Just One Thought Tonight

I MISS MY MOM!

Thanksgiving Thoughts!

How does one adequately say THANKS to the Creator of Heaven and Earth? I came to the revelation today that my life lived out for the glory of God is the highest form of worship. I am thankful for HIS commitment to the process. I am grateful to have a believing husband and believing children who are actively walking out their faith one step at time. Being true followers of Christ is worthy of a life spent in pursuit of God's divine purpose. In this season of reflection it is comforting to rest in the All Knowing, Ever Present, and Sustaining Arms of God!

So....I have thoughts!

So....I have thoughts, does it really matter in the whole big scheme of things? I keep asking myself if my thoughts are pertinent. I suppose all of this thinking on my part is really very subjective and therefore relative only if the thinker's perspective is taken into account. I am weighing lots these days, revisiting some parts of my life and taking stock of my past decisions. I am particularly aware of how much I miss my Mom and how much she contributed to my life. Not all would have positive things to say about someone who suffered with short-term memory loss for the last decade but I miss her unconditional love. She lived most of her life believing she was not very determined, but I know she came to know herself very well and operated the last few years out a real sense of self-worth. I ponder many thoughts in the light of this season of grieving and know I must rely on the ONE who is able to make all grace abound in our hearts. Enough of this rambling about random thoughts. Time to turn to the Creator of all Life and praise HIM simply because HE is in control, has always been in control and will always be in control. God you are forever GOOD!

Random Thoughts

Is homesickness a real sickness? Is so, are there definite symptoms? How does one take one's emotional temperature? All I know is that I miss my girls and the grandchildren, more than any time in the past. I do not like to be away from any of the girls when they are sick and I hear my youngest daughter has been feeling punk. Thankfully, I have learned not to live by the dedicates of my emotions or I would be on a jet plane. Tomorrow I may feel different and so I continue through today with the conviction that I am in the right place at the right time for the right reason. Who could ask for anything more?

Thoughts of how quickly and slowly time pass!

We are coming up to the 1st anniversary of Joe's death, (Oct 2nd) can a year really have already passed? There were moments this past year I thought would never end and yet in reality they have passed all too quickly. For Joe and Mom time is no longer a factor, they have left this temporal realm and entered into the presence of the ONE who will reign throughout all eternity. They have left behind all the trivialities of life here on earth and are enjoying the splendor of heaven. We who are left behind still measure our days in the passing of seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, and years. I am reflecting on the life Joe led, serving my mother throughout her long illness and loving Jesus for providing him the opportunity to do so. What a man!

Thoughts of what it means to ride a motorcyle and actually be the driver!

Yesterday Popa drove the Harley and I drove the Yamaha to Silverton, Oregon the back way. It was about 180 miles round trip. I actually made it! My calfs hurt, my hands hurt and my back side hurts. I do not know if I am really cut out for this. It is a bit overwhelming to keep it all together....I could definitely use some improvement on starting and stopping more accurately. I did not enjoy the scenery as I was too busy concentrating on keeping my speed up and the bike upright. Should it really be that much trouble to enjoy something? I wonder if I work this hard at enjoying God? I should, I do know that relationship with HIM is where real fulfillment and enjoyment exists eternally. All of this other stuff is simply the "fluff" of life, here today and gone tomorrow. Lord, help me to spend my life in pursuit of YOU!

Long hot day thoughts!

Today was a long hot day that followed an extremely long night. Who would have thought that a Saturday in Oregon would be so hot by noon? Popa and I were attempting to put the hot-tub back together, it suffered an internal electrical fire a few months back and needed some TLC to get it back into soaking shape. The night was long because we were so over tired we could not sleep, then when we finally fell asleep we were met by the bright light of day in our bedroom long before we were ready to get up. Long day yesterday as we met with the attorney, the accountant, the hot tub repairman, and our good friends. Then on the trip home there was an accident blocking I-5 and we had to detour around. The two hour trip home became three. Life is full of the unexpected and yet that is exactly why it is called life. It is what we do in those moments of unexpected drama that determines the quality of life. We put the hot-tub back together successfully, watched the grandkids swim for a few minutes then went for a motorcycle ride out through Marcola. Yep, you know it, I am finally riding my own bike. It is a bit intimidating but you know me, I love a challenge. Anyway, the day is winding down and we are looking back thankful for the accomplishments and feeling drowsy enough for a good night's sleep tonight. God is always with us and therefore life is never beyond HIS control. We are grateful to be HIS children and delighted to ride through life together. Be content in your life and find the hidden treasure in every event.

Thoughts about Momma

Today is my Mom's first birthday in Heaven. I miss her! I know she is infinitely better off but there is nothing like a Momma's love. Today was her earthly memorial service and I am grateful to our Heavenly Father for HIS provision in this arena. HIS portion is more than enough. Pastor Jess did a superb job and I am grateful he was momma's shepherd for the last six years. God is so wonderful in HIS care for each or us and I marvel at HIS never ending grace. Momma, thank you for a life that spoke volumes about Jesus!

Thoughts of what?

Well, as you can see from the passage of time, my intent to post on a more regular basis was more intent than follow-through. I am convinced this is the case in most of our human efforts to improve. We plan to do better, we even hope to do better but the truth of the matter is this...life is hectic and we rarely slow down enough to have a rational thought. Popa and I have been home one week, I have new glasses, have seen the dentist twice, had a facial, had jury duty and have managed to avoid doing the six loads of laundry waiting in the dirty clothes basket. See what I mean, life is crazy and we all are just going through the motions of keeping up. I want to slow down and smell the roses not just pick up the decaying petals from the garden where they have fallen. I am reminded of the ONE who does not operate within the boundaries of time and I am grateful for HIS constant care in my life. HE is never to busy with details to care for me and HIS mercies never come to an end. Oh, how grateful I am that HE is my friend. Thank you, Jesus, for you truly are a friend who sticks closer than a brother. I won't promise to do better, I will say I want to do better. May you each find yourself enjoying your days, friends and family. Our six grandchildren have run through the house with the lightheartedness that fills the young and we have delighted in their company. They have found their way into the swimming pool and into our busyness. Thank you, Lord, that our children and their children have made our lives rich and sweet. May our lives enrich you in some small way today. YOU are eternally good!

My thought!

It has been a little while since my last post and it is always my intent to do better. The key word here is intent. Life has been busy and yet good. Time passes no matter where we are or what we are doing. The issue really is, has the time passed with a change for the better within our sphere of influence? Most often this question is best answered by those who are observing our lives from a close proximity. I have been increasingly aware of the importance of wisdom in our living among others here on earth. Has my knowledge and wisdom increased? Most of us traverse through life without a conscious awareness of the benefit of wisdom. I say this from firsthand experience. I have spent most of my days just trying to survive the current situation. Now, as I am aging and facing some of the realities of this temporal life I realize the importance of wise decisions, wise living, and even wise thought processes. Popa and I are finding ourselves content with less and less which is the complete opposite of our younger years when we were always trying to get more and more. More and more money, more and more things, more and more enjoyment, and more and more self satisfaction. There is never enough money, or enough things, or enough enjoyment or self satisfaction to make our joy complete and in the end none of it is lasting. My thought is this: simply enjoy the moments God grants you with family and friends; ultimately live your life to glorify your Maker and you will find true wisdom. From an ever learning Nona.

Mother's Day Thoughts

This is the first Mother's Day of my life that my Mother is not somewhere I can call and say "I Love You!" She is with the lover of her soul and enjoying her heavenly home. Her passing has brought an even keener sense of how fleeting this life really is. I can honestly say I miss her but I do not mourn for her. She is in a much better place with a infinitely better life. She was a selfless mother when I was a child and she prayed for me daily; my depth of knowing God was fashioned by her input. God graciously gives and HE graciously takes away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. I am away from my three precious girls this Mother's Day and yet I rejoice in knowing the heritage of knowing Christ has been passed down to their generation and their children's generation. God is ever faithful and I am content in knowing HIM, in whom life is eternal and not constrained to this current world. May each of you Moms find your joy is complete. Be Blessed!

Questioning Thoughts

Time has a way of passing without any real effort. It simply is passing from one moment to the next. Today marks two months since my Mom transferred her address to that golden city we call Heaven. It hardly seems possible and yet it is a certainty. For her time is no longer an issue; for me all that remains is the time I have left to lay up treasure in Heaven. Popa and I are enjoying our time in Sri Lanka and looking forward to our trip next month to England and then to Spain. While we anticipate earthly travel the greatest consideration should be where our final travel destination will be. The earth as we know it is escalating in volcanoes, earthquakes, tornados, wars and rumors of wars. In case you haven't notice, this is prophesied as a sign of the end of the age. Time for mankind to fear the ONE true and living God, who presented himself in the form of a man, named Jesus Christ. If you haven't taken the time to meet Jesus as your personal Savior, do so today. Don't let another day pass without the assurance of where your final destination will be. From this Nona to you, be blessed and enjoy the time God has given each one of us on this earth. HE is good and faithful and my Mom is definitely glad she took the time to make HIM her Lord and Master.

Hot Thoughts!

I bet you are expecting some great wisdom or awesome financial tips by the title! NO! I am literally just extremely warm, sweating to death in fact. We are in Sri Lanka in the hottest part of the year. I do not usually sweat, even with exercise, so to have perspiration dripping off my body in rivulets is a big deal. The good news is that the heat will abate in about 40 days and we will acclimate over time to the weather here. Popa always says "it confirms for him that hell will be a terrible place". The bad news for those who reject Jesus Christ is that there will be no escape from the fires of hell and they will not acclimate over time, but will have an eternity of weeping and gnashing of teeth. Escape while you can and join the ranks of the redeemed of the Lord by confessing with your mouth that you are a sinner, that Jesus paid the price for your sin on the cross and rose again the third day. Heaven is the destination of those who know Jesus Christ and we will spend all eternity with the ONE who paid the ransom for our sin. I think the climate in Heaven will be perfect, now that is a HOT THOUGHT!

Thoughts about loss!

I remember very distinctly the first morning after my Mother passed away. I woke up and my first thought was that it was the first day of my life without my Momma. I was so emotionally conflicted I could hardly move through the day. I have come to know that there is someone always in the "state of loss"; I realize that I have walked through life without an awareness in this particular area. In the last six years our family has faced much loss and looking back the most prominent thought this Nona has is that God is always there, HE does not leave us or forsake us. It is my hope that in the process of time we have learned to trust HIM more and to depend upon HIS grace more. The best news for me is that death can only separate us for a little while if we know the ONE who gives eternal life. My Momma knew that ONE and is rejoicing with HIM as she awaits my arrival in heaven when my numbered days are up. Many have gone on before us and what a glorious day it will be when we join the throng of heaven proclaiming worthy is the King! Thank you, Jesus, for paying the ultimate sacrifice to redeem my life from sin and death.

My Momma went to Heaven TODAY!!

No more pain, no more suffering, no more confusion! Yeah God! You are truly awesome and I know my Momma is enjoying your presence.

Thoughts of Thanksgiving!

The last eight months have been filled with lots of emotional upheaval. My Mother and her husband faced a cancer diagnois for 88 days before Joe went to heaven. Mom's mental status continued to decline and she came to Eugene to live. She is in the third facility and not doing well. Her little brain took a turn for the worse about five days ago and I took her see the doctor today and he referred her to Hospice. So, now we begin our second Hospice experience in less than a year. You may ask how I can entitled this blog "Thoughts of Thanksgiving" and I will simply say because we are never outside of the care of our Heavenly Father, HE knows all, sees all, and is in control of all. I am grateful for the events of this day, HE orchestrated my steps and put the right people in place to get the needful care in place for my Momma. I want to close this blog by saying how blessed I am to have had such a praying Mom; she introduced me to Jesus and for that I am forever Thankful!

Thoughts of ?

Well, it is mid-January 2010 and I am wondering where time has gone. Normally, Popa and I would be back in Sri Lanka but we are still in Oregon seeing to the details of my Mom's health and welfare. It is difficult to keep putting your trust in God day after day when not much has changed in the last twenty-four hours, but the truth is simply....God is in charge of our lives. There is no higher authority, no one who loves mankind more (including my momma) and no one who weaves the fabric of our lives together into fine tapestry than our loving heavenly Father. So, we get to turn over our days to HIM with a heart of thanksgiving and praise. I am learning a new level of trust as I watch my dear Momma decline mentally more every day. It is hard to watch someone you love withdraw into a state of confusion and not be able to do anything to stop it. The ONE who keeps our lives in his hands is the ONE who numbers our days. There is room for growth in every situation and circumstance. In these last days of January 2010 I hope to find a new level of faith and trust in God as I continually entrust my Mom into HIS care.