Road Tripping & 30 Years!

1. Road trip this weekend to Circleville, Ohio for our niece's college graduation. Lots of rain in the forecast, but I've learned that the best thing to do when it rains is let it rain. Jane will be along with us ... God love her Alzheimer's soul! Will be fun to celebrate with Lynnea on her graduation, and see the big (?) town of Circleville.

2. Road trip next weekend to Greenville, SC for our nephew's wedding. I've got a new hair cut going on, and a basic black dress with pearls all set for the bash! Lark & Tracy are the bomb - a perfect match. I want to thank them in advance for getting married and giving us a reason to get away. Kevin & I are going to drive our little selves into the sunset and laugh our way to and from!

30 Years!

1. Last weekend was our 30th wedding anniversary. Oh my heck, where has the time gone! 30 years sounds like a long time, but it doesn't feel like it unless I actually take the time to figure out how old I am in relation to how old the kids are!

2. I don't know how we got this old, but I do know that I'm keeping Kevin. On Sunday after church service, we set off to eat lunch out with the church gang as usual, but when I arrived Kevin had about 30 of our closest friends & family there to surprise and celebrate with us!

3. How did he pull that off?

4. Better yet, let's think back 30 years ago and wonder how did he lose his checkbook on the day of our wedding?!

5. I don't care what you say, I'm still keeping him!

Five Things

I have not done a list in a long time, so today's the day!

Five Things I did today:
*Shopped at Steinmart with my sister, Joyce. Bought a summer purse. Color is "bartender beige"! Who thunk that one up?! It's kinda pink and kinda peach. It's definitely cute.
*Laundry - lots of it. Kevin says thank you!
*Visited with Dan/Laura/Rosalie at Rosegate, and enjoyed Rosalie's beautiful 3 year old head full of bouncy blond curls.
*Rode the Harley with the Hubby
*Texted with the Keatster, who is in a wedding this weekend in the Jersey area. Wondering if he will learn to talk like a Jersey boy?

Five Things I am Excited About:
*Neice's college graduation - roadtrip trip to Ohio.
*Nephew's wedding - roadtrip to Greenville, SC.
*Our 30th wedding anniversary!!
*Working out our summer bible study plans
*Spring!!! Minus the allergies.

Five Things I Read today:
*Book entitled "So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore?"
*Menards online windows & blind treatments
*Turning Points devotional magazine
*Q-doba Menu
*Super nice handmade card I received from Lori

Five Things That Made Me Happy in the last Five Days:
*Manicure!
*Visiting with dear friends, Debbie and Debbie (yes, I meant to say two Debbies, it is not a typo! LOL)
*New revelations about the love of God - His mercies are new EVERY morning!
*8 hours sleep, 2 nights in a row
*An email I received from pastors at church

This is How I Feel About It ...

Today was that kind of day ... the kind where you tie a knot and just hang on. I laughed, I cried, I hurt, and I loved. It started with a great morning bible study and blog post for this week's lesson. It gave me a real boost. He knows its hard to be us.

Now. I don't allow myself to get down very often about my oldest kid's choices. I try to focus on the hope I have for him instead. I love him. I love him unconditionally. But I'd be lying if I didn't say that there are days that it doesn't hurt like the dickens (is that a real a word? What's a dickens!). Today happened to be one of those days. I try to keep it real here on the blog and sometimes that means admitting that everyday is not a party.

It doesn't really matter what the trigger was, that's not the point. Just sometimes, stuff brings me to my knees. I love my son, I just don't love his attitude sometimes. But it's not even that - not really. Because quite frankly, I live and breath for my faith, husband, children, grandchildren, family, and friends. What this is really about to me is having a close relationship even if he lives 1000 miles away. But our differences in religion, politics, lifestyle, and even food just make it kinda hard for us to relate and there are days when it just plain hurts. Today was one of those days. I love him anyway. I remind myself, and God reminded me this morning, that He knows its hard to be us. Enough said.

If you can't forgive and forget, pick one.

Can anybody say Spring Break?! The last two days and nights Kevin has been busy being a grandpa. He and Clayton whooped up the town in Chicago - they hit the Museum of Science & Industry, Shed's Aquarium, took a spin thru the downtown sights and on Lakeshore Drive, and then stopped at a dairy farm on the road trip back home. I got some Havarti Onion and Asiago cheese as a souvenir, yay! But don't let me breath on you, cuz you might get knocked down.

So when's Rhegan's turn? I'm so glad you asked ... cuz grandma (my sweet self!) is picking her up this Saturday. We've got a waaay better agenda than the boys ... we're gettin' manicures and going shopping and eating pizza! See what I mean?

Keep busy and stay positive! That's been my mantra for the last 2 months. But there are days when I just miss my momma. Just miss her, I tell ya. I want to know what she is doing now, what it was like to die and enter the presence of our Lord, and what she would say to me now if she could. Isn't that crazy! Like it would change things or something. It was such a blessing to participate in celebrating her life. It was an uplifting and inspiring funeral. I came away wanting to lead a better and more exemplary life. I've come to better understand that it's not what you leave to your children, it's what you leave in your children that matters most.

And now it's back to normal life here at home. I've got my to-do lists (tax prep, meeting planning, bill-paying, notes to write and creations to create) and I'm teaching the women's bible study next week so there's a lesson to work on. Happiness! Today, I'm feeling quite inspired to be a better me. I'm finding joy in the love of the Lord and my family. I am blessed. And ... He knows its hard to be us.

When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.

Long Winter

Rise above the storm, and you will find the sunshine.

No. 2 is okay

Regarding The Colts: Okay ... so the Saints came marching over the Colts. Superbowl Sunday wasn't so "holy" around here ... but then again ... I believe it was! I mean, it was the Saints forevermore! Who couldn't love Drew Brees and his buds?! Now mind you, I still love our Peyton! Thank you to both teams for a great season! My friend reminded me about the importance of a No. 2 pencil. You are asked to use it when you take a test. It's okay to be No. 2. Enough said. So this was our Colts Party in da Hood! Nice neighbors Brent & Eleanore hosted a "holy" feast (after a minor mishap with a pizza in the oven, a valient effort to burn the house down, but we chose to laugh at the smoke-thick rooms and just open all the doors and windows instead)!

Praise loudly, blame softly.

Celebrating Momma - Florence K. Stiller

This was how my mom lived her earthly life --- she kept moving --- she was never, not doing something for someone --- she carried with her the Grace of God --- with fierce determination to reach her eternal destination. Which she did --- on January 28, 2010 --- peacefully, in her sleep, God called her name. And she said "I'm gone!" She was 87 years young. A sweet, beautiful, spunky loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. And I will miss her like crazy, until we meet again in the heavenlies.

Since dad's heavenly journey almost 7 years ago, Kevin & I have tried to care for mom with as much grace & love as she so beautifully exemplified to us, doing whatever we could to reduce any stress. It was Pure Joy to watch her enjoy life! From moving her out of her home, into independent living at Rosegate, to crashing widow-hood card parties, and attending veteran dinners on her behalf to honor her naval service. To lunching together, shopping, and crafting the day away, giggling like two girlfriends.

Dealing with death's details isn't easy, but celebrating mom's earthly christian life was a piece of cake! She and dad gave me EVERY opportunity to witness a servant's life well-lived, and I will be forever grateful to be their child. If I can offer but a small piece of that to my kids and grandkids, I will be humbled.

Ladies, enjoy your beautiful daughters. Be good daughters to your moms, as I was to mine, and your daughters are to you. But most importantly, remember that we are all Daughters of the King!

God pours life into death and death into life without a drop being spilled.

Jeanne Acheson-Munos Enjoying Heaven

Been an emotional week around here after the Haiti earthquake last Tuesday. Upon learning of it, this is an excerpt of an email Kevin & I sent:

Friends,
Kevin & I are asking you to please help us pray …. Our former pastor (Nazarene Church) landed in Haiti 2 hours before the earthquake. The Nazarene church has a very big presence there. J.K. is unharmed. But our very dear friends were living there, and Jack has been found and has been transported to a Miami hospital. But Jeanne is nowhere to be found, and their apartment is in rubble. Please please help us pray to our amazing God for an amazing miracle! Jack & Jeanne Munos-Acheson. Haiti hospitals are in rubble. My heart is broke. Just so broke. Thank you.

The days ticked on ... then we sent this follow-up email:

Friends:
Regarding Jack/Jeanne --- we received a report yesterday afternoon that when the anticipated heavy equipment arrived on Saturday, the Bishop could not convince them to dig at the site where only Jeanne and 2 others were known to be buried. Hard to swallow, but understandable in the ever emerging crisis … that all equipment should go to the places where the most lives can have a chance at rescue/recovery. We know that a memorial service was held in Haiti on Saturday afternoon by the church where she/Jack served. You can watch an excerpt from her funeral service here:

http://www.helphaitiheal.org/2010/01/rev-jeanne-acheson-munos-merle-west-and-gene-defour/

Kevin will be going to Florida later this week, and plans to visit Jack who remains hospitalized in Miami. We picked up a beautiful (almost full size!) crocheted blanket from Ron/Connie’s house yesterday, and we know it will mean a lot to Jack since he has nothing – nothing left, except his faith. Thank you Connie! Jack/Jeanne’s best friends were in the process of selling everything they owned and planned to join them in Haiti to partner in their efforts. They, along with Jeanne’s brother, are now in Miami to help Jack through his recovery until the time he is able to travel back to Indianapolis. It is anticipated he will then live with our friends, Dan/Patye Bridget for an undetermined amount of time.

Since Kevin will be flying to Florida before our next Sunday School class meeting, would you all commit to pray “over the prayer shawl” for Jack/Jeanne Acheson-Munos, and their friends/family? We have established a specific prayer time for this Wednesday, 8pm, and ask that each of you, individually --- will join us collectively in prayer. God will honor our efforts and speak peace to the many hurting people left behind. I know that a revival is/can happen and pray that it does!

If you can spare one last tidbit – I think you’ll find this a blessing. When state-side, Jack/Jeanne often went around and gave their “Haiti” shpeel to welcoming churches, to raise awareness/funds for the place they loved and God laid on their hearts. She pinned buttons on any living thing that said “Haiti for Christ.” And yesterday, her dad (Rev. A) said: “I imagine by now that my Jeanne has pinned one of those buttons on Christ, and He’s proudly displaying it in Heaven!” AMEN to that!

Thank you for indulging Kevin & I, for ministering to us and loving us so effectively. Know that we cherish each and every one of you.

Jeanne Acheson-Munos ... Enjoying Heaven!

“Your faith makes you offer your lives as a sacrifice in serving God.” Philippians 2:17
When we face struggles, we often wonder, Why? Years from now, though, we may realize that it was those struggles that taught us something we could not have otherwise learned—that there was a purpose in our pain. God’s purpose is greater than your pain, and he has a greater purpose than your problems.

Goodbye Ms. Bladdie

So here I am, coming to you live ... gallbladder-less! The surgery was originally scheduled for 2pm today, then it was bumped up to 11;30am. And then, just yesterday, they bumped it up again to 10:00am. I told Kevin at that rate, it could be out by the evening! LOL! Well, as God would have it, today's surgery was indeed orchestrated by the Great Physician Himself and I can honestly say I feel better right now (just hours post-op!) than I have felt in the last several months! This pain is nothing - natta - lower than low! They even gave us 4 sequential pictures of the inside of my guts, showing all the parts & pieces! That's just too much!! Scrapbook material?!? Ha Our Sunday School class pretty much had a party in the waiting room. And now that they've seen the pictures, they can honestly say they know me inside and out! So --- the parting was graceful, and although I appreciate everything she did for me while we were together, it's goodbye Ms. Bladdie. Rest in peace.

Kevin & I truly do appreciate you praying us through. Anyone who might doubt the power of prayer hasn't been hanging around with us enough! Of course, it's not the power of prayer. It's the mighty miraculous power of God sought in prayer. I praise Him to the highest heavens for His generosity! Not once did I feel apart from His tender care. Not once. N-o-t o-n-c-e. He even granted us an opportunity to witness (of course, we did that all the live long day), but a specific opportunity to talk with my nurse about Jesus and to invite her and her husband to join us at church. I think she will -- Cindy, God is anxious to prove Himself to you! He loves us so much, and He is all the time arranging details to let us know He's there. This, I k-n-o-w!

I'll be crafting again soon! It might be my most inspiring creations to date! Amazing what a good gallbladder surgery will do to ya! Thank you again family & friends. You are loved. You are never forgotten. Never overlooked. My heart is completely stolen by God over each of you, with bleary eyes.

If you can spare one last prayer, my very very very dear friend, Eleanore, is having lens replacement on her eyes starting tomorrow. And we are expecting a snow storm as well. Please pray for her surgery to be perfect, and her pain to be tolerable, and their safe travels. She was very very very instrumental in getting me the medical attention I needed so quickly (she's kinda a big shot at the hospital, but you'd never know it. Especially since she's a short tiny little speck of a thing!). We have been very very very close friends for like-ever (23 years) and she is precious. Thank you for remembering her and Brent.

Kiss your life. Accept it, just as it is. Today. Now. So that those moments of happiness you're waiting for don't pass you by.

New Year's Eve -- 2009

So ... will it be Two Thousand and Ten, or Twenty-Ten, or just Ten?!

Three Words ...

Happy New Year!

Kevin & I have had the most amazing Jesus Year! Our family has been SO graced with His love. If you want to have a Jesus Year {and I know you do!} then I offer this to you my dear ones ... no matter what happens, good or bad, stay in the living breathing word of God! It truly is the bread of life! Blesssings to you and yours, bring on 2010!