New Beginnings...

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about all the changes that are taking place in our life.  It seems like just yesterday we were planning for proms, graduations, weekends with a house full of teenagers, and after school activites.  Those days seemed so crazy and full of chaos back then.  Today they seem like they were a million years ago.  They are nothing but memories, now.  Sweet, precious memories that will always stay close to my heart.  Today is a different story.  As a soon to be empty nester, it can be very challenging to transition to the changes that come with having children become adults.  There are the adjustments to the silence, the free time, and even to the reduction in laundry and household chores.  Although we still have a very active, soon to be 16 year old at home, the house seems empty.  Even he is having a bit of a hard time adjusting to it.  Our yongest has never been alone.  He is looking at two years of being the only child at home, with a soldier brother, and an Air Force spouse sister located acrossed the country.  Not in the same direction, I might add.  So, has hard has it is for us, we are trying to keep things in perspective for him.  Our children have always been close.  We know this is a hard adjustment for him.

One thing we have done, for him, is to try and focus on the fact that he is going to be an only child.  Which, by the way, comes with a certain amount of benefits.  No fighting over the bathroom, mom and dad's full attention, and other things he can look forward to.  For hubby and I, we are trying to focus on the new beginings.  We just recently found out that we will be first time grandparents in December.  Something we are still trying to adjust to, but are extremely excited about.  We are also preparing to watch our only daughter devote her life to a very special young man.  So, there will be a wedding late this summer.  I have also decided to go back to school for my Master's in Nursing.  I feel the best I have in years, and am up for the challenge.  Paul is starting to make more plans for hunting and fishing trips.  Lord, help us all!  My poor garage is already so full of equipment.  But the great outdoors is his sanctuary.   I feel the same about my gardening.  We both enjoy the outdoors.  Just in different ways.  We both believe that nature is one of God's most generous blessings.  It just keeps giving in beauty, in purpose, and in peace.  After all the hard work put into this yard last year, there are so many new flowers and plants starting to grow.  It's newness and excitement seem to reflect the feelings in our family, right now.  Spring is such a wonderful time of year.  A time of new beginnings.  Nothing could be , more true for our family, right now.

The Lord works in mysterious ways.  Doesnt He?  A year ago, I could have never imagined that things would be so good.  I knew and trusted that the Lord had a plan.  I just had no idea that it would be so awesome.  You see, we look at life so differently now.  I look for the positive and beauty in my life everyday.   I give praise to Him everyday for leading us down the path that he has.  The good and the bad.  We have realized that sometimes he gives us challenges and struggles to appreciate the good more and to help keep our faith in Him growing.  Its like the old saying, "Use it or lose it."  This can be said of our faith in God.  In order to let it grow, we have to be able to practice it.  The challenges are never easy.  But they are alwys a way for us to learn more about Gods glory and ourselves.  It has given us more purpose and meaning in everything we do.  Much love and many blessings!  

An Easter Message...

Back when our children were small, I proposed the idea of introducing them to Christ.  My husband had very little background in what it meant to live as a Christian.  I could tell over the course of our marriage that something had been missing.  So, I did what I always did.  I prayed on it.  As a young girl, I was raised in a Catholic household.  I can remember my mom or dad coming into my room to wake me early on Sunday mornings to ensure that we were all dressed, fed, and to service by 9a.m..  Over the course of time we did not go to services as regularly.  However, my parents still ran a household that served God.  We said prayers at night, said grace at dinner, practiced Christian values, and still attended services with various friends of different denominations.  My parents never refused an opportunity for us to grow in our relationship with Christ.  I wanted the same for our children.  I wanted them, and my husband, to know the fulfillment and overwhelming love that can only be experienced through a relationship with God.  After praying on it for a couple of weeks and touching on the subject with my husband, I decided that it was time to get back to my roots.  My biggest hope was that my family would embrace the opportunity.  My biggest fear was that they would think I was nuts and want nothing to do with it.  So, I set out a plan of attack.  I got up before the kids and hubby, got dressed, and started getting the kids up one by one.  I told them that we were going to church and that they would learn something new today.  Then, I took a deep breath and woke up my husband.  I simply said, "Honey, it is time to get up.  The kids and I are going to church this morning.  Service starts at 11:00 a.m..  It is 10:00a.m., right now.  If you would like to go, I am leaving at 9:45.  If not, I understand, but would really love it if you were with us". Fifteen minutes later, a handsome, well dressed man stepped out of the bedroom with keys in hand and a big smile.  "Let's go," he said.  The rest is history. 

Since that day, we have planted the seeds of Christ in the running of our home and the nurturing of our children.  Are we a perfect Christian family.  By no means.  However,  I can say with much confidence that no family is.  The past few years we have come to rely on our faith and trust in God so much.  A year ago, I was laying in the hospital, with a mouth full of stitches, my face altered, and unsure of where my future would be.  But one thing I never doubted was God's purpose.  My family also felt that way.  They never once questioned why.  They just supported me and prayed, as well.  I spent nine months relearning how to talk, eat, tips and exercises to strengthen my facial muscles, and my body.  Due to stress and not being on my meds, I could barely move, let alone walk.  Therefore, a very slow rehabilitation started to get my entire body back into shape.  My family never stopped believing in me, and God held my hand the whole way.  I had pretty much been told to apply for disability.  Not something I wanted to hear or accept.  So, I prayed and prayed.  For whatever reason, in my heart, I knew that was not what I was meant to do at that time.  I made a deal with myself and with the Lord.  The deal was that if I wasn't healthy enough to go back to work by the end of the year, I would throw in my towel and apply for disability.  I got the clearance to go back in June, applied for over twenty positions, and prayed to God that if I wasn't meant to be there then don't let me be offered the position.  So I continued to exercise, eat right, follow a strict medication regimine, and attend my doctors appointments.  Then, one afternoon, the phone rang.  It was an offer to take my old position back.  I jumped at it, knowing that if I wasn't meant to be there, God wouldn't have brought the chance to do it.

Here we are a year later and I am simply amazed at what God has blessed us with.  We are getting ready for our youngest to turn sixteen.  Our daughter will be getting married in just a short few months.  Our oldest and his wonderful wife are expecting our first grandchild.  Which is still sinking in.  Haha!  I am back to work and feel better then I have in a very long time.  I have been able to pursue some opportunities in writing and am getting ready to go back to school to become a Nurse Practioner.  What a difference a year makes!  I have no explanation for it except that the Lord had His hand in it.  I think about the sacrifices and the trials we suffered along the way.  Yet, it pales to the comparison to the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us.  When I think of the pain and the cruelty He endured, it brings tears to my eyes.  I don't know anyone who would willingly do that for anyone.  I don't know any parent that would sacrifice their son to save the lives of millions.  It is sad how we see our problems and misfortunes has if they were the worst thing anyone could go through.  Don't get me wrong.  Some of us are dealing with some pretty awful battles.  I don't make light of these struggles, at all.  My point is that, no matter the problem, we don't have to go through it alone.  Someone loved us so much that He gave His life for us.  A love that can not be measured.  A love that was proven three days later, when Jesus was resurrected.  This resurrection stands as a promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him.  It gives us hope and allows us to believe that we can overcome anything.  We can confide and lean on our Lord and Savior.  He wants us to.  He has never let me down.  He won't let you down either.  I promise.  Much love and many blessings!  Oh, and HAPPY EASTER!