Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Discipline ~ A Necessary Part of Life

What a fun day Monday was...as it was the Annual Teddy Bear Auction
hosted by Barbara Fairchild Ministries.

We began our day about 9:30 meeting up at the Golden Corral.
Busyness everywhere, decorating the showroom,
making lists and organizing Teddy Bears.

 The Teddy Bears are donated by Theaters and 
Local Businesses in the Branson area.
Branson View Campground's contribution
 is the second one from the right,
bottom row...isn't she a cutie.  
The little green hat was on a bear behind her.
There were a total of 43 Bears auctioned off,
some of them two or three times.

And let the bidding begin.
Special guests included Teddy Bear Child 
(thanks Riley for being a great bear)
Santa Claus (played by Guess Who?)
Barbara Fairchild & her hubby, Roy Morris 
(doesn't he look smashing in his yellow shirt?)
A group of people from Oklahoma representing Kids Against Hunger
And we raised over $3,880!
All for feeding local children
and helping families in the Branson area with Autistic Children.

If you would like your own Teddy Bearchild Package
(Teddy Bear signed by Barbara Fairchild, 
CD of her singing Teddy Bear, 
and the childrens book authored by Barbara)
please let me know.  
They are $54 including shipping and go for a great cause.

And after our busy, crazy day of Monday
we decided to take Tuesday off
and go for a ride.
What a beautiful day to be out in
God's creation seeing His magical artistry.
The day began a bit gray and overcast but eventually cleared.
We saw some amazing colors of yellow, orange, & red dotted with green.
It was a great way to spend the day as our cell phones didn't work
for most of the day so we were able to talk,
laugh and enjoy each other's company
without interruption.

It was a full day
and we are thankful we were able to 
enjoy it together.

And now it is a new day!
Back to the bike this morning.
Rode for 45.20 minutes,
9.81 miles
burned 502 calories.
And boy do my legs know it.

While riding the bike I spent some time in prayer
and the thought that kept going through my mind was
"Discipline..it just takes Discipline."

And God being God
began my devotion for today in
Now how direct is that???

God loves me enough to discipline me,
just like parents discipline their children because they love them.

And this verse came to mind
A verse that has helped me through 
some very difficult times.
Reminding me that difficult times lead to 
good times.

And how quick we are as humans to rationalize 
our behavior, our choices.
And sometimes getting to the Yes the hard way.

For me, 
my heart attack was a major wake-up call.
I have been diligent about exercising
and eating healthy until this past week.
Making excuses, rationalizing making poor eating choices
with "well, we haven't seen these friends in a long time so go ahead and have that piece of pie."
"One handful of gummi bears aren't going to hurt me."
"I haven't had a bowl of ice cream in so long."
You know, the lists goes on and on.

And then this morning I am reminded by God
There is a lot that depends on me,
that I can do for me,
giving me peace in life.

Exercising
(and boy do my legs hurt after 3 days not riding the bike)
Making healthy choices
(drinking a bottle of water first thing in the morning 
instead of starting with 2 or 3 cups of coffee with creamer)
Planning healthy dinners
(cooking at home instead of going out to eat)

And the evidence of knowing God,
knowing what is healthy for me;
is displayed in how I 
Love others,
Love myself,
(which is not being selfish but taking care of what God has blessed me with)
Forgive others,
Forgive myself,
(for making bad/wrong choices ~ that was yesterday,
today is a new day)
And bearing each others burdens,
helping where we can
and encouraging others.
By blessing others I am blessed too!

Thank you Lord for starting my own thoughts this morning
about discipline
and using my devotional 
to affirm what I know is true.
That I am not alone in this 
journey of life
that You are always with me.

**************************************
I close with asking for prayer over the next few days.
October has always been a hard month for me.
Emotionally as my Mom, Dad and Grandpa all died in October.
As I struggled with major depression issues many years 
in the month of October.
Halloween is not a fun holiday for me,
thus it was not always easy for our family.
I ask for prayer for peace in my heart,
and for love and joy to be exploding 
in the hearts of my children and grandchildren.

And again
I am thankful for the Lord's 
consistent love and provision 
in my life over the past years,
today and what it will bring.
And His reminder,



Saturday, October 26, 2013

Restless Exhaustion

Now isn't that an oxymoron?
Restless ~ can't sit still, feeling anxious, constantly moving
Exhaustion ~ tired, not moving, 

That is how I was yesterday.  
Feeling restless, like there is so much to do.
And there is: checkbooks to be balanced, kitchen to be cleaned, 
a cabin needing cleaning, bathrooms needing some attention,
dinner to be fixed, and the list goes on and on....

And not knowing where to even begin.
Adding in an appointment smack dab in the middle of the day,
guests checking in, telephone ringing,
mail to be answered, evening plans and the list goes on and on...

And feeling exhausted, to keep from 
getting the cold and achyness that hubby brought home from Portland.
So tired, just wanted to go to bed,
afraid to sit down for fear going to fall asleep 
wherever I sit.

And so I crawled into bed just after 7 p.m.
And was asleep before 8 p.m.
(I know because I missed the end of Dateline)

And finally woke up at 7:22 a.m.
Yep, I think I was tired.

Got up, dressed, started my morning routine
and thought crap! it's already 9 a.m.
time to open the office.

Nope, only 8:01 a.m.
So asked myself
Do I spend time in the Word or just open the office?

Time in the Word...
...important for me, helps me to get off on a good foot.

And once again
God is Faithful!!!

Question of the day:  Do people encounter Christ when they meet me?
I would say yes, most of the time,
but on mornings when I feel rushed and discombombulated - ummm NO!

God affirming to me it was right to spend this hour with Him.

Variety of Scriptures this morning
Psalm 103:19-22
A reminder that there is comfort in knowing
God has power over everything,
especially with all the changes and instability 
happening in our world today.

And remembering
Romans 8:31

And Joshua 3:7-8
God said to Joshua, “This very day I will begin to make you great in the eyes of all Israel. They’ll see for themselves that I’m with you in the same way that I was with Moses. You will command the priests who are carrying the Chest of the Covenant: ‘When you come to the edge of the Jordan’s waters, stand there on the river bank.’”

As God was with Moses, He will always be with me!

Ephesians 2:14-18

And finally
Hebrews 12:14

I think a lot about Peace...
peace in relationships,
peace in my heart and soul
living in peace
and I cling to

for something I crave and have absolutely no control over
a healed relationship
with my younger sister.

And I have to remind myself
It is all in God's timing.
God knows the desires of my heart
and I have peace 
in my heart that 
God hears my prayers.

*************************************
Today I am thankful for a new day,
to live in Christ
and knowing without a shadow of doubt
that one day, some how, some way
I will be reconciled with my sister.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Looking Back

Twelve years ago today, just about now I received a phone call from Ron.  I was at work, just getting ready to start my day.  He asked me if I had any appointments or errands I had to run. I replied, "No."  He said, "Good, stay right there I will be there in about 15 minutes." and then hung up on me.

I sat and stared at the phone...something was wrong.  What could it be?
Did something happen to one of the boys?  My mom?  His mom?
I walked down the hallway to my bosses' office.  Told CU that I didn't know what was going on but wanted to let him know that Ron was on his way into the office, something was up.  He told me to let him know if I needed anything.

And about 15 minutes later, Ron came walking into my office.
He did not look good.  
He took my hands and said,
"Kathy (my older sister) called, your Dad died this morning."
I don't remember screaming, but from all accounts I let out a blood curdling scream.  CU, DE and RB came flying into my office.  Ron was holding me and I kept saying, "He can't be gone.  He can't be gone."
But he was.

My Dad and I did not always have the best of relationships.  He did many things that hurt me physically, emotionally and mentally.  BUT we had gotten to a place in our lives where we could love each other and be together, laughing and smiling and even joking about some things.  I knew at the age of 43 my Dad loved me and I loved him.  

After some talking, people were telling me I needed to go home.
But no, it was payday...people needed their paychecks...so I made plans to do a few things at the office and then head for home.  I told Ron I would be home around 11 a.m.  He was going to go to work and talk to his boss and begin making arrangements for us to contact our sons, Jamie & Brandon, make plans to go to California, to be with my sisters and put my Dad to rest.

And we did just that.  
We have never been ones to have much of a savings (against the angst of our parents and some good friends) but the Lord provided the money for us to get there - remember it was payday :)

Looking back I can see how the Lord provided: the money for Brandon to fly from Idaho to CA, for Jamie to be with us in Blaine and able to ride down with us to CA...giving us three drivers so we could drive straight through, both of us having bosses that understand the importance of family.

And putting us in a Bible study of a body of believers who would minister to me in so many wonderful ways in the days, weeks and months following my Dad's death.  It was a very hard time for me.

YET the Lord provided.

And I was reminded of that this morning.
Moses cried out to God, the people needed water to drink.
The Lord showed him what tree to pull from and Moses
cast the tree into the water and the Lord turned it from bitter to sweet.
The Lord Provided!

I am reminded in Romans 14:14-23
that sometimes I let STUFF otherwise known as my To Do List
to control me,
instead of me controlling it.

God loves me just as I am.  
He doesn't require me to accomplish a huge To Do List
God desires me to live in peace and joy,
seeking the Holy Spirit for guidance.
Yes, I have things that I need to do each day
But I have to remember that the most important 
thing in my life is 
my relationship with the Lord
which then helps me to have healthy relationships
with my husband, my children, their families,
friends, those I meet through work.

And in Joshua 1:1-9 (from The Message)
After the death of Moses the servant of GodGod spoke to Joshua, Moses’ assistant: “Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I’m giving to the People of Israel. I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It’s all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”

Moving forward in faith is always easier if we remember where we have been and how God has provided for us before.

Looking back and seeing how God provided gives me hope for today.
Knowing God will not let me down,
never leave me alone!


So I am reminded today, 
that no matter what I am dealing with
God is with me every step of the way!

Today I am thankful that even though most of my life
my relationship with my Dad was a pretty rocky one
that we were able to talk, laugh and cry together,
sharing our family with him,
and knowing that in the end
he loved me and was proud of me.

I love and miss you Dad!

Blog Address Change!!!!

Well I took the plunge and moved my blog over to WordPress! Below is the link to my blog. All of the blog posts I have written sinc...