To Be Emptied ... To Be Filled

Christmas 2010 has come & gone.  It really seems like our family had just celebrated Christmas ’09 and then the following week we were celebrating Christmas '10.  I keep asking “where did the year go”, but the answer is the same – time marches on.  Year after year seems to pass by faster.  And with a toddler running around the house, my days go by at a much faster pace.  
Is it really possible that 2010 is already drawing to a close?

As our New Year of 2011 approaches, I realize that I have never been one to make New Year’s resolutions.  Maybe I've said things such as ...

“I will be diligent in praying and reading my Bible everyday”

“I will lose the extra weight that’s been attached for the past 15 years”

“I will give more of my time to volunteering”

“I will get my house organized”

“I really will get old family pictures scanned & give the originals back to my Mother”

“I need to just be a better person altogether – be more positive, be more forgiving, be less critical”

But in reality, how long do New Year's resolutions really last?  A week ... two weeks ... or if I'm really industrious, maybe a month.  Perhaps I get caught up in everyday activities ... perhaps I need to manage my time more efficiently ... perhaps I get careless ... perhaps, perhaps, perhaps. 
Then frustration sets in that I haven't accomplished what I had resolved for the New Year.

 

 So this year I have a different resolution.  My New Year’s resolution encompasses every resolution I listed above --- plus ones that I haven’t even thought of yet.  When I taught middle and high school at a Christian school, my motto was

When we focus on God everything falls together,

But when we lose that focus everything falls apart.

Having God as my focal-point allows me to put my faith, trust and complete confidence in Him.  And to know that He works everything for His glory (Romans 8:28) No, this doesn’t mean that I will always get ‘my way’.  But it does mean that I will always get HIS best.  My attitude is then in alignment with His will.    

On the other side, when He is not my focal-point, my main motive is really anything but God’s glory.  For me, this is when I try to do things on my own – without God.  It’s like the old expression “trying to fit a square peg in a round hole”.  No matter how hard I try on my own, I end up frustrated and upset that I’m not getting my way.  Unfortunately, during these times I'm really saying to God “I don’t need you”.  (But in the depths of my heart, I know for a fact that I need Him above anything else).  
My whole attitude is just miserable at that point. 

So, I have actually begun my 2011 New Year’s resolution before 2010 comes to a close.  My resolve is to be emptied of all the empty things that consume me.  God and I are working on my “list” of empty things.  It’s a work in progress as He shows me unnecessary things that I need to let go.  I'm prepared for some growing pains, some stretching, and a lot of time on my knees.  Although I've already been shown a few things to let go of, I know there's plenty more to add to the list.  

My Granny always said that the day she quit learning would be the day that she was with Jesus.  Paul tells us in Philippians that He who began a good work in each of us will be faithful to complete it to the end.  I'm thankful that God loves me enough to continue to mold and shape me into the person He created me to be.  I'm ready --- with His help.

“Empty me of all the empty things that I hold on to, 
Come and fill my heart with You”

  

Through the Eyes of a 2 Year Old

Granddad and I are sitting in the family room and unwinding after our Christmas weekend.  The weather predictions had changed in our area almost on a daily basis over the past week.  Up until Christmas Eve morning, we really had no idea whether we would be making our Christmas visit to Grandma & Grandpa's on the Eve or Christmas Day.  

We decided that we would take a last minute chance on the weather and go to G-G's on Christmas Day.  So, the 'Joes were able to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve.

(I'll post later on how to plan a Christmas Eve wedding within 2 weeks, do Christmas shopping/preparations, work full-time & brace for a new son-in-law's deployment within days of the wedding ... God is good!)  

So, Granddad & I took Lucy for a Christmas Eve breakfast to her favorite fast food place and last minute preparations for Christmas Day.

We passed by malls and shopping centers whose parking lots looked like seas of used cars, so we thought it not the best decision to take a 2 year old into such unorderly chaos.  No regrets whatsoever.  So, after breakfast, homeward bound for the last minute gift wrapping.  But Lucy was insistent that we were not "all done" ...

"We need Baby Jesus a birthday cake ... 

We have to get Baby Jesus a birthday cake, Granny."

O, out of the mouths of babes!  Out of the mouth of our 2 year old granddaughter!  Thank you, Lucy, for jolting us back to the True Meaning of why we celebrate Christmas.

Once we got back home, the insistence persisted.  Granny's stocked pantry without birthday cake ingredients or even a box of ready to make mix or frosting ... but, Lucy had a solution to our dilemma -- her Granddad.  Thank heaven for Granddad who was more than willing to go to the store at 2pm on Christmas Eve ... one item ... parking lot full ... Baby Jesus' birthday cake ... frantic shoppers in search of their their last minute cooking preparations ... Baby Jesus' birthday cake ... Baby Jesus' birthday cake ...

Lucy putting finishing touches on Baby Jesus' birthday cake

  

Christmas Eve night found this 2 year old 'too excited to sleep'!  So, Lucy chose the perfect cookies to leave for Santa and then ... 

Well, I'll let the pictures tell their own story ~~~

Choosing the perfect cookies for Santa, and then ...

You guessed it!

Santa's little cookie taster!

Now, where's the perfect spot for Santa to find his perfect cookies?

Christmas morning is exciting with a 2 year old ... 

 

Princess instruments!

Mommy made a yummy Christmas breakfast!

Oh, Cindy ... I love you!

Watch me go, Granddad!!!

We made our Christmas Day visit to the Great-One's for more family fun ... 

Of course Cindy wanted to go to G-G's with Lucy.

These presents just looked too inviting for Lucy to wait on everybody.

Just what I asked G-G for!!!

G-G and Grandpa know exactly what Lucy likes!

 

Unwinding with Granddad at the end of a very Merry Christmas Day.

There's something about the tenderness of little ones  

their honesty, their innocence, their heart ... 

My prayer is that I will continue to learn from my granddaughter each and every day.  

May my heart be tender, my actions be gentle, and my thoughts be gracious.  

Thank You Jesus for my granddaughter and her tender heart for You ...   

   

The Most Priceless Gift ...

Granddad and I went to a wonderful Christmas Open House tonight.  This is my 2^nd year going while he has attended for several years (usually headed directly from work).  Business colleagues and other associates mingle throughout the few hours with light refreshments and lots of chatting.  It always amazes me to see Granddad “in action” and be able to meet people that he knows outside of our personal world.  I talked for awhile to Bob, while Granddad was discussing business with Andrew.  You know, we grandparents can pick each other out in an instant, and our eyes light up when we start talking about our “grands”.  And Bob is just as proud of his granddaughter (who is in college) as Granddad and I are of our little Lucy.

During this festive season, I (as well as many others) can get caught up in searching for that perfect gift to give to someone.  In the past, I know that I have traveled hundreds of miles back and forth across town just for a "perfect” gift".  I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that.  Matter of fact, I believe in putting thought into the gifts I give to others.  And truth be told, just the other day I traveled across town to one specialty store just to come away with Lucy 3 plastic boats for bath-time.  (In my defense, we have searched every store from Target to Wal-Mart to Dollar Stores just to be told ‘it’s seasonal’). The look on her face was priceless when I gave her this early Christmas present.  As she knelt down to make sure those boats were real, she whispered “Thank you Nanny” still with astonishment.

But, those boats are not Lucy’s “perfect Christmas gift”.  I could get her as many boats as I could find, as many princess accessories (because every princess needs accessories), as many Disney movies, baby dolls, stuffed animals … an endless list of “stuff”.  But the perfect Christmas gift can’t be wrapped in the perfect paper topped with the perfect bow.  Nor can it be bought.  Because spending our time with Lucy is what she needs.  And that’s what Granddad and I need as well.

Bob talked tonight about how his granddaughter had lived with him and his wife for awhile, and now that she is in college, she spends every break with her grandparents.  This reminded me of how Lucy’s Mommy would spend school breaks with her grandparents – my parents.  She even lived with them for a semester during college and commuted daily to class.  Mrs. ‘Joe always loved going to Grandma & Grandpa’s house for Christmas break, Spring break, Thanksgiving, weeks during the summer … And even though we moved several hours away from my hometown, a lot of vacation time was spent going to visit family and developing relationships. 

I grew up in a different time and place.  My aunts and uncles and cousins (as well as my family) lived around my Granny.  My parents and I lived with Granny and my Aunt K until I started 2^nd grade of elementary school.  Granny had her grandkids around her all the time – and we loved being around her!  Memories of sitting with her on the back porch and talking about her childhood memories, or her vegetable garden, her flower garden, or just about anything … We weren’t poor by any means because we had something that money just couldn’t buy. 

Bob talked about that "something" tonight.  The gift of spending time with a child is priceless.  The relationship that is built will carry on for many more years than we even imagine.  When I spend time with Lucy, I’m showing her that she is the most important aspect of my life. Our little world could stop spinning at that point in time.  And as she gets older, she will pass this on to her children and grandchildren, and they will pass it on … and the relationship cycle will never end.

Building relationships takes time ... time that you can’t get back or have a “re-do” … time that is very well spent on what really matters in life.  Granddad & I are so thankful for our time that we spend with the ‘Joes … and especially for our time with Princess Lucy.  Yes, there are still a few Christmas gifts that I would like to find to wrap and place under our tree.  But the most priceless gift of all won’t be found in pretty paper under our tree.  

This gift can be found through our relationship with our 2 year old princess … 

Christmas picture with Lucy, Granny & Granddad

         

It's December ... Already?????

To quote a famous philosopher "I cannot believe it!" ... December ... already???? (Okay, so the 'famous philosopher' is actually Quincy from Disney's Little Einstein's -- yes, Granny quotes Disney often)

I had every intention to write more, organize more and read more.  But, "the best-laid schemes go astray"  (Robert Burn's poem "To a Mouse")  Oh my, I'm on a roll here with quotes, so maybe I'd better just make this a short post.  (I'm so very glad you agree with me.)

I really don't know where this year has gone.  I've told several people that it seems that time goes by faster with having a grandchild in the house than it did when the future Mrs 'Joe was growing up.  (I guess that just means that Granddad & Granny are getting older ... and hopefully wiser.) 

So tonight I just want to post a few pictures of our time with Lucy over the past couple of months.  Gracious, it seems like just yesterday the 'Joes were bringing her home from the hospital.     

And now ...

Making Halloween cookies

Of course Granddad had to help with icing & sprinkles

"I'm so sorry, Granddad. This cookie is just for Lucy!"

Lucy loves rockin' with her gourds!

Even Lucy needs a break from Rockin' out so hard.

"Did you see me a-rockin', Granny?"

If you are a grandparent, then you know how valuable our time is with our grandchildren.

If you are a soon-to-be grandparent, you will soon realize just how valuable our time is with our grandchildren.

Gracious ... it really is December!

 

A Thanksgiving Prayer Request

Many of us are frantically making preparations for Thanksgiving --- shopping, cooking, cleaning, baking. We do not want to miss even the tiniest of details for our friends & families. Some of us may even be preparing for an early "Christmas" with family coming in from all parts of the world. At our house, we're just praying that Lucy will soon be over the cold and sniffles -- the runny nose and congested chest -- the restless days and sleep-deprived nights. We know she is on the mend, but she still needs a day or so to heal her 'less than 30 lb.' body. But, we know that with the proper rest, lots of water and of course banana popsicles (the perfect 'medicine' for a scratchy throat -- Mommy recommended & Granny approved), Lucy will be bouncing around the house like her normal 2 year-old-self this weekend. And for this, we are thankful.

However, there's a very tiny little boy I want to introduce to you. His name is Brody Christopher and he was born 3 months premature (yes, THREE WHOLE MONTHS premature). Brody and his parents, along with the rest of his family really need special prayers. Please follow this link to Mrs. GI Joe's blog post that will give more information on this special "tiniest" miracle. God is the God of miracles and healing, and we just ask for a special Thanksgiving prayer for Brody & family.

ACU's, Stiletto Shoes, and Pretty Pink Tutus: Our family's newest/tiniest miracle: UPDATED: "I would like you all to meet someone very special.... On Saturday night my cousin Matthew--who is more like my big brother-- welcomed his..."

Veterans Day 2010

A simple message on Veterans Day 2010 ... 

Our freedom is never without a price.  

Our veterans and their families sacrifice daily not only on our behalf, 

but for those they do not even know ...

Yet God knows each and every one. 

We honor our men and women who served yesterday and who serve today. 

We honor their families for their sacrifices and devotion to our country. 

We honor God for His protection and daily guidance to our military families.

 "Thank you" just doesn't seem enough ...  

November Thanks ...

So many friends on Facebook are posting each day one thing they are thankful for.  I haven’t really posted anything, but just want to share here on the blog 30 things that I am thankful for.  They are in no certain order, some are deep, some are shallow.  And although I have so much more than “30”, here’s my November 2010 thankful list:

My salvation through Jesus Christ Who died for my sins.  I can't imagine life without Jesus.

My loving husband who is always there for me, standing beside me, encouraging me … and loving me for who I am.

Lucy’s hugs, kisses & "Hey Granny, what are you doing?"  (Okay, who can blame me? Click here & find out why)

Lucy’s giggles & scrunchy nose expressions. Oh how she reminds me of her Mommy at this age (and Mommy still scrunches her nose!)

My daughter, son-in-law & granddaughter … being a Godly family … serving our country. They are living for something more than themselves.

My parents who took me to church every time the doors were opened. I actually was baptized in the creek that ran behind our church.  Wonderful memories of church activities & our youth group.

My Mother who prayed with me every night. This was a nightly tradition for the 2 of us that I will always remember.

My Daddy who always took time to spend with me.  We always took a yearly 'family vacation' to get away from the busy-ness of everyday life.

My Granny who instilled common-sense values in me & taught me the importance of relationships. You won't get far in life without common sense.

Our family relationships. Although my family & I moved several hours away from "home", everyone still made time for us when we went home for visits. Our daughter was able to develop the bonding relationships with aunts, uncles and cousins that last a lifetime.

Morning breakfast times with Granddad.  Our household may get hectic, but we make time most mornings to catch up on what's going on with each other.

Food, shelter, clothing, safe vehicles.  And so much unnecessary 'stuff'.  God always provides above & beyond what I need and most definitely more than I deserve.

Our health. Granddad & I may have a few little quirky things that we need to watch and attend to, but compared to so many others, we are very blessed with our health. And we have a healthy family.

God’s new mercies every morning. Thank you, God, for a new day to start all over again & walk with You.

A sink full of dirty dishes. We all have had enough to eat, and provisions to cook, eat & clean up with.

Lucy & her parents are still living with us. It gives me & Granddad more opportunities to know our granddaughter and have her know us. Since we're not sure what the future holds, we will take the time we have with them & make the most of it.

Walking over toys scattered throughout our house.  Lucy is still here!

Our timeshare that we bought into 17 yrs ago when we had no idea how we would pay for it.  We knew it was not a financial investment, but it was an investment in our family time ... just Granddad, the future Mrs GI Joe, and me. And we still use it every year with the GI Joe family and will continue to do so.

Granddad asking me out for a 2^nd date.  It meant that I didn't blow the first date! Read this & you'll understand.

Social media that has allowed me to keep in touch with family ... brought me back in contact with childhood friends, neighbors, teachers ... and given me new friends through the blogging world.

Granddad & Mrs. ‘Joe’s support & encouragement when I returned to college 15 yrs ago. Without them, I couldn't have earned my degree.

Pizza rolls. A great (albeit non-healthy) & quick dinner when life happens.

Our doctors who don’t treat us as an “appointment slot”, but will take the time to call us when necessary.

The movie theater for our church’s multi-site location. God never said He only 'shows up' in a traditional church building. We are reaching our community ... and Lucy wanted to "go to church" when her parents pulled up to the theater today to buy advance movie tickets --- at 2 yrs old, she knows that we experience God at a movie theater, at home, at the church building ... He's in our hearts.

Granddad’s high school teacher who inspired him to his career path. He took one class from Mr. Browning and never looked back ... even returned for his master's degree while working to support his family.

The lessons in life I’ve learned over my 46 years … some easy ... some hard ... all worthy to bring glory to God for bringing me through.

Water & laptops. So that I can work/play/be mindless while increasing my water intake ... even while Granddad works on our desktop.

Those who have encouraged me, supported me, believed in me. 

Hairspray and make-up. Even if I'm just 'around the house' for the day. I know, I know ... "Granny is so vain."  These I'm not sure I can go without.

My Granny & my parents for modeling to rise every morning before dawn breaks. My idea of “sleeping-in” is 6:30am … I'm burning daylight any later!

Although these may not be earth-shattering, I am very thankful for everyone who has endured to the end of this post.  

Five Little Tidbits

I 'borrowed' this idea from a new friend and a soon-to-be new Grandmommy.  Please stop by and visit  A Season of Harvest -- be prepared for a blessing! 

Tonight Granddad is at praise band practice, and the 'Joe's are going about their bedtime routine with Lucy.  So, in case you never really wanted to know ... here's 5 little tidbits of information about Lucy's Granny (nothing earth-shattering, just a little bit ...)   

1)  When I was just a very young little girl, I saw my Great-Grandpa B die.  He was in the middle of preaching at our home church, and just dropped in the middle of his message.  Although so young, I still have vivid memories of where he was on the pulpit, how his body was facing ... This was long before the emergency 911, so to a little girl it seemed to take the ambulance forever to get to our church.  I remember standing outside with my cousins and some family friends while our parents were inside with Great-Grandpa.  I looked up in the sky and just knew that he was with Jesus, and that he was Home.  I will always remember that day ... my first glimpse of heaven. 

2)  I have probably been an asthmatic since my early teen years … but was just diagnosed in 2003.  I was having trouble breathing at the beginning of the school year, but was too focused on that being our daughter’s senior year of high school.  But the difficulties progressed, leading to many tests at the doctor’s office.  When the results came back that only 35% of my lungs were functioning, he asked me if I had ever been tested for asthma.  Never had. This was actually a relief for me because it proved (to me) that I had not been lazy in junior high and high school phys ed classes (truth be known, my asthmatic lungs back then just couldn’t keep up).  And also, it has actually motivated me to working out (although not as much as I know I need).  My lungs feel healthier and my whole body knows when it needs pushed to its limits. 

3) I am overly critical on myself – doesn’t matter for what … I am my worst critic. Yeah, there’s not much to say about this one.

  4) I absolutely cannot stand to fly.  Yet, we have flown several times to Orlando (Disney family here), flown to Japan (14 hours in the air during one leg of the flight), and flown to Mexico (several hours in the air).  Of course, Granddad would LOVE for us to go to Hawaii someday.  I told him as long as we can drive … well, maybe I’ll sacrifice ... just for him!

5) Granny does not do surprises very well at all!  I have no idea "why", afterall ... May 16, 1984 -- SURPRISE, we eloped!   then early June 1985 -- SURPRISE, you're pregnant (after being told we had a "none" chance at all!)  We have even thrown SURPRISE celebrations -- when Granddad finished his Master's degree; when Granny turned 30; when our daughter turned 10.  So, I just wonder now, why I don't do surprises ... I'll keep working on finding out the reason.  Who knows, I may just be SURPRISED!  


So now you know a few little things about me.  For some unknown reason Lucy actually believes her Granny & Granddad are exciting people ... so let's just keep this 'our' little secret.  She will find out soon enough on her own ...

  

From 1980 ...

This weekend is Granddad's 30th high school reunion.  It really doesn't seem like 30 years have past since his high school days.  Although we are unable to go back home for the reunion, I just wanted to post some of the happenings of 1980 ... 

Ronald Reagan elected the 40th President of the United States of America

Mount St. Helens in Washington erupted

"Sailing" by Christopher Cross was Record of the Year & Song of the Year

w/ "Christopher Cross" the Album of the Year

Olivia Newton-John's "Magic" was a #1 Hit from the movie Xanadu 

("Xanadu" is one of our daughter's favorite movie of all time)

"Miracle on Ice" between the US & Soviet Union 

(only Canada broadcast this live during the Olympics)

Who shot JR?

U.S. Open Men's Singles winner John McEnroe

U.S.Open Women's Singles winner Chris Evert Lloyd

John Lennon murdered

Philadelphia Phillies World Series Champions 

Season 1 "Facts of Life"
(One of Granny's favorites)

"Babe (I Love You)"  Styx

"Lonesome Loser"  Little River Band

And, just for Lucy, her Granddad's senior pictures from 1980 ...  

Graduation pic from 1980 yearbook

Mr. Pioneer - Homecoming

Graduation evening

Receiving his diploma

 

High Honors Award





Is it any wonder that 'new guy at school' would be the man of my dreams? And he still is!



(1980 brought a personal tragedy to my family -- my Aunt's life was suddenly taken by a drunk driver.  Life was not the same after her wreck. But I do see some of my Aunt's characteristics in my daughter who is her namesake.  I will post about this at a later time.)

  

 

Tweet-Inspired Perspective

One social network I take part in is Twitter.  Although I really have no idea what to tweet, I am extremely passionate about certain areas in life (Christianity, politics, self-improvement, etc).  I've learned that through Twitter, I much prefer to follow headlines with links to full stories -- anything from the mundane to the more substantial.  Granny does get her feathers ruffled occasionally over the mundane (just read my post on hairspray) as well as the more substantial current world events. Twitter allows me to "follow" and keep current with any person, event, organization, or topic that I choose.  It's what interests me.

One such person that Granny 'follows' on Twitter is Mandisa.  I have so enjoyed this girl's voice and testimony to Jesus Christ since she was on American Idol Season 5.  (Personally, I thought it would be between Elliott and Mandisa, but ... oh well ... back on topic.)

As I read through the Twitter headlines yesterday, I ran across Mandisa's which read "Filled up @ Shell 4 $2.79. Drove 3 miles & saw it @ Kroger 4 20 cents less. Have I mentioned how grateful I am 2 evn HAVE a car? #Perspective".  I was struck! Of all things for me to focus on, that one word struck me: perspective.  But, wait a minute, Granny!  This struck you over a 20 cent difference at the gas pump -- you really need to put things into perspective!  (Like I said, from the mundane to the more substantial):  Mandisa earlier today -- "How God-ronic that I'm n studio recording a song abt trusting God on hard days while I'm experiencing that exact thing! #Perspective"

Each of us have our own perspective on many different aspects of life.  Granny has her own perspective as well.  Sometimes our perspectives are shaped by our experiences, sometimes by events going on around us ... any aspect of our lives can help give us perspective on things.  Even social media.  My Twitter list encompasses everything from (the more substantial) Christ followers to politicians to military to gossip columns (the more mundane) and just about anything in between such as bloggers, writers, artists and so much more. 

"Granny, why do you let a mundane, simple thing like hairspray ruffle your feathers?" Well, it's not as if the realization of testing new brands of hairspray actually did ruffle my feathers, but it was a release for me.  From my "perspective",  it was just a way to kind of vent and joke about it ... something mindless that could be used to distract from other areas that I may have been dwelling on too long.  I'm really not that shallow to allow hairspray to be such a high priority to me.  Yes, that word -- perspective.

So ... in order to put perspective into perspective ... along comes Pollyanna, the young orphan from the 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter.  (Several movies have been adapted from this novel including Disney's 1960 version.)  The orphaned title character "Pollyanna" comes to live with her wealthy aunt -- a stark contrast to the missionary life Pollyanna is accustomed.  This young girl's philosophy of life centers around her "Glad Game".  The game originated on the mission field one Christmas when the 'missionary box' of gifts arrived.  Pollyanna had hoped for a doll ... but instead received a pair of crutches.  Her father instantly replied that they should be glad for the crutches because they didn't need them!  Thus, Pollyanna began looking on the good side of things that came her way. 

We would play the Glad Game when our daughter was younger, and now look forward to playing it with Lucy as well.  Yes, there's been many times when the Glad Game was turned aside and pretty much left to gather dust.  But maybe it needs to be brought back out to help Granny (and maybe others?) gain a new perspective on life's events, circumstances, situations ... So, here's a short list of a few things in Granny's Glad Game today:

For my time to spend with Lucy while I have the opportunity.

For our kids who serve God & our country.

For Granddad's perseverance in his career that gives me the opportunity to be a stay-at-home Granny.

For my parents living within an hour and a half away from me.

For the ongoing relationship I have with my family who live several hours away from us.

For God giving me the opportunity to do various things in my life: business life, full-time adult student, school teacher, church volunteer.

For our health that I so much take for granted until the days of doctor appointments.

For you who have endured to read to the bottom of this post.

When Granny puts things into perspective, my Glad Game list is never-ending.  

Hopefully yours is too!