The Wonder of the Season

David and I just returned from a much needed mini-vacation We did absolutely nothing worthwhile except rested and enjoyed each other's company. But, now it's the 1st of December and the "race is on"! Cooking, cleaning, shopping, wrapping gifts, Christmas cards, decorating... I'm exhausted just thinking of all I've yet to get done! We will be blessed to have both boys and their families with us for this Christmas. We are so excited about all we want to do while they are here. I want everything to look like Martha Stewart's been hanging out at my house! (Of course, Martha's on a strict budget if she's at my house) With my never-ending check list, I risk missing the wonder of this season. The celebration of the birth of my Savior. In the giving of gifts, we remember the greatest gift of all, Jesus.

Sweet friends, take the time in the weeks ahead to enjoy the blessings you have instead of buying what you do not need. Embrace the excitement of the children in the mall (instead of wishing their parents had hired a sitter!) Look for ways to enhance the season for those who are lonely or in need.

A month from now, Christmas 2008 will be over, but the memories of it will last a lifetime. Make the time to make a memory.

IN A HEARTBEAT, EVERYTHING CHANGES...

Yesterday was a special day in the Haines' family. Jeremy and Jessica went to the doctor and heard the heartbeat of their second child. And immediately, we became the grandparents of 3 children! Now, I know that God had already begun to knit that sweet baby together inside Jes. But, Thursday made it official... another blessing is on the way to our family. This little blessing came as a surprise to all of us, but not to God. He knew exactly what we all needed.

Much has been said these past months about change. Even "good" changes can be challenging for some of us! There are a great many things that can change in a heartbeat. A well spoken word restores hope to the hopeless; A distracted driver runs a red light; A rebellious life is given to the Savior; A suspicious spot appears on an x-ray. With any of these situations, our lives will be changed in a heartbeat. But, you and I can rest knowing our Savior will be a constant fixture. He is an unchanging God. He is our Hope. He is our Rock. He is our Peace.

My family is changing again. We can hardly wait. I am not worried over the future, because my God is already there. My sweet in-laws celebrate birthdays this month. They were both born in the early 20's. They have spent their entire life trusting God for their family. They have seen so much "change" in their 80+ years. I cannot even imagine what changes my grandchildren will see in the next 80 years! But, I do know my faithful God will be there for them with every heartbeat!

WHAT'S YOUR SIGN

I love collecting little signs that have cute sayings on them. For example,
"I'm not a nag, I'm a motivational speaker" or "I love you more than yesterday. Yesterday you really got on my nerves". They mostly hang in my kitchen to give me something to laugh about when I am cooking and cleaning up (two things I do not find much humor in.)Some of the plaques are from friends who know me way too well, "Dear God, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth!" One of my newest signs says, "Some of life's greatest blessings call me Nonnie" and as soon as Jackson and Gavin can talk, they will!

I wonder sometimes what our life's signs look like to the others. "I'm too blessed to be stressed" or "Don't mess with me, I'm hormonal!" (I have been both!) Do people see the joy of the Lord on our faces or do they only see brokeness and bitterness? Does our demeanor welcome people or warn them to keep their distance? When life has given me lemons, I have sometimes made lemonade but, sometimes I forgot to add the sugar and everyone went away with a sour experience. What power we hold in our own hands. Power to influence good and bad. Power to build up or to tear down. Power to make healthy or wound. I don't know about you, but I am sure glad I have the Lord Jesus in my heart. I would be hopeless without Him.

So, today I am going to dust off the pictures in my heart and make sure they reflect the right messages to those I meet. I encourage you to do the same. Oh, by the way, "You don't have to drive me crazy, I'm close enough to walk!"

REMEMBER

Last week David went to San Antonio on business and I tagged along. I apologize for those who are reading who are not from Texas. But, for Texans, a trip to San Antonio is not complete without a visit to "The Alamo". When our boys were growing up, we made yearly trips to this historic shrine where men and women fought to the death for the cause of freedom. David explained the history that happened on this sacred ground to the boys with a hushed voice and tears in his eyes. He always sat me down outside the small mission and told me, "if you can't behave and be quiet, you need to stay outside." I never failed to be offended, but usually I just waited for them at the entrance. I don't know alot, but I do know my weaknesses!

It is sometimes easier on our pride to forget our past, rather then to remember our own personal history. Easier, perhaps, but not wiser. God uses every battle fought, every mistake made, every victory won and every experienced defeat to shape us for use in His kingdom. The best lessons I have taught have been the ones I learned from mistakes. My most precious victories have been carved from relentless battles.

I encourage you to take a walk down memory lane today and marvel at the places you have been and been brought through. Make sure you teach your children and grandchildren about God's faithfulness in your history.

By the way, the main reason for our visit last week was to get our new baby grandson, Gavin, a "Remember the Alamo" t-shirt. Jackson already has his. Grand D (David) almost wept thinking about teaching his grandson's about Texas history!

LESSONS FROM MY YORKIE

Today my little dog, Valli, ran away. I was sitting on the patio having my quiet time, when I realized it had been a few minutes since I had last seen her. I looked for her, called her and even resorted to squeaking her favorite toy thinking she would come running. She did not. I drove the neighborhood and didn't see her. I was just about to have a melt down when I spotted her leaving the subdivision by way of a very busy street. She came when I called, but she knew she was in trouble. I was so relieved, all I could do was hug her tightly.

I've had my feelings hurt all day over her behavior. You see, this little 6 pound Yorkie is the "apple of my eye". I let her get away with just about anything. With my boys all grown up and so far away, I have poured all of my considerable maternal instincts into this little fuzz ball. After all of that, she decides to leave the safety of our fenced backyard and my presence!

Actually, she sounds a little like me... God has done everything for me. I am indeed the "apple of His eye". He's met every need I have including my salvation and yet I still like to wander off and check the offerings just up the road from His presence. I keep thinking I might be missing something! He just keeps calling me and I keep running back knowing once again, I'm in trouble, but He is faithful.

TREASURE HUNTING


David and I went to an estate sale this morning. Boring... I know, but we just love looking for treasures. David found a tool of some sort that guarantees you will drill perfectly straight holes in your woodworking projects. He does not have any woodworking projects and I can't remember the last time he needed to drill holes in anything, but nevertheless, if the need arises, we are ready!

Going through the things that are part of an estate sale always make me pause and wonder what will be left of David and I when God moves us to our eternal address. (After moving twice in the last two years, Praise God, He will be doing the relocating for us!) We don't have things of great value that will attract antique dealers. Our treasures have more to do with memories and the people who created them. I so hope what we leave behind will not be things, but will be legacies that our children and grandchildren will always be able to treasure. I pray they will clearly see a lifeline to Jesus and all He blessed the Haines' with. I will be delighted if they remember they laughed their heads off at the antics of their Mom and Dad. I will truly be blessed if they will remember they come from a long line of love, committment and grace.

So years from now, when the time comes for Jeremy and Jordan to sort through everything, hopefully memories will fill the biggest boxes. Of course, if memories are not enough to treasure, there's always that drill press!

Fall is in the Hair!

Houston, Texas offers many things... but no seasons! (We have bunches of seasonings in the Tex-Mex food, but our seasons are limited to Summer and just a day or two of the other 3) Today is fall. Tomorrow, we might be back to the almost 90's, but today I am happy and so is my hair! Lot's of body, no frizz, and it stayed the way I fixed it to stay. I even wore long sleeves (and hardly sweated at all) I love fall.

There are uncomfortable situations in each of our lives that seem to go on forever. Just when you think you cannot possibly handle it another day, God comes through. You wake up one morning and God has replaced the intenseness of your life with the cooling, soothing comfort of his peace and presence. One season has passed into another and you have survived. I want you to know, my intense season has not passed just yet, but I decided today to claim the victory over my circumstance. I know I am going to make it. I know you are going to make it as well.
I just wish I could stay the way He fixed me to stay!

I've got to run, I think I might make chili for dinner.