It's amazing how unique each person is, from the way he or she looks, to the way he stands, laughs and sleeps to the way she thinks, sits and writes. Our uniqueness is beyond human understanding. My fingerprints are unlike any of the other billions of people in this world. My perspective, speech and love language are only mine. God truly puts love and thought into each of His creations and not only into us humans, but as we know and marvel at, into the tiny snowflakes and hummingbirds too!
Each one of my children is so very different from the other. We have had our turn with the flu epidemic and it's funny to watch how each handles sickness and discomfort differently. I won't embarrass them by naming which does what, but I have the one who whines, cries and doesn't want to eat anything because everything tastes "different". I have the one who is tough, follows instructions for getting well and turns sweet and docile when sick. Then there's the one who gets angry at the sickness and so frustrated that it takes so long to go away. The thing that is consistent, though, is that they each need and want their mom!
Handling illness is kind of a silly example of the uniqueness of my children, but just as they handle discomfort so completely differently, they also handle love, discipline, learning and heartache differently. It is my job as a parent to be an expert on each one of them, to learn their ways, how they think and how they feel about things. It is not easy. Just when I think I've got them each figured out, they do something completely outside of the norm, contradicting what I was sure was their "way".
I'm so glad my God knows me inside and out, intimately and thoroughly, from the number of hairs on my head to the depth of my dreams and feelings. He made me, after all. He gave me my personality, my nose, and my heart. I often get frustrated with my children. Can't they all just be the same so life would be simpler for me? Why can't they each just open wide the mouth and happily take the spoonful of medicine? No, one has to hold his nose and gag it down. One prefers pills. One thinks medicine is candy and would overdose if I didn't pay attention. Thankfully, God doesn't get frustrated with His children. He revels in our uniqueness and loves me just how He made me. What a wonderful thought.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Music is one of God's greatest gifts to mankind. Music has been an intregal and important part of my life for as long as I can remember. I love all kinds of music, from country to opera and everything in between. Hearing certain songs brings back some of the most joyful memories of my life as well as some of the most painful. There have been times where music has gotten me through the day.
Both of my parents sing very well and I grew up watching my dad lead the congregational singing in church, as well as the choir. I had the privilege of being in school choirs for most of my growing up years and of being taught by some very talented people. When I was in high school, I finally got the nerve to sing duets, trios and in small choral groups. Such fun! As a Junior in high school, my friend and I joined the adult church choir.....the only teenagers to do such a thing.
One of the things I missed so very much living overseas for 15 years was singing......in English, with others, especially in a choir. In Cuba, 13 years ago, I joined a church choir for their Christmas cantata, without knowing any Spanish. I just wanted to sing! My eyes were glued to the music the entire time. After that, I sang in a church choir in Delaware for about 2 months, then didn't sing in any kind of group until we came to Central Baptist in 2010 and I jumped into the choir. I enjoyed it so very much. It was like being home. Once again, I'm back in the Central choir and love the practice, the challenge and the chance to edify, encourage and praise through music.
When I heard about the Northeast Texas Choral Society, I was very interested. Brent works with one of the pianists, so when she mentioned that auditions were open this month, I thought it sounded like fun.....why not? I really wasn't too terribly nervous until the lady who auditioned before me was turned down flat. After my audition, when the director shook my hand and said "welcome", I was so excited and relieved. I think I actually did a fist pump. Our first rehearsal was all work, no play. Fifteen pieces of music were handed out. There is no going over parts like I'm used to, just singing! It was so much fun. We are practicing for a concert in May called "Sing to me of Heaven" and all of the songs are either spirituals or songs about God, His grace and His goodness. They are absolutely beautiful.
The icing on the cake is that I have to.....uh, get to buy a formal black dress. Yes! I'm going to love this!
Mostly, I am thankful for the gift of music, the talent God has given me and the chance to sing to Him and for Him.
"Sing to the Lord a new song!"
Both of my parents sing very well and I grew up watching my dad lead the congregational singing in church, as well as the choir. I had the privilege of being in school choirs for most of my growing up years and of being taught by some very talented people. When I was in high school, I finally got the nerve to sing duets, trios and in small choral groups. Such fun! As a Junior in high school, my friend and I joined the adult church choir.....the only teenagers to do such a thing.
One of the things I missed so very much living overseas for 15 years was singing......in English, with others, especially in a choir. In Cuba, 13 years ago, I joined a church choir for their Christmas cantata, without knowing any Spanish. I just wanted to sing! My eyes were glued to the music the entire time. After that, I sang in a church choir in Delaware for about 2 months, then didn't sing in any kind of group until we came to Central Baptist in 2010 and I jumped into the choir. I enjoyed it so very much. It was like being home. Once again, I'm back in the Central choir and love the practice, the challenge and the chance to edify, encourage and praise through music.
When I heard about the Northeast Texas Choral Society, I was very interested. Brent works with one of the pianists, so when she mentioned that auditions were open this month, I thought it sounded like fun.....why not? I really wasn't too terribly nervous until the lady who auditioned before me was turned down flat. After my audition, when the director shook my hand and said "welcome", I was so excited and relieved. I think I actually did a fist pump. Our first rehearsal was all work, no play. Fifteen pieces of music were handed out. There is no going over parts like I'm used to, just singing! It was so much fun. We are practicing for a concert in May called "Sing to me of Heaven" and all of the songs are either spirituals or songs about God, His grace and His goodness. They are absolutely beautiful.
The icing on the cake is that I have to.....uh, get to buy a formal black dress. Yes! I'm going to love this!
Mostly, I am thankful for the gift of music, the talent God has given me and the chance to sing to Him and for Him.
"Sing to the Lord a new song!"
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
What is it about snow that makes me happy? Is it the jaw dropping beauty? Yes! Is it the clean, pure white? Yes! Is it the wonder of millions of different snowflakes falling? Yes! Is it the possibility of a day off of work? Yes! Is it the bright eyes and shrieks of my kids? Yes! Is it the boys throwing it, eating it and making a snowman? Yes! Is the excuse to stay in comfy, warm clothes and puffy slippers all day? Yes!
Having grown up in Virginia, I've seen some serious snow. I love the pictures my parents have of one of their cars totally buried in snow when I was about eight years old. I always waited anxiously to see if school would be delayed two hours of if we would get the whole day off.
We had the coolest house on the block when I was a girl.....for one reason and one reason only. Our back yard was a huge hill and excellent for snow sledding. Any time there was snow, neighbors we had never even met would congregate in our back yard and sled down our awesome hill. My mom used to get so irritated that strangers would just use our yard without asking! Every once in awhile, a polite child would knock on the door and ask for permission to sled. We had such fun sledding down that hill, wiping out, daring each other to go down the fastest part, seeing who could go the farthest, freezing all the while. The only negative was tromping back up that big old hill, pulling the sled behind us, only to repeat the whole thing again.
Since moving to Texas, we have heard numerous times that it doesn't snow here. Bummer. Interestingly, it has already snowed three times this winter......not a ton, granted, but it is snow. On Christmas day, we were shocked and thrilled when it snowed the hugest cotton ball snowflakes I had ever seen! It was such a sweet gift for us. Today it snowed a little bit and it is cold enough that the kids get a two hour delay at school tomorrow. Yay!
What is it about snow that makes me happy? Everything!
Having grown up in Virginia, I've seen some serious snow. I love the pictures my parents have of one of their cars totally buried in snow when I was about eight years old. I always waited anxiously to see if school would be delayed two hours of if we would get the whole day off.
We had the coolest house on the block when I was a girl.....for one reason and one reason only. Our back yard was a huge hill and excellent for snow sledding. Any time there was snow, neighbors we had never even met would congregate in our back yard and sled down our awesome hill. My mom used to get so irritated that strangers would just use our yard without asking! Every once in awhile, a polite child would knock on the door and ask for permission to sled. We had such fun sledding down that hill, wiping out, daring each other to go down the fastest part, seeing who could go the farthest, freezing all the while. The only negative was tromping back up that big old hill, pulling the sled behind us, only to repeat the whole thing again.
Since moving to Texas, we have heard numerous times that it doesn't snow here. Bummer. Interestingly, it has already snowed three times this winter......not a ton, granted, but it is snow. On Christmas day, we were shocked and thrilled when it snowed the hugest cotton ball snowflakes I had ever seen! It was such a sweet gift for us. Today it snowed a little bit and it is cold enough that the kids get a two hour delay at school tomorrow. Yay!
What is it about snow that makes me happy? Everything!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
My grandmother, Ruth Elizabeth Perdue, turned 90 on Christmas day. Ninety. I can hardly fathom that she was born in 1923. I guess that's how my kids feel when I tell them I was born in 1973! She has lived through so many historical events and still remembers most of them. Her memory is amazing.
She lives alone, drives herself around and makes a living sewing and making crafts to sell. She also has a part time job sitting with "old people" as she likes to joke. She is the Scrabble queen, and don't you forget it!
Grandma was so patient with me when I was a kid, teaching me how to bake, cook, sew and how to save a penny. She has always loved yard sales and thrift stores.....as a matter of fact, I don't know that she has ever bought me anything brand new! We used to tease her about her raisin cookies because each cookie usually only had one raisin in it! Same with chocolate chip cookies. Hey, who needs to put the whole bag in one batch, it's an overkill, really........
I used to love to listen to her stories about her younger days and about my dad and his brothers growing up. She loves pictures and will still go through piles of them, remembering the story behind each......naming each grandchild and great grandchild, remembering their ages, spouses' names and what they are doing now. (The last count I knew was 20 grandchildren, most with spouses, and 26 great grandchildren.) What touches me the most is that she never fails to send a card and small gift for every birthday and anniversary - to ALL of us! She amazes me.
Love for God has permeated my grandma's life. She probably hasn't missed a dozen church services in all these years and has held to His promises during some very difficult times. A widow now for many years, her faith in her Heavenly Father has become more real and precious, I'm sure.
Reaching 90 years of age is quite a milestone, but touching the lives of her family for 60 years is worthy of praise and honor.
She lives alone, drives herself around and makes a living sewing and making crafts to sell. She also has a part time job sitting with "old people" as she likes to joke. She is the Scrabble queen, and don't you forget it!
Grandma was so patient with me when I was a kid, teaching me how to bake, cook, sew and how to save a penny. She has always loved yard sales and thrift stores.....as a matter of fact, I don't know that she has ever bought me anything brand new! We used to tease her about her raisin cookies because each cookie usually only had one raisin in it! Same with chocolate chip cookies. Hey, who needs to put the whole bag in one batch, it's an overkill, really........
I used to love to listen to her stories about her younger days and about my dad and his brothers growing up. She loves pictures and will still go through piles of them, remembering the story behind each......naming each grandchild and great grandchild, remembering their ages, spouses' names and what they are doing now. (The last count I knew was 20 grandchildren, most with spouses, and 26 great grandchildren.) What touches me the most is that she never fails to send a card and small gift for every birthday and anniversary - to ALL of us! She amazes me.
Love for God has permeated my grandma's life. She probably hasn't missed a dozen church services in all these years and has held to His promises during some very difficult times. A widow now for many years, her faith in her Heavenly Father has become more real and precious, I'm sure.
Reaching 90 years of age is quite a milestone, but touching the lives of her family for 60 years is worthy of praise and honor.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Resolution - the act of resolving
I know, I know, making new year's resolutions is kind of outdated. I've heard all the reasons not to make them, but I still really like to make my list every January 1. Sure, I might not keep them all, but if I don't set goals, I find myself having nothing specific to shoot for. Goals help me focus.
I can't live without lists, so for me, making a list of what I would love to start, accomplish or finish in this year, is the best way to articulate it and keep track of how I'm doing. Also, if, uh....when I forget, I can look back and be reminded of what's important to me.
According to a study done by the University of Scranton last year, 45% of Americans still usually make new year's resolutions. Top resolution of 2012 was to lose weight. Funny, that's usually on the top of my list too! Also, according to their study, those who make specific goals are 10 times more likely to reach them than people who make none.
So, all you skeptics out there, here's to taking advantage of a new year beginning, a clean slate if you will....we can just let it be filled with whatever comes our way or we can fill it ourselves and who knows.....maybe we'll actually keep one more resolution this year than we did last year!
I can't live without lists, so for me, making a list of what I would love to start, accomplish or finish in this year, is the best way to articulate it and keep track of how I'm doing. Also, if, uh....when I forget, I can look back and be reminded of what's important to me.
According to a study done by the University of Scranton last year, 45% of Americans still usually make new year's resolutions. Top resolution of 2012 was to lose weight. Funny, that's usually on the top of my list too! Also, according to their study, those who make specific goals are 10 times more likely to reach them than people who make none.
So, all you skeptics out there, here's to taking advantage of a new year beginning, a clean slate if you will....we can just let it be filled with whatever comes our way or we can fill it ourselves and who knows.....maybe we'll actually keep one more resolution this year than we did last year!
Monday, January 7, 2013
Getting started.....
A lot of my "musings" are done while cooking, vacuuming, driving or trying to tune out the Disney channel. Sometimes, they impress even me! Sometimes, they are confusing and scattered, at best. At any rate, they are mine and they reflect what's on my mind and in my heart at a given time.
It takes a measure of vulnerability to share with potentially many people, the thoughts, ideas and opinions that reside in my brain. I mean, who cares, really, what an almost 40 year old mother with gray roots thinks about life? What can I possibly offer that might encourage, edify or help even a few people?
Well, for starters, maybe another woman out here will feel a bit less lonely, knowing there is someone else who struggles with womanhood, understanding the Bible, and her weight. Maybe someone out there has questions about God and a bit of practical insight from someone who has walked with Him for 24 years would help a little. Maybe this is just a good way for me to journal and leave my children something of myself for them to read one day.
Whatever the case, if I can encourage one, if I can cheer up one, if I can even provide answers for one, than this becomes more than a pastime for me, but a ministry....a calling, even.
Welcome aboard!
It takes a measure of vulnerability to share with potentially many people, the thoughts, ideas and opinions that reside in my brain. I mean, who cares, really, what an almost 40 year old mother with gray roots thinks about life? What can I possibly offer that might encourage, edify or help even a few people?
Well, for starters, maybe another woman out here will feel a bit less lonely, knowing there is someone else who struggles with womanhood, understanding the Bible, and her weight. Maybe someone out there has questions about God and a bit of practical insight from someone who has walked with Him for 24 years would help a little. Maybe this is just a good way for me to journal and leave my children something of myself for them to read one day.
Whatever the case, if I can encourage one, if I can cheer up one, if I can even provide answers for one, than this becomes more than a pastime for me, but a ministry....a calling, even.
Welcome aboard!
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