Greetings, Blessings, and Merry Christmas!

I'm doing this with no picture, because I just want to put some words out there.  Merry Christmas, it's still the Christmas season as the Wise men haven't yet arrived bearing gifts to Jesus, (celebrated and observed the 6th of January...Epiphany).


Today I went to Children's Hospital with my youngest son to visit a classmate of his, that is battling Leukemia.  While there, I donated blood.  I tell you this, to hopefully inspire you to do the same at a local Children's Hospital.  They always need blood.  I thank God that my five children are healthy.  Yes, my oldest has cerebral palsy, that is (just) brain damage.  I have a daughter that has Lyme Disease, (it's in remission, praise God).  If you have enjoyed your children during this Advent and Christmas season, please consider donating blood.  There will be many parents that thank you.  Do it because you can.

I have missed you my friends in Bloggerville.  I promise to return soon, I'm bursting at the seams to share.  

Keep those Christmas lights burning until Epiphany!  


Merry Christmas!
Deanna

Jazz

I love many different styles of music, (I can thank my mom).  Last night my youngest son played in his High School Jazz Band.  What fun! 

Here was this High School Jazz Band playing some classics, Blue Skies, My Funny Valentine, and many others, from a bye gone era, seeming to enjoy themselves.  You know that these songs were hardly on the play lists on their ipods.  They looked just like the combos and full bands from Lawrence Welk, complete with the stands they sat behind and matching shirts and ties.  The tables around the room were filled with people tapping their foot or mouthing the words.  It was FABULOUS!!!  Many generations coming together to enjoy music.  It thrilled me to see and hear this beautiful night of jazz.

Weeks go in the blink of an eye!

On a recent trip to New York City with my oldest three children, we attended Sunday service at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, it was a Choral Mattins service.  They sang most of the service, very beautiful.  Very traditional.  My second son chose this as our worship for the week.  While we were in the City we also attended the production La Bete, it was fabulous!  Performed in rhyme, quite entertaining.  We also went to the Guggenheim, which we all enjoyed.  For me the most enjoyable part of viewing some awe inspiring art,  was seeing my oldest daughter view her first Picasso in person.  She also was the reason we took the subway down to the site of the Twin Towers and get our own view of St. Paul's Chapel. 

Upon my return, my youngest son invited a number of kids, (somewhere close to 50) to view a video that he felt strongly about, To Save a Life, a very powerful movie for teens in their middle years.  We showed this in our back yard, with countless blankets for warmth.  What extremes!  I know God was present in both settings; from the interior of the church steeped in tradition, to the grassy chaos filled back yard.

This past week I drove to Montana, very thankful that our warm weather has extended well into Fall.  I visited with my parents and attended a number of medical appointments, while trying to grasp some reason for my Mom's recent extreme discomfort.  I was so grateful that I was able to take the time to be with she and my father.  While driving the many miles between my home and theirs I listened to a great book on CD and sang at the top of my lungs to Toby Mac (only because I was alone in the car).  

From the pedestrian congested streets of Time Square to the wide open 2 lanes of Wyoming I enjoyed God's creation and his people, or lack of them.  So, very grateful that I have a husband that supports my love of travel, and keeps the home fires burning while I am away.

Take time to just be . . . wherever life finds you today.  Take a deep breath and slowly let it out.  "This one thing I do."  Phil. 3:13
Don't be tempted to do ALL things.  


God has a plan for you - - - slow down so that you can hear His voice, sometimes it means taking some time off.  Remember it's your time, not someone else's.  May you be richly blessed and feel God's favor on your life. 

Common Courtesy and Expectation

Okay, this should be interesting, how am I going to possibly connect these two subjects?  Grab a cup of tea, or whatever is your beverage of choice for the time of day you are reading this, and relax!

  
Common courtesy:
Return phone calls made to you.  Cancel appointments you can't keep.  Use your blinker, when turning.  Say please and thank you.  Don't interrupt.  If someone doesn't want their children addressing you with your first name, allow them those old fashioned ways of showing respect.  Don't say it makes you feel old, or like your mother.  Don't talk with your mouth full, putting your hand in front of your mouth does not make it acceptable.  If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.  When calling on the phone, don't say "It's me!" use your name.

I think that's enough for one sitting.  Now, let's tackle expectation.

As you go about your day, are you thinking that there is so much to do, I don't know how I'm going to possible get it all done?  Or maybe  if I try harder, I know this can happen.  "without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5 NKJV.  Are we really allowing God to be part of our day?  What you want from your day, be that.  Say what?!  Okay, you need to get some work done; be generous with your time, with others, help them, assist them, be forgiving of their shortcomings.  Get your focus off yourself.  Be quick to offer prayer for those in need, and do it.  Not because they deserve it, but because you need it.  "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."  Matthew 7:12.  Kind of like the Golden Rule:  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, (common courtesy).  So how does this go with expectation?  Take a sip ---

Are you expecting God to meet your needs?  "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7 NIV.  Are you thinking and acting like you are the only one that can make things happen, only you can get things done, it's up to ONLY YOU?  "I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!" 1Kings 18:41 NLT.  Elijah sensed it before he saw the rain.  Are you knowing (sensing) that God will provide for you, your needs, because you have spent so much time with Him in prayer and His Word? 
I know I'm VERY inconsistent with this.  I'll be going along fine, reading, praying, relying on God, and then the next thing I know, it's been a few days and I lost that expectation that He will meet my needs.  Trust Him, again, and again.  So, If, and I know it's a big If; If I do, or act as what I'm in need of, and trust God, together, He and I can accomplish it, and those around me have it easier because of my courtesy towards them.  WOW!  Really?  Yes, really.  May God bless you today as you become a blessing to others.

PLEASING GOD

Do we only please God, when we are doing "Godly things", I think not!  "He delights in every detail of their lives." Psalm 37:23 NLT  So, what exactly can that mean.  When my sister is quilting, can that be pleasing to God?  Who gave her the talent?  Sure she has developed it over time, but God gave her the talent to create beautiful art with fabric, her sewing machine, and her time.  I know that is pleasing to God.  Especially when we sisters got together from three far apart states to celebrate her 50th birthday, by creating a quilt for each one of us.  We used common fabric, yet each had our own we chose to coordinate with the common fabric.  What fun we had.  Sisters sharing memories of childhood, each others company, and sewing  quilts.  We had a blast, I know our enjoyment was pleasing to God.

So with this in mind, is it pleasing if we only worship one way, or pray in a specific manner?  All prayers are pleasing to Him, the innocent prayers of children, the spontaneous prayers, and those heart wrenching ones on our knees.  How about a specific denomination, is that the only one that pleases God?  How limiting of us to think so.  If we believe scripture, and it says He delights in every detail of our lives, how we do things, praying, worshiping, sewing, cooking, working, playing sports, and gardening, those can please him?  I think so, those are the details of our lives.

As my daughter prepares to compete in golf, she prayes for the opposing schools, by name, and if she knows individual players, she names them.  Asking for God's blessings upon them and their play.  She asks God to bless her and her game.  As she plays to the best of her ability, is it only because she prayed that she pleases God?  Or could it be because she was gifted with physical ability, practices, enjoys the game, the times she has been given to play, and the beauty around her, that she is pleasing God?  I will boldly say, it is for all of the reasons I have mentioned.  "By this I know that You are well pleased with me,"  Psalm 41:11 NKJV.  What a blessing, that she can have fun on the golf course, and be pleasing to God.  Those are some of the details of her life.

Go out and please God today.  He delights in every and all details of your life.  Have a blessed day! 

Get Away, WooHoo!

Beaver Creek Mountain from the Village

I like where I live, but Beaver Creek holds some special fascination for me.  My husband was given an opportunity to play golf on a course that he has wanted to play for some time now, Luc the youngest son had no school, and Emma was with grandparents, so into the car we went.

We hit peak Aspen changing color season, WOW!  The drive over was so beautiful, the gold of the leaves was bright. We stayed up on the mountain at THE PINES LODGE, it was beautiful, great hot tub with water cascading down rocks behind it.  Fabulous place, I highly recommend it.

As we awoke Wednesday morning, the forecast had changed, it was raining and would continue for most of the day.  Luc at fourteen, mountain biking in the rain, just meant more adventure, and mud.  So off he went with a guide to find the best places.  Now my husband on the other hand was not thrilled to be playing a course he had been anticipating for weeks, with a steady rain fall.  He and a friend did eventually play nine holes, he enjoyed the company, but was frustrated with the weather.  I think the weather was especially maddening because it was the first rain and cloudy day in weeks, and the forecast hadn't even hinted at it.

As for me, I was going to go hiking a trail that is well traveled, by myself, absolute heaven.  I decided with the rain, I'd work out at the Lodge, then head up the mountain for a cup of tea, and people watch from a favorite gelato shop.  I eventually took off walking/hiking up the mountain, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to enjoy the beauty around me.  I'm so glad I did. Yes it was raining, but to get out and be one with nature was worth getting wet for.

On the trail, while raining on me!

I may not have done the trail I had hoped for, but the blessing of the location and opportunity was not something that was lost on me.  I'm fortunate to live in Colorado and enjoy the landscape around me.  One day of getting away never seems enough, but sometimes one day is.  May you be blessed with a get away!

A corner of the back deck.

A Phone Call
 
Sitting on my back deck and enjoying an almost Fall morning after working out.  Just enjoying some quiet before getting to my to do list.

Do you ever go about your day and receive a phone call that makes you realize just how fortunate you are?  I'm so blessed that I have friends and business partners that are comfortable sharing their life trials with me.  It gives me the opportunity to share scripture with them, pray with and for them.  And have compassion for their situation.  It truly humbles me.  So many times I have made a mess of my life, and now I have the privilege to delve into the Bible, seek and find what God has to say to us.  WOW!!!  It's not my wisdom, but His, that He has shared with me.

So today, let's be good friends and share God's love with someone in need.  Let's take the time and get out of ourselves for a few minutes, for tomorrow, it just may be us that needs the prayers and God's grace.   "You, Lord give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm."  Isaiah 26:3 TEV

May God's favor surround you like a shield, today and all of your tomorrows.

Wisteria out of control in the Fall

FRIENDS

Do you know what it takes to be a good friend?  Having had some recent events with friends and family over this past week, I've realized how important friendship is to most of us.  With that said, are we good friends to our friends?

A friend most times shares our values.  Maybe not all, but enough so that we enjoy their company and conversation.  We want to do things for our friends.  Cheer them when they are down and celebrate with them when there are reasons to.  We want to spend time with them.  Remembering their birthday and making it special adds joy not only to their life, but ours as well.

A friendship goes both ways.  We do for them and they for us.  When we believe we have a close friend and they keep something from us, we are hurt.  We want to be there for our friends, and in turn hope they are there for us.  When a friend keeps something from and we are hurt we feel slighted. We also question if they don't realize that they only have to ask, and we'll be there.  What if they go out of their way not to let us in on their pain and situations.  Do we question our ability to read our friend?  Do we blame ourselves for missing some "signals, or signs"?  Are we too self absorbed?


We all have friends that mean a lot to us, but as a result of circumstances, we aren't close.  When we get the opportunity, though, we pick up right where we left off.  Distance and raising a family can interrupt a friendship, but the loyalty is still there.  A celebration or a tragedy, and a friend is there in a heart beat.


If it seems like a friend is only receiving from you and you aren't benefiting from the relationship, it is not a friendship.  The best example of a true friend has been provided for us by God our Father, in Jesus Christ.  Look what He did for us, he laid His life down for us!  Wow, talk about an example!


So do some self examination and see what kind of friend you are, I know I have some work to do.  Steve, I wish you had known we would have been here for you, I'm sorry you didn't realize it!

Forgiveness and Reconciling

freshly ironed clothes

I've been dealing with one of my children over something they did a few weeks back.  We all mess up.  Sometimes it's over something unintentional, other times we know we are making a poor choice, and do it any way.  For whatever the reason, we did something wrong.

Now that wrong can then become something big, say a sin, if we don't admit to it.  Sometimes it just may be acknowledging to God.  Other times, we told some different from what happened.  We lied.  In Psalm 51 we ask, "Have mercy upon me, O God.  According to Your lovingkindness."  We then have to ask the person that we lied to for the same.


So many times, our fear of reaction is far worse then the actual response to our actions.  Amazing we can go weeks living a lie, covering it up, when in reality if we had just spoken the truth, we could have put it behind us, and not had to live with our guilt.

Isn't that a lot like not doing something that needs to be done?  It eats at you, until you finally do it.  In this case I'm speaking of laundry or ironing.  Not doing it, doesn't make it go away.  Pretending it's not there doesn't make me feel better.  If I just deal with it, get it done, I have a great sense of accomplishment, it's very freeing, nothing holding over my head of undone tasks.  "Create in me a clean heart, O God.  And renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10.  Reconciling with undone tasks can be very freeing.  Just like confessing.


Ironing is done, and my daughter has come "clean with her transgression", what a great way to start the week.

Change & Transformation

As I was leaving my home for a morning walk, I noticed a neighbor that has been going through some serious change.  It puts life into perspective.  Maybe just my life.

In the last few weeks, my neighbor has moved out of the home she has raised her children in.  They have all moved out.  She was a married women in this house, her husband died a few years ago on Christmas morning.  She found him in her bed, having died sometime in his sleep during the night.  My neighbor is now living with a co-worker, until her retirement, in order to have health insurance benefits.  She will eventually move to the northern part of the state to live near her son.  She now has become a roommate in someone's home.  She will share a kitchen, and all that entails.  My neighbor no longer keeps her car in a garage.

I'm sure there a number of other changes my neighbor is going through, these are just a few I thought of in the first block of my walk.

A few months back I was going through what I felt was a need for and an observation of transformation in my life.  "Let God transform you . . . by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do."  Romans 12:2 NLT  Okay, so there is a thought.  If I think I need to change something in my life, pray, seek God, and focus on the changes.  Is it really that easy?  I don't think so, but maybe.  "Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this"  2 Timothy 2;7 NIV.  So, reflect, think, surround myself with the thoughts and concepts, and then . . .  transformation.  Can this really work?  I'm willing to give this a try.  Maybe I'll be brave enough and let you know "what" it is.  Kinda scary, accountability.  Isn't transformation really change?