Values & Politics: For My Grandchildren

Dear Lucy and Tag, 

I can't believe that both of you were born in the years of our country's presidential election.  Lucy September 2008 and Tag February 2012.  Maybe it's not such a coincidence, either, of the months you both spent in Bethesda MD just outside of Washington DC.  It would not surprise me at all if either or both of you become associated someway with politics.  Well, your Granny wants to just take a few paragraphs to explain why I believe it's so important to participate in our political institutions. 

I want both of you to know how important it is to exercise your privilege of voting for your representatives whether on a local, state or national level. I believe that as Christ-followers, we have a responsibility to pray to God our Father as to whom He directs each of us to cast our votes. I base my political party affiliation on the political party that is aligned closest to my Christian values, family values, moral values and patriotic values.  Here's how I do this:

My Christian values are the basis of who I am.  I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord & Savior and it's only in Him that I will live eternally in God's glory.  So, how does this intertwine in my political actions? I personally have a struggle aligning with a political party that does not acknowledge the sovereignty of Almighty God. Now, I'm not so naive to think that every person regardless of political party is a Christ-follower. It's just my personal conviction of aligning with a (more) God acknowledged political party.  God is always first in my life. Period.

I also have strong family values that have been instilled in me in the past ... well, forever.  I believe that it's my personal responsibility to be the positive role model to my family.  And I know that people in both political parties share similar family values.  However, it is my personal belief that I ultimately take personal responsibility for myself.  It is not the government's role to take care of my family. That job is for me and my husband.  It's not been because of the government that we've had both successes and even made wrong decisions in our family. It's been our individual and family decisions that we stand upon. I do not belong to the government.

My moral values have been shaped by my Christian values. I have strong beliefs on abortion, welfare assistance, health care reform, among many other issues. I believe in standing up and being the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves (unborn babies for example). Yes I believe we need to reach out and assist those who do not have, but I also do not believe in redistributing what others have worked so hard to build and attain. Unfortunately there are some people in the world and in our own country who take advantage of our assistance programs. There has to be a checks & balance of those who truly need and those who take advantage. Is it fair to take from one person who works hard to support his/her family and give to someone who has the ability to do the same ... but simply will not.

By now, Lucy & Tag, you both have seen that you come from a patriotic family. I'm not sure "why", but for some reason God Almighty saw fit for me (and you both) to be citizens of the United States of America.  And for that I am thankful.  I love my country and all that she stands for. I do not believe in apologizing for my country. We are a military family & we believe in our military and their families (that's you two!) ... I am thankful for my country and our military. 

Lucy & Tag, I know that you may not agree with me on everything. And I respect that.  But although we may not always agree, my one hope is this ... that you both look to God-Almighty as your political "consultant".  Ask yourselves what political party (if any) GOD wants you to align with ... who GOD wants you to cast your votes for ... and (more importantly) how are your Christian values, family values, moral values and patriotic values shaped by GOD Almighty? And how do these values coincide with your political actions?  

I believe we all have a responsibility to our country, to our community, to our family ... and taking an interest and participating in our political institutions is just one of our responsibilities.  Please do not ever think that you cannot make a difference -- because you DO make a difference.  

I believe each Christ-follower will stand responsible for our actions ... in all areas of our lives.  And this includes our political privileges as well.  

So, be informed ... 

be engaged ... 

be God - led in your political participation.

Seek God first ... 

Know that no matter the outcome of earthly political elections ...

Almighty God is still and will forever be Sovereign ... 

He is still and will forever be on His throne  

  

Our future and values belong to you & your generation, Dear Ones.  Be blessed in Him.

Love, 

Granny 

 

 

Celebrating Generations & Relationships

Four generations

Today we had a Fall Family Celebration ... G-G and Grandpa came over for a visit.  We all love it when we can get together as a family -- 

4 generations under the same roof for a day 

... eating Mommy's white-bean chicken chili, watching football, eating Lucy's special "monster cake",

 and of course ... carving pumpkins.  

What a wonderful fall day we shared together!

We don't take our multi-generational relationship for granted.  It has taken years to develop and nurture.  It began many years even before my Mother came into this world.  We always had a close-knit family and still do.  I had a very close relationship with my Granny ... my daughter has a very close relationship with her Grandma (my Mother) ... and Lucy has a very close relationship with her Granny (me) and her G-G (my Mother).  What a legacy!  (And yes, Tag was hanging out with the men of the family after he woke up from his nap.  He enjoys hanging out with his Daddy, Grandad & Grandpa while us girls do our own thing too.)

A few things our family knows about relationships:

relationships take time ... 

relationships require sacrifice ... 

relationships lasts for lifetimes ... 

One thing that my Granny showed all of her family -- family, friends, strangers -- 

*** relationships are worth everything we put into them *** 

I am so very thankful for moments such as in this picture ... 

 memories that lasts many lifetimes

relationships placed with highest priorities

family values being passed to future generations

  I can't expect to wake up one day & all of a sudden have a close relationship if I haven't invested in the relationship up to that point.  I know that I need to be putting my all into these relationships *now* and not wait.

I wouldn't trade my relationships for anything:

I've invested my time ... 

I've made some sacrifices ... 

I benefit for my lifetime ... 

And with moments like this ...

 

Oh how blessed I am!

 

Celebrating Priorities

I've really neglected my blog over the past several weeks ... not intentionally ... but it just turned out that way.  Although I've written several posts, none of them have made it past my brain.  
Sometimes there's just so much going on in a household with three generations
 under the same roof, that priorities must be given to:  

what I need to get done

what I would like to get done

what I can take care of later (whenever "later" may be)

Some events on our calendar have been forgotten about (not by design, but just simply over-looked).  Although we have a rather large dry-erase calendar in our dining room for appointments, events & other activities, there have been a couple of times that we've simply just missed it.  No disrespect or misunderstanding was intended, but sometimes life gets a little hectic.

So, here's a little glimpse into what's been happening for the past month in our household:
 We celebrated Lucy turning 4 years old ...

at home ...

 

and at Disney World!!!

(This trip was awarded to the 'Joes in appreciation for his service to out country & his Purple Heart)

  

It sure doesn't take long for time to get away from us ... 

and for things to be left undone for the day.

 But these two little kids are growing up too fast on Granny & Grandad ... 

so we are enjoying every moment we get with them.

Sheltered in the Rain

As I went out to run my errands this morning, I expected to find my Philips, Craig & Dean CD in my car.  

I hit the "on" button ... 

this is what I heard ... 

this is what I cried to ... 

this is what I needed.  

Mrs. 'Joe had borrowed my car yesterday to pick the princess up from preschool & had changed the CDs ... 

as God was speaking to her yesterday, He knew that her Mother would need this comfort this morning.

Don't you just love it when God gives us what we need even when we don't know we need it?  

His grace is more than sufficient ... 

His grace is everything.  

And I'm so very thankful that my daughter listened to Him yesterday to receive His promise ... 

and that allowed me to receive His promise when I needed it most.

I hope this will bring His promise to you this morning & for the moments to come.  

We never know how our little action of obedience will bring blessings to others.

 God is always good ... 
He is always holding us ... 
even in the rain.

Why They Serve ... A Link to a Wounded Warrior Wife's Post

I quietly reflect the events of September 11, 2001 ... 

I remember where I was ... I remember first finding out ... I remember the disbelief

No one could explain ... no one could answer ... no one was exempt

Lives were lost ... lives were changed ... lives were uncertain

It was on that day -- September 11, 2001 -- that many young people made the decision to be a part of our country's military, police force, firefighters and other first responders.  Many families on that day and many families since then have sacrificed 

for our country ... for its citizens ... for you & for me.

Some making the ultimate sacrifice ... some made life-altering sacrifices ... all have sacrificed with their families drawing alongside of them.  

Spouses ... children ... mothers ... fathers ... family ... friends ... communities ... and the list goes on. 

No amount of "thank you" will ever be enough for this Granny to say to those who serve & sacrifice for our country.  So I can just stand with them ... do my part to support them ... and always be grateful for what they've given for my freedom & my protection.

Below is a link to my daughter's blog.  I link into hers every now & then ... 

she is a wounded warrior's wife & Mommy to my grandchildren.  

She, along with countless other military spouses, is my hero ... 

my grandchildren (especially my Princess Lucy) are my heroes for the sacrifices they make to our country.

This link will give you an idea of what September 11 means to a Wounded Warrior Wife.  

If you know a service member or other first responders, along with their children, although our "thank you" may really not seem like enough ... 

go ahead and thank them anyway.  

They need to know that what they sacrifice matters to you & to our country.

God bless our country & those who serve to protect each of us.

ACU's, Stiletto Shoes, and Pretty Pink Tutus: Because of this piece of metal...

Learning Who Comes First

A couple of weeks from now will mark the 29th "date-iversary" for me & my wonderful husband.  I've been thinking back on the past 29 years with this wonderful man, and sometimes I wonder how in the world we made it to "29".  And I really don't mean to sound so blunt about it, but ... 

I had just turned 19 & he was an "old man" of 21 ... 

we knew who each other was, yet hadn't spoken one word to each other until a couple of months before our first date ...

then after only 8 months of dating, we eloped.
 

The newlyweds ... 28 1/2  years ago

So, here we are 29 years later ... 

parents of our awesome daughter & son-in-law both of whom we are 
so very proud of ... 
grandparents of the 2 most amazing kids on the face of the planet (to us anyway) ... 

we've come a long way since September 24, 1983

One of the turning points in our marriage came when we had been married for several years and yet we knew that something was missing.  We were involved in our church, our daughter's school activities, both our work places, traveling to keep relationships with our out-of-state families ... 

yet something was missing

But, seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

Matthew 6:33

As parents and grandparents, I think all of us want (or should want) our kids & grandkids to not have to go through some of the same struggles/conflict/crises that we went through.  Yet, this is THE one verse that brought our marriage into focus for my husband & me. 

We asked ourselves & each other "Are we seeking God's kingdom & will or are we just all about ourselves?"  That can be a tough question to ask when a young couple is setting out to make a living for their family.  Yet, it's probably the most important question to ask.  You see, when Grandad & I turned our thinking process from "this is what I/we want for our family"  to "is this what God wants for our family" ... 

then things started changing ... 

our husband/wife relationship grew & matured stronger with each passing day (love, respect, admiration, support, encouragement ...)

our family values changed with our daughter which led into values that she would carry into her marriage & her family

our church involvements became clearer with where God wanted us to serve Him & work for Him (and it also meant moving to various ministries as He would direct)

our whole outlook on work, success, money, our future security ... everything became for His glory & His credit

Everything about our family was given over to Him.  As a young couple who started dating 29 years ago, we did not have a clue as to what we were in store for ... 
but God did.  
The old saying holds true "If I only knew then what I know now" ... 
but thank God for His grace & mercy that brings us back to Him when we have put Him on the back burner of our lives.  Yes, we have experienced ups & downs, good times & trying times, successes & failures since seeking His will first.  He never promised life would be without it's challenges, but seeking first the glory of God ...  placing Him first in every aspect of our lives ... 

has given this not-as-young-as-we-were-back-then couple 
purpose ... peace ... perspective
in our marriage
in our family
in every aspect of our lives.

If there's just one piece of value that "Grandad & Granny" can pass on to our following generations, it would be from this red letter promise ... 

in everything they do, 
seek God first.

Then everything else will come from His glory.
 
So, here we come upon our 29th date-iversary
a little older ... 
 a little wiser ...
a whole lot richer in God's blessings.

Us with two of our greatest blessings

 
 

 

  

The Milestone Weekend

My milestone birthday has come & gone.  I know that "48" technically does not constitute a milestone ... but it does for me.  Click here to see why   
This birthday sort of marked my rite of passage.  It was a day (and week leading up to) for me to reflect ... to celebrate ... and to look forward.  

If I would describe the whole week & birthday, I would have to come back to my one-word ...

aware

You can CLICK HERE to find out the significance of this five-letter word to me.  
It has truly been a God-driven year. He has given blessing after blessing and the year isn't even over yet ... how awesome He truly is!

So, Friday morning, August 24th, began as any other morning.  Grandad & I went for breakfast (no protein bars, but a special McDonald's birthday breakfast of my choice) ... I went to the gym afterwards (I know ... seems counterproductive) ... and when I came home ... 

Lucy turned around from the counter as she was eating her breakfast and declared (to the top of her little lungs)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANNY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh how grand that was to hear her! She was giggly, smiley & just so gosh-darned cute! 
(Yes, I'm like every other Granny in the universe ... I have the cutest grandkids ever!)

Blessing after blessing ... Facebook messages, phone calls, text messages, emails ... all a small portion yet an enormous dose of God's bountiful grace.  

My family treated me to a wonderful dinner at P. F. Chang's (and our kids took the bill before Grandad could even get his wallet!) 

Here is just a small glimpse into how blessed I am to have reached my milestone ...

God is the God of memories ... 

God is the God of looking forward ...

God is the God of milestones ...

I am truly blessed indeed.

So whatever "milestone" you, my reader, may be facing ...
let me assure you that God is already there for you with abundant blessings .