Tag Archives: faith

Live Life

In my job as a CT Technologist I see a LOT of stuff. In my 22 years of working, I’ve learned to compartmentalize in order to keep my sanity. I’ve seen a lot and I see a LOT. The kind of stuff that regularly makes me shut up about my “little problems” and stuff that makes me say, “Gee, those are the same symptoms I’ve been having and holy……..”, stuff that makes me take a little more time with a patient, go the extra mile, give the extra smile and sometimes even the hug (although generally I save those for my 80-somethings who shamelessly flirt with me). You having a bad day? Come hang with me sometime, we’ll put that pity party to bed. Today was another day.

Today, we had a 51-year-old male newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. 51. 51!!!

A 53-year-old woman with a middle schooler and a high schooler with Stage 3 colon cancer.

And this morning, I learned that a sweet former acquaintance from the Junior League went home from work yesterday not feeling well and laid down for a bit. She never woke up. She leaves behind 3 boys and a husband and a river wide of mourning friends.

I was the early girl today at work and when I got home, my husband was already home. God knows what we need and when we need it. Today I needed his strong arms and shoulder to cry on.

People, get busy living.

Saint Nick was Olive

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snatched the image from HERE

There’s a big debate on a newscaster who said that Santa Claus is white….yes, you can merely imagine the uproar over that one, because I’m suuuuuuuuure she had no idea that making a statement like that would start ANY racist discussions at all. I’m certain. Right? Besides, she said she was making a joke and people should lighten up, however…..the comment sure lit up the interwebz.

I am about to make a statement, however, that IS most likely true: Saint Nicholas was most probably olive, not so white. Born in the region of the southern coast of Turkey, he would most likely be olive-skinned. Logistically and realistically speaking. You can read more about him HERE. Since Santa Claus’ origin is often tied to St.Nick, it’s odd he’d be “white”, however….SC=fictional, St. Nicholas=real, feel free to make your own judgement.

Also, here’s another newsbreaker: Jesus Christ was of Middle Eastern descent, which would make him mocha/brown. Gasp. All we have to do is look at people born in the Middle East, typically they aren’t Nordic looking. Ammiright? Again, another odd idea that he’d be the only white man in a sea of not so white people.

While we are on the subject, let’s explore a few other characters:

Easter Bunny: unknown color of fur, would it change the basket of chocolate if we knew?

Tooth Fairy: unknown color of wings/outfit/hair, etc, does it change the reward per tooth if we had a color scheme?

Great Pumpkin: we can only assume orange, but in light of all these odd suggestions, I just don’t know.

In summary, does color REALLY matter? It shouldn’t. If it does, maybe we are focused on the wrong things. As for me, when I pray, I’m praying to the PERSON, not to the color. His promises surpass race, shouldn’t our responses to Him do likewise?

As for all the fictional folk everyone’s worried about, let’s remember; they aren’t real. This fighting over skin color of someone who is fictional? Well, that’s just weird.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you”, says the Lord, “They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Christmas Cookies and a Christmas Message

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Cookie monster heaven

Every year (almost) for the past 11(?) years, my former roommate, her mother-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law host a cookie exchange at Christmas. Although we only live about 30 minutes-ish from each other, this is our ONE time of year we get to visit and catch up. Ah, this busy life. Anyway, this cookie exchange is THE cookie exchange of cookie exchanges.

My roomie and I. We glow.

These ladies start in the summer with preparations, menus, taste testing and I believe—-even some cooking and freezing. Come December, they each invite scores of lady friends across the social circles of high school, church, work, neighbors and so on. It’s a FULL HOUSE and often many reunions are taking place.

Holy COW!!

Aside from the cookie swapping, there is a massive spread of various hors d’oeuvres, tea, water and coffee and prior to the number calling and cookie picking they do a little something as a reminder of the reason we celebrate Christmas: Jesus Christ. One year, there was a Worship dancer from Hawaii (a high school friend of one of the gals) who did a traditional Hawaiian dance to a wonderful contemporary Christian song, other years have been stories and small skits. Among this large and varied group, the message is clear: this get-together is a fellowship ministry for women sharing life with Christ as the centerpiece of this gathering.

The tale of the Three Trees. A must have for Advent and Christmas reading!!

Every year the family looks forward to the various cookies and recipes I bring home and I look forward to the time with my friend and her family and running into new and old friends. Next year, they’ll take a year off, however, my friend and I have already pencilled it in the calendar for dinner the first week of December 2014!!

Some things we will never understand

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On Friday, I received a phone call from our neighbor, they needed a sitter that evening to attend a prayer service. The service was for one of her young teachers who very suddenly and unexpectedly lost her husband that morning. Married only 5 months, and 12 weeks along with their first child, a recent graduate from the local chiropractic college, this couple had their whole life ahead of them. I did not know them. I do not need to know them to know that this is a tragedy of which there may never be any answers until we get to heaven. Maybe.

And so, with life completely upended we look to Trust in the Lord and have Faith in His plan knowing it is always far better than we could possibly imagine….even in the midst of a black, thick fog of grief.

By Thy resurrection from the dead, O Christ, death no longer hath dominion over those who die in holiness. So, we beseech Thee, give rest to Thy servants in Thy sanctuary and in Abraham’s bosom. Grant it to those, who from Adam until now have adored Thee with purity, to our fathers and brothers, to our kinsmen and friends, to all men who have lived by faith and passed on their road to Thee, by a thousand ways, and in all conditions, and make them worthy of the heavenly kingdom.

And if it’s on your heart, you can donate here:

http://www.gofundme.com/5fd75k

The marathon that is sobriety

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I had the blessing of attending a gratitude dinner with my Hubs this weekend for AA. It was an area-wide event and easily attended by 200+ people. Tables of 8, dinner of Thanksgiving foods (appropriately themed) and a desert table groaning under the redonkulous amounts of sugar and butter. It was a pleasure to put faces to names of the Hubs friends, just fantastic people. A few observances of mine throughout the evening:

Coffee. Water. Lots and lots of coffee and water.
Laughter. Smiles. Tons. No grumpy, long faces. Joy.
Introductions everywhere (thank God for nametags!)
Rekindled friendships.

There was a speaker who gave his story of 30+ years of sobriety. A lovely, 70-something man with at times an emotionally shaky voice as he recalled his life, peppered with witty comments and hindsight observances. There was no “massive event” in his life that is present in many alcoholic stories (and drug stories); mainly a life of alcohol-centered living, obnoxious behavior and a wife (and family) that had enough. His message: there doesn’t need to be a “massive event” to stop drinking, but if you have repeated comments, suggestions, pleas from family and friends to “do something about your drinking”, it’s a red flag. Sadly, not everyone sees it until it is too late.

At the end of the evening there was a sobriety countdown. Starting with the most years sober (52) and counting down to the shortest span of sobriety (2 days). It was humbling, impressive and hopeful and I found myself tearing up and that marathon that those with the least sobriety had ahead of them and yet with the amazing support in that room……hopeful in that they had every tool available to them to take each day….one day at a time.

Sadly, we did not win the 50/50 drawing…shucks!!! $350!!! However, I sure came away richer than I arrived.

Hebrews 12:1

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

making the trek

Trekking through life: Faith, family, friends and a whole lot of coffee!