friends

I am reading...
lots of magazines (My hubby brought me a stash from Illinois)

I am hoping...
my daughter finally gets a tennis match in today (6 have been rained out!)

I am hearing...
geese honking, dog toenails tapping on the wood floor

Around the house...
seeing piles and evidence that my son is visiting on spring break

One of my favorite things...
dancing with my hubby and oldest son at the wedding reception

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Seattle, tennis matches, work in the morning, holding babies at Mops,getting pre-cancerous "things" taken off my face (what fun!)

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...


(Mike & I at the swanky hotel we stayed at in Oklahoma City.)


To join the fun, visit Peggy at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

In His Grip, Jane

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Wait Your Turn


It’s not my turn.

I’ve been here in the Northwest away from my husband for two months, and I finally had a “green light moment” about the situation this past weekend. Well, actually a red and white sign moment…

I was one of the 6,300 women who packed the Tacoma Dome to hear Beth Moore speak at the Lifeway Living Proof Live Conference. The topic was modeled after road signs; stop, yield, and go. Beth had so many great examples and scriptures to help us understand that we are all at different places and God is directing our journeys.

After the conference was over I was still processing what I had learned and trying to narrow down exactly what God was trying to teach me. It took a comment from one of my church girlfriends to suddenly make it all much clearer. I love how God uses the church body to help us in both practical and spiritual matters.

I am in a season of submission and my road sign is YIELD. I felt like I was contributing last year and I was definitely on the go. I was a Mops mentor, a guest speaker, and then I thought God would want me to minister to young families in our new town.

Well, right now it’s not about ME. I am to step aside and encourage my family members. (I should be good at this- I’ve always loved being a cheerleader!) My husband has lots of opportunities to be an example of a Godly man to guys at his office, and minister to men at our church.He's also writing a book on how God redeemed our marriage.

My youngest daughter is serving as a Young Life student leader. She is growing in her faith by leaps and bounds and our temporary move back here has made it possible for her to feel needed and share her faith with other high school students.

I’m used to having my own “thing”. I like to lead. Waiting is hard.

Is anyone else going through a time of waiting? Most young moms are. If they’ve chosen to stay at home with their little ones they are in the day-in-day-out ministry of serving others with little recognition. One of my dear prayer partners mentioned that she’s always put her needs on the shelf to support her husband. (I applaud her submission, but want her to also get to do ministries she’s passionate about because she’s an amazing Godly woman who many could learn from.)

Beth reminded us that God honors those who yield. Even though I’m feeling a bit impatient while I watch others busy in their activities, I am promised in God’s word that if I yield for others I will still produce a harvest.

Matthew 13:23 says “The good soil represents the hearts of those who truly accept God’s message and produce a huge harvest-thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.”

I’m attempting to yield with grace. I don’t want to stamp my feet and have a temper fit toward God because he’s shown me I need to wait my turn. I am to cheerfully support my husband, daughter and other three young adult children as they make a difference right now for the Kingdom of God. I know my turn will come.

We have a lot of round-abouts in my town so I often have to yield to others. There’s a reason we occasionally have to wait our turn-so others can have theirs!

I’m choosing to trust God right now.

If you’re also in a season of yielding to others I’d love to hear from you!

In His Grip, Jane

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Simple Woman's Daybook- March 15, 2011

Outside my window...
it's gray, chilly and windy

I am thinking...
I've been chilly all day!

I am thankful for...

the amazing time I had at the Beth Moore Live conference this past weekend

From the kitchen...
I plan on cooking beef stir fry tonight. I baked two batches of cookies over the weekend for my kids-shamrock sugar & chocolate chip.

I am wearing...
Bootcut blue jeans, a long-sleeved green t-shirt (both from Nordstrom), a grass green long vest from Old Navy, gold flats and a shamrock & cross necklace.

I am creating...

a bright red scarf

I am going...

to get a pedicure tomorrow so I'm pretty for the weekend.

I am reading...
Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate

I am hoping...
my daughter's tennis match doesn't get rained out

I am hearing...

the clock ticking

Around the house...
looks like I'd better swiffer and vacuum

One of my favorite things...

is having lunch after bible study with a group of girlfriends-great soup today!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

I'm going to the spring musical at the high school with my daughter. I also get to meet my husband in Oklahoma City for a wedding. Our oldest son will be there too since he's the Best Man. Can’t wait!

Here is picture for thought I am sharing.
..

Flowering trees-spring is on the way!


You can find more Simple Daybook Entries at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

To join the fun, visit Peggy at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

In His Grip, Jane

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Stuff


I just got back from a trip to the mall in Tacoma. I needed to get some of my Bobbie Brown “hide my dreadful dark under-eye circles” corrector. I walked the whole mall but only because the other item on my list was at the opposite end of where I parked. I passed lots of shoppers buying “stuff”.

Speaking of stuff... A commercial about stuff caught me off guard last week. It showed a family acquiring more and more things that eventually ended up in their garage. I assumed the solution to their problem would be the suggestion that they take their excess to the local Goodwill. I was wrong. It was an advertisement for Public Storage Units.

Did you know that America is just about the only country in the world that has storage units for people’s extra junk stuff? Hm-mm, perhaps we have more stuff than we need?

My church youth group just returned from the yearly mission trip to Mexico to build 5 tiny homes. One of the adults who went described the horrendous living conditions and I was reminded how blessed I am and most of the people I know. We don’t have to worry about our daily survival. We have homes, furniture, indoor plumbing. We spend our money on food, clothes, décor, and sometimes just frivolous things that end up in our garages and attics.

I “get” why storage units can be helpful on a temporary basis. One of my friends is currently renting a home so some of their belongings are being temporarily stored. When my husband and I were getting ready to put our yellow house on the market, we rented a small unit. We didn’t have the time to meticulously go through all our belongings and decide if they should be kept, sold, or given away. We knew we had to de-clutter, clear out and make the whole house AND THE GARAGE look tidy. I remember how much peace I felt without all the extra junk stuff. It was quick and easy to keep my home clean and show-ready. There was “just enough".

I don’t want to be featured on “The Hoarders” show. I’m sentimental so I am a bit of a keeper. I couldn’t believe how much we had stored up in our attic! Toys, years of collected teaching materials, photo albums, even my wedding dress. I went through some of it and had a garage sale/give-away and yet when the boxes were unloaded in Illinois it was a bit overwhelming. So much junk stuff! Boxes that belong to my married son and my two college kids are full of their childhood treasures and are stacked in the basement.

I am learning to live with less while I’m living in someone's home yet all my needs are met. I have a soft warm bed, wonderful bathroom, comfy couch & fireplace, a kitchenette plus access to a full kitchen and a view of the water.

I love pretty things in pretty houses. I enjoy nesting and decorating and look forward to the time when I can putter around my Illinois home arranging my “stuff”. I just want to make sure that material possessions aren’t more important to me than God’s people. I want to share what blessings I have and focus more on relationships rather than paint color decisions.

“But if one of you has money enough to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help-how can God’s love be in that person?” 1John 3:17

I’m still going to enjoy all my decorating/shelter magazines and I LOVE getting new ideas reading all my favorite blogs, but I need to make sure I’m balancing that with God’s word and showing His love with action. If I was back at my house in Illinois I’d go clean out a closet and head to Goodwill.

Think hard before your next purchase or it might end up in Public Storage someday…

In His Grip, Jane

Monday, March 7, 2011

On the Surface


One of the many perks of living in a home on the water right now, is the view out my kitchen window. Most afternoons you'll find me perched up at the counter, doing my bible study and watching all the geese, ducks, seagulls and other wildlife.

The other day I stopped studying and just watched...

I discovered that ducks can hold their breath for a really long time as they dive under water looking for their dinner. As I watched them pop back up to the surface, I noticed that a group of them were staying in close proximity to each other while they "fished". There was one lone duck off to the side. Was it guarding the others? Was it just feeling the need to have some alone time rather than being in "community"? My college son thrives on being around people. He's the first to admit though, that he needs some alone time every day. I've seen how impatient and cranky he gets if he hasn't HAD some alone time. I believe God encourages us to spend time alone with him each day because he understands that's what we need. He also "built" us for fellowship and community.

God used my high school daughter's "alone" time in Chicago to grow her trust and dependency, but it's wonderful to see her surrounded by a COMMUNITY of teens and adults who know her, love her and will help nurture her faith as the countdown to college continues.

Another lesson the ducks brought to my attention was how they appear to glide across the surface, even though under the water their webbed feet are paddling like crazy. If others are watching me, what do they see? Do they wonder what's going on under the surface?

Watching ducks during my quiet alone time truly was fascinating. The water formed beautiful ripples as they moved about. Sometimes they were circular and moved out farther and farther in the Bay. Other times it looked like a V-shape as one duck was the leader and the others followed behind.

I believe the saying "ducks in a row" comes from the practice of a mother duck-hen who lines up her little ducklings behind her in a straight line. The "row" makes it easier for her to see if one of them is getting lost and not following her.

If we learn to follow behind our leader (Jesus) then we won't get lost, and we could have a positive ripple effect on those around us. Are you and I willing to follow, even if sometimes it feels hard-as if we're "kicking like crazy"? The end result will be a beautiful V- Victory in Christ

In His Grip, Jane

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Act Your Age




I’ve been knitting a lot. I know it’s a craft that can be enjoyed by all ages, but sometimes it makes me feel a bit “old”. When you think of a knitter do you picture grandma in a rocking chair with a gray bun? If you've never tried it, knitting is a comforting hobby. (Ask my family about the drive home after leaving my oldest son at college when I was knitting and crying...) I’m not an advanced knitter. I stick to scarves since they don't require too much concentration. I own enough so I've decided to make a collection of warm scarves and give them to the homeless group of men and women who attend our church back in Illinois.

I married a younger man (11 months younger.) He just bought his/our first convertible sports car. For the first time in 20+ years he doesn't get a company car so he got to choose what HE wanted. It’s used, but hey I am thrilled that he’s finally spoiling himself and I don’t even care if some relatives or friends will wonder if he’s having a mid-life crisis! I remember repeatedly telling him that I wanted a baby blue Bentley convertible when I turned 50. Well, my birthday came and went but now my wish came true through him! Bentleys were a bit out of our price range...

Who decides what behavior is appropriate for what age? Growing up I was told I was a “late bloomer”. Perhaps this had something to do with the fact that I didn’t need a bra for quite a while… and I liked to play with my dolls for quite a while… I might be a female version of Peter Pan! I don’t want to grow up!

What exactly is a late bloomer? If you combine the definitions of late… with bloomer… it goes something like this: somebody who grows up or reaches a level of competence at a particular stage of development after the normal or usual time.

I know I’ve seen the label "late bloomer" on certain flower bulb packages. I assume it means they come up and bloom later in the season than other flowers. Will they be just as pretty? Sure. Will they wait be worth it? Most definitely!

I’m not sure if my husband and I are acting like a “typical” 50ish couple. He is excelling in his career and zipping back and forth in his sports car. (Which, by the way I can’t wait to ride in this summer, complete with dark shades and head scarf.) I am here being mom to my youngest child, trying to figure out what I want to BE if I’m not a teacher or homemaker, knitting, and using anti-aging products.

On my growing up journey, God has lovingly guided me through lots of awkward stages, and He’s helped to take away a lot of my insecurities. Through HIM I am happy with my age, although inside my head I am 51 going on 15. I am here for a purpose and God has been patiently tending to me waiting for me to "bloom" using my spiritual gifts for His glory. I pray I am worth the wait!


” For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.”
Psalm 139:13

Have you ever wondered if you are acting your age? Age is just a number but my goal is to act the age those around me need me to act.I want to be mature in my faith, but playful in spirit. (And I'd love it if those anti-aging products would take away my wrinkles!)

So about this whole knitting thing… maybe I should get some silky, thin, yarn and make just the right thing to keep my hair out of my face while I’m riding around with my hubby in the convertible!

In His Grip, Jane