Thoughts????

More than a month since my last blog, what oh what is the world coming to? Today is our anniversary, Popa and I have been married 39 years. I can't really remember life without him at my side. He has loved me more than I deserve and made a great effort to make my life better every year. He is a great father and an even greater grandpa. He has been a rock through the last six months of dealing with aging and dying parents. I could never have made 44 trips to Portland on my own. He drove me time and time again. Thanks Popa, (he knows I don't like to drive). He has reached out to his own family during critical diagnosis time and time again. Life is heading in one direction from our first breath at birth, we are all destined to die but the question remains "where will we spend eternity?" It is possible to know the answer, to know Jesus Christ personally guarantees us life with HIM in heaven. So glad, I know HIM! I met HIM by simply admitting HE was the son of God, that I had sinned, and that I needed someone to wash my sins away. Believing in Jesus was an act of faith with great reward, I challenge each of you in these final days of 2009 to find Jesus for yourself and guarantee your future in heaven for eternity. More later from a blessed Nona.

I've lost track of time and my Thoughts

Well, can you believe it? Another month has passed and I am just now getting around to blogging. This post comes to you from Phoenix, AZ. Popa and I are here to say our good-byes to Grandma Mary, as we call her, she is Popa's step-Mom. She is a wonderful lady who has loved us and been a blessing in our lives. Her heart is failing and she is on her third regiment of chemo, the cancer has come back with a vengeance. The truly wonderful news is that heaven awaits her and that is a reality for her and for us. Thank God for the blessed assurance of life eternal spent with HIM! We were privileged this week to spend time on the campus of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA. It is a truly amazing testimony of God's faithfulness. The other news is that my Mom has not adjusted well to life without her husband. The dementia has advanced quickly and we are facing what looks like another move for her. I believe with all of my heart it is a season to simply TRUST God, HE alone knows the details and we get to surrender and let HIM work in our lives. A good friend once told me "if we work, HE rests, but if we rest HE works" I am endeavoring to rest in HIM, the true author of life. If you don't know HIM, simply say God reveal yourself to me, help me to know you and HE will respond. More later from this Nona, the question is: how much later?

What Thoughts?

It has been a whole month since I posted on "Nonasthoughts"; where did this past month go? My Mother's husband, Joe, passed away on October 2; God was so merciful, his passing was peaceful and quick. My Mom has had a very difficult time remembering Joe is gone and that she no longer lives in her house. I had to have her declared legally incompetent and that was a paramount emotional cliff-hanger for me. Thank Heaven for Popa and his unwavering devotion to me, he has driven me up and back from Portland twenty-four times in the last thirteen weeks. We are tired emotionally and having to deal with lots of little details in seeing to the ongoing care of my Mom. There is her house to sell, her assets to be complied and her ongoing care at the assisted living to be provided for. In all of this, I can truthfully say "I know God has a plan" and I take great comfort in knowing HE is still in control. Life is not so much about what is happening around us as it is about our staying tuned in the ONE who controls the universe. I am so glad I am on a first name basis with HIM. My best advise for everyone is try Jesus, HE never fails. I hope to be able to blog a little more regularly but I am not making any promises. More when I can from a Nona with all to many thoughts!

Are these really my thoughts?

Today I am tired...physically, emotionally and spiritually.  I know the scriptures says he will not put on us more then we are able to bear. Ugh! Do we have to be taxed to the limit?  Joe, Mom's husband, was in the ER for 7 hours on Sunday night with more bad news, the cancer has spread to his abdomen.  He looks so sick already, I cannot imagine how much more his poor body can endure.  We got home at 3:30 a.m. Now, we need a wheel chair and a hospital bed.   More moving on the horizon, not our favorite thing to do. Popa and I have made 19 trips to Portland in the last ten weeks and this week promises to be at least two trips also; yet God's grace never wears thin. God is ever faithful and HIS strength is imparted at just the right moment in time.  We marvel at the ways of the Lord and then are able to look back and see how much He has grown us in the process.  Nothing we are going through is for naught, HE has a plan to make us into his likeness.  Whatever situation you find yourself in, don't despair; the light of God wants to shine through you.  Be willing to be conformed.  I wish that you might prosper even as your soul prospers!  

Can we say stressed out NONA?

Yes, we are still parent-watching!  My hope is in God and HIS never ending grace.

a Nona who is marvelling?

I am always amazed at how things come around.  While Popa and I were pastoring we had a young lady in our church that we really tried to sow into emotionally.  She had come to our church with a very dysfunctional background and we knew God alone would be able to heal and bind up her woundedness.  That young lady graduated from the University of Oregon and went to Korea to teach English as a second language.  She has blossomed and learned how to navigate life very well.  She knows how to take personal responsibility for her actions and also how to hear from God.  She emails me from time to time and I am always encouraged and reminded that God is more interested in HIS own creation than we even imagine.  It has been my pure joy this week to read her emails and to marvel at her personal growth and development.  I am very grateful for the small part God let our church play in her journey.  Don't loose heart, hope in God!  HE is always faithful and HE will repay your service to HIM and for HIM!

Tired NONA~

Well! Life has certainly been challenging. My Mom has digressed in her dementia and her husband is really sick with the cancer that has spread to his brain and lungs. I decided this morning that the best thing I could do was to turn them over to God. Everyday has enough troubles of its own and so I do not need to go looking for more. I am enjoying a few days at home in my own bed before I go back to Portland to drive to yet another doctor's appointment. Next week-end I will be flying to California to celebrate my Dad's 80th birthday! While it is not the best of timing I am looking forward to a respite from the parent watching in Portland. Popa will be doing the parent watching while I am gone. Our middle daughter will be returning to Tennessee on Saturday after a two week visit. Life is always moving, just not always in the fashion we would choose. I am sure our Heavenly Father must look at our lives and think they are always moving just not in the direction HE had planned. Dear Lord, help me to follow hard after thee. May I find myself in the center of Your will for my life. You are worthy to be praised, worshipped, and adored not matter what life is like for us here on earth. We are not here forever, but only aliens passing through. Help me to keep my eyes focused on YOU!

??? Nona!

On the day I made my last entry, my step-Dad (J) had a stroke and life changed.  We were in Phoenix with Popa's Dad; who was recovering from a 5 unit blood transfusion and having 1 1/2 litres of fluid drained from his lungs - his wife was recovering from a 6 veterbrae fusion.  Needless to say we left them in capable hands and headed toward Oregon.  We left at 4 am on July 7 from Bull Head City Arizona to Vegas on to Reno, Susanville, and Mt. Shasta before crossing into the state of Oregon.  I must say the ride from Susanville was freezing, temperatures in the 30's without our leather gear and we were on the Harley.  We made it home safely and having been parent-watching in cooperation with my sister ever since.  The stroke left (J) with a paralyzed left arm and my mother with the problem of even recalling he has cancer that has spread to his brain and lungs.  I have since learned that my Dad's wife (N) has breast cancer and will face surgery this week.  Popa spent 4 days last week in Idaho seeing his mother who is very frail following several strokes.  Our parents have been relatively healthy up until this summer.  Popa and I are home on a 3 month furlough which is quickly vanishing, I had planned to spend the time with my girls and the grandchildren.  I must however submit to the God and HIS divine plan. HE says HIS thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and his ways above finding out, so I bow my life to HIS will.  It is not easy this dying to self, especially if your beloved momma has dementia and has angry outbursts, but it is necessary.  Our hearts are in Sri Lanka and the new 5 year visa is such an awesome provision of God that we know HE has plans that will unfold in HIS timing.  My prayer is that HE, the God of all mercy, be merciful to all.... (J), my momma, (N) my dad, Popa's Dad and wife, & Popa's Mom and husband.   The absolute good news is that all are ready for heaven.  We have that assurance and know God will never allow us to be tried beyond that which we are able to bear.  Pray for this Nona, that she would continue to willfully submit to God and HIS ways and that she would find her confidence and rest in HIM!  More from the parent watching Nona later!

Traveling Nona

Well we have now been state-side for one month, I cannot believe how quickly time is passing. We drove our motorcycle down to Southern California and then across to Arizona. Our pastor friends from Sri Lanka met us in Central California and preached at a couple of different churches (two in Central California and then two today in Southern California). We are currently enroute to have lunch with Craig's Dad tomorrow. His health is failing and it is best for him and Grandma Mary if we just come for the day; so that is our plan. We will go from there to see Craig's Mom in Boise and then head home for a few precious weeks with our beloved grandchildren and their parents. My aunt is coming for a few days from Houston, Texas and that will be a special treat. I will spend a few days with her and my Mom in Portland, Oregon. I will fly to Califonia mid August to celebrate my Dad's 80th birthday. We have been shopping along the way for the things we will take with us back to Sri Lanka. One of the biggest rewards of coming to the Los Angeles area was that we were able to apply for our five year multiple entry visa to Sri Lanka and were given the visa in a very timely manner. (Like less than thirty minutes) God is always faithful and we are ever in awe of HIS provision in our lives. It is so amazing to simply follow HIM and have HIM direct our paths. I am sure I will post a few more thoughts before returning to Sri Lanka. Enjoy your summer and please take time to enjoy your families...they are precious! I am always aware of how much God wants to enjoy HIS relationship with each one us. We are precious in HIS sight. Don't forget HIS eyes are ever upon you. The Nona with time racing by.

This will be my last post from Sri Lanka for the summer.  In less than 36 hours Popa and I start the long journey towards Springfield, Oregon.  We are excited to see our family and friends.  I think we may even be looking forward to some rainy Oregon weather.  One of the things we have missed the most is driving our own vehicle.  The partially red 1988 Silverado Pick-up in the garage will be a real treat to drive; hopefully it will get a paint job this summer.  Popa is so looking forward to a motorcycle ride in the cooler climate.  I am looking forward to good cheese, good ice cream, and a nice juicy steak.  Our time here has been wonderful and profitable in so many ways.  It is a joy to be able to call these people our friends.  They have been so gracious and kind.  We will miss them.  Seems wherever we are ..... there are those we miss.  I am hoping that our grandchildren and children will find a way to visit in Sri Lanka in 2010.  Some of the greatest news about Heaven is that there will be no sorrow there, we will not know the pain of separation anymore.  We will forever be in the presence of the ONE who loved us and gave HIMSELF for us.  I trust each one of you know where you will spend Eternity, if you are not sure please ask me and I will gladly share with you how to know for certain.  That's all for now from a truly excited Nona......can't wait to see those six little darlings.  

Nona's Thoughts on Aging

Today is Monday and I am getting ready to start another hot day in Sri Lanka.  I am thinking that in just one month I will be standing in the airport in Eugene, Oregon with my grandchildren jumping up and down all around Popa and me.  The trip is long and hard on our bodies, especially these days (we are not getting any younger).  Popa has been talking with me about the fact that our bodies age but our spirits never do.  I need to be looking at the fact that my spirit says I can pack in an hour but my body knows it will take me a few days.  There is a much to be done here as we wrap up our counseling appointments for the summer months and finish up our teaching assignments.  My thoughts are in a bit of a whirlwind as I contemplate seeing four sets of parents in four different locations around the USA.  My dad will be eighty this summer and Craig's dad will be eighty-five.   Our mothers will be seventy-seven and eighty-two.  I cannot help but wonder about the spirit in each of them, do they still feel young on the inside?  The body begins towards an end from the first breath, the spirit however lives forever.  Knowing Jesus has persuaded me that my life is eternal and only this body will be laid to rest.  I am sure God knows my days and there is a peace in being in HIS eternal care.  For now, I am just enjoying the life I now live; forever grateful to have extraordinary children and superb grandchildren.  The contemplative Nona. 

Thoughts from a home-sick Nona

What am I homesick for?  My children and grandchildren.  My friends.  The life I am accustom to?  I had a very emotional encounter with a woman yesterday who is consumed with loving the Lord Jesus Christ, she just kept saying to me over and over again " I just love HIM, I just love HIM!" and then she would ask "do you understand?".   I did understand but was also ashamed of myself after listening to her story.  Everything and everyone she has ever held dear have been taken away from her, she was evicted from her home and stripped of all her finances and yet she sat across from me and kept saying "My God is so good, so great and awesome in HIS power, I just love HIM, I just love HIM!"  After a few hours of contemplation I realized I should be homesick for the presence of Almighty GOD!  I should miss the consuming desire to be pleasing in HIS sight above all else.  I have spent the last twelve hours greatly convicted of my petty desires.  I really do want the testimony of my life to point to Jesus Christ and HIM alone.  May you find HIM in the center of your thoughts, your desires, your time and in fact your entire life.  As always a contemplative Nona.

Nona's thoughts about living in Extreme HEAT!

Extreme HEAT has convinced me of one absolute for sure....I don't plan to go to hell.  There are days when I think I have found that eternal lake of fire.  The heat is so intense it takes my breath away.  The beauty of Sri Lanka is fading as I view it through sun scorched eyeballs.  They tell me before I loose sight of the beautiful isle it will cool off and my love of the place will be restored.  So, with that knowledge in mind I am gearing up for one more month of heat in hopes that knowledge of the fleeting hot season will sustain me through April.  The saddest news is that many could escape the eternal lake of fire we refer to as hell, but they choose instead to go their own way, do their own thing, and plan their own days here on earth.  How sad to be so caught up in the moment that they loose sight of eternity?  With age comes a realization that life is so short, the bible describes it as a mist that is fleeting; a vapor that was but is no longer.  I hope my days here on earth are spent storing up treasure in Heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt.  I am excited to know Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Master.  I have learned so much about the Master living here in Sri Lanka the last few months.  My prayer is that my life will remain always fully subject to the Master's Will.  In HIM and HIM alone we find peace that does not end.  I close this blog with only this thought why go to Hell when Heaven is an option?  As ever, A NONA who does not like extreme HEAT!

Crazy Nona Thoughts

Well, it should be interesting keeping this blog tied to the title.  Am I really crazy or do I just think that would be the easy way out?  Does sleep deprivation contribute to my crazy thoughts?  Is anyone really sane?  There are days when I know I know I am crazy....my thoughts spin around in my head and I can't seem to make sense of life.  Just when I think I have it (life) figured out it changes.  Sleep is a wonderful thing; on the other hand the lack of sleep can be a terrible thing!  I know first hand; as a teen-ager sleeping was my hobby and I loved it; now, as an adult lack of sleep can turn me into a raging maniac.  Right now I am not feeling so bad, because, as I look around I am having trouble identifying even one sane person!  I have been going through the school of difficult learning this past couple of years trying to own for myself the knowledge that my perspective becomes my reality....so having said that I better sign off as any sane person would do and find another topic to write about.

NONA

True to Form Nona

Almost one month has passed since I composed my last post.  I cannot believe how quickly time is passing.  Popa and I were able to extend our tourist visa here in Sri Lanka until June 15th.  We can relax and focus on the passion of our hearts.  The people here are very engaging; we attended the 25th Wedding Anniversary of some friends here this past week.  It was very moving and we so enjoyed the festive celebration.  Popa has gone this morning to a cricket match, the heat is extreme so I am hoping he survives the bright sunshine.  I have been busy re-arranging our bedroom which is totally out of character for me.  I cannot help but wonder how many times God would like to rearrange our lives but we say 'sorry that is totally our of character for me'.  We may not say it with our words but our actions really convey the message that we are in control of our lives and that God is truly not the master.  I am seeing a level of surrender in the Christians here that is convicting and inspiring.  Daily I meet people who have truly suffered persecution for the sake of Christ and I am must examine my own dedication to the One I call LORD!  For our own sakes it would be in all our best interest to find total surrender to the will of Heaven!  If we truly want the provisions of Heaven to become the manifestations of earth we will have to find ourselves in sync with the precious Holy Spirit.  I find myself thinking of my adorable grandchildren this morning, knowing they are all together in one house back in Oregon is emotionally compelling to me.   I love them dearly and am so grateful for their addition to my life.  I often think about how God feels when people are added to HIS family, the word of God says  'all of heaven rejoices'.  May each of us find a new-found passion for the thing that concerns God the most.  Love to all, the faraway Nona.

Dragging Nona

I am tired and feeling a bit run down.  I think the hectic schedule of the last two weeks finally caught up with me.  Popa and I attended two church services this morning before heading to our flat for a bite of lunch and a much needed nap.  I am ever amazed at God's arrangement of our lives, HE is at work providing opportunity after opportunity for us to demonstrate HIS nature to a lost and dying world.  So often we fail to recognize HIS divine intervention into our daily routine.  We often miss the opportunity to share HIS love with others.  Life is made of up of sixty seconds in every minute and sixty minutes in every hour arranged in twenty-four segments we call a day.  Today is the only day we have, tomorrow may never come and yesterday is gone.  I ask myself "What am I doing for Christ in 'my today'?"  Am I serving others as HE served, am I loving others as HE loved, am I dying to self as HE died to self?  The answer is painfully obvious to me, sometimes I am serving, sometimes I am loving and sometimes I am dying to self.  There is still so much to surrender to God that I am overwhelmed at HIS long suffering with me.  Someone said this week, that we are always growing in grace and I say a hearty "amen"!  May I encourage you to submit to the examination of the Holy  Spirit and may you find yourself readily engaging in all the needed changes in your life.  Abundant life in Christ is the goal.  Press on to finish the race and complete the course in victory; our God is faithful to the end.  I missed Mr. Gaige's 6th birthday, can he really be that big already?  He did inform me on the phone that yesterday he was 5 and today he is six and HE IS BIG!  Happy Birthday Gaige, Nona and Popa love you much!  You are BIG!  Where is time going and how quickly must it pass?  Only what we do for Christ will last. The not feeling up to par Nona.

My first public thoughts in 2009!

I seem to have the uncanny ability to realize that it has been about a month since I blogged.  Popa and I are in Seattle trying to update our about to expire passports.  We arrived amidst a snow shower that left me anxious and nervous.  We discussed yesterday that movement is not the same as progress and I can attest to that.  Sometimes movement is retreating or falling back into old habits and old ways.  As the new year begins it is customary to hope for a better outlook on life and a better opinion of self, but as this new year begins I find myself more concerned than ever that the creator of all would find me pleasing in HIS sight.  Sometimes, we let the opinion of people marr our progress with God; it is my hope this year that my life be pleasing to God.  I find myself challenged by the passing of many saints in the last few years to make my life about investing in something with eternal rewards.  We will be returning to Sri Lanka in nine days and know with a certainty this is God's purpose for us in this season.  The weather during our time in the Northwest has been cold and snowy, not my favorite for sure.  No matter what is happening around us it is really about our attitude.  Like the Apostle Paul it is so important to learn to be content in whatever state we find ourselves in.  I wish for each of you a happy and glorious New Year.  Be Blessed, NONA