ALABAMA UPDATE ~

Sara and gang have arrived safely in Alabama...thank you all for your prayers for safe travel!

(Pat)

And away we go!

Good morning! Not sure what time it is as you're reading this but we hit the road for Alabama at 5:00 a.m.! Please pray for safe travel and for God's favor. We will arrive in Alabama this evening, spend Saturday packing and head home on Sunday.

The Mr.'s wonderful cousin, Paul, is going with us as is Mac to help with the heavy lifting as well as to drive the moving truck back so that Dean and I can travel together with his mom and dad. The folks will spend Sunday night at his grandma's and sign the lease to their new senior apartment on Monday. Please also pray that everything goes smoothly and that all the paperwork is in place so that we can move them right in and get them peacefully settled.

I'll text my mom and T so if there's anything exciting happening, I'm sure they'll update y'all. Ha!

Love you guys and talk at ya soon!

Gensis 12:9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.

HERE i am

There lives within me this tug-of-thoughts. A feeling of always being busy and yet never getting very much done. It's an unrest of the spirit. I've been frustrated with this current bout of unwellness that has me at home instead of work, tempted to kick the walls to vent my aggravation at my body. But we just painted so....I decided to complain to God. Actually God eavesdropped on my inner monologue. I sometimes forget that thinking it is the same as saying it where He's concerned. So there I was, doggone it I can't be sick right now! I have to go to work, I'm taking an entire week off! What will they think of me! Who will get everything in order so I can be off? What about the people that have to cover for me? This is so unfair to them!

Then God, eavesdropping and then adding his two cents says this to me, "Wow, you're really arrogant."

Indeed!

I am not arrogant! Again inside my head, where the Lord is not shy about poking around it seems.

The long and short of it is, that apparently (according to the Lord), the people at work are not in a state of panic because I am not there. His theory (and He claims to know this for a fact), is that they don't even talk about me beyond the morning meeting when they mention I'm out sick. I was going to pull up my work e mail as evidence that I am very very needed at work but unfortunately, there must be some kind of technical glitch, because there wasn't a single message in my inbox stating that I had to hurry back. In fact, the only e mails that showed up advised me to take it easy and come back whenever I was feeling better. Huh. Weird.

Realizing that God was going to poke around in my head invited or not, I decided to switch gears and change myself from thinking to praying and tell Him that I had a job to do. Wanting to go in to work was right and honorable.

The Holy Spirit gently chastised me. "No, you do not have a job to do. I have a job for you to do."

How easily and often I forget that I am not my own. And that what I do is not of my own strength. And that all is God's; the cattle on a thousand hills, the patients and staff at every hospital, the husband and sons and home that I care for and the two people in Alabama waiting for us to come get them. All God's business to conduct.

As I have prepared lists and agendas and schedules and plans I now realize, I did not include preparing myself. I have spent much more time in the choreography of things than in the training of my spirit. I am ordained by God at every moment to be here or there. Too often I am distracted by there and not enough here. I'm going to work on that. My job for today is to let Christ work in me through the quietness of my body and my mind.

And I think maybe, just maybe, someone else can be there for the day.

Psalm 50:10-11For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

Sick Day(s)

Home sick yesterday and again today; sinus troubles. Yes, I know, a neti pot has magical sinus voodoo. I neti showered, does it count if one uses a shower instead of an official pot?

Anyway, yesterday my headache was so bad I couldn't even read...what a waste of a sick day. Plus I had to haul my dark circled eyes to the library because my books were due. So there I was with six new books I couldn't read! Today I am feeling still quite head-achey and want more to sleep and be still than anything. I'm frustrated because on Friday I am starting a week off to take care of the Alabama move and I don't like calling in like this when I'm about to start a "vacation." In fact, I'm sitting here wondering if I could take some Dayquil, take a neti shower and go in a bit late? The problem is that I'm afraid that if I don't handle myself rather cautiously I'll be in really bad shape for the trip. Not to mention that although it feels irresponsible to call off, it is irresponsible to expose others to my cooties.

At the library I picked up 4 books on CD. Three of them were for the trip because it helps with the 12 hour road trip, especially for the in-laws. I might cheat and pop one in if my head still refuses to cooperate with for-real reading.

So pray for me, if you will? I need to go to work tomorrow and I need to be in top-form for the Smith Northern Migration of 0-9.

Thanks!

Hail Hail, Lion of Judah

Been playing this song all day at work and as my staff said, "Sara's getting her praise on in her office."

Care to join me? Click here VICTORY CHANT

10/25/09

Song of Solomon 8:7

Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised.

Happy anniversary, I love you.

Having nothing else to say...

Six names you go by:
1. Sara
2. Sar'
3. Sari
4. Mom
5. White manager (don't ask)
6. NURSE!

Three things you are wearing right now:
1. Summit Academy football hoodie
2. Black yoga pants
3. Slippers

Three things you want very badly at the moment:
1. Anointed leadership
2. Control over my appetite
3. Faith that is louder than reality

Three things you did last night/yesterday:
1. Read
2. Snuggled
3. Made corned beef for dinner

Two things you ate today:
1. Oatmeal
2. Subway

Two people you last talked to on the phone:
1. The Mr.
2. My sister

Two things you are going to do today/tomorrow:
1. Read
2. Get my hairs done

Your three favorite beverages:
1. Coffee
2. Water
3. Diet caffeine free Pepsi

Secrets

I've stumbled across two or three conversations in the last week that centered on "the secret." The secret to love, the secret to marriage. What's the secret? Our 23rd anniversary is coming up on Sunday so naturally, I wondered if there really is a secret.
There are lots of secrets in relationships. Marriages that look like perfection but are secretly miserable. Spouses that look like the epitome of devotion that are secretly cheating. Prosperous families that are secretly losing their homes. Smiling couples that secretly batter one another in private. Secrets abound in love.
It's also no secret that there are people who desperately want to be in love; that are searching for the secret to finding someone to love them. People who look around at others and wonder, how did they figure it out? What am I missing? And people who think that falling face first into a relationship will unlock the secret to eternal bliss.
So I've been thinking; what's the secret? Perhaps the secret is that there isn't one? In which case I guess it's more of a cosmic practical joke? One thing I have figured out is that there isn't a template for love. All of these self-help books and classes that are supposed to unlock the joys of eternal love are pretty much crap. Sorry. I say that as someone who has arrogantly thought that maybe I could teach someone the way we work and that might lead them toward our kind of happiness. But there really isn't a three step, or ten step, or 1,000 step program.
I do know step one. It's the universal step one actually. Jesus. You see, every step slightly off of God's plan makes it just a little harder to get it together. No, not impossible. Just harder. So there is my first and greatest blessing. I was raised by very strict (S-T-A-U-N-C-H) parents who didn't take boy/girl foolishness lightly. I couldn't date some guy from my high school that they didn't know. I couldn't hang out at some vaguely defined spot with less defined individuals. I wasn't allowed to telephone boys. For goodness sake, they read the signatures in my year book and grilled me on who every single person was and God help me if some twerpy little boy implied anything having to do with romance!
I never got the official "Pat & Hal Handbook of Daughterly Dating Rules." But having lived with them, I pretty knew the expectations. In fact, the first time a boy at church asked me to go out after evening service for pizza I said "No!" My mom asked me why I didn't want to go, I just assumed I wasn't allowed! The first boy I ever held hands with was sitting next to me in a church pew, the son of friends of my parents.
I cannot over-state the hedge of protection that placed around my future marriage. The potential suitors were a small group of boys who had gone to Sunday School with me and who addressed my parents as "Brother Harold" and "Sister Pat." If they didn't want to honor me, they would not dishonor my mom and dad; nor their own.
So when a seventeen year old boy who played bass in a gospel group at our church asked me out, I said yes. Yes because he met with my parents' standards. Yes because my heart sped up every time I saw him. Yes because he loved Jesus like I did. Yes because I knew he wouldn't take my hand and lead me away from God's plans. Yes because, and this is very very important; yes because I had not already attached myself to someone else. Those narrow standards left me available when my husband asked me if I wanted to go to the mall after school.
So there's the first secret; my parents. They prevented me from being distracted from the man God intended for me by keeping me focused on what was expected of me.
At 42, I'm not sure I ever said it. Thank you Brother Harold and Sister Pat for denying me too many choices and only entrusting me to a man of God.

Psalm 144:11-13 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, Whose mouth speaks lying words, And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood, That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; That our daughters may be as pillars, Sculptured in palace style; That our barns may be full, Supplying all kinds of produce; That our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields...

Pic: Us before church, 1983

WANTED

Looked for a 22" or 24" wheelchair for Dean's mom. Keep an eye out for us! Thanks!

My friend, my brother

I have this friend who I know is a good guy. He's smart, he's funny and he's compassionate. He did something, something silly, that offended me. It wasn't directed at me. It was a few sentences, a joke. But it hurt me despite having nothing really to do with me. So I told him.

The reason I told him was because I had a hunch that even if he disagreed with me, he'd take my feelings seriously. That's what real friends do, and I consider him a real friend.

I haven't seen this guy in a while, although I used to see him all the time. I probably won't see him in the immediate future. But I appreciate him because when he realized my reaction, he took the high road. He could've made fun of me or ignored me but he didn't. He apologized, apologized for hurting me.

He taught me a lesson this evening. On more than one occasion, someone has been bothered by words or action of mine that I thought inconsequential. I haven't always taken the high road and made it right based just on wanting to relieve the other person's offense.

So thank you brother (although I'm not sure you even read my blog!) Thank you for caring for my heart and for showing me Christ.

And this, my friend, is why I call you brother.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.

Today's Work

Ok, so technically I'm not wearing an apron. But I probably have a goofy smile because I'm doing my happy homemaker thing today. I brought up a few Autumn decorations from the basement and I'm on laundry load number 3. I need to give this place a thorough going-over because we will be kicking into high gear over the next few weeks and this might be one of my last chances to really get things done before the In-Laws arrive. We are heading to Alabama on Friday October 30, packing them up on Saturday and driving home on Sunday November 1. They will spend Sunday night here and we'll move them into their new apartment on Monday November 2. Then before we know it Thanksgiving and the holiday season will be upon us. Since I'm not sure how much hands-on care the folks will require once they are here, I am enjoying my moments of in between little kids and caring for elderly parents time.

So today I'm scrubbing and cleaning and straightening and enjoying. Next on the list...the bathroom! Admittedly bathroom cleaning does not make my list of most enjoyable household chores.

P.S. when I figure out which one of you talked me into this high maintenance hair cut; you're gonna have some 'splainin' to do!

Psalm 71:8-9 Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails.

Tomorrow's Work

And here we are, nearing the end of another working weekend. I was off on Friday but had creeping crud so none of my normal routine got done. This means tomorrow I'm off with a whole lot of house cleaning calling my name! Happily, I don't really mind it. In fact, I enjoy it. When I came home tonight I made my bed (because it didn't get done this morning.) Then I was looking around trying to decide what to tackle; but you know what? I'm not doing anything else until tomorrow. I am tired, and still on the clock for two more hours. I'm going to relax, drink a diet Vernors and read. Tomorrow will be time enough to put the house in order.

In fact, I will tell you a little secret of mine. I don't like working weekends, that's for certain. But! When I do work the weekend I am off on Monday. Well, the Mr. and Mac work on Monday which means I'm home all alone on a weekday and I get to do my favorite thing...play homemaker. I might even put on some old Gaither music as a soundtrack. I have just one or two errands to run but most of the day will be spent quietly dusting, cleaning and straightening. I'll bring out a few Autumn decorations. I think I'll cook that pot roast in the freezer. I'm looking forward to a day to myself because on those days it's really Jesus and me. I need those times.

Hope you've had a wonderful weekend and Monday holds something that you're looking forward to!

Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

Psalm 19:7

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

It might be time to stop exalting men. Just a thought.

1. Work today, feeling better.
2. Apron is a day late getting into the mail due to yesterday's creeping crud.
3. Did absolutely nothing yesterday.
4. Slight headache, Michigan sinus? Migraine? Combo platter?
5. Tried to iron two sets of scrubs today and discovered food stains on both. I'm sure this means something.
6. How wonderful is coffee? Let me count the ways...
7. I actually look worse today than I feel. I find that discouraging.
8. I think I'll treat myself to a new Autumnal coffee mug for work.
9. Despite preferring to be off today, I am grateful for my job. Thank you Lord.
10. It seems like we dove straight into late fall and my yard needs the summer to fall clean-up still.

Determination

But you see in dealing with me, the relatives didn't know that they were dealing with a staunch character and I tell you if there's anything worse than dealing with a staunch woman... S-T-A-U-N-C-H. There's nothing worse, I'm telling you. They don't weaken, no matter what.

Edith "Little Edie" Bouvier

Priorities

“If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do matters very much.”

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Pain

The real problem is not why some pious, humble, believing people suffer, but why some do not.

C.S. Lewis

Excuses

There is no try. There is only do or do not do.

Yoda, Jedi Warrior

Faith

"A Jew who believes in miracles is a realist."

Simon Wiesenthal, Concentration camp survivor/Nazi hunter

Psalm 22:27

All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

Norman Rockwell's 'Freedom of Worship'

Mac's Birthday Day

1. Clean the house.

2. Make Hungarian cucumber deliciousness.

3. Make crockpot carmel apples...ala Trish.

4. Make corn.

5. Make mashed taters.

6. Paprikash & chicken courtesy of Big H & Patty Cake's Catering.

7. Ice cream cake.

8. Out to breakfast with the Mr.?

9. Donny has an appointment with the groomers because "Lord, he stinks!"

10. Wear apron.

Pic: Lex, Sarah, Me & Mac at Christmas cookie time (note the scarf)

Happy Birthday Macky!

1993