Ok, so it wasn’t enough that we had a foot of SNOW on Friday!  (jk – it was like a couple inches! and it was glorious, by the way)  But yesterday, after spending a very full day helping to move my mother-in-law, I come home to find a girl so eager to start me a Facebook page, that she just starts it. I had not been avoiding it for too many reasons other than to give her a space to be without her mother. All her teen years, I’ve been involved in youth activities at the church.  Always at the church with her.  School activities? there with her.  Athletic events?  yep.  there.  Don’t get me wrong – we love to hang out, to be together.  I just didn’t want her to resent my being around.  So, I said no to facebook.  a lot.  People had asked me about getting one.  no, no thank you.  Sara would threaten to start me one – um, no thanks.  and so on.

Until last night.  I am not kidding when I say I have no idea anything else that could compare to this phenomena.  you put yourself out there, asking random people to be your friend.  Not really random people – actual family, friends, that you are asking to be your friend. interesting to me. Fortunately, a good bit of those I asked have said yes.  whew.  I mean, awkward, huh, if one of your best friends says “no, I won’t be your friend”?!!  Then there are the numbers.  yeah.  So, just noticing, not many people have less than 400-500 friends.  What is that all about?  Does the one who has the most friends win something?!  And yet, I can’t deny, there is a certain thrill to seeing that someone else said yes to being my friend.  I was really so very happy last night when I had 42 friends.  :)  Seriously, very happy.

Before I went to bed, almost 100.  I couldn’t imagine –  wow.  that’s gotta be pretty much “it” for me, I thought.  I guess the numbers will increase a bit more before they stabilize.  (oh, yeah, and I forgot to ask whatzhisname to be my friend…. gotta add him….) So, should I just be happy wherever that number lands?  Or do I wrack my brain to figure out who else to be my friend?  ( oh, i do love some healthy competition!)  You know, I actually discovered last night, that I have a couple of friends (no names) who have way over 1500 friends.  They are so dear to me, that every time I’m with them, I don’t feel like one of the 1500 – I feel like the only one.  I guess many feel the same way.

Maybe that is what this craze is all about – just being friends.  one on one.  But with bunches of people.  Or maybe it’s about sharing this great adventure, with those you’ve met along the way.  I don’t know really – but I do indeed dearly love those particular people God has given me to share this adventure with – and I’m so thankful for each and every one of them.  No matter how many that ends up to be.

1 John 4:11
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

3 John 1:2
“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

My son from Crested Butte, CO called laughing his head off today.   I had sent him a couple (or ten!) pictures of our “snow” today (he said it was way below zero today when he was climbing!)  But indeed, we had snow here in South Texas.  Unparalleled joy in this delight from God! I just felt like squealing!  so I did. smile.  Such a fun day.

I pray God delights you today!

Honestly, God teaches through the most interesting things, doesn’t He?!  So, I was walking the dogs this morning.  Not too unusual for a day off schedule.  It is surprisingly chilly, and I had already enjoyed a good long walk with a dear friend.  But before I raced out the door to run a million errands, I decided to run the dogs around the lake.  I normally walk them, and run beforehand, but I was watching part of The Biggest Loser last night, and was so inspired by the 4 finalists running a marathon.  I mean, the whole concept is staggering.  I kept forgetting to tape it while Bible study was going on, so I’ve not been following the show, but just watching part of last night’s show inspired me to run more.  So, back to the story……

I’m running the dogs – they are especially happy, cause they LOVE to run.  About halfway around the lake, Bear gets tangled up.  You know how the leash gets caught under one leg?  Yeah, like that.  So, I stopped him to untangle the leash.  He is sooooooo resistant to slowing or stopping.  I think he fears the walk will be over or something.  He keeps pressing hard forward, while I’m trying to get him back by me.  All I wanted to do was to free all his legs so he could run easily!  Why doesn’t he cooperate?!!!

Clear as day, I feel the Lord tell me “that’s what I try to do for you sometimes”.  dude.  I was stunned actually by that.  By then I had untangled Bear, and he was ready to run again, but I was just pondering and pondering the times I felt so pinned down by something.  Lord, was that when you tried to untangle me?  Or when I had difficulties in a relationship.  And I sensed Him telling me to wait.  Was that one of the times You’re talking about? Then I even thought about some of the circumstances a few of my loved ones and friends are going through at this time. . . .

Are we so eager to press on, to continue in our walk with God, that we don’t let Him tend to us when we need help?  I don’t know what He’s telling you, but I know what He’s telling me.  So, instead of heading out frantically trying to accomplish much on this day off, I’ve instead lingered with Him.  We (the Lord and I) picked pecans after the walk.  Then cleaned up, enjoyed a good quiet time together, and have been watching the wind outside blow our leaves down.  Watching the sun dancing in and out of the clouds.  Breathing deep. and resting in His care.  Hope you are too.  His care and concern for all that affects you is profound.  Rest in that today.  Steep your life in Him.

Matthew 6:30
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” the Message

1 Thessalonians 4:6
“Don’t run roughshod over the concerns of your brothers and sisters. Their concerns are God’s concerns, and He will take care of them. We’ve warned you about this before. God hasn’t invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful—as beautiful on the inside as the outside.”

*update – the firstborn and his girl made it safely home right at midnight!  Praise the Lord!  Let the holiday begin!!!  Happy happy Thanksgiving to you!  May your wait soon be over, as well.  God bless you.*

I’m on the couch, watching reruns of Gilmore Girls to pass the time.  I’ve baked a cake, and finished the last of the laundry from high school retreat weekend.  (best husband in the world did ALL the laundry during the night – getting up to move it from washer to dryer!)  Will write on that later.  I think.  but I digress.  I was telling you about the wait.  yes.  I’ve been to the store, I’ve made the beds.  Best daughter in the world has cleaned all the upstairs – including game room, getting it ready.  I’ve done some work I brought home last week from the office.  Now.  waiting.  eager. so  tired.  not much longer.  Colorado son and his girl will be here.  :)  I could not be happier.  Tomorrow?  Nashville son flies home.  The wait will be worth it.  for sure.

Good morning!  I awoke with a grin on my face this morning, realizing something is up, just not sure what.  Let me explain. . . . Sunday morning, the song that awoke me on my alarm clock was the Phillips, Craig and Dean song, “Let the Worshippers Arise”.  It made me smile.  literally.  And I don’t often smile immediately upon awaking.  Wish I did, but it takes a little while for me.  Anyway, I thought about it all day.  It just seemed profound to me, but wasn’t sure I was fully aware of all of the implications.  I mean, I was arising.  I was worshipping.  hmmmm.  I even started to write a post about it, but stopped.  I mean, so what? I just didn’t think it had that much interest.  It had intrigued me, but I let it go.  Monday morning – can’t remember anything specific about the waking song.

Then today.  Ready?  Chris Tomlin’s “I Will Rise”.  wow.  Of course, I immediately got up, eager to see what it is that God wants to say today!  So, I guess the question to you is this – are you awake?  In the truest sense of the word – I ask God to heighten my senses to all that He is, and is doing in my life, and in the lives around me.  I pray the same to you.

I Will Rise
Artist: Chris Tomlin
Album: Hello Love

There’s a peace I’ve come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There’s an anchor for my soul
I can say, “it is well”

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles’ wings
Before my God, fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There’s a day that’s drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

And I hear the voice of many angels sing, “worthy is the Lamb”
And I hear the cry of every longing heart, “worthy is the Lamb”

That’s the name of the newest devotional in my morning routine.  Jesus Calling.  It’s by Sarah Young.  I think I really like it.  Here is today’s entry. . . .

“I am Christ in you, the hope of Glory.  The One who walks beside you, holding you by your hand, is the same One who lives within you.  This is a deep, unfathomable mystery.  You and I are intertwined in an intimacy involving every fiber of your being.  The Light of My Presence shines within you, as well as upon you.  I am in you, and you are in Me; therefore, nothing in heaven or on earth can separate you from Me!

As you sit quietly in My Presence, your awareness of My Life within you is heightened.  This produces the Joy of the Lord, which is your strength.  I, the God of hope, fill you with all Joy and Peace as you trust in Me, so that you may bubble over with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Colossians 1:27; Isaiah 42:6; Nehemiah 8:10; Romans 15:13 (amp)”

Have a great weekend.  Bubble over with hope.  By His power.  amen.

I love to bake.  I try to bake at least once a week, but today was all day baking.  First of all, today is a very special day!   My baby boy, Adam, turns 23!!!  (yes, I realize how old I am.)  He requested a new cake for me to bake – a red velvet cake.  I just pulled two very red cakes out of the oven.  (We will not celebrate till tomorrow, so I will frost tomorrow, but am still not sure what kind of frosting – do you have a suggestion?  a favorite one?)  More on birthday boy in a minute.

Tomorrow morning, I am blessed to help give a bridal shower for a very special girl – a daughter of one of my very best friends on the planet.  I’ve so been looking forward to this!  So, today I also baked a batch of brownies, a blueberry cake, and these cute little baby cupcakes – so adorable – strawberry cake, from scratch, with fluffy strawberry icing.  That’s right.  Good stuff.  As I began my day, imagine my delight to discover that my water had been shut off!  We have construction occurring on our street, and it’s been challenging, for sure.  I visited with our friend, mr. construction dude, and he assured me the water would be back on soon.  It took about 3 hours till it was back on, then the bake-a-thon began!  I had so much fun.  Seriously.  And I think, finally, we are all ready for the shower.

Now, for the birthday boy!  Adam – you have made your parents so very proud!  Ohmygosh, how blessed we are that you arrived 23 years ago!  What a big year you have had – about to graduate (look for another post in the near future), engaged to be married, and already have a job waiting for you.  This is a very pivotal year, for sure.  I thank God for you – and ask Him to continue to lead you, and give you wisdom and discernment for the year ahead.  I pray His presence in your life, son, each day, and that you prioritize Him first in your life, and in your day.  Love Him dearly, and love others well.  You have much to look forward to, and I know it will be such an wonderful adventure.  Happy happy birthday!  I look forward to seeing all that God has in store for you!

“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”  1 Corinthians 2:9

The weekends this fall have been pretty busy, and promise to continue to be so for a while. Let me tell you about a couple of recent ones.  This past weekend, we took our beloved Sara on a college trip, just the three of us. It was a trip wrapped in much prayer, as we desperately need God’s leadership and direction in such a big decision.  Though formal decisions have not been made, I am confident that God has been, and is, directing her steps.  We had a great visit, and have much to think about and pray about. Still more steps to take, and we pray God closes any door to something not right for her. However, today, now, she is definitely excited about what lies ahead for her. Exciting times for our family, for sure.

Last weekend was Sara’s Homecoming weekend – so it was also very busy and full of activities.  Is it boasting to talk about how stunningly beautiful she was in her dress?  With her hair done up so amazingly?  Oh!  My grown up girl sure did amaze me all dressed up!  She was a vision indeed.

my sweet girl in her dress

patrick and sara

I must also report that through these most eventful activities, I have not shed many tears.  (much to her delight, I’m sure!) I have felt God’s hand on me, calming what could be such emotional times.  Perhaps it is a good thing to be so very busy, that I don’t stop to fully process the finality of each senior milestone?  I don’t know, but here’s what I do know. . . . my girl is exceptional.  In so many ways. I have so much to be thankful for.  She loves Jesus.  Her faith walk is her own, and she is striving to honor Him in all she does.  (at least most of the time!)  She makes great choices, she has great plans for the future ahead of her. The time is coming that she will begin a season apart from her parents home.  Though I’m quite sure there are tears ahead for me, I truly trust my God with her.  With each of my children.  It is the only way I can truly rest.  In Christ. I trust Him. (and please, God, help me when I don’t!) Can you say the same?  I certainly pray you can -

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great week.  Trust HIM – He is faithful.

Psalm 9:10 “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalm 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”

Psalm 56:3 “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me.”

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Psalm 5:11

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”

Psalm 16:11

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Psalm 28:7

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”

Psalm 71:23

“My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed.”

Psalm 126:3

“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

John 15:11

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

John 16:24

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Acts 2:28

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”

Romans 12:12

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 8:2

“Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16

“Be joyful always;”

1 Peter 1:8

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy”

Do for Others 
What God Does For You

by Max Lucado

You and I have the privilege to do for others what God does for us. How do we show people that we believe in them?

Show up. Nothing takes the place of your presence. Letters are nice. Phone calls are special, but being there in the flesh sends a message.

Do you believe in your kids? Then show up. Show up at their games. Show up at their plays. Show up at their recitals. It may not be possible to make each one, but it’s sure worth the effort. Do you believe in your friends? Then show up. Show up at their graduations and weddings. Spend time with them. You want to bring out the best in someone? Then show up.

Listen up. You don’t have to speak to encourage. The Bible says, “It is best to listen much, speak little” (James 1:19 TLB). We tend to speak much and listen little. There is a time to speak. But there is also a time to be quiet. That’s what my father did. Dropping a fly ball may not be a big deal to most people, but if you are thirteen years old and have aspirations of the big leagues, it is a big deal. Not only was it my second error of the game, it allowed the winning run to score.

I didn’t even go back to the dugout. I turned around in the middle of left field and climbed over the fence. I was halfway home when my dad found me. He didn’t say a word. Just pulled over to the side of the road, leaned across the seat, and opened the passenger door. We didn’t speak. We didn’t need to. We both knew the world had come to an end. When we got home, I went straight to my room, and he went straight to the kitchen. Presently he appeared in front of me with cookies and milk. He took a seat on the bed, and we broke bread together. Somewhere in the dunking of the cookies I began to realize that life and my father’s love would go on. In the economy of male adolescence, if you love the guy who drops the ball, then you really love him. My skill as a baseball player didn’t improve, but my confidence in Dad’s love did. Dad never said a word. But he did show up. He did listen up. To bring out the best in others, do the same, and then, when appropriate:

Speak up.

You have the power to change someone’s life simply by the words that you speak. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21 NKJV). That’s why Paul urges you and me to be careful. “When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger” (Eph. 4:29).

Earlier I gave you a test for love. There’s also a test for the tongue. Before you speak, ask: Will what I’m about to say help others become stronger? You have the ability, with your words, to make a person stronger. Your words are to their soul what a vitamin is to their body. If you had food and saw someone starving, would you not share it? If you had water and saw someone dying of thirst, would you not give it? Of course you would. Then won’t you do the same for their hearts? Your words are food and water! Do not withhold encouragement from the discouraged. Do not keep affirmation from the beaten down! Speak words that make people stronger. Believe in them as God has believed in you.

From A Love Worth Giving
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2002) Max Lucado