The Answer is so clear at the end of the day...

This morning as I was doing my daily devotions I had a personal revelation that touched an area of my life that I had totally surrendered about 30 years ago. I realized this morning I had made an adjustment based on a man's interpretation of what my ministry life should look like. So, here I am thirty years later... realizing how my life has been shaped and directed by that one decision. I am not upset or even concerned about the decision I made way back then...I am, however, delighted at this point to realize that I am free to be who God created me to be and that the old desires to follow Christ in a particular vein are still viable desires. God fanned the flame with HIS breath today. God knows the seasons of our lives and HIS original design is not lost or misplaced, but often hidden for safe keeping until the appointed time. Thank you God for your creative power in our lives. I am looking forward with renewed passion to see the works of Jesus' day performed in our city in 2007. Take heart saints of God, those desires to see the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the lost saved are being delivered to the church, as we press into the Kingdom of God. Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down, shaken together and running over. There is a beckoning by the Spirit of God to pray for the miraculous display of God's might all over the earth. Will you be one of those who contend for the impossible?

The Last Friday of the Year 2006

Lots of thoughts are running through my head! Thoughts of things I wish had happened in 2006, memories of things I wish had not happened in 2006, and hopes for things I want to happen in 2007. Over two thousand years ago on a dark Friday Jesus Christ was laid in a tomb following HIS crucifixion...out of death sprung life because Christ arose on the third day. Tho this may seem like any other Friday I believe there is life that will spring forth because our family has chosen to follow Christ through all the perils of the last three years. My faith in God is strengthened and my confession of HIS faithfulness is sure. I know God is in control and therefore I will wait patiently on HIS design for my life to unfold. My prayer for each of you is that you know Christ! May you find joy in following a Risen Savior. Make the last few days of 2006 count!

Sick grandchildren!

I find it very hard to understand why children have to be sick. Today, my two little grandsons up the street were sick. To make matters worse their mother had to work. She noramlly does not work on Thursdays, so, the two little guys came down to our house to spend the day. Popa ended up joining in on the viral bug...I found them all with fevers and shivers. The little guys called the shots for the day. They got to eat when and what they wanted all day long and the TV was on the whole day...I was sick of cartoons and movies. Popa is feeling a little better tonight and we ate some of the left-overs. The rest I am throwing out tomorrow. I cannot believe we are in the final days of 2006. I hope the grandsons quickly recover and we can welcome in the New Year without coughs and colds. My empathy meter registeres high when the tykes are sick...I am sure God's empathy meter registeres higher when I am in distress. Thank You God that you never leave us or forsake us.
Take Heart God is well acquainted with your sufferings and your joys.

Officially?

Today is officially my wedding anniversary! Yesterday was officially Christmas. I do not know if it is the official day of the birth of Christ or not. I am officially a "Nona" and it is quite debatable by my children's offspring as to whether that is a reason to celebrate. When I encounter my grandchildren I celebrate the pure joy of their existence. I know God, my heavenly Father, loves to encounter HIS children and HIS delight in each of us is official. Time marches on, as surely as the sun sets and rises. It is what we do with the time that sets into place the official memories in our lives. I officially invited Jesus Christ to be my Savior at the age of four. I officially married my beloved husband thirty-six years ago. Officially I gave birth to our three daughters and officially handed them over in marriage to their husbands. They officially began and continue to build their own families with our lives as the backdrop. I have come to realize how important it is that Jesus Christ be the backdrop to our lives. To every detail of our lives. That our worhsip of the King of Kings be lived out in the daily expression of who we are. I officially represent Jesus to the world around me; it is important to stop and take stock of how well I am doing. Officially, I am tired after the holidays, company, extra cooking and cleaning, and yet I am sure that God is still delighted by my very existence. Oh, how HE loves me! HE loves you too. Take heart and officially engage in your relationship with God.

3 days until my 36th Wedding Anniversary

Some are consumed with the fact that Christmas is in two days. I am in awe that 36 years ago I was in the finally hours of planning my wedding. My maternal grandparents were married on the same day in 1926. What possesses young people to get married in the same week as Christmas? My daughters attended a wedding last night, December 22, 2006. I cannot help but wonder if the new bride will experience the same anniversary celebration I have over the years. Christmas runs right into our anniversary, even if my husband wants to take me out, I am usually too tired and beg off. We spend the bulk of our money on our offspring and their offspring... besides I have to ask myself, who needs anything? I certainly do not...I am blessed beyond description. I have a great husband, wonderful children, exceptional grandchildren and good friends. Life is not always what I anitcipated but it is filled with the joy of knowing Jesus Christ and being able to trust in HIS divine care. One of the greatest celebration is living with Popa throughout a difficult year and still loving each other. It is my prayer that Jesus give us many more years together, years to serve HIM, serve our family, serve our friends and to extend the kingdom of God. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve....imitate Christ and give love to all you encounter.

Making all the right connections!

Popa and I were in a car accident in July and so we have multiple appointments to keep every week. We ususlly each see the physical therapist twice, the chiropractor two or three times, the primary care doctor every couple of weeks and a specialists here and there. It is a full time job to remember the appointments and to arrive on time. Popa got some trigger point injections today and the medicene seemed to connect with the right spots. I often wonder at the all knowing, ever present aspect of God. HE makes all the right connections every single time. HIS ways are perfect, above finding out. I am extremely grateful HE connected with me and granted me the gift of eternal life. I connected today with youngest daughter who is finally feeling a little better, then we connected with her hubby and two little sons. It is so amazing the joy that certain connections bring to my heart. I am sure that God's heart is filled with joy each time HE connects with mankind. If you haven't made his acquaintence yet, why don't you connect with HIM today?

What's a Nona to do?

It is really frustrating when I cannot get the computer to do what I want it to. I remember when Popa use to say this to me with great disgust. I would tell him "the computer only does what you tell it to". Now the verbage I handed out to him has come home to roost. I have lost some of my computer language and am handicapped when I try to succesfully navigate through my laptop. I am even handicapped to a greater degree when I try to help others with their laptops. Different operating systems do confuse this aging Nona's mind. The Bible talks about letting your yes be yes and your no be no! The problem is I can no longer differentiate some of the yes' and no's. The grandsons are very quick to tell me how easy it is to fix something...they have all sorts of creative ideas. This Nona, however, struggles with trusting their optimism. Two of them spent the afternoon here and were very disgusted with my breathing when I fell asleep. I was so tired from all the trips on the worldwide web earlier in the day. Tomorrow is another day, it is a new day, filled with enough problems of its own...so I won't be to anxious to fill it up with any more worries. The Christ of Christmas came to bring the solutions to man's quest for truth and answers. I will rely on HIM more tomorrow.

AT LAST!

I have been trying for several days to get into my blog sight. As you can tell I have been unsuccessful until tonight. I had to choose a new password! YUK! This sometimer has enough trouble remembering her favorite password. Today was a very full day...my youngest daughter is sick and so I had to privilege of having my two grandsons for the day. They are such good sports...Popa and I drug them all over the mall. We made carmel apples and had some good turkey soup for lunch. Popa and I took the boys home then got ready for a church covet Christmas party. I am not much good at coveting. There was one gift there that would have been great to come home with, however, the best gift was seeing it go home with a really awesome lady. I am blessed that she will really enjoy the homemade soaps and candles. I am tired and may be the babysitting grandma tomorrow...so off to bed I go. For my two really good girl friends out there...you are wonderful gifts to my life all year round. I pray good tidings of great joy upon both of you as we enter this final week of celebrating the KING of KINGS birth.

Eternity

My Step-Dad's father passed away on Friday night after a week of hospitalization. My Step-Dad is a great guy who will miss his Dad. He was a war veteran, in fact he was second in command on the nuclear bomb dropping. He felt he served his country well and prevented Japanese from being our national language, as such he will be buried with full military honors this week at a veteran's cemetery in Oregon. As a family, probably one of the greatest regrets is that we are not sure that he took care of his eternal homeland. Life is always changing on this earth, new life begins and life ends for others. The cycle continues with or without our permission. God is Sovereign and HE does as HE wills! We get to chose to acknowledge HIS supreme power over our lives or not. Understanding life and the will of God is not guaranteed, what is guaranteed is that God does all things well. HE gives and HE takes away....Blessed be the Name of the LORD! If you have not made reservation for your home in eternity there is no better day than today. Call upon the name of the Lord, believe that HE is the Son of God, and you will be assured of a home in eternity with God himself.

Glowputt

It was a very full week-end. Popa and I traveled to Portland to be with my mom and her husband for an early Christmas Celebration. Our oldest daughter and her three children came for the day on Saturday. It is always a delight to have our only granddaughter around....we played tic-tac-toe and hangman while the twin boys took a nap with Popa. The "bruds", as the family calls the twins, are talking and asking "what's that" with each breath. We enjoyed their inquistive company. What a joy to have grandchildren in the house. Tonight we took the other two grandsons to "GLOWPUTT" a miniature golf course inside the mall that glows in the dark. The boys were more concerned with getting around the course than they were with hitting the ball a minimal amount of times. It was a good time consumer. We then let them ride those money guzzling cars, airplanes, trains, ice cream truck, etc. that kids love. We checked out the "robots" at Radio Shack and hit the kids play area for a few minutes. Then of course Popa had to let them buy a couple of "Hotwheels". Time to load up the troops and head home. The cold air is brisk and the flickering lights cause our oldest grandson some concern...he wanted to know if we had a mergency radiator at home. I had to tell him the bad news...Nona and Popa do not have an emergency generator. He thought maybe we should locate all the candles and flash lights in the house just in case. It is always good to have a back up plan. I cannot help but think how important it is to have an eternal plan. This is the season we celebrate the birth of Christ, the very son of God who came to be our Savior. Just as the wise men searched for him long ago, I hope you find yourselves in search of the promised Messiah.

Chaos!

Today was a day of chaos! It began chaotic and it ends chaotic. I will just leave you to fill in the blanks!

Hoorah!

Good News, the cards are done and ready to mail. 2 blogs in one day, what is up? Well, I found some Christmas presents in the closet I forgot I had bought earlier in the year. Oh, Happy Day! Two little boys, whom my daughter has now named Herbie and Big Weld are going to be so happy when Nona pulls all of their gifts out from under the tree. Ms. Violet will be surprised herself...I cannot believe the size of pajamas I had to buy her; she loves footie j's. I only have batteries to buy to power all the toys Nona and Popa will be handing out this Christmas. Batteries cost a fortune and kids forget to turn their new toys off...so it is always helpful to have backup batteries available. It is getting to be a lot like Christmas around here now that the cards are finally finished. The two tykes down the street are expecting something grand...I hope what I bought qualifies! Next week, I will be baking homemade candies...it is so much fun...I can't wait. Look out Almond Roca, I am geared for the best batch ever. Peanut Brittle is my favorite, so of course, there will be a big batch of that. Martha Washington's for hubby and eldest daughter, of course, she wants hers without the nuts and coconut...so one recipe now makes 3 different kinds of bon bons. Hoorah! Hoorah! Hoorah! Christmas is all about giving...I am excited to give away love, candy, presents, and anything else that makes my family happy. Youngest son-in-law wants a chocolate cream pie and that he shall have. Hmmmm!

Still Trying

I am still trying to get those Christmas cards made and in the mail. What possessed me to think that I could make 85 - 100 Christmas Cards that require a great deal of detail and time, address an equal amount of envelopes and pay the postage on this noble venture of mine? Well, let me tell you...I am losing the Holiday Spirit fast! I have blisters on my fingers from cutting out candy canes and holly leaves. I would rather be spending money I don't have. I wonder if God ever gets tired of encouraging us to make right choices, I know one thing HE is still trying. The character of God is one of committment, steadfastness, and absolute care for mankind. Maybe HE is still trying to become the Lord and Savior of your life. This Christmas Season would be the perfect time to become a Christ-follower. Take heart God is committed to us, HE never changes and HE cares for each one of us.

Nona plans go awry!

When I started this blog my plan was to daily write down my thoughts. The problem arose when I lost track of what day it was and couldn't remember my thoughts. Time has elapsed and I am once again almost sane. Almost being the cliff hanger. Some would say that I have never been sane, others would say that my sanity is like the weather....ever changing, and still others would say sanity is only a frame of mind. Exactly, sane is described by our perspective! My perspective in this moment in time allows me to relay to my readers that "my plans to mail my annual Christmas letter the first week of December" is not happening. This is the second week in December and life is as busy as ever...I continue to be delighted in the ease and acceptance of children..."well", my grandson says, "next week might be a better week". So, I have adjusted my plans to possibly mailing out the Christmas letter this week...who knows this week might just be a better week! Happy Holidays to each one of you. Life is better when we accept the ups and downs without too much fuss.

Nona is baking!

This week has been hectic, returning from Mexico and getting ready for a ladies tea at the church. I have spent a lot of time jounaling about the Mexico trip and am still not done. Today was the day I had set aside to bake for the ladies tea tomorrow. I haven't made a Danish Puff in a long time; I made up for it today by making three of them. Made pineapple custard from scratch to fill phyllo cups with in the morning...then a dallop of whip cream and I think all will be done. My team has done an amazing of job of making thumb print cookies, amassing chocolate truffles, and making boston creme puffs from scratch. Thank you all very much. I dicided to make turkey noodle soup for dinner. In the middle of all of this I printed off this year's holiday letter. What a feat? The trick will be to get all the Christmas cards made and in the mail by Christmas. Life is full and seems to be getting more and more crowded. In all the busyness, Christ is the focus and the everlasting joy of life. Be Blessed!

What day is it?

Tired minds wander aimlessly! Tired minds are the aftermath of tired bodies. I am still trying to catch up on the sleep I missed last week. For some reason I awake early and find myself up padding around the house without purpose. The necessary pursuits of life seem momentous. I find myself ignoring the laundry and the house cleaning at sunrise. God was definitely pursuing me in the early hours today and I found myself reading HIS promises from the book of Zechariah. It is awesome to know that God desires to bless his creation. There are so many benefits to not walking through life unconnected to my creator. As a Christ-follower I find new meaning in every day. I pray that God's son, Jesus of Nazareth, will become even more the focus of my life as we approach the celebration of His birth. No matter what day it is, it is a good day to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

I gave my two grandsons a little souvenir from Mexico today. They were very excited to try their hand at a string puppet with a straw hat. The joy of seeing them attempt to bring the puppets to life with the twist of the strings was great. They are awesome little guys who pull the strings of this Nona's heart with huge success.

Afterthoughts

I woke up early today and decided to record my thoughts. We performed the mime 10 times in 4 days. Several of us on the team had asked that "healing" be released on this trip - there were several instances where we thought "why not now, God?" or "You missed a great opportunity, God. The things is we sowed healing at every performance. The opportunity for prayer was extended to anyone in the crowd who needed healing. Yet, on the last day of trip and the day we were to fly home, our friend who suffers from vertigo, asked for prayer to stop the oncoming systoms of a spinning world and God performed a miracle. She was fine, able to fly the long trip home, able to continue her normal routine upon her arrival home. I do not understand yet I praise God that HE did show up on her behalf. I am daily aware that God's ways are above my ways, and HIS thoughts above my thoughts.

Where has Nona been for the last week?

For those of you who are closely connected to my life....you know I have been in San Blas, Mexico. A team of twelve people traveled to Mexico to perform a mime called "Zion". Our theme Scripture for the week was Philemon verse 7. I will attempt to outline for you my thoughts according to the days we were gone.

Day 1: We got very little sleep last night and spent all day traveling by air, waiting in airports and traveling by rental cars to the city of San Blas, Mexico. There are 6 women and 6 men on this trip. My husband and I are the only married couple traveling together on this particular missionary outreach. There are 3 young people on the trip, 2 girls and 1 young man. These three are part of the 12.

Day 2: Yesterday was a very long day. We got up at 3:20 a.m. - left Eugene, Or at 6:00 a.m. - arrived Los Angeles at 9:05 a.m. - left L.A. at 1:15 - arrived Puerto Vallarta at 6:00 p.m. - rented vehicles and drove to San Blas, arrived 10:00 p.mish. Long Day, did I say long day? I feel like I have been up for days. Mexico is tropical here in San Blas. Wide blade grass, palms, bouganvilla, and lots of noise in the air. One is always reminded that God makes the journey with us.! It is such a comfort to know HIS continual care. Jesus is truly the sweetest name I know. Holy Spirit make a way for us to express God's heart today. Psalms 4:8. I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Oh Lord, make me dwell in safety. You and only you my God are able to keep me - Your protection is a great comfort. Thank You God.

Day 3. Good Morning Lord,
Your faithfulness reigns in my life. Oh, how good it is when brethren dwell together in unity. Our troupe performed the mime twice yesterday, 64 souls were touched. The time passes slowly and quickly all at once. Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. HE cares for those who trust in him. Thank you Lord for your great care. God wants to demonstrate himself in signs and wonders today, everyday! My cry is that He use me and the entire team. May the measure of faith that is in each of us find release today. Big, Big, Big, A Big God is who we serve.

Day 4. Psalms 66:19-20 (please look it up and read it for yourself, so I don't have to type it) God is concerned with all that concerns me. I am amazed that evey kindred, every tribe longs to be connected to their maker. There is such a longing in the hearts of mankind to know their God with passion. Desperation often leads to total surrender, but, oh how sweet it is when we choose to commune with God because we recognize HIS constraining love. Today, my maker, my God I reach out to you with my whole being out of the profound knowledge that you love me. Help me today to be upright and holy in all of my ways. 136 people have prayed the sinner's prayer with us - Father God, may your great love constrain them and cause them to mature in you.

Day 5. 1 Thess 5:11 (read it for yourself, it is good)
Father, on this day that is set aside to honor you make us a direct extension of your character. We want to encourage and build up your people. Holy Spirit come flow through us as you desire. May lives be restored and the abundant life you have promised be made evident in each one of us. Power and glory are yours, Oh God, release them to us today - we expect to see evidence of your might as we meet others today. We rejoice in you, our Maker. We delight in YOU! You are Good! You are faithful! You are awesome to me!


Day 6: How can words descibe the joy of having Godly children? Praise you Jesus for upright children who love you and serve you faithfully. My heart is full as I meet this day. Knowing Jesus is so precious; my friend, Curt, hates that word - but there is none so kind, so true, so precious as my Savior. It is 6 days since we left Oregon to come to San Blas, Mexico and I am overwhelmed by the response in my spirit to this place. I am all to aware of my husband's heart being drawn to this place. I have witnessed this desire in him once before. Father God, make me willing to embrace your plan. Thank you for your great grace! You are altogether lovely. 231 people were touched on this trip by the grace and mercy of God and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Expectations

Isn't it interesting how our own perspective shapes our expectations. I expect people to value any question put to them, afterall, what is wrong with a question that is asked in a respectful manner? Does the question itself matter or is the one being asked, insecure with questions? Information is suppose to be a good thing. I am learning that I have done a lot more things right in life than I have given myself credit for. I have failed in the past to recognize that I have given people the right to ask questions without fear of rejection. Hopefully, in the future I will respond to people with a greater degree of kindness. I plan to be attentive to any question asked of me. Those seeking answers are usually very intelligent people who are not satisfied with the status quo. I know one thing for certain, I do not have all the answers...the Good News is I know someone who does. As a Christ-follower I have access to an all knowing, all powerful, and ever present God. My heart can rejoice in the fact that I have entrusted my life into HIS eternal care. My God loves it when I ask for HIS opinion? If you don't believe me, ask HIM!

Not just another day

Today is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. I decided when I woke up today to spend my day wisely, to enjoy others, to consider for myself buying wisdom and to laugh. Laughter makes the heart glad and is healing to our bodies. It is interesting to laugh out loud in a room and see who will laugh with you and who will just stare at you. I am persuaded that Laughter is a good medicine that should be taken on a regular basis. It would not be unusual to find me holding my sides in pain as I laugh my way through corny jokes. Sometimes it is the joke teller I find the most amusing. Like my husband, we call him Papa now that the grandkids came along, I start laughing when he starts the joke because I can only imagine where the joke will go off course. There are sometimes varying versions that find their way into his joke telling. None of them are particularly funny in and of themselves, it is his weaving them into the joke that is so hilarious. Never mind, I am laughing as I write this, because I am remembering so many of the jokes where he blows the punch line. I am not a good joke teller myself, however, I recognize that fact. Only the Lord God Almighty knows all the stories of our lives and still smiles down upon us with HIS mercy and grace.

Life is really interesting sometimes

Two days after Thanksgiving and the house is quiet, really quiet. The children and the grandchildren have taken their leave. Papa did a wedding tonight for a loyal friend. The music was superb, the words were outstanding. My heart was touched and my spirit rejoiced. Sometimes we find life unfolding differently than we anticipated. I did not expect to be so moved by the ceremony. It did my heart good to see such happiness. You know it really is the little things that make our worlds go around. My twin grandsons greeting Papa and I in bed the last two mornings was a delight. Seeing all five grandchildren so well behaved during the holiday was truly an exceptional blessing. To see my daughters and their families interact with each other brings joy to my heart. Having my good friends rejoice with me is one of the best parts of this time in my life. Laughing together and crying together we find great comfort in our relationships. God is good and I am looking forward to tomorrow. May each one of you find God at the center of your holidays.

Exhaustion

Did I say exhaustion? I meant total exhaustion! An excellent turkey dinner, family, and friends and it is midnight. Was it really as much fun as I think? Or am I so numb from the noise and constant picking up that I just imagined I was having fun? This blog should be the evidence that a 'Nona's thoughts are not always concise. This Nona is tired and going to bed...tommorrow I will try to get back on track with some actually sane thoughts. I am thankful for God's faithfulness in my life. I spent the day with some pretty awesome people. I never want to take for granted the liberty I enjoy daily in my relationship with God. Good Night!

Somedays even thinking is hard....

This week has been a strange week. I have not been my usual self, I woke up on Monday feeling a little blue. I told someone the truth yesterday and it hurt their feelings; I really love the person so I felt bad. In fact, I felt bad into the wee hours of the morning. Life is not fair! My husband and I were in a car accident about four months agao and had the privilege of finding out today that the person who was responsible for the accident is probably underinsured. Oh, the joy of acceptance. Sometime it sucks having to choose to do what is right. Life is too short to get hung up somewhere in the what ifs?. So, tomorrow I plan to get up and be thankful for my life just as it is. I have a wonderful husband, great daughters, wonderful son-in-laws, exceptional grandchildren, and great friends. I have a good church and I know God personally. What more could any ask for? Well, lets see.....

Just Thinking

Two days from now a traditional holiday with turkey and cranberries will arrive. The turkey is great and the cranberries always home stewed with orange peel will be awesome I'm sure. My favorite part of the holiday is the three girls and their families all here at once. The noise level is sometimes deafening and the house looks like a cyclone passes through on a hourly basis, but the reward is family together. I'm trying to figure out a way for Papa to heat up the loft over the garage so the kiddos will have a place all their own to fill with noise. Good friends will arrive, one is actually baking homemade bread and the other will bring her helping hands to complete whatever tasks remain undone. The joy of celebrating our right to love God, serve God, and actually know the forgiveness of HIS son, Jesus Christ, will be celebrated with hearts of gratitude. We are truly grateful this year to reflect upon the survival of our past, the hope for our future, and the assurance that God is always with us. May each of you know for yourselves the delight of HIS love as you celebrate Thanksgiving in 2006!

What is a good 'Nona'?

When my three daughters were little their exposure to grandparents was not the norm. Both of their paternal grandparents had been married three times; composing a possibility of eight grandparents. Their maternal grandparents were in the middle of divorcing and finding new possible grandparents. Four more maybe grandparents in the making. By the time all the would be grandparents settled down with their new partners my children were grown. Needless to say, grandparenting, was not modeled to my children in a normal fashion. Now I find myself the 'Nona' and wonder if I am a normal grandmother. I am still married to the original grandpa...they all call him 'Papa'. Papa and Nona love their roles and probably push the limit on what is allowable for grandparents. Movies or as they call them moo-bees and popcorn while we snuggle on the couch are priceless. Treats are expected pantry occupants at our house. The little ones bring their appetites and we attempt to drive back the hunger pains. Cereal pronounced ser-ral is in constant demand. Rice milk for the ones who are lactose intolerant and whole hormone free milk for the others is a must. Papa makes latte for the little boys up the street on a regular basis. Have we started an addiction to early...? For those of you who are suddenly concerned about caffeine...it is a hot steamer with torani syrup...not real coffee. Relax! 'Chill up' as Papa would say. Playing in 'Nona' stamp collection is always a big hit and "can we do a craft" is a regular question around here. Hot-tubbing is in high demand. Just about anything goes. Papa and I love them, spoil them and then send them home. Our daughters are great moms and are really generous in their allowance of over indulging grandparents. If I am not the normal, don't ruin it for me. I am having a great time and love the memories I am able to make with each and every one of the sweethearts who call me 'Nona'.

Words are Cheap

Part of the definition of character is keeping our word. Our current culture seems to be void of the integrity it takes to be people of our word. Keeping our word is a reflection of who we really are. Honor is not given often times where honor is due. Why is it that the values of our past are no longer valid? I want to think the best of people and I want people to think the best of me. Society, however, has arrived at the place where we judge one another from the negative position. A negative position is established because no one keeps their word, integrity is lacking, and honor is a thing of the past. So, when we finally meet a person of honest character and integrity, we are suspect and withhold the honor they deserve. Seems to be a merry-go-round of emotions that leaves us dizzy at best. It is my hope that I am a woman of my word, that I don't cheapen my character by living something different than what my mouth speaks. I want my words to be valuable and trustworthy. I have five wonderful grandchildren who should be able to trust their 'Nona' to keep her word. They deserve to see adults who value integrity and give honor where honor is due. I am committed to making my words valuable and trustworthy; are you?

Well Versed

I think everyone I know strives to be well-versed; at least in their field of interest. I am, however, a bit intimidated when I meet those who are well-versed at being well-versed. I have a few areas of interest and I can honestly say I am not as well-versed as I would like to be in any of them. I have periods when I focus my attention somewhat compulsively in one direction or another, then I burn myself out and take my obsessive nature in a different direction. If I were truly well-versed at writing I would read the works of successful authors, instead I read selected authors....most of them are not published; they are related to me. If I really loved medicine, like I say I do, I would go back to school and renew my license, instead I am forgetting more everyday than I actually know. If I really wanted to succeed as a crafter I would dedicate myself to the hobby, instead I make excuses for why I haven't used all the supplies I bought last year. Then if I really loved God like I want to, I would become consumed with HIS heart, HIS ways, HIS word, HIS people, and with those who have never met him. I would serve my fellow man with compassion in order to be like Christ. The older I get the shorter life seems. I am compelled to ask myself "will my life count"? My attention turns towards my children when I ask myself that question. My daughters married some pretty well-versed guys. One who is well-versed at being well-versed, one who can debate with the best theologians around and one who can literally do anything he puts his mind to. I guess after writing that last sentence I can say I am well-versed at producing some pretty savvy daughters....they picked some awesome men for husbands. Most of all I am very well-versed at being proud of my family; now I am off to consider becoming well-versed at ...............

Change

Boy! Have times changed? By the time I get on track to buy one of my grandchildren a specific toy, the stores have green tagged them for quick sale and the only place I can find the toy of my choice is online. I don't do particularly well with change when it comes to entering my personal identification onto the world wide web. Prior to the superhighway of information, my personal ID was stolen and it took me almost two full years to clean up the mess that my Nona impersonator had created. The protectors of the innocent (the real Nona) were not especially helpful in my plight. The merchants who got ripped off by the phony Nona were not all to happy with the genuine Nona. What's a Nona to do? Change, not this year. I am going to ask my son-in-law to use his personal ID to purchase the toys I want for his children for Christmas; then I will be happy to sign with love, NONA!

New thoughts

Well, today is another day in the many that are strung together to make up the culmination of my life to this particular point in time. All and all it was a better day than yesterday. Which is not to say that I am content with the quality of my life. I discovered for myself some new thoughts that I have chosen to call 'truths for living'. The real trick to navigating life is whether I can apply the 'truths for living' to my daily existence. I want to change and grow for the better in my relationships with others. Wanting, however, does not seem to be enough to affect change. It takes time and dedication, not to mention flexibility. So, at the end of a long day I have to ask myself if I am ready to invest the energy that is needed to bring about change. Tomorrow I will contemplate change itself. Tonight I am tired and hungry and will just settle for the status quo of my current state.

To publish my thoughts

I won a state-wide writing contest when I was fifteen. Now that I think about it, I realize I did not cash the prize check...I wanted to keep it for sentimental reason. Yeah! Yeah! What is sentimental about an out of date check? The ribbon would have been sentimental enough. Besides that, my true confession is I don't know where the check and the ribbon are. I can't decide if I even care. Today I remembered them because of my commitment to writing through the years. It's the writing itself that has some emotion attached to it. How easily we get steered off course. I love to write or maybe I am enthralled with thinking itself. Anyway, this blog is the perfect place to marry writing and thinking. Nona's thoughts are just that, thoughts that pass through the mind of a grandmother that five little darlings call 'Nona'. My daughter and her husband blog becasue they love words also, so maybe I just wanted to join into this display we call writing.

My first blog!

My thoughts for today are filled with uneasiness. Why is it we think we know what 'life' is? Life is something different to each and every person. Normal routines without stress use to define my life. Now life is defined by the degree of stress I encounter each day. Last night, my favorite pilot in the whole world (also my son-in-law) was in his second car accident in five months. He is a really good guy who loves British cars and life has dealt him the fate of removing two of his favorite vehicles from the roadways in 2006. He and whiplash are well acquainted, over introduced in fact. I am also the mother of an extremely hard-working young lady who finds herself trying to navigate her own health issue. My daughter seems to be able to hold onto her optimism and hope while I find myself in fear of the diagnosis. Life is uncertain that is for sure. The real issues are defined now by comparison, the things that really matter up against the stuff that is hollow without those we love intact. The rabbit trail continues as we contemplate what does intact mean exactly. I am also keenly aware of the fact that I do things I believe are right and good and others interpret them as something else. Trying to navigate each day as it presents itself to us without hurting anyone or ourselves is life. Some days we are successful and other days we are not.

Nona