Over the weekend, we spent a day with family up north. We took our nieces for a couple hours, and went to lunch and then geocaching. We only grabbed a couple caches as the temperature decided to plummet about the time we got to the first cache. The first cache was their favorite, as they each got to leave treasure and take treasure. The second cache was a small, magnetic one and not nearly as fun as there wasn't any treasure in it! Both girls are looking forward to coming down and spending the night when it gets warmer and spending some time geocaching with us, and as the youngest of the two said with an attitude, 'for the big treasures, not those other kind!'
Getting close to the cache
All smiles as they are ready to exchange treasures
As you can see by some of the pictures, it got cold and wintery fast on that March 28th day. It felt more like mid-January than the end of March. We had fun, though. I do look forward to those warmer days when we can geocache in the sunshine!
I've started to think of Easter this past week, and have been reflecting some on Christ's death. I thought this message from Max Lucado was fitting for all of us as we move closer to Easter, as is the song from Chris Tomlin.
The Cross
by Max Lucado
The cross. Can you turn any direction without seeing one? Perched atop a chapel. Carved into a graveyard headstone. Engraved in a ring or suspended on a chain. The cross is the universal symbol of Christianity. An odd choice, don’t you think? Strange that a tool of torture would come to embody a movement of hope. The symbols of other faiths are more upbeat: the six-pointed star of David, the crescent moon of Islam, a lotus blossom for Buddhism. Yet a cross for Christianity? An instrument of execution?
Would you wear a tiny electric chair around your neck? Suspend a gold-plated hangman’s noose on the wall? Would you print a picture of a firing squad on a business card? Yet we do so with the cross. Many even make the sign of the cross as they pray. Would we make the sign of, say, a guillotine? Instead of the triangular touch on the forehead and shoulders, how about a karate chop on the palm? Doesn’t quite have the same feel, does it?
Why is the cross the symbol of our faith? To find the answer look no farther than the cross itself. Its design couldn’t be simpler. One beam horizontal—the other vertical. One reaches out—like God’s love. The other reaches up—as does God’s holiness. One represents the width of his love; the other reflects the height of his holiness. The cross is the intersection. The cross is where God forgave his children without lowering his standards.
How could he do this? In a sentence: God put our sin on his Son and punished it there. “ For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Cor. 5:21).
Ahh, the sun was a wonderful thing to enjoy yesterday! I went to work and hurried so I could get out a bit early and enjoy part of the sunny afternoon. There were people playing frisbee and basketball in the parks, along with skate boarding, biking, walking, playing on the swings, and just out enjoying the sunshine. It was still cold, only warmed up to about 42 degrees, but it was sunny and people were taking it in as much as possible. I took my dog for a walk, and realized that she was enjoying the sun as much as I was, as she seemed to be smiling from ear to ear, and resisted getting back in the car. After we got back home, we went for another walk and played catch for awhile, and then she just soaked in the sun for awhile. I think that our pets have cabin fever as bad as we do! On our first walk, I enjoyed spotting crocuses peeking their colorful faces through the dirt, and also saw several ducks and geese. I was able to meet my husband for a late lunch, and we sat and overlooked the lake while we enjoyed our meals.
When I got home, my own crocuses were putting on a beautiful display as well. I also noticed that my tulips were popping up as fast as the snow was melting, some even under the snow. I am so thankful for a beautiful day of sunshine, that I have my camera back, but most of all, I am thankful that I got to get outside and enjoy the sunshine and some fresh air.
It's sunny this morning, but in the low 20's! But, the sun is out!!! I wonder what happened...if March comes in like a lion, it's supposed to go out like a lamb. Evidently it was a fierce lion and it ate the lamb, because it has dominated the entire month! Hopefully, someone comes along and boots it out of April.
When you live in north Idaho, there is very little that affects mood more than the weather, and people's moods have definitely been down and grumpy this past week, mine included. I think once the calendar claims it's Spring, we all expect to see some Spring weather, not more winter. We get teased with a nice day and all get our hopes up, and bam, we get several more inches of snow and bone-chilling cold! Our trees and flowers are trying to survive, as they yearn for Spring as well. The Robins look like frozen statues as they wonder why they are here, as do the killdeer, who are trying to find a place to nest. I think this past week, they all moved to Lewiston, so they don't freeze.
On week's like this, it can be difficult to remember what Psalm 118:24 says: This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. However, if I do have that as my focus, my grumpiness is less because my focus is on the fact that God gave me another day, and I need to not waste it, and live that day for Him, not me. I need to take that day and look for opportunities to help others, to reach out to the hurting, to find joy, and to be thankful to God for allowing me to have another day to make a difference. I need to love those around me, and be an example in my life, speech, attitude, and actions. I need to remember, that despite the weather, God loves me and gave me the breath I am currently breathing. He didn't give it to me so that I can whine and complain, he gave it to me to praise Him and to live a life that is going to make a difference, even if it is just a small difference. You never know what a difference a smile, a kind word, taking time to listen, will make to someone so don't waste your day, live your day, each day you are given, so that you don't have any regrets.
It is not you who shape God; it is God that shapes you. If then you are the work of God, await the hand of the Artist who does all things in due season. Offer the Potter your heart, soft and tractable, and keep the form in which the Artist has fashioned you. Let your clay be moist, lest you grow hard and lose the imprint of the Potter's fingers. ~Irenaues (200 AD)
Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8
On Friday, Spring arrived, and with it came some warmer temperatures and some rain. The piles of snow that where in our yard melted quite fast. Yesterday, we only had a small pile of snow in one corner by the fence, a long narrow strip in the flowerbed by the house, and one tiny patch in the front yard. I also noticed yesterday that the crocuses were full of colorful buds and were waiting to open when the rain quit. As I looked through my flowerbed yesterday, I noticed tulips and irises peeking through the soil. That was yesterday. Today, everything is covered in white, again. The white stuff is falling out of the sky at a pretty good pace. I am not amused. As a matter of fact, I'm downright grumpy about it all. We have had two winters, back to back, that don't seem to want to end. Global warming??? I don't think so! I wish I could go back to bed and when I wake up this never-ending winter would be gone and spring would be here in all it's glory. But, I have to trudge out in this weather and head to work, where for once, I will be happy I don't have a window to look out.
Tonight is my meeting with the teen girls I work with, so any prayers offered up on how to deal with their issues and how to reach them would be much appreciated.
I spent part of my weekend planning a getaway for my mom, sister, nieces, and myself. We had tentatively planned one trip, but hadn't made reservations. Everyone kept dragging their feet on those plans, and finally it came out that none of us were too excited to go there. So, I found another option which seemed to please all of us. We are planning a mother/daughter getaway to the Oregon Coast. I made reservations at a little bungalow just a few feet from the beach. There is a house in front of it, but it says there are spots from the porch that you can see the ocean, so I hope so. Either way, we are just a few feet from the ocean. We all seem much more excited about this trip. I know my nieces will love exploring the tide pools! I know I always enjoy looking at them! I think my mom is very excited. She has only been to the ocean once, and it was only for a few minutes. Last year, mom and dad went to Whidbey Island with us, which is kind of the ocean, but you don't get to experience the tides, waves, and power of the ocean.
I love the Oregon Coast and I am so excited to go and have this time with my mom, sister, and nieces. The problem is, it's two months away and the anticipation is going to be hard for me to deal with because I want to go now! I've spent hours looking things up and am ready to go!! Patience is not my virtue. Aside from a quick stop at the Oregon Coast when we were at the Washington coast a couple years ago, I haven't been there for probably twelve years, which is much too long!!
My husband was concerned about me driving through Portland, since we plan to stay there on our way. We will go find Whole Foods and Trader Joe's and load up our groceries for the couple days we are on the coast, since we have a full kitchen. Anyway, we were in Costco and they had a GPS for the car on a really good sale, so he bought it for me in hopes that when we do take that trip, I won't get too lost in the city.
So, now it's time to wait; wait with great anticipation for our trip. I am glad it's becoming Spring so I can get out and start working in flower and garden beds and have that help to keep me busy.
It's a good morning. Gonzaga won, after a bit of a stressful game!! There are a few breaks in the clouds, so the sun might appear for awhile today. It's supposed to be in the 50's today. I got my camera back last night! I have plans to go do some photographing at the lake so hope the weather holds this morning. I saw a large group of swans the other night when we went to dinner, so I am hoping they are still in the area today, and close enough to get some great shots. They were so beautiful! It's the first day of Spring! Finally. Although we still have quite a bit of snow in our yard, there is hope it will disappear soon. I heard a killdeer singing it's song two evenings ago, which gave me even more hope for spring, and we saw a whole tree full of red-winged blackbirds. It's the little things that get me very excited that spring is on it's way! Spring is my favorite season because everything is fresh and new, it's starting over. It's a great reminder to me about my relationship with Jesus because he made me fresh and new, and let me start over, and continues to allow me to start over every time I make a mistake. "Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world." ~Virgil A. Kraft
I'm sure a lot of people in this area will be leaving work early today to get home to watch the Zags play. We wish them the best of luck in their game today.
I shared this with the girls I work with this week, so thought I would share it here.
The Father's Love Letter
My Child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Psalm139:1) I know when you sit down and when you rise up. (Psalm 139:2) I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3) Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. (Matthew 10:29-31) For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27) In me, you live and move and have your being. (Acts 17:27-28) For you are my offspring. (Acts 17:28) I knew you even before you were conceived. (Jeremiah 1:4-5) I chose you, when I planned creation. (Ephesians 1:11-12)
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16) I determined the exact time of your birth, and where you would live. (Acts 17:26) You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) I knit you together in your mother's womb. (Psalm 13:13) And brought you forth on the day you were born. (Psalm 71:6) I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. (John 8:41, 42, 44) I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. (1 John 4:16) And it is my desire to pour my love out to you. (1John 3:1) Simply because you are my child, and I am your Father. (1 John 3:1) I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. (Matthew 7:11) For I am the perfect Father. (Matthew 5:48)
Every good gift that you receive, comes from my hand. (James 1:17) For I am your provider, and I meet all your needs. (Matthew 6:31-33) My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) Because I love you with an everlasting love. (Jeremiah 31:3) My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Psalm 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) I will never stop doing good to you. (Jeremiah 32:40) For you are my treasured possession. (Exodus 19:5) I desire to do good for you with all my heart, and all my soul. (Jeremiah 32:41)
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. (Jeremiah 33:3) If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. (Deuteronomy 4:29) Delight in me, and I will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) For it is I, who gave you those desires. (Philippians 2:13) I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. (Ephesians 3:20-21) For I am your greatest encourager. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18) As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11) One day, I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. (Revelation 21:3-4) And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Revelation 21:3-4) I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my Son, Jesus. (John 17:23) For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. (John 17:26) He is the exact representation of who I am. (Hebrews 1:3) He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. (Romans 8:31) And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) Jesus died, so that you and I could be reconciled, made right with God.. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you. (1 John 4:10) I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. (Romans 8:31-32) If you receive the gift of My Son Jesus, you receive Me. (1 John 2:23) And nothing will ever separate you from My love again. (Romans 8:39-39) Come home, and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. (Luke 15:7) I have always been Father, and will always be Father. (Ephesians 3:14-15)
My question is......Will you be My child? (John 1:12-13) I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-24)
Living in the present means squarely accepting and responding to it as God's moment for you now while it is called "today" rather than wishing it were yesterday or tomorrow. ~Evelyn Underhill
We do that, don't we? I know I do. I will forget to live for today, to live for each moment given to me. Think how different life would be if we did live, accept, and respond to each moment. Life would be so much more full of life, rather than living in the what if's, if only's, or should have's. Live today for today, to the fullest of it's potential, so you don't have to live in the if only's after this day is done.
Despite new snow on the ground from this week, yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day, with temperatures actually soaring to 42 degrees. It's been a cold week here, with below zero temperatures throughout the week. I was in Coeur d'Alene for an appointment so went for a drive along the lake. It was very pretty. The light danced off the water like diamonds. There were a lot of boats out on the water, as well. A lot of people were out for walks, many with their dogs. I saw six deer. There was one thing missing, however. One thing I was desperately longing for-my camera! I took in the scenes in my mind, but it's just not the same when I can't capture them on my camera. I miss my camera, like a long lost friend!! I talked to the gal at the shop to see when it will be ready to come home, and she said it will be another week. Another week!!?! I was so desperate the other day, I even picked up the point and shoot without the zoom to take a picture. As I said in a previous post, if you are within a couple feet of your subject, it's ok, but otherwise, it just doesn't cut it. So, I go on, missing my camera everytime there is a sunset, or a beautiful scene that I would love to capture. I just keep telling myself that at least it's temporary and my camera will return soon.
Life...those of us who are alive and breathing are fortunate enough to experience life, and all it has to offer-love, family, friends, laughter, the joy of experiencing the wonderful aspects of creation, sights, sounds, wonders....as well as pain, heartache and sadness, but it's all part of life. It's all part of our experience, our story, our legacy for the next generation. What's life mean to you? Is it important? All life, or just some lives? Are the lives of just you and those closest to you all you care about, or do you care about those in your outer circle, all of humankind, those who are aging and lonely, those who are sick, those who yet to be born? Our country is facing a lot of moral issues on life and death, and we need to stand up for life as a country. Where will the line be drawn? First we kill babies for convenience sake. If the FOCA bill goes through, a live baby can born after a botched up late term abortion, it will be legal to kill that baby as it lay on the table taking it's first breathes. There is a lot of talk of assisted suicide, as well. Cloning. Farming embryo's for research. Euthanasia. Where will it stop? I foresee something for worse ahead for this country than anything Nazi Germany experienced. Life has become disposable. Life has become like a video game, I guess, where there's no value to someone when you kill them. When we get to the point of selecting who lives and who dies, who will make the cut?
You may be reading this and disagree with me, and I hope I am wrong. I hope that people actually remember to start caring about each other again, and taking stands for right and wrong. I hope people decide that human life is important, at all levels and stages. If not, we as a nation, as a society are in big trouble. If you are concerned about some of the issues, then take a stand and speak up because nothing was ever changed by those who believe in it just sitting around wishing something would change.
I know there are people who read this blog but don't comment, but today, I would really like to challenge everyone reading to comment. I am going to leave this post up for a couple days because I am curious to read some of your responses to the following word. I wonder what you think of when you read or hear the word, what you feel, what the word means to you, or doesn't mean to you. No, this isn't a psychological experiment, just a curious writer who has been contemplating the many aspects of life while being sick the past few days. The word for the day is:
I've been sick for the past four days, which has given me a lot of time to think. Okay, the past three days haven't involved a lot of thinking but today has because my head isn't quite so fuzzy from the flu.
I have a lot of thoughts swirling through my head which are sure to be future posts but my brain is still too foggy for too much in depth thinking, at least that will make sense to others.
My mind is still trying to process the things shared by the girls I sat with and all they deal with and the best way to reach them. I have seen about ten minutes of news over the past couple days, which was too much, and I cannot believe how we as a society have become towards each other, how we don't value each other, or human life at all. It scares me. Even though I was very ill the other night, I picked my husband up from the airport. On our way home, we heard a lot noise, and I thought it was the truck next to me playing it's music loud, but as I glanced over, I caught movement in my mirror, and see a guy hanging off someone else's truck as he is yelling, and then I see glass flying everywhere, like in slow motion. I got a bit scared. The guy jumped off the truck and I honestly don't know where he went, and the other truck drove by us, with an older than middle aged couple in it. Was this just road rage? These people didn't have any glass in their truck on the one side and it was 22 degrees out. But, why? Why do people care so less about each other? Our society is becoming so me centered, that we have forgotten about basic care for others. We have forgotten what's important-human life. I will write more on this tomorrow, but wanted to post this video. The words speak volumes to our society! Please listen to them!
My husband comes home today after being gone for a week for training in his job, the sun is shining, and it's Friday! My flowers are starting to pop through in the small spots where the snow has melted. I try to look at that instead of the giant mound that still takes up 90% of my flower bed. There are patches of grass showing in the backyard, and their are birds foraging for some food in my garden beds. There is hope for Spring as I look out my window. I have a lot of hopes today, some are simple, some are not. I hope for my husband to arrive safely tonight. I have hope that the snow disappears and that there are flowers soon. I have hope that my camera is out of the shop early next week. I hope for green grass and budding trees! I hope for warmer weather, and the garden I will plant this year. I hope I can grow tomatoes from seed because I haven't been too successful in the past. I hang on to God for hope for the girls I meet with each week that they will be able to see beyond their circumstances, and see that God loves them and that they can get help and change. I have hopes for my young nieces as they grow up in a very mixed up world, that they will put their all their hope in Christ alone. I have hope for friends and family who are struggling in many different ways. I hope for a nation who has wandered far from God and His principles, that these tough times will bring people to Him. I have many hopes. I don't know how people live without hope. Life would be so depressing, so dark, so grim. There is hope of the greatest kind through Jesus. He gave us hope when he died on the cross for us, so that we could come to Him and make Him our hope, our Savior and Lord. He waits, hoping we will come to Him and ask Him to be a part of our lives, to let Him guide us. I know that I couldn't do life without Him! Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. Psalm 130:5 "I always see the Lord near me, and I will not be afraid with him at my right side. Because of this, my heart will be glad, my words will be joyful, and I will live in hope. Acts 2:25-26
It's been a long, hard week. Not only have I dealt with the teen issues, but my husband has been out of town. I miss him a lot when he's gone. On top of all that, I had to take my camera to the shop for a good cleaning because somehow it contracted spots on the inside lenses. Leaving my camera was a very painful experience! How am I supposed to be without my camera for up to two weeks?!? I told the gal who was helping me out that it was like leaving part of myself behind, and she said she understood. She tried to offer me some comfort as she told me they would take good care of it for me. My husband tried to help the situation. First he told me that I could go back to using my 20 year old film camera, which has some issues. I just looked at him, then asked if he was kidding me. I resisted the move to digital like crazy three years ago, but now that I have, I love it! Plus, the picture quality is much, much different. My digital takes much clearer, sharper pictures. He then tried to help me by telling me I could use his camera. Now, I don't have anything personal against point and shoot cameras, but I just don't use them. Oh, and the one he offered me doesn't even have a zoom, so the pictures are just amazing, if you are within two feet of your subject! It is also the slowest camera I have ever seen. The sun could rise and set before it decided to actually snap the picture! No, I will stick with my Canon Rebel XLT, with changeable lenses! I just keep thinking of all the missed shots, all the beautiful scenes I am not capturing. I am going to be really sad if we have one of those amazing prairie sunsets! I went for a walk along the river yesterday with my dog, and it was so beautiful!! I tried to take a picture with my camera phone....now there's a quality picture! It's even worse than my husbands camera!
I don't know what I will do for the next 10 LONG days. I know I have to stop looking at different scenes, animals, or people, and stop longing to take their picture, or it will be an even longer time of waiting. Did I mention I don't wait well to begin with, none the less when my camera, which is usually my constant sidekick, is not with me! I would like to think that maybe I will take some time to go through my digital photo albums and organize, clean up, fix any pictures with spots from my speckled lens, but I doubt it because it will make me that much more lonely for my Canon. I think I might need therapy if I am truly camera-less for two weeks!
My mind is full of unrest and is reeling in horror, as I think of the things I heard from a group of girls at a meeting I was at. These are not girls in juvie, or in trouble, just average middle school girls. I wonder what this world is going to look like in ten years, when these eleven to thirteen year olds are in their twenties. Some of the main topics we heard were severe drug abuse and addiction with themselves and their families, alcoholic parents, physical abuse, rape, hopelessness, fear of becoming their deadbeat parents, girls getting pregnant at nine, another girl who has been pregnant three times at the age of thirteen. It seems that twelve is now a pretty accepted age in this generation to start having babies, because over the past few weeks, we have heard of several girls that age who are pregnant, and the other girls don't even think twice about it. Every girl in the room had a family member addicted to meth, and/or some type of major drug. Most have fears of, or the reality of, being taken from their homes and put in foster care because their parents are in jail. 'Dad tried to strangle me, then beat me, so I called the police and I was taken away. He was high on meth at the time. My whole family is addicted to meth or some type of drug,' came from an eleven year old's mouth, who has already been to drug treatment herself. "I am scared to grow up because I don't want to become like my mom. My mom drinks so much she doesn't even know what she is doing. She hits me when she's drunk, which is all the time anymore. I don't want to be like her, but how do I not become her? I'm scared to become a mom, and think I probably shouldn't be one because I don't want to hurt my kids the way my mom has hurt me" came from another girl. Yet another shared, "My family hates each other. They sit in separate rooms all the time, and no one talks to each other. We are never together. I am lonely, sad, and scared. Did I do something to cause this? Mom and dad don't speak, they just fight. I don't like living there. I want my family to love each other. Why does it have to be this way?" Another shared 'My dad is in prison more than he is out. I never see him, which is fine with me. He's an addict. My siblings have followed in his footsteps and are in jail, as well. My mom just shuts down. She doesn't even care anymore. It's like the rest of us kids aren't even there. We might get put in foster care and that scares me.' Story after story came flowing out of these girls mouths. Some have lived such horrifying things in their lives that I can't imagine how they function. One watched as a family member was murdered in front of her. One has seen her mom in very compromising positions with multiple people. Some have been sexually abused by their dad. How can parents do this to their kids? My heart aches and breaks for these girls. The other gal and I who sat with these girls tried not to show shock and disbelief in all we heard. We did a pretty good job, I think. After it was over, we both looked at each other, in tears, and overwhelmed with sadness and grief. How do you help these kids? What do you say when they already have so many layers of walls built up around their young hearts that they can't feel anymore at the age of twelve? They seek love, but they seek it in the wrong forms. It's time for stable, caring adults to start stepping into kids lives because there is a generation seeking someone to be a parent figure to them. So many kids are missing that, it's not just these girls who have what seems like extreme situations. Unfortunately, the more I talk with teens in the past couple years, the more these stories are the norm, not the unusual. Take some time to invest in a kid. Let's start to change their future, and give them hope that they can break the cycle and be different!
It didn't make national headlines, but my sister and her family adopted a puppy last week. No one had a popular opinion poll to determine if it was ok that they adopted her. There wasn't a vote taken by Americans to tell my sister what type of dog to get and what to name her, or where to get her from. No, my nieces named her, all by themselves. Her name is Princess Rosie, Rosie for short. She came from Montana. She is an 8 week old Newfoundland/Golden Retriever mix. I think my sis needs to buy stock in dog food, although right now, she would lose more money than she would make with the stock market plummeting more each day. Rosie is very sweet, but also 100% puppy. She thinks chewing on my niece's hair is the most fun thing there is to do. She loves to chase their ponytails! It's going to be fun to watch my nieces grow up with their new dog and to see all the joy they will bring to each other!
