Thirty Days Ago

Thirty days ago I did not know Phil Campbell or Hackleburg, Alabama existed. The fury of tornadoes that ravaged through the state of Alabama on April 27 changed that for me.

That Wednesday started out as any other day even though the weather men had been talking storms for a week. When you live in the south, March and April is tornado season. So having severe thunderstorms with tornado watches or even warnings for that matter are quite common.

Yet by Wednesday night things were different. Although the storms passed all around our little town of Lacey's Spring, we did lose power around 5:30 that evening.  By eight or nine that night the worst was over and reports from battery operated radio were indicating several tornado touchdowns and damage.

Because the media tend to sensationalize so much it was hard to know how bad things were. There were thousands without power. We used the down time to pull out Granddaddy's burners from the fish fries and cooked out on the deck. On Thursday we realized obtaining gas was to be a problem because of the power outage. For the first time I can remember the city and county were put under a mandatory curfew for days.  Fortunately our power returned by early Friday morning while most in the surrounding areas were without until the following Monday and many as late as Wednesday. Generators became a hot commodity for many quickly.

Since work was shut down we took the time to travel to Nashville to see Mary Catherine play some softball. We managed to get enough gas from two different stations to get us up there. It wasn't until late Friday night when Lawren opened her laptop in the hotel did we finally see what devastation there was across the state.  The sights were overwhelming. Videos of the many tornadoes were already downloaded to YouTube. It was worse than a horror movie.  It wasn't long before the realization sunk in there were many deaths and many still missing.

My heart became burdened for the communities hit the hardest. One tornado swept just 17 miles south of my home taking an entire family of five. The next closest storm hit about thirty miles northeast of here.  Although I have never lived through a tornado hit, I know exactly what it feels like to wake up one day and your world be turned upside down. Having spent a year in grief from tragic and unexpected loss endears you to those who are suffering their own tragic loss.

Within days teams were formed and people headed out to serve their neighbors. My mother's day gift this year was an opportunity to serve alongside my oldest daughter and oldest son in the  Harvest area. Most of our time there was spent hauling tree limbs from fallen trees.

Less than two weeks later many of us headed over to Phil Campbell, Alabama where a disaster relief team was already in place cooking meals for volunteers serving in the community.  What an eye opening experience to see a community completely leveled and hear the tragic stories of lost lives and loved ones.

These experiences has drawn my oldest daughter Lawren back two more times. Lawren took a team from the southeast family YMCA yesterday to work in Hackleburg. The entire day was spent clearing and protecting a victim's fig tree before her place was to be bulldozed over.

The task is overwhelming ahead for these two towns in particular but for many others as well. There is simply not enough man power to get the job done. I have pondered the following many times over the past month:

Why did the tornado take that route?  Daily I have thanked the Lord for His protection and provision of safety. On my best day I can feel overwhelmed as a single mom of five. It is beyond my psyche to consider what it might feel like to open a closet door and your house be gone or to find dead people in your yard and pool. I just simply can't imagine the hardship even though intellectually I know God would be enough.

Where are all the families that lived in those homes that are gone?

What's the man to do that lost his entire family?

What's the woman to do who was an orphan and widow? While she stayed in a hotel waiting on an adjuster, looters came and took all her valuables from her basement.

The suffering of the tornado victims and the suffering I experienced this past year has propelled me to go and be with them in their painful place. I can work hard to remove brush, debris, etc, I can give them food and water but most importantly I can be present in their hard place. Just present so they realize they are not alone in this difficult time.  I certainly cannot change their circumstances.

I can only hope that my small act of service might inspire someone else to go and be with someone hurting when the time comes. We were not meant to be alone. And in the event that tragedy ever hits Lacey's Spring, Alabama there is someone somewhere who will come be with us as well.

Recently one of my dear friends Carol joined me on a recent trip to Phil Campbell. Presently she is joining forces with her daughter near the Tuscaloosa area to help one family rebuild their home. A FEMA trailer is coming but it will be empty. She is on a hunt for baby cribs, mattresses and bed frames for the family. If anyone has any to share please let me know. 

When I Was a Little Girl..

When I was a little girl I wanted to be a stewardess. I think they call them "flight attendants" now.  But I wanted to fly on airplanes and bring people their drinks.  Most likely this idea came about from my yearly flights to Shreveport, LA to visit Aunt Peg. She would typically fly my brother Jonathan and myself out each year at different times to visit her.

I loved every moment about the flight experience. I especially got a lot of attention being a child traveler. You got to visit the pilot in his cabin and received a pair of Delta wings after every flight. The flight attendant paid special attention to you and brought you extra peanuts and coke.  Somewhere I even have a picture taken with a man at the Delta counter in some airport.

Each year I observed the flight attendants and dreamed about becoming one when I grew up. It was on every grade school sheet that asked, "When I grow up I want to be a ______________."

My work today is a lot like a flight attendant. Rather than a plane I work at Lyn's Gracious Goodness behind a counter. I take your order or deliver your sandwich to you when it's complete, often complete your order by plating your salad, wipe your table, and give you a cup to fix your drink.

Not only do I enjoy serving  but I have grown to love the customers at the shop as well. We have some regulars who eat with us several times a week. They take the time to ask how you are, smile, and are genuinely thankful that you have served them.

Sometimes my job includes leaving the restaurant to go and work a catered event. This past week I served at a local bank board luncheon. So what happens is the following: I go to work in my uniform which consists of shorts, Lyn's lime green tee (with the big orange fork), and tennis shoes covered in red clay from hours at the ball field practicing and coaching.

Once at work, items are loaded into my van for the lunch. All the goodness is hauled down the street and unloaded and carried, thankfully by cart, up to the fourth floor board room where it is unloaded again.

The next hour is spent folding napkins, putting out water and tea glasses, salt and pepper shakers, sugar containers, and silverware, plating the salad and finally filling the glasses with ice, water and tea. Meanwhile, the yummy lunch goodness is warming in the oven.  Everything looks great. I am now just waiting for the board members to arrive.

Meanwhile I forgot to mention that my contact has said hello. I have inquired how her mother is who is transitioning between apartment living with a housesitter to a residential home. My friend relays to me how her mom fell during the day of the tornadoes and had to travel by ambulance to the hospital with a broken pelvis. We share because this job of serving has afforded me the privilege of building relationships with people who care about one another's lives.

Everything is ready...except for my clothes. You can't serve board members in shorts and a tee shirt. So I race into the bathroom and change into my black pants, black heels, and black top. For a minute I feel like Wonderwoman, who had a regular life but when duty called went into a corner and came out a superhero to meet the needs of the moment. The outfit isn't exactly like the flight attendant's navy blue but it's real close.

I proceed back to the kitchen of the boardroom where for the next hour I serve the fourteen board members their lunch. This particular day it's fresh salad greens with tomatoes, toasted pecans, and green onions topped with basil buttermilk dressing. Next there is pot roast and gravy, mashed potatoes, greenbeans, and cornbread. For desert we have chocolate silk pie with homemade whipped cream and coffee if desired. My bank contact helps me clear and serve while I keep their glasses full of water and tea. As usual, lunch is a hit.

Both jobs..the flight attendant and my restaurant job today are about serving. It's probably a good fit because it's how I am wired. Actually it's how all Christ followers are wired regardless of your profession.

River of life lesson: "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider  equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant..."(Philippians 2)

I believe regardless of your position you can be content and fulfilled in  your work when you operate out of your giftings. Many left brainers who spend countless hours toiling over a project for the space system can be equally fulfilled when a particular problem is solved or project is complete. He or she has served their team or supervisor well.

Likewise, in the countless thankless hours of a stay at home mom, she too can rejoice that when she has done everything there is to do in that day, she can say, "I am an unworthy servant, I have only done my duty." (Luke 17:10) This mom has served the Lord as well as her children as she ministered to them throughout the day whether it was fix a cup of juice or wipe a runny nose or stayed up late talking to her older teen or young adult child who is struggling with life issues.

The lesson when we operate out of our giftings in the individual areas the Father has called us to is the realization that He gives us the desires of our heart. Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."When we delight in the Lord and enjoy fellowship with Him, the overflow is joy and thanksgiving that spills out into other areas of life such as work and family. They get the best of us when we delight in Him.

I realize today how the Father has given me the desire of my heart to love and serve others through my role as a mother and also at work. It took getting sidetracked on a business degree in college and many other twists and turns to come to this place of contentment.  Looking ahead, I wonder what it will look like when the fruition of my most recent ten year longing comes about: to open a bed and breakfast in my home. A place to be called  River of Life Inn.

As the longings, ideas, and plans cultivate in my heart and mind, it is with anticipation I look forward to watching how He moves to do what He promises to do: Give us the desires of our heart, when we delight in Him.

If your life lacks joy or contentment, could it be that you are not operating out of your giftings? How are you loving and serving others? If you belong to God, it's your make up. And share your story here. I would love it.

Today is the big day!

After six month's of Lawren's absence, today she comes home. Her plane is scheduled to arrive in Huntsville about 8:30 tonight. It is a day that around the first of the year I thought would never arrive. Lawren has known for several years that the Father was calling her to Europe to attend a YWAM DTS...Youth With a Mission Discipleship Training School. Her lecture phase took place at a pioneer school in Berlin while their outreach occurred in  Chiang Mai, Thailand.

For as long as I can remember we have talked about missions...I am not sure why. Maybe a couple of factors attributed to this mission mindset. First I grew up in a traditional Southern Baptist church where we annually prayed for home missions and foreign missions, took up a Lottie Moon Christmas offering and either attended or taught GA's Girls In Action and Acteens. I took my girls to "Mom and Me Mission Camp" every year at Worldsong in Birmingham until they were old enough to go to week long camps by themselves. Also, during my years of Bible Study Fellowship, my teaching leader oftened referred to some of the great missionaries of the past who helped shape our world. Furthermore, because many of our homeschool years were spent reading great stories, we read about missionaries.

On our first mission trip to Poland three and half years ago, God planted a seed in my daughter to return. She sometimes patiently waited to graduate and launch herself into all her heart was crying for.  During our time in Ruda Slaska , Poland, while the Father was revealing Himself to me as Rescuer...past, present, and future, He was stirring the heart of my beloved daughter to Him.

...the Lord knows how to rescue godly men (Pam) from trials and to uphold the righteous...2 Peter 2:9

The first few months of the DTS weren't too bad....Thanks to the technological age we live in we were able to talk via Skype on the computer weekly. I was even able to receive occasional texts via her ipod during the week. I simply cannot imagine what a parent must have undertaken allowing their children to take off years ago without any communication other than rare letters via snail mail. Even Thanksgiving Day was spent in front of the computer with each family member spending time with Lawren.

Once the outreach began the communication lessened which became harder for mom since their were tummy troubles in Thailand...two hospital visits and down time at the base. Probably for mom the loneliness was the hardest around the first of the year, once the hustle and bustle of outreach here and the holidays ended. Because I was talking less to Lawren, I missed our long conversations...her sharing her heart about something the Lord spoke to her that week or whatever struggle she was encountering.

It was then...with communication limited, I realized why missionaries ask for prayer more than money.  Did you know that YWAM staff does not receive a paycheck? I knew Lawren had to raise her own support to go over there but it never occurred to me that the people staffing the bases...pouring themselves into young adults from all over the world...day in and day out...then trusting the Father to get them to outreach and provide daily for their families..were also depending on others for their livelihood. That is not normal.

Lawren's time in both Europe and Thailand  has been richly rewarding and continued to affirm the love for missions that the Father has placed in her heart. You can follow her blog at www.lawrenelizabeth.blogspot.com. I am sure there will be many more stories to come from her recent experiences.

In The Ministry of Motherhood, the author conveys, "Jesus' work in a person's life has always begun with a call to leave behind the goals, purposes, and distractions of this world and to say yes to a whole new life, a new way of thinking. 'Follow me' is what he told the disciples as he recruited them. And they did, abandoning their fishing nets, their tax-collector's moneybags, their permanent homes, their everyday duties and pleasures. And they never went back. Sure they still did a little fishing from time to time! But once they made the choice to follow Jesus, their lives were forever changed. They never returned to 'normal'."

Furthermore, the author relates, "If I seek to inspire my children to understand and own God's purposes for their lives, that means they will grow up with a different set of instructions than people in the world have...God is not measuring them by how much money they make, what kind of car they drive, or how big a house they are able to buy."

"It is Jesus who calls them just as He calls me..what a privilege...(completey humbling) to have been included in bringing about this miracle of calling. What a great idea God had to use mothers as a part of that process....of helping to inspire our children to God's purposes and walking alongside them as they learn to make the choice of leaving the world."

When I ponder sitting in front of this screen that the God of the universe saw my little nest situated here alongside the Tennessee River in Morgan County, Alabama....and saw our hearts loving Him while still trudging through the daily grind of distractions, busyness, not to mention daily battles of the flesh, and chose us...chose us for greatness....plucked my little girl up, carried her overseas, stretched her to the point she felt like breaking, but treated her with lovingkindness while growing her heart even bigger...touching the world with  my daughter....

Wow, what a sweet momma moment....

Many thanks to each of you who have been praying regularly for Lawren and our family. I am overwhelmed by the faithfulness of God to produce fruit in  the lives of our families. I am so thankful to God for what I see Him doing in and through Lawren's life, It gives me great hope to continue planting seeds in the lives of my other four children that they too may know the secrets of the kingdom of God.

Not many are called to overseas foreign missions and that is ok. However, as children of God we are all disciples and called in Matthew 28 to go and make disciples..wherever we are..at work, school, play, in our homes, wherever the Father has you today. And the command comes with a promise that I love...I will be with you  always even to the ends of the age.

I have the most interesting friends...

I remember a time when all my friends did the same things I did. We all either homeschooled our kids, were stay at home moms, or never missed church. Not so much today.

The circumstances of my life have dictated that my friendships change. My divorce brought working outside the home which altered my schedule dramatically. No longer were there opportunities to meet for play dates with moms and kids or the flexibility to get together with friends often during the week.

Yet, I realize that although my schedule and circumstances of life change, I have some of the most interesting friends. Just in my weekly interacting via calls, social networking, texts, and occasional visits, I have girlfriends who practice occupational or physical therapy, bellydance for fun, dance in drum circles, hunt, deliver mail, and more.

Recently, I encountered a couple of fun situations where I realized just how blessed I was by my friendships. First, there is Dana. Dana is Madisen's mom. Madisen plays ball with my Hannah Rose...softball, basketball; and since I have finally relented maybe even soccer this upcoming fall for the first time..they have even played travel ball together briefly.

For now, Madisen is an only child so Hannah often gets to tag along with their family. Last spring break they visited the Smoky Mountains. Most recently Hannah hung out during the snow storm after I returned to work. Dana spent all day pulling Madisen and Hannah in a wheelbarrow top from the back of a four wheeler all around their yard. I have attached a picture and video to show you how much fun they had.

Dana, and her husband Danny have taken Thomas, my youngest, hunting. Did you know that hunting often requires going the day before to scout out your area? The same weekend they went we had lots and lots of rain. Madisen's poor horse was struck dead by lightening. Yet, as determined people they still buried the horse, scouted the land, and took the kids hunting. There is something to be admired about that kind of dedication to do what you love.

That Sunday afternoon after church they showed up to pick up Thomas. Madisen came to the door with her heels, skirt and black sweater on. I proceeded to the car to find Dana in a dress. I still can't believe someone that pretty is about to go get decked out in camo and hang out in the woods. I am just glad they love us enough to be a part of our lives.

But the greatest thing was several weeks ago I get a phone call. I see from my cell that it is Dana. When I answer she is whispering...She says, "Hey, it's Dana. I'm about twenty feet up in the air. I just killed a deer and I can't find it. Danny is on his way to help me. Can you go get Madisen from her grandmother's and take her to practice?" Did you whisper when you read that...because without whispering while you read you lost the total effect!

I reassure her that sure I would pick up Madisen. That evening after practice both Danny and Dana show up with the deer in the back of their pick up.  She proudly lifts the prize up by its antlers for the kids, who have barreled out of the van, to see. I say, "Dana, I am totally impressed that you hunt. You are my only female hunting friend. I could never hunt with you because I don't like being cold and once I saw a deer I would only want to pet him. But I am thrilled to see your passion about life." Dana reassures me that this particular deer suffered minimally.

Here is a pic of her prize...the deer and her hubby...

My other friend Ingrid is living another great story...She met her husband Robert at a monster truck show in California. They got married and eventually returned to his homeland, which is nestled almost directly across the river from us on Hobbs Island. Our families meet via church; although I later realized we have purchased fish from his mom and dad's fish market for years.

Anyway, Ingrid's mom and step dad are about to retire her from the west coast. A few weeks ago I pick up Hannah from there home late one Sunday evening. When I arrive into their home here is what I found: I AM NOT KIDDING.....I EVEN TOOK PICTURES I WAS SO BLOWN AWAY!

 Ingrid and me hugging the ram..we edited the one where the kids had us picking his nose.

 Sydney and Hannah by the??????????I am sure I should know that!

 This cape horn buffalo is situated on Ingrid's dining table.
You can see the size of this creature, just head and bust, with Ingrid in the background.

These pictures don't even include the spare bedroom where the bed was completely covered with additional game. The story is that Ingrid's step dad has been on four African safari hunting trips. This is what he brought back. Her family had the animals shipped to Alabama to store until they retire here in the near future.

The only problem is Ingrid does not realize the truck will come at 7 am on Sunday morning...the very day of not only church but little Hayley's birthday party as well. So, at seven am with Robert out of town, Ingrid and the truck driver are jump starting the four wheeler in order to attach the animals onto the four wheeler and drive them up there incredibly steep driveway, unload them, remount them onto these bases and place them in her home.


I guess the most impressive moment of all this for me is that while Ingrid is reliving the day, there is never a moment of complaint or aggravation that dead wild game has taken over her home. She is calmly relaying the events and thinking ahead of how she is going to situate all these animals in her home til her folks get here. Never a moment of criticism or whining that her husband wasn't there to help or that there is no where to sit at the dining room table.  What an inspiration.

Before I left I said, "Ingrid, this was a fabulous way to end a hard day...I am going home to write about this.  So, here you have a couple of stories about some fabulous friends that the Father has placed in our lives.

There was a time of my life when people who lived differently or did things I considered weird would not have impacted my life. I was too critical and judgemental and narrow minded to consider the vastness of God and His glory that is manifested in and through the various lives He allows us to interact with.  But today I see Him....His character..revealed through my friendships and find myself humbled and grateful for the privilege of these friendships.

RIVER OF LIFE LESSON: Be open to the people the Father keeps putting in your life. The Lord may be wanting to use them to teach you something about Himself.

Who are you thankful for? I heard a sermon this past Sunday at Buckhead Church in Atlanta that emphasized DTR..define the relationship. The pastor was encouraging us to define our relationship with our heavenly father...is it growing and is there purpose there?  We can filter our earthly relationships through that same grid. How am I growing and what purpose does God have for me in my current friendships. Good food for thought.

I would love to hear your feedback about how the Lord is blessing you through your friendships!

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places

A couple of weeks ago I woke on a Saturday morning to a quiet house...a good thing. I forced myself up out of bed looking forward to that first cup of coffee and quiet time...time to be with the Lord, time by myself..to think, plan, and dream.

I wandered into the boys room just to look at them and offer a prayer of thanks that they were still sleeping only to find John Jay not in his bed. At first I thought he was just up already somewhere else in the house. Then my thoughts went to maybe he had fallen asleep somewhere else like the couch. It was not long before I realized he was not in the house.  With it being only seven am, I knew he was not outside playing.

A feeling of urgency came upon me as I found the front door open. I reminded myself that we live in the country.  There were many nights I had fallen asleep and left my front door opened. I would never make it as a city girl. I am convinced that because Granddaddy lived in this house and ministered to this community for twenty plus years, that my house is surrounded by angels and we are protected from harm.

My first thought was that John had to be next door at the Doyles. He must have gone over to play a game system with Dusty after I went to bed. So I proceed next door, up the back steps to peer into the windows where the boys would be but can't see a thing. By now I have their pixie dog barking hysterically while my objective had been to try not to disturb my neighbors on the weekend. It was too late. My friend and neighbor Debbie had awakened to reassure me that John was there. She had questioned him when he came over that late but trusted he was honest about my knowing he was there.  I told her to send him home the minute he awoke.

I walked back to the house with  mixed emotions  but most of all  anger that my morning time was interrupted and John Jay had acted so disrespectful and without consideration of anyone other than himself.  I relaxed with my coffee at the kitchen table and had just opened my bible when he walked through the door. Everything in me wanted to lash out screaming at him for the trouble  he caused.

From somewhere deep within me, calm and peace resided. Maybe because I now knew he was safe...the most important thing to me.  He sat down at the kitchen table with me. A rare time for the two of us to be alone. I shared my concerns with him...the  panic I experienced when I realized he was gone and I could not find him.

The story following began spilling from me: I asked John if he remembered David from the bible...what did God say about David...David was a man after God's own heart. I reminded John that David was a regular man who made alot of mistakes; yet, God continued to speak favorably about David.

I retold the story of David and Bathsheba from 2 Samuel chapter 12...how David as king saw her bathing on a rooftop and sent his servants and took her for himself. All the time her husband Uriah was fighting valiantly for David and his country. David's infidelity found Bathsheba pregnant. Rather than confront her husband Uriah with truth and seek forgiveness, David tried to cover up his lie. He brought Uriah home from battle encouraging him to sleep with his wife so the child would appear to be Uriah's.

However David is unprepared for Uriah's sense of loyalty. Rather than enjoying the time with his wife he slept on David's mat outside the door until David returned him to battle.  One would think David would now be ready to fall on his face and confess but no....he sends his soldier back to battle with this message for his superiors...Place Uriah on the front of the battle line knowing this would surely bring death to Uriah. The remainder of the story includes Uriah's death, David's marriage to Bathsheba and the death of their child. David realizes the baby is taken as a result of sin and is then free to once again worship His heavenly father.

After David's journey through this sinful act, continued deceit, and unfathomable consequences of his sin, these are David's own words about His God: "The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places." Psalm 16:6. David knew and believed God was for him and only wanted fullness of life for David. David knew God's ways were best.

I continue to share with John Jay that the boundaries God gives us are pleasant because God has our best interest in mind at all times.....He is not interested in handing down lots of rules that if we don't measure up to He discards us. No, He loves us enough to let us make our own mistakes, make things right with Him, and embrace the same truth that David did:  Your boundaries fall in pleasant places. Although should we choose outside the boundaries God has given us, there are usually unpleasant circumstances to deal with. John Jay faced those that day. But my love for him was unwavering as is God's.

Consider these boundaries: Do not commit adultery. When one crosses this boundary, the pain permeates relationships and lives of both families that bring life long consequences.....a very unpleasant place. But if one embraces the boundary believing God is for him and for his good, the individual finds himself in a much more pleasant place.

Our boundaries as parents need to be pleasant as well.....not too controlling....but not an anything goes environment either. As we grow up in Christ, learning more of His word and His character, we are able to flesh that work out in our homes modeling the grace. forgiveness, and love of Christ.

I had to wait 18 years to hear it but during Lawren's graduation she made the following statement...."When it is no longer a burden but a privilege to be home by 11 because that's the curfew your parent has given you"....she was pointing to a relationship with God rather than rules.

Can you say that the boundaries for you fall in pleasant places? If not, ask God to show you His goodness, love, and mercy toward you which manifest through His boundaries for you. He loves each of us so much that He wants to protect us from living outside the boundaries in order for us to most fully enjoy all He has for us in this life.

Can you say, like David,

" Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines for me have fallen in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. " Psalm 16:5-6

I did not enjoy walking through this hard place on this Saturday morning but I am so thankful for these two things: first, God is so faithful. When you need a word to share pointing someone to truth, He is faithful. Secondly, God is protector. He cared for John when I could not. He cares for each of us as well.

How have the boundaries in your life fallen in pleasant places?

I have the best neighbors in the world!

For the past seventeen years I have lived next door to the same family: The Doyles. There are Don and Debbie who have three grown kids and three grandchildren to date.  Two of the grandchildren are about the same ages as some of my own children so they have grown up together. We consider them family. They don't knock. They help themselves to food and drink. They feel at home when they are here. My kids especially like it that since they are considered "family", they don't get any special privileges like other guests do when in our home. The Doyle's youngest daughter along with her husband and little girl fall into the same category even though they aren't our neighbor. Addy Mae, their four year old, comes over regularly for popsicles and to play with Hannah's hamster "Squirt".

God says in His word that the law is summed up in two commands: Love God with all your heart soul mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Love does not happen overnight. It happens over time when people spend lots of time together, survive crises together, laugh and cry together. That love deepens as we get to know one another better and share our hearts with one another.

The same is true for our love for God. We recognize God's love for us by acknowledging His son who died on the cross in order that we might have life forever and life full and abundant. Yet as we walk through life..especially the hard places, when we trust the God who saved us, we get to know Him even more as His love for us manifests through His character. Whether He  provides something that we want or need, or He cares for us or our loved ones, or He strengthens us to get through a difficult situation. As we acknowledge His provision for us, it deepens our love for God himself as well.

Over the years it has become easy to love the Doyles as our neighbors. Just last week I realized we have had three major saves in less than twelve months. Don, who works from home, is often the one coming to our rescue. First, back during spring break last year, my kids asked permission to use the Doyle's kayaks to put in the river. Thomas was out of this experience because he had broken his arm that week on a skateboard outside and was in a cast. So initially the experience began with Hannah, while Thomas and I watched from the bank of the river.  The agreement was that Hannah would not go out any farther from the bank than about fifteen feet and make a circle to come back. My rationale was this:  At that distance I could get to her quickly enough if something went wrong. In addition, I have NO kayak experience. So I wanted to be able to hear and see her well.

Everything was fine momentarily. We experienced that feeling of, "Wow, we are doing something new and exciting." I was grateful for neighbors who had fun toys and shared. We had the river in our back yard, etc....Lots of happy thoughts and feelings. Then trouble began brewing. It started with Hannah's requests to go out farther to which I promptly replied, "No". Moments later John Jay, my twelve year old appeared home from baseball practice. He found us on the river bank and asked to join Hannah. Red flags went up immediately but I set the boundaries and he entered the water in the second kayak.

Within minutes the two kids were farther out than I planned and not listening to directions. Within a few more minutes John's kayak tipped, John panicked, left Hannah alone and began swimming to shore, while the kayak floated downstream. I believe the coldness of the water  scared John the most. He is a great swimmer. His arms and legs were bright red when he reached the bank. Meanwhile Hannah has gone out far enough that she is drifting downstream and trying to save the second kayak all alone. Now she is crying from her position and I am helpless on the riverbank. Finally after various instructions not working, I tell her to forget about the other kayak. Mr. Don can get it. I instruct her to paddle to shore about twenty yards down from where she put in.

When I realize she is safe on shore, I fetch Don, the rescuer, who drives down the road, kayaks out into the river from another location and gets his boat. We get the hysterical Hannah inside and dried off. And that concludes our first major save this year by the best neighbors in the world which led to many teaching lessons regarding not jeopardizing or leaving a younger sibling in a dangerous situation....listening and cooperating with your parent....learning skills at a new venture before embarking with the equipment, etc.

It was only a few shorts months later in late summer I wound up with four preteen boys in my home. Three friends were staying the night with John. We survived the night and the boys embarked outside the next morning while I prepared breakfast...a hearty feast: eggs, bacon, biscuits, gravy, the works. I am enjoying my time cooking. When time comes to call the boys, I get no response. When I finally leave the house to go and find them, I find two of the boys standing at the place where we usually climb down the riverbank.....neither of which was my son. When I asked where John Jay and the other boy is I get this dumb stare like they sincerely don't know. When I pressure them, I discover the other two have swam across the river.

Panic set in like never before. I search across the water and see nothing. I frantically run into my neighbor's back door and cry out, "I need your help. John and another boy are crossing the river. I can't see them. Will you help me?" I see Don jump from his chair calling for Kevin, his son." While they take off in one direction, I began running through my yard to the neighbor on the other side who has a cleared landing.

Amidst this frantic time I am fervently praying for God to save them.  I stand from the riverbank searching for boys and screaming. To the left about two hundred yards I think I see two heads bobbing about twenty yards from the other side of the river. I am screaming for them not to attempt to come back but naturally they can't hear me. The helplessness I felt at that moment drove me to cry out to the Lord for rescue. A boater stopped, picked them up, and brought them home. I was so upset, I would not even let the boys inside. I took all three home immediately and carried John to his football weigh in in wet clothes. No one got a hot breakfast that morning.  We have had many discussions since about the wrongdoing and danger of swimming where there is moving watercraft. However, still John Jay's favorite song last summer was Alabama, "Play Me Some Mountain Music"..."swim across the river just to prove that I'm a man". Playing on my drive for storytelling, he even said, "Mom, I'll have a great story to write about!"

Finally, the most recent neighbor rescue occurred involving Cocoa, one of our dogs. As I unloaded the groceries after driving in from work, I hear a bark. It is a cry for help bark. I have come to recognize our dog's barks. Sometimes the bark means I have an animal cornered and am trying to get to it. Sometimes the bark is I want to come inside. This was a bark for help. I glance toward the sheds. Our dogs, as well as the neighbor's dogs, have been locked into the shed overnight more than once. But the sound is not coming from that direction. I proceed to carry the groceries in and casually mention that Cocoa is barking but I can't see her. Hannah, the animal rescuer, immediately leaves to find her. As I go for my last bag of groceries and close my car door, the bark forces me to look up. There in my neighbor's barn UPSTAIRS Cocoa is barking from the window. Ok...there are no steps to get up there so I am wondering how in the heck did she get upstairs. Now Mary, Hannah, and Thomas are trying to get her down. Finally, after no luck, I say what I always say, "Go get Mr. Don. He'll know what to do."  Well, he did. He propped a ladder against the barn and pulled Cocoa out by her front legs. Mary said, "I don't know what scared me more.. That Cocoa might bite him in the face or the ladder about falling." I took over a leftover "entree to go" from work for that venture/rescue.

There have been so many more over the years....fresh aloe plant for a kid with a bad sunburn, vegetable soup for me to get over a bad sinus infection, help finding Hannah who had fallen asleep outside in the swing (I had called her for ten minutes when finally Don came over to help look). Guess he was tired of listening to me yell, and many more.

I am thankful that God protected my kids in that water as well as Cocoa. He is so faithful. But I am forever grateful that He gave me such great neighbors. Not only because they help with so so much but also because it is so much better to not walk through the trials of life alone. It is easier to get through them when you know someone cares.

I look for ways to bless them in return but feel like more often than not they are the ones continuing to give. Do you have great neighbors? Are you a great neighbor? I once served with a pastor who told us he could get a hundred people to give and go to another country for missions. But he couldn't get twenty to help in their own community.

Jesus commanded us to serve our Jerusalem (our community) Samaria (other cities) and the uttermost parts of the world (the rest of the world). Who is in your Jerusalem? How are you ministering to them? They may not look like your family or live like your family. Yet, God said to love them as we love ourselves.

If you are having trouble loving your neighbor or even getting to know your neighbor, ask the Father to give you a willing spirit to build a relationship with the person closest in proximity to you....your next door neighbor. And I would love to hear some of your stories!

My Best Christmas Yet

This has been the best Christmas I remember. It seems odd to be able to write that statement when my oldest daughter was absent out of the country and my love is no longer present on this earth.  But it is a true statement.I have felt "more alive" this particular Christmas than ever before. After considering everything, I can only contribute my happiness to my sweet time with the man I love. 

When loved ones are walking faithfully in their individual faith journeys we can collectively celebrate and enjoy even more of what all Christ offers us in this life. 

In other words I think I was able to enjoy Christmas more because Lawren is doing exactly what she is called to do in Thailand. Whoa unto the one who tries to stop the work the Father is doing in a child's heart...a work He has purposed. Releasing her to Him in this way has enabled us as a family remaining at home to function more fully.

Likewise, not becoming lost in my grief, as tempting as it often is but rather focusing on the joy of the experience brought the gift of Christmas into a completely new light.

Really loving someone and allowing yourself to be truly loved opens your heart to sincerely enjoy each moment placed before you. Maybe because you are seeing life through a different set of lens.

True love permeates every fiber of your being no matter how brief. There is no life experience that can touch you without being filtered by a heart touched by love if we allow it.

My love experience on earth is no different than what Christmas is really about. A love offering from the Creator of the Universe to us...His creation. He birthed His own son through a virgin by the power of His Holy Spirit giving us an opportunity to forever be loved eternally, unconditionally, and passionately by The Great I Am. His love is so great for each of us that He gave up his only son born so long ago to a cruel death in order that we might have life.

Not life dreading the holidays, today, or any day but life that we might look expectantly for all that He has in store for each one us. Life to offer that same eternal, unconditional and passionate love for others that He entrusts to each of us.

My life may never touch the lives you touch but in each of our unique ways, when we embrace the gift of life given to each of us by God, we are in for the greatest ride ever as we watch the glory of God be made manifest through the most creative ways.....be it saying "yes" to a child for a friend to sleep over when you are too tired to move or letting your 12 year old son, who is taller than you,  wallow all over you while you feel as though you can't breathe from a sinus infection.  In those moments, the Father reminds me of the privilege it is to be loved so deeply.

How has the Father ministered to your heart this holiday season. Have you felt "new" as a result of the emphasis of His great gift...Jesus.  Behold I make all things new...in Christ you are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) . If you struggle to see the joy in your daily life, maybe the only change that is needed is a good lens cleaning. More often than not we are exactly where we need to be but need only an attitude adjustment for the opportunity before us.

Today I will complete putting up the Christmas decorations for this year. But i will purpose in my heart for the real reason of Christmas to stay fresh and new all year in my heart. It is without dread that I pack away the items until next year. It is with wonderful memories of a great holiday that I carefully wrap each item until I can joyfully pull it back down next year. I am sharing a few pictures of the fun I had decorating my home for Jesus and for anyone He allowed to visit this season.

 

Our dining table decorated with scarves that belonged to Aunt Peg and our traditional Advent wreath.

My Christmas apron collection..some of which my grandmother wore.

No matter the nook or the kindle....real books will never die...I especially love old ones.

Not a Roll Tide decoration. The letters on the sweaters spell Christmas but I can't figure out how to ever get them to stay turned around....War Eagle!

My German scene in honor of Lawren who was greatly  missed this year. Hansel and Gretel dolls, a German miniature tea set and a couple of trees. The tiny angel on the right side of the tray was given to me in ninth grade by a classmate Ann Helms. Some gifts are never forgotten.