Well...it's been a while. I think I have a real gift for procrastination.
You know, as parents, we sometimes look back at how we raised our kids and wonder how in the world they turned out as 'normal' as they did. I feel I was a lousy parent...no skills whatsoever. But, even though there were some really tough times, I thank God for my kids. I don't know what my life would be like without them. I've really come to depend on the friendship of my oldest..we talk almost every day. As Christians, we support each other, and really do need each other. The youngest is still finding herself, but thank God she loves the Lord. She makes life interesting, and I know God has a plan and purpose for her life.
I have come to realize that my ministry may be providing care for senior cats. I know it wasn't just a coincidence that I had my youngest call my old vet to check out her new puppy. It seems Sarah and Heather had a dilemma on their hands and they were hesitant about calling me because I had indicated when we last spoke that I wasn't ready for another kitty yet. I wanted to get settled with some personal issues and really would rather wait until I retire before adopting another pet. But when Lizzie called, Heather asked if i had gotten another pet yet..and explained the story of another 17 yr old who was about to get put to sleep because they didn't have a reliable caregiver for him. He has thyroid problems and is in the beginning stages of renal failure, requires a special diet and pills each day. The lady who owns him is moving into a home where she can't take him. As I heard the story, I felt like I needed to seriously consider taking him for his last few years. It's not like I'm not familiar with taking care of a special needs cat, and it might be therapy for me as well. Of course, I called Heather back and the kitty will be delivered to my house Sunday. His name is Tyski.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Our merciful God..
Have you ever noticed that God always prepares you mentally and emotionally for changes He plans to make in your life? I mean major changes that you would have a difficult time just running headlong into.
He makes you think of things..like a new idea. Or you just start pondering "what if...." until, in your heart, you would be willing to do something different..out of your comfort zone..
For instance... back when our company decided to 'sell off' the manufactuing aspect of the Austin plant, we were not really given an option other than to re-locate..or lose your job. For months, I had been missing the north where I was raised. I missed the seasons, and I really hated the heat, the bugs, and was unhappy at work. The main issue I had that was that my parents lived in Illinois and I had not been able to visit them as often as I would like, which really bothered me. Because of the distance and busy-ness of family life, I hadn't seen them but maybe once every 5 years. I really would have liked to move back north where I could be closer..just to be able to visit on a regular basis. They weren't getting any younger and had stopped traveling . It wasreally weighing heavy on my heart. I missed my side of the family. But we had just bought a new house and were quite entangled financially..so it was an 'impossible dream'.
Then...BOOM...one day there was an announcement that the division was moving to Rochester, Minnesota.
Normally, I would have been frustrated and angry that the situation was so unfair and that there was no option but to move...but I was excited. Everybody else really didn't want to leave Texas...there was a LOT of grumbling going on. But you know..God was in it..He made a way that would have been impossible for me to try to arrange. Everything that seemed impossible suddenly became changeable!
He had not only prepared my heart by giving me the desire to move..He arranged all the 'circumstances' in my life to line up so it would happen!!!!
Well..there were other issues..like selling our new home..and where were we going to find a place to live? Have you ever tried to move to a new town when a whole mass migration was going on?? I mean there were at least a thousand people trying to re-locate at the same time. We were given ONE WEEKEND to fly up there and house-hunt!! Boy, talk about 'making it work'. We quickly realized that was another impossible task. The weekend we arrived (St Patricks Day...1997.).there was a snowstorm that had just dumped about 2 feet of snow on top of 5 feet that was already there.! Talk about visuals!! Welcome to Minnesota! Because of the weather, we were only able to look at about 5 houses, and check out the city. We returned to Austin without a clue as to what we were going to do. All the housing was waaaaay overpriced..(the realtors knew what was up) and there were NO APARTMENTS!! Nobody up here rents! well....they do now..but back then..no) I flippantly mentioned to my husband that we should just buy an RV and live in it. It would be much easier. Plus, it would be fun.
So when we got back, I got to talking to one of my engineering friends at work and told him about the situation. Bless his heart. He was beaming..He started telling me about a friend of his who owned a campground on Lake Zumbro, just north of Rochester. Great place, he said. Seasonal camping..park your camper on a lot..right on the lake..electricity, sewer, fishing..all for only about $700 a year.! He gave me the name and address of the place and my heart just leapt. I had never heard of such a thing..seasonal camping..and I loved camping!!! My mind was racing. When I got home, I told my husband all about it and the idea that since we were arriving up there in July, we could just live in the camper until we could find a place. That would give us at least 3 months to check out the area, and see where we really wanted to live without being in panic mode. (ugh! buying a house on 2 days notice??? That would be like going shopping and grabbing the first thing you see on the shelf! But this was a HOUSE..!!! we would be stuck in it..) .Of course..I didn't think we could afford a camper and the moving date was fast approaching.
Well..on Memorial Day, we were at the family gathering enjoying the fun, food and fellowship..and I suggested to my husband that we go visit the nearby camper sales place to see what they were like and how much they really cost. I had discussed the idea with him and he seemed to be a little skeptical. He didnt think we could actually live in one that long, let alone afford one. But we went. Family outing to Hill Country Campers. I was pleasantly surprised. We looked at what they had on the lot. When we saw one that had a slide-out dining room, I was in love. Yes it was small, but it was really nice and would be quite comfortable. While I was looking, my husband was talking cost with the salesman. He found out that the monthly payment would only be about $120. That was a dream come true!! SOLD!!! Right on the spot we bought it. Thankfully, we already had a pickup that would haul it. That turned out to be the most enjoyable summer we ever shared. After about 2 months of camping and making new friends from the local area, we found a beautiful farmhouse on 10 acres to rent, and it was only $500 a month.
It was amazing how things lined up and worked out for our good. In retrospect, I see the hand of God in all the events of that move. (even the events surrounding our aquisition of that pickup truck..which was a controversial subject in our household at the time..) But every last detail was miraculously prepared for us..even though at the time I didn't recognize all of it. Even now, as I recall all of the events, I am amazed.
our God is an AWSOME God..He maketh a way where there is none... Praise His Name forever more!
...to be continued
He makes you think of things..like a new idea. Or you just start pondering "what if...." until, in your heart, you would be willing to do something different..out of your comfort zone..
For instance... back when our company decided to 'sell off' the manufactuing aspect of the Austin plant, we were not really given an option other than to re-locate..or lose your job. For months, I had been missing the north where I was raised. I missed the seasons, and I really hated the heat, the bugs, and was unhappy at work. The main issue I had that was that my parents lived in Illinois and I had not been able to visit them as often as I would like, which really bothered me. Because of the distance and busy-ness of family life, I hadn't seen them but maybe once every 5 years. I really would have liked to move back north where I could be closer..just to be able to visit on a regular basis. They weren't getting any younger and had stopped traveling . It wasreally weighing heavy on my heart. I missed my side of the family. But we had just bought a new house and were quite entangled financially..so it was an 'impossible dream'.
Then...BOOM...one day there was an announcement that the division was moving to Rochester, Minnesota.
Normally, I would have been frustrated and angry that the situation was so unfair and that there was no option but to move...but I was excited. Everybody else really didn't want to leave Texas...there was a LOT of grumbling going on. But you know..God was in it..He made a way that would have been impossible for me to try to arrange. Everything that seemed impossible suddenly became changeable!
He had not only prepared my heart by giving me the desire to move..He arranged all the 'circumstances' in my life to line up so it would happen!!!!
Well..there were other issues..like selling our new home..and where were we going to find a place to live? Have you ever tried to move to a new town when a whole mass migration was going on?? I mean there were at least a thousand people trying to re-locate at the same time. We were given ONE WEEKEND to fly up there and house-hunt!! Boy, talk about 'making it work'. We quickly realized that was another impossible task. The weekend we arrived (St Patricks Day...1997.).there was a snowstorm that had just dumped about 2 feet of snow on top of 5 feet that was already there.! Talk about visuals!! Welcome to Minnesota! Because of the weather, we were only able to look at about 5 houses, and check out the city. We returned to Austin without a clue as to what we were going to do. All the housing was waaaaay overpriced..(the realtors knew what was up) and there were NO APARTMENTS!! Nobody up here rents! well....they do now..but back then..no) I flippantly mentioned to my husband that we should just buy an RV and live in it. It would be much easier. Plus, it would be fun.
So when we got back, I got to talking to one of my engineering friends at work and told him about the situation. Bless his heart. He was beaming..He started telling me about a friend of his who owned a campground on Lake Zumbro, just north of Rochester. Great place, he said. Seasonal camping..park your camper on a lot..right on the lake..electricity, sewer, fishing..all for only about $700 a year.! He gave me the name and address of the place and my heart just leapt. I had never heard of such a thing..seasonal camping..and I loved camping!!! My mind was racing. When I got home, I told my husband all about it and the idea that since we were arriving up there in July, we could just live in the camper until we could find a place. That would give us at least 3 months to check out the area, and see where we really wanted to live without being in panic mode. (ugh! buying a house on 2 days notice??? That would be like going shopping and grabbing the first thing you see on the shelf! But this was a HOUSE..!!! we would be stuck in it..) .Of course..I didn't think we could afford a camper and the moving date was fast approaching.
Well..on Memorial Day, we were at the family gathering enjoying the fun, food and fellowship..and I suggested to my husband that we go visit the nearby camper sales place to see what they were like and how much they really cost. I had discussed the idea with him and he seemed to be a little skeptical. He didnt think we could actually live in one that long, let alone afford one. But we went. Family outing to Hill Country Campers. I was pleasantly surprised. We looked at what they had on the lot. When we saw one that had a slide-out dining room, I was in love. Yes it was small, but it was really nice and would be quite comfortable. While I was looking, my husband was talking cost with the salesman. He found out that the monthly payment would only be about $120. That was a dream come true!! SOLD!!! Right on the spot we bought it. Thankfully, we already had a pickup that would haul it. That turned out to be the most enjoyable summer we ever shared. After about 2 months of camping and making new friends from the local area, we found a beautiful farmhouse on 10 acres to rent, and it was only $500 a month.
It was amazing how things lined up and worked out for our good. In retrospect, I see the hand of God in all the events of that move. (even the events surrounding our aquisition of that pickup truck..which was a controversial subject in our household at the time..) But every last detail was miraculously prepared for us..even though at the time I didn't recognize all of it. Even now, as I recall all of the events, I am amazed.
our God is an AWSOME God..He maketh a way where there is none... Praise His Name forever more!
...to be continued
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Gospel According to SNOPES.
Well..I really wish there was a Biblical verson of that website. You know..a group of serious, Bible believing Christians who can honestly present the facts...without any kind of bias.
It's amazing how people will accept an "official" answer from a group of 'politically correct self-appointed extperts'........ ..and just who verifies Snopes??
From reading through some of the entries on the index, I have noticed that the "official answers" are definitely biased. For example..( I won't post names because I fear being 'bleeped' by the website gods).. our commander-in-chief's claims to satisfy the general publics expectations of him being a God-fearing Christian by walking down the aisle of Rev Wright's church 16 or so years ago. And that he unashamedly confesses that he has a 'personal relationship with Jesus'.
Hmm.
"by their fruits ye shall know them.." Matt 7:16
Walking down the aisle doesn't make you a Christian any more than being in a pasture makes you a cow. Unfortunately, the world knows the jargon..and it knows how to use the system it's created. I don't think I need to expound on that.
"Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8
Lord, help us be wise as serpents and harmless as doves during these coming turbulent days. You have given us fair warning in Your Word to understand the signs of the times and not to grow weary in helping our brothers and sisters in Christ. Give us the wisdom to discern the lies of the wicked one and his troops...for there are MANY.
Well..I really wish there was a Biblical verson of that website. You know..a group of serious, Bible believing Christians who can honestly present the facts...without any kind of bias.
It's amazing how people will accept an "official" answer from a group of 'politically correct self-appointed extperts'........ ..and just who verifies Snopes??
From reading through some of the entries on the index, I have noticed that the "official answers" are definitely biased. For example..( I won't post names because I fear being 'bleeped' by the website gods).. our commander-in-chief's claims to satisfy the general publics expectations of him being a God-fearing Christian by walking down the aisle of Rev Wright's church 16 or so years ago. And that he unashamedly confesses that he has a 'personal relationship with Jesus'.
Hmm.
"by their fruits ye shall know them.." Matt 7:16
Walking down the aisle doesn't make you a Christian any more than being in a pasture makes you a cow. Unfortunately, the world knows the jargon..and it knows how to use the system it's created. I don't think I need to expound on that.
"Be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8
Lord, help us be wise as serpents and harmless as doves during these coming turbulent days. You have given us fair warning in Your Word to understand the signs of the times and not to grow weary in helping our brothers and sisters in Christ. Give us the wisdom to discern the lies of the wicked one and his troops...for there are MANY.
Monday, March 8, 2010
I sure miss my kitty. He was such a sweetie.
Coming home to an empty house is so strange sometimes...it's ...well... empty.
No big furry lump curled up on my lap. No thump, thump, thump running across the floor at 4am trying to wake me up to let him out to 'explore' the house perimeter. (which basically consisted of going out the front door and wanting in the back door about 5 minutes later).
No furry face nosing into my crackers when the crackle of the package beckons. No two-stepping around the kitchen trying to avoid tripping over him.. and no big mystery lump under my freshly spread bedsheets.
Lord, please give tigger a special place in your animal heaven. He was such a wonderful companion for the last 19 years. You blessed us with pets to give us joy and comfort in our earthly lives.. I think he deserves an A+ on this assignment.
Well..bein's I've been away all weekend..I have to post in retrospect.
Sat. 3/6/2010
Another "grandma" weekend.
I can honestly say that I do enjoy the long drive from Rochester to Rockford. It forces me to sit still and contemplate....usually I listen to my Bible CDs. It's not that I normally don't sit and contemplate.. mostly I just sit. At home. I'm not an overly ambitious individual any more. Maybe it's my old age. If I were a dog, I think I'd be a bassett hound.
Yeah.
Today was really nice for a change. (weather wise) The sun was out and the temperature was a balmy 41 degrees. Yaaayy!..more meltage going on. Maybe by May I will be able to see my lawn again.
Driving down to mom's gets me away from my normal, mundane existence there in my little house. Don't get me wrong..there is plenty to do. I'm just not very motivated to do it. So, it's good for me to have an external need that forces me to get off my butt and do something. I would much rather do something for someone else than take care of my own 'business'.
Why is that??
Sometimes I wish I was more involved in my community...but I know that as long as I'm working , and have so many impromptu overtime requirements...plus my crazy hours..it just aint gonna happen yet. so, I just think about it. Contemplate. What could I do that's constructive? Am i justifying my inaction? or is there just a tinge of self-guilt?
And time just passes... tic... tic.... tic...
Not a very good use of my time, is it?
Lord, teach me to count my days... redeem the time...
Sat. 3/6/2010
Another "grandma" weekend.
I can honestly say that I do enjoy the long drive from Rochester to Rockford. It forces me to sit still and contemplate....usually I listen to my Bible CDs. It's not that I normally don't sit and contemplate.. mostly I just sit. At home. I'm not an overly ambitious individual any more. Maybe it's my old age. If I were a dog, I think I'd be a bassett hound.
Yeah.
Today was really nice for a change. (weather wise) The sun was out and the temperature was a balmy 41 degrees. Yaaayy!..more meltage going on. Maybe by May I will be able to see my lawn again.
Driving down to mom's gets me away from my normal, mundane existence there in my little house. Don't get me wrong..there is plenty to do. I'm just not very motivated to do it. So, it's good for me to have an external need that forces me to get off my butt and do something. I would much rather do something for someone else than take care of my own 'business'.
Why is that??
Sometimes I wish I was more involved in my community...but I know that as long as I'm working , and have so many impromptu overtime requirements...plus my crazy hours..it just aint gonna happen yet. so, I just think about it. Contemplate. What could I do that's constructive? Am i justifying my inaction? or is there just a tinge of self-guilt?
And time just passes... tic... tic.... tic...
Not a very good use of my time, is it?
Lord, teach me to count my days... redeem the time...
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Ok.. I just don't get how grown men can spend their whole life searching for "alien life" ??
Good grief!! I mean, come on! Alien spaceships from another planet?? another galaxy?? The Greys?? Little green men?? Has ANYBODY ever found any kind of life on any other planet.??
We HAVE been to the moon, ya know...and still haven't found anything that even indicates any other 'space trash' other than our own.
"In the beginning, GOD created the heavens and the Earth...."
I think if God had created other beings, He'd a said something about it in His Handbook....Ya think??
Well...I guess it's no more fruitless than playing FarmVille.....
Good grief!! I mean, come on! Alien spaceships from another planet?? another galaxy?? The Greys?? Little green men?? Has ANYBODY ever found any kind of life on any other planet.??
We HAVE been to the moon, ya know...and still haven't found anything that even indicates any other 'space trash' other than our own.
"In the beginning, GOD created the heavens and the Earth...."
I think if God had created other beings, He'd a said something about it in His Handbook....Ya think??
Well...I guess it's no more fruitless than playing FarmVille.....
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Well... I have finally succumbed to the mind numbing activity of "FARMVILLE". I don't know what a normal, self-respecting adult finds so entertaining in dinking with a virtual farm. But..there I am.
Fertilizing my neighbors' crops... feeding their chickens...in hopes of getting what? A mystery egg. Hmmmm. yeah.
Fertilizing my neighbors' crops... feeding their chickens...in hopes of getting what? A mystery egg. Hmmmm. yeah.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
New Beginnings..
Well, this is a new adventure for me. (every day is a new adventure).
Hopefully it won't take long to figure out how I will format and create here..... but sometimes I feel the need to just ..... BLOG....!
Hopefully it won't take long to figure out how I will format and create here..... but sometimes I feel the need to just ..... BLOG....!
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