pointing in the right direction...again

I spent some time tonight reading through some old posts. When I came to this one I immediately thought about another circumstance that I've been struggling with over the past 2 weeks. I really needed this reminder about how to deal with this present circumstance and cast of characters.

The following was originally posted on April 18, '07.

I've been struggling with some circumstances lately and in turn struggling with someone who is attached to those circumstances. It is nothing I would want to or could post about here. And, even if I did, I wouldn't be pointing in the right direction. I would be pointing to my circumstances rather than the One who is in control of them - the One I am to respond to with honor.

My new friend, Karen/irritable mother, from Surviving Motherhood left me an encouraging comment on the last post. Here was what she shared with me: Being Real

The whole post was helpful to me but the very last statement is what the Holy Spirit has been posting on the billboards in my head ever since I read it, "...I can be an encourager. I don’t need to point to my circumstance. I can point to Jesus!!!"

Then the topic in Sunday school this past week built on this for me. That is what I hope to share more about sooner rather than much later. The questions He keeps asking me are "How are you going to respond to Me - show others Me in you - how will My Name be glorified through all of this?"

"...All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

'God opposes the proud

but gives grace to the humble.'

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time." - I Peter 5:5b-6 NIV(click for multiple translations)


I want God fighting for me...not opposing me!

Only 44 Days!

Thanks to any who have been praying for my Dad. When I posted It's Only 180 Days, it was hard to even imagine this day, let alone his return in just more than a month!

So as of right now, he still pretty much looks like this...


He's been able to keep in touch really well via e-mail and phone calls. That has helped us all tremendously. And he's obviously been able to send a few pictures. Pictures aren't really his thang but I'm really glad he has sent them and let me share a couple.

We all loved this one of him with some of the gifts we sent.



Only 44 more days and my folks will be smiling like this again. They took this of themselves (hence the extreme close-up) the day they closed on a little cottage in the Thousand Islands this past summer.


We all are pining to be back there again this spring!
Like this...


We'll keep counting the days, Dad!
I love you.

More of Me *gag*

I've been rethinking this thing. My blog. I want to broaden it's scope.

It represents a portion of my journey and who I am. But often I feel a bit confined. I could go into great detail and explain the hows and whys but that would be boring. For you and for me. And basically, it's my blog and I can do what I want.

So, heretofore (I'm not really sure what that means but it seems to fit here) I will be expanding my post subjects to be more representative of who I am day-to-day. Not that I'll be posting day-to-day. If you've hung around here even a little you'll know not to hold your breath. However, I do hope to post more routinely. Uh, and when I figure out the routine you'll be the first to know.

As long as I'm breathing I will continue to experience the spectacular, irrational love of God. He's been revealing His love to me in so many new ways. He has whispered His love over me even in the last few days. It brought me to tears because He did this in spite of my utter neglect in my relationship with Him. Because I'm His child, His daughter. That's it. Also it is my desire, as long as I am breathing, to keep striving to love others as He has and is loving me. And I'm pretty sure I've got enough challenges to last a lifetime. So, irrational love will quite certainly remain a primary thread here.

Sprinkled in and wound all through the glimpses of Him, the spiritual growth spurts and face-plant failures is the rest of me. The whole of my life here on this earth. I want this to be a more accurate sharing of most of me. Most of me 'cause it just ain't healthy, or pretty, for me to share all.

Thanks for journeying with me this far. I hope you'll stay. Either way, I'll be here.

And now that I've used "I" and "me" and "my" more times than I can stomach, I'm off to brush my teeth. Or wash my mouth out with soap.

While I do, you can divert yourself with this.

Brian Regan - I Walked on the Moon!

New Year...New Post!

"Finally!" I can just hear you and you know who you are.

I've Christmased, Partied (Birthdays, Babies & Congratulations) and Happy New Yeared my way through the last few weeks and it shows everywhere. My waistline (or lack there of) - partied right out of my jeans. My living room - looks as if Santa threw-up there. My blogs - stagnating and boring at least a few of my faithful "blog checkers" who quoted the beginning of the last post to me at one said party.

This post will not be quite so substantial but at least it will be something new to look at.
Amy suggested that I post the recipe for our fudge. So, below is suspect #1 in the expansion of my midriff.

Mamie Eisenhower Fudge
4 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 TB butter
1 can evaporated milk
mix & boil 6 minutes

In large bowl have:
12 oz. chocolate chips
4 oz. bitter choc.
2 cups chopped nuts (optional)
1 pint marshmallow cream

Pour boiling syrup over marshmallow and chocolate. Beat until thick and smooth. Add nuts, pour into buttered pan, let cool.

Keep covered in a cool place. Will keep a long while. heh.

More soon...er or later.