Tears of joy and sorrow that cleanse
Husband who loves God first, then me
Amazing grace
New mercy every morning
Kids, healthy, happy and growing
Security in Christ
God, who is Love
Impossibilities made possible
Victory in Jesus
Incredible friends
Never ending supply of faith
Gifts untold, in every form
Friday, November 29, 2013
Friday, November 8, 2013
Thankful Friday
Thankful Thursday is a great idea, but I've always had a tiny twinge of rebellion in me, so I'm going to go with Thankful Friday today.
I don't know that I could adequately express how full of gratitude my heart is to my Heavenly Father, for the 40 years He has had His hand on this little life of mine. I cannot even begin to understand how I have come to be so blessed. It is certainly not because I deserve it. I have known God's protection, provision and hand of blessing on me so many times, I have come to expect it. He has proven to me that He is who He says He is in His Word : my Father, my Refuge, my Strength, my Provider, my Lover, my King, my Savior, my Friend, my Redeemer, my Hope, my All. Although I fail Him every day, His love is unconditional and I know He is right beside me, waiting to "sup" with me anytime I will open the door.
I am so glad God knows my heart, because I forget to say thank you. I forget it is HIM who does all things well and not me. I tend to take pride in my genius ideas instead of thanking Him for giving me my mind in the first place. I get huffy when I do a wonderful deed and am not noticed or thanked. Thank God He is not like me. Thank God He patiently waits for me to remember to show gratitude and forgives me when I don't.
I think gratitude comes from deeper places when the heart has been broken and burdened. Mine has. Gratitude heals. Being thankful for hard times turns them into learning times. Being grateful for tough experiences allows the eyes to be open to the lessons being learned. How does one say thank you through the tears? Faith. Faith in the One who created tears, who allowed whatever it is that is troubling me. Believing that He has my good in mind allows me to say thank you even when I don't understand.
On this Friday, I am thankful for my Lord. He is all I need.
I don't know that I could adequately express how full of gratitude my heart is to my Heavenly Father, for the 40 years He has had His hand on this little life of mine. I cannot even begin to understand how I have come to be so blessed. It is certainly not because I deserve it. I have known God's protection, provision and hand of blessing on me so many times, I have come to expect it. He has proven to me that He is who He says He is in His Word : my Father, my Refuge, my Strength, my Provider, my Lover, my King, my Savior, my Friend, my Redeemer, my Hope, my All. Although I fail Him every day, His love is unconditional and I know He is right beside me, waiting to "sup" with me anytime I will open the door.
I am so glad God knows my heart, because I forget to say thank you. I forget it is HIM who does all things well and not me. I tend to take pride in my genius ideas instead of thanking Him for giving me my mind in the first place. I get huffy when I do a wonderful deed and am not noticed or thanked. Thank God He is not like me. Thank God He patiently waits for me to remember to show gratitude and forgives me when I don't.
I think gratitude comes from deeper places when the heart has been broken and burdened. Mine has. Gratitude heals. Being thankful for hard times turns them into learning times. Being grateful for tough experiences allows the eyes to be open to the lessons being learned. How does one say thank you through the tears? Faith. Faith in the One who created tears, who allowed whatever it is that is troubling me. Believing that He has my good in mind allows me to say thank you even when I don't understand.
On this Friday, I am thankful for my Lord. He is all I need.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Experience
Irish poet Oscar Wilde said "experience is the one thing you can't get for nothing". Experience comes with living and living takes time. The longer I live, the more experience I will have and the more things I will experience. Not deep stuff...... It does remind me, though, to open my ears and listen to those who have experienced life more than me. Their experience may have come at a high cost, but is worth it if used to help others.
The Bible tells the older women to teach the younger women. As a younger woman (still), my job is to let the older women teach me and to learn from them. Some older women might not feel comfortable taking on a teaching role or may not be entirely sure how to teach the younger women. I, however, do know how to ask questions and listen to the answers. I do know how to ask an older woman to have coffee with me and listen instead of talking. I know how to learn by observing. If I want to learn from those who are more experienced and who can, without a doubt, teach me much, I can do my part in making it happen.
I have been in a couples' Sunday school class for the last year and a half and really love the laughs, the friendships with people my own age and the discussions relevant to our stage in life. However, after visiting a ladies' class last week, mostly made up of "older" women, I am finding myself yearning to spend more time in this class to soak up the wisdom gathered there. There have been a few women in my life who I have wanted to just sit at their feet and just ask and listen, listen, listen. When I discover a woman like this, I find myself trying to think of ways to be around them, questions I might ask them, and find myself watching them as much as I can.
I am still a young mother and need wisdom beyond my years. Motherhood is a tough gig. Life is tough. God has placed older, wiser, more experienced women in my life for a reason. They have been there with kids. They have struggled through the ups and downs of marriage. They have loved and lost. They have made mistakes. I might be saved from making the same mistakes if I will listen and learn from them.
Older women, please teach us! We yearn for your wisdom and counsel. Please don't ever, ever think you have nothing to teach. Your experience alone could save us heartache and grief. The life God has given you might save someone else's life if you will but share it. Young women, let's make it happen. Let's have open hearts and open ears to hear.
The Bible tells the older women to teach the younger women. As a younger woman (still), my job is to let the older women teach me and to learn from them. Some older women might not feel comfortable taking on a teaching role or may not be entirely sure how to teach the younger women. I, however, do know how to ask questions and listen to the answers. I do know how to ask an older woman to have coffee with me and listen instead of talking. I know how to learn by observing. If I want to learn from those who are more experienced and who can, without a doubt, teach me much, I can do my part in making it happen.
I have been in a couples' Sunday school class for the last year and a half and really love the laughs, the friendships with people my own age and the discussions relevant to our stage in life. However, after visiting a ladies' class last week, mostly made up of "older" women, I am finding myself yearning to spend more time in this class to soak up the wisdom gathered there. There have been a few women in my life who I have wanted to just sit at their feet and just ask and listen, listen, listen. When I discover a woman like this, I find myself trying to think of ways to be around them, questions I might ask them, and find myself watching them as much as I can.
I am still a young mother and need wisdom beyond my years. Motherhood is a tough gig. Life is tough. God has placed older, wiser, more experienced women in my life for a reason. They have been there with kids. They have struggled through the ups and downs of marriage. They have loved and lost. They have made mistakes. I might be saved from making the same mistakes if I will listen and learn from them.
Older women, please teach us! We yearn for your wisdom and counsel. Please don't ever, ever think you have nothing to teach. Your experience alone could save us heartache and grief. The life God has given you might save someone else's life if you will but share it. Young women, let's make it happen. Let's have open hearts and open ears to hear.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Summer
Humidity, clouds of gnats, long road trips to Ohio, Kings Dominion, church camp, boredom, sleeping in, babysitting.....some of my childhood memories of summer. I was always so ready for summer break, but just as ready for school to start again!
My favorite times were swimming at a friend's house, camp, slumber parties, and family vacations to see grandparents. Summertime brought a lot of happy! A few times, my brain apparently took a"vacation" as well and my girlfriends and I slathered ourselves with suntanning oil and baked for a few hours in the sun. Yep, I clearly remember serious burns, tylenol, suffering for the cause.....and I never did tan.
Now, as a mother, summer is still fun and special......the heat makes me appreciate A/C so much, the trips as a family are cherished, being able to send my kids to church camp and seeing them come home changed is priceless. Hanging out and conquering boredom are just some of the things that make summer, summer. Movies, ice cream, sleepovers and board games....memories made.
This summer has been an eventful one for the Williams family. One trip overseas, two church camps, one girl's first babysitting job, one foot surgery/physical therapy, one reading tutoring job, one promoting to the youth group, one 19th anniversary celebration, one Rangers game, two long shopping trips, several new friends and lots of smiles.
I am one thankful Mom. Now bring on school!
My favorite times were swimming at a friend's house, camp, slumber parties, and family vacations to see grandparents. Summertime brought a lot of happy! A few times, my brain apparently took a"vacation" as well and my girlfriends and I slathered ourselves with suntanning oil and baked for a few hours in the sun. Yep, I clearly remember serious burns, tylenol, suffering for the cause.....and I never did tan.
Now, as a mother, summer is still fun and special......the heat makes me appreciate A/C so much, the trips as a family are cherished, being able to send my kids to church camp and seeing them come home changed is priceless. Hanging out and conquering boredom are just some of the things that make summer, summer. Movies, ice cream, sleepovers and board games....memories made.
This summer has been an eventful one for the Williams family. One trip overseas, two church camps, one girl's first babysitting job, one foot surgery/physical therapy, one reading tutoring job, one promoting to the youth group, one 19th anniversary celebration, one Rangers game, two long shopping trips, several new friends and lots of smiles.
I am one thankful Mom. Now bring on school!
Friday, July 19, 2013
Kyall started complaining about his feet hurting about 2 years ago, at the age of 9. We didn't think much of it. One day, we noticed he was walking funny. We didn't think much of it. As the months went by and he kept walking funny and kept complaining about his feet, we started taking notice and wondering what was wrong. We researched foot pain and of course, there are a thousand things that come up, none of them good.
About a year ago, I asked some friends if they knew of a good podiatrist in town. Both of them said they had experience with a certain one and that he was great! One of their husbands had actually been operated on by this Dr. So I called him.
Long story short, the Dr. knew just by looking at Kyall's feet that he had tarsal coalition in both feet, pediatric flatfoot in both and that both heel chords were too short and tight. Kyall has lived this past year in daily pain, often limping around the house, often playing and running, just gritting his teeth to the pain. It has been hard to watch. Just last week, he went to summer camp and couldn't stand in line at the cafeteria because it hurt too much after a day of being on his feet a lot.
Operating is the only way to fix all three of these problems, so we knew we had no choice. The Dr. only does one foot at a time so the patient isn't basically an invalid for 2 months, so we chose to do the worse foot first. We also agreed to take care of all 3 problems at the same time.
I gave all my fears to God about the anesthesia, about the pain, about Kyall being afraid, about the meds making him sick, about everything.....then I took them back and fretted and cried and worried all day!!! Kyall was an excellent patient, didn't cry or complain once through the whole ordeal and I have been so impressed and proud of him. The Dr. did say he had to do more "digging" than expected as the coalition was big and hard to "cut out". Uuggh. Thankfully, Kyall had a constant supply of morphine for 24 hours and really did not feel much pain. When he woke up from the anesthesia, he asked for me but I was not allowed to go see him because of the Hippa laws. Just stick a knife in my heart next time, it felt about the same.
Now we are home and he has been hurting and is having a hard time maneuvering around on crutches with a 10 lb. weight on his cut up foot. The cast is huge and very heavy. He has been a trooper and just wants this all to be over, but the recovery is just beginning and will be a long process. My prayer is that by his first day of middle school, he will be walking well and experiencing no pain on his "new" foot. I know he still has to live with the pain in the other foot until we decide it's a good time to put him through all of this again.
For now, we are thankful for good doctors, good friends, a brother and sister that love and care for Kyall, good pain meds, a great recliner that Kyall has made his little throne, and a God who cares about the big and little trials of our lives. I am praying Kyall will learn some valuable life lessons through all this. I'm sure I could learn a thing or two as well!
About a year ago, I asked some friends if they knew of a good podiatrist in town. Both of them said they had experience with a certain one and that he was great! One of their husbands had actually been operated on by this Dr. So I called him.
Long story short, the Dr. knew just by looking at Kyall's feet that he had tarsal coalition in both feet, pediatric flatfoot in both and that both heel chords were too short and tight. Kyall has lived this past year in daily pain, often limping around the house, often playing and running, just gritting his teeth to the pain. It has been hard to watch. Just last week, he went to summer camp and couldn't stand in line at the cafeteria because it hurt too much after a day of being on his feet a lot.
Operating is the only way to fix all three of these problems, so we knew we had no choice. The Dr. only does one foot at a time so the patient isn't basically an invalid for 2 months, so we chose to do the worse foot first. We also agreed to take care of all 3 problems at the same time.
I gave all my fears to God about the anesthesia, about the pain, about Kyall being afraid, about the meds making him sick, about everything.....then I took them back and fretted and cried and worried all day!!! Kyall was an excellent patient, didn't cry or complain once through the whole ordeal and I have been so impressed and proud of him. The Dr. did say he had to do more "digging" than expected as the coalition was big and hard to "cut out". Uuggh. Thankfully, Kyall had a constant supply of morphine for 24 hours and really did not feel much pain. When he woke up from the anesthesia, he asked for me but I was not allowed to go see him because of the Hippa laws. Just stick a knife in my heart next time, it felt about the same.
Now we are home and he has been hurting and is having a hard time maneuvering around on crutches with a 10 lb. weight on his cut up foot. The cast is huge and very heavy. He has been a trooper and just wants this all to be over, but the recovery is just beginning and will be a long process. My prayer is that by his first day of middle school, he will be walking well and experiencing no pain on his "new" foot. I know he still has to live with the pain in the other foot until we decide it's a good time to put him through all of this again.
For now, we are thankful for good doctors, good friends, a brother and sister that love and care for Kyall, good pain meds, a great recliner that Kyall has made his little throne, and a God who cares about the big and little trials of our lives. I am praying Kyall will learn some valuable life lessons through all this. I'm sure I could learn a thing or two as well!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Trust
Life can be so strange. We plan, save, look forward and prepare but never really know what a day holds or where life may take us.
In the past 4 years, our family has moved from Peru to Sulphur Springs, TX for a year, moved back to Lima, Peru for a year, moved to the jungle town of Pichanaki, Peru for a year, then moved back to Sulphur Springs for another year. Craziness. Now when I am asked a question about the future, I just respond with "Only God knows" because that is the truth. Life (and God) has taken us on many adventures in many different places, most of which I didn't expect or necessarily plan for.
You'd think I'd be the most flexible person in the world by now, but I still really, really like to know things ahead of time and really, really like to be prepared emotionally for changes. Life doesn't always work that way, does it? It does help to be married to the most flexible, adaptable man alive. I am also very grateful to have super resilient children, who take changes in stride and who amaze me with their strength and trust. I can learn a lot from them.
We were able to return to Peru for 2 weeks recently, and work alongside some wonderful people from our home church, Central Baptist. It was such a blessing to see the people in Pichanaki that we were able to win to Christ still attending church, still hungering after God. It was wonderful to leave them with their own property and church building professionally wired (and well painted!). I was inspired by the heart and muscle put into the work during this time. Texans are a strong lot, I'll say that!!!! It was nice to be back in Peru for a time, but I am also so thankful to be back in the USA, back with our church family.
Wherever life takes us, knowing we are following after a Heavenly Father who has already seen our entire life played out and knows exactly where we need to be and when, we can rest in this and trust that His plans are perfect and good.
In the past 4 years, our family has moved from Peru to Sulphur Springs, TX for a year, moved back to Lima, Peru for a year, moved to the jungle town of Pichanaki, Peru for a year, then moved back to Sulphur Springs for another year. Craziness. Now when I am asked a question about the future, I just respond with "Only God knows" because that is the truth. Life (and God) has taken us on many adventures in many different places, most of which I didn't expect or necessarily plan for.
You'd think I'd be the most flexible person in the world by now, but I still really, really like to know things ahead of time and really, really like to be prepared emotionally for changes. Life doesn't always work that way, does it? It does help to be married to the most flexible, adaptable man alive. I am also very grateful to have super resilient children, who take changes in stride and who amaze me with their strength and trust. I can learn a lot from them.
We were able to return to Peru for 2 weeks recently, and work alongside some wonderful people from our home church, Central Baptist. It was such a blessing to see the people in Pichanaki that we were able to win to Christ still attending church, still hungering after God. It was wonderful to leave them with their own property and church building professionally wired (and well painted!). I was inspired by the heart and muscle put into the work during this time. Texans are a strong lot, I'll say that!!!! It was nice to be back in Peru for a time, but I am also so thankful to be back in the USA, back with our church family.
Wherever life takes us, knowing we are following after a Heavenly Father who has already seen our entire life played out and knows exactly where we need to be and when, we can rest in this and trust that His plans are perfect and good.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
A teacher's love
I'm not really a teacher.....yet. That starts in the fall. I feel like a teacher, though, having worked at Kids Central for the last year. I aided, subbed and helped around......and fell in love with the children. I found myself excited when it was one of their birthdays, or when one lost a tooth....I worried when one was sick for too many days, when one couldn't understand something being taught.....I also wanted to spank a couple of them a time or two!
The teachers from Connecticut and more recently in Oklahoma, are called heroes for shielding and protecting their students, and rightly so. I do believe most teachers would do the same. Spending 6-8 hours a day with the same children....eventually they become almost like your own. I heartily applaud and admire the teachers who thought quickly and did what they thought best to protect their students. I weep for the ones who lost their lives and for the ones who had to see their little ones hurt or killed.
One day this past year, the fire alarms went off at our school. My heart about burst through my chest, as the only thing I could think of was the children and getting them out. I panicked that someone might be in the bathroom and be scared or trapped. It wasn't really heroic, just instinctive.....the same as if it would have been in my own home. I knew that I would do anything to keep those kids safe.
I have shed many tears for the people of Conn. and OK in the past few months, thinking of those little ones, but also about what if that would have been the children I love. I can hardly stand to think about it.
There were also two days this year when two male convicts escaped our local jail and were on the loose, considered armed and dangerous. Not having any idea where they were or how desperate they might be, all the schools were on "lockdown" and the teachers personally walked each student out to his/her car during pick-up time. Not only would I have done anything to protect the students I was with, but was deeply grateful to the teachers of my own children for being overly cautious during that time.
It's easy to criticize teachers. It's easy to think they could do better or wish they weren't as strict or whatever. The teachers of younger children are mother figures for them and have many opportunities every day to encourage, comfort and bring a smile to the kids' faces. During the school year, they spend as much or more waking hours with our children then we, the parents do.
They also just might be the ones who save the lives of our children one day. Let's pray for them daily and take every chance to thank them that we get!
The teachers from Connecticut and more recently in Oklahoma, are called heroes for shielding and protecting their students, and rightly so. I do believe most teachers would do the same. Spending 6-8 hours a day with the same children....eventually they become almost like your own. I heartily applaud and admire the teachers who thought quickly and did what they thought best to protect their students. I weep for the ones who lost their lives and for the ones who had to see their little ones hurt or killed.
One day this past year, the fire alarms went off at our school. My heart about burst through my chest, as the only thing I could think of was the children and getting them out. I panicked that someone might be in the bathroom and be scared or trapped. It wasn't really heroic, just instinctive.....the same as if it would have been in my own home. I knew that I would do anything to keep those kids safe.
I have shed many tears for the people of Conn. and OK in the past few months, thinking of those little ones, but also about what if that would have been the children I love. I can hardly stand to think about it.
There were also two days this year when two male convicts escaped our local jail and were on the loose, considered armed and dangerous. Not having any idea where they were or how desperate they might be, all the schools were on "lockdown" and the teachers personally walked each student out to his/her car during pick-up time. Not only would I have done anything to protect the students I was with, but was deeply grateful to the teachers of my own children for being overly cautious during that time.
It's easy to criticize teachers. It's easy to think they could do better or wish they weren't as strict or whatever. The teachers of younger children are mother figures for them and have many opportunities every day to encourage, comfort and bring a smile to the kids' faces. During the school year, they spend as much or more waking hours with our children then we, the parents do.
They also just might be the ones who save the lives of our children one day. Let's pray for them daily and take every chance to thank them that we get!
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