A Vareity of Thoughts!

Popa and I were visiting a friend in Sheridan, Oregon, when we got a call that our grandson was in the ER in Mayberry with some very disturbing news. It appears that an x-ray showed a suspicious spot on his hip...add that to his inability to walk and well he was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Portland. Stress, stress, and more stress! Popa and I were devestated as we drove to ER trying to reach our little guy so we could kiss him and pray over him before the ambulance took him north. We prayed every selfish prayer a grandparent can pray when their off-spring is sick. IT is very difficult to pray "if it be your will" when the outlook is dismal. We did get to see our little prince and pray over him...it was very comforting to see him with our own eyes, to see his shy little grin and to hear his little boy phrases. I must say this little guy loves his Popa and was delighted to see him. It was very hard on Popa and I to see our daughter and her good husband suffer through this experience. What do people do in crisis without God? After a lot of blood test and exams by specialists our little guy was sent home without a diagnosis. The doctors don't know, one doctor said on Tuesday he was not the same little boy he had seen on Monday evening. Prayer does work! At his check up on Thursday they think it is synovitis caused from post viral trauma, it causes arthiritis type symptoms and is self limiting. Providing the symptoms abate in the next couple of weeks and our grandson has no more problems walking the ordeal will be part of his history. On Monday night at the hospital I began to feel like my back was "going out" and sure enough by Wednesday morning I was almost unable to stand up. After two days in bed I went to the doctor today and found out I have severe muscle spasm and needed two prescriptions and physical therapy. I did have a revelation this week in the middle of life as it was swirling around me. I tried to bargain with God, HE doesn't bargain, Popa offered his life for the life of our grandson, God doesn't make trades, I tried to pray "if it be possible let this cup pass", God is not detoured in HIS plans, I did pray "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" hoping against all hope HIS plan did not entail the loss of my grandson....and then smack in the middle of my I need to pray frenzy...I asked God to heal not because our family has been through enough, not because we would serve HIM no matter what...but simply because HE IS GOD...HE IS IN CONTROL....and because HE CAN! My thoughts all boiled down to one thought...GOD is GOD, there is no other, HE alone hold the keys to life and death. So, for all of you who are facing difficult days, God is God, HE is more than able to accomplish what concerns us today. More later, Nona

Some thoughts that might make me think I am older than I realized!

What does all that mean? I've forgotten! Could that possible be a thought that age is upon me? I do know that I do not have the stamina I had as a younger woman. Notice I did not say young? I said "younger" because it was not all that many years ago that I could leap over a tall building with ease. Now I can hardly see the tall buildings. It has been an eventful week. I have not been feeling well and then we had a young couple get married this week-end and my daughter and I helped with the bouquets and setting up(and tearing down) the reception hall. Thank you Linda and Sharon for the extra hands and transportation. Let's just say, not long ago this would have been a piece of cake, at midnight last night however, my back was screaming and my feet were swollen. Today, I am almost back into the state of denial and believing yesterday was just a fluke, I really am 29 with the energy to conquer the world. One thing age has taught me is this: life is fleeting and it only what we do for Jesus that counts. Eternity is just that e t e r n i t y....forever without end. I have come to realize I want to make this life count for Christ down through the ages. Lord, help me to dance like no one is watching, sing like no one is listening and love to love like you are keeping track. Help me to worship you with my feet, my voice, and my whole heart. The grandsons were here tonight and we all played computer games, ate popcorn, and signed onto lego mission.com. More later from an almost young Nona.

God help me to have your thoughts!

This morning as I read my bible (Acts 16:14) I was struck with some thoughts regarding Lydia, the scripture says God opened her heart. What an awesome thought....God can actually open our hearts to HIS Kingdom. 26 verses later, after Paul and Silas have been released from prison, it says they returned to Lydia's home where they were comforted and refreshed. Lord, my prayer is that you would open my heart and cause me to be an oasis to your people in whatever state I encounter them. God has been speaking to me about "Kingdom" and how different it is than church. Doing church does not build HIS Kingdom, but doing Kingdom does build HIS church. Kingdom is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17) The essentail evidence that one is experiencing God's Kingdom is a life of righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Righteousness is right standing with God and with mankind; peace is the ability to rest in the knowledge of the ONE who is able to lead us and guide us - it is born out of total obedience to God; and finally joy is found when our emotional well being is based solely on the fact that our names are written in the lambs book of life. Paul and Silas rejoiced and praised in prison and their restraints were removed. No matter what circumstances you are facing...praise the ONLY ONE WHO IS WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE and you will find yourselves released and in a place where you can be strengthened and refreshed. God is asking me to get my stuff together....in other words "focus on Kingdom". God's thoughts about us are all that really matter and I know that my God loves me, is plentiful in mercy, and HIS grace never comes to an end. The good news is HE feels just the same about you. So, begin to live out HIS kingdom right where you are. Much love and grace to you in Christ Jesus. The Nona of FIVE adorable grandchildren. Thanks girls for blessing me with your offspring.

Just a simple thought from Nona

Life is full, but is it meaningful? Busyness does not equate with effectiveness, usefulness, or satisfaction! I have been busy, but is it a life that is satisfying? I am forever changed by the events of our trip to China and realize that what really matters in life is what we are storing up for the next life. My children and grandchildren are the primary reasons for my life here in Oregon. I love the fact that we as a family have been able to traverse the often difficult transition in adult relationships with our daughters and their husbands, Well now, the grandkids are easy....who doesn't love adorable little people? I do ramble on don't I? I have been gone this week for a couple of days, spent some time with the grandchildren in Mayberry, as my daughter likes to call the little city where they live. I realized why we have children when we are young, they have tons of energy and creativeness that I can hardly keep up with. My friend found herself in Federal Court this week, sometimes one must ask??????where is justice oh God? I trust God will deal with people who think they are above righteous decisions! It is hard to keep up with all that is going on around me and yet not hear the cry within for a life that brings glory to God. I am ruined by being in God's presence and I long for it on a 24/7 basis. Please do keep reading my blog, I will get my head on straight here shortly and return to a good blog of sorts. More later! A Nona with not many thoughts for today.

Unsure Thoughts!

Wow! I can't believe that I have not posted to my blog since September 25, 2007. Well here I am, we left for China on Oct. 1st at 7:15 a.m. from the Eugene Airport. We got up at 4:30 a.m. after going to bed after 1 a.m....we started out tired but very excited. Our airfare tickets were a great price, but the seats were so close together it was a long trip from San Francisco into Beijing, China. Popa's epidural wore off five days before our trip began, so his doctor arranged an emergency injection on Friday before we left on Monday. It worked and Popa was able to walk the many hours we spent on our feet in China. The trip was probably the most awesome trip we have ever taken, it seems surreal and we have only been home a week. We met many wonderful people, had a fantastic interpreter, and a more than gracious hostess. Our accomodations were more than we expected and we were even able to do a load or two of laundry in the Chinese washing machine provided in our bathrooms...thank goodness for a western toilet. Even some of the finest businesses in China still have the "squatter style toilet". I can honestly say that two weeks of practice does not make perfect. We felt that our FATHER did a wonderful job of planning our entire trip. We were privileged to get to spent 4 hours at the University of International Relations with the English students in a one on one English speaking exchange. The Department Head treated us to a lunch fit for royalty, literally! They honored us with beautiful gifts in exquistely wrapped boxes. Our trip to the Great Wall was a day to remember for so many reasons. We had an excellent van driver that FATHER so graciously arranged and beautiful sunny weather. I was amazed to stand in that spot and realize that the sky is the same everywhere, as are the mountains, the bodies of water, the vegetation, and the cycle of life....it is simply the people and the culture that vary. We found the Chinese people to be very warm and accepting of us and we formed many loving relationships with those we met. we returned home on the 13th of October with a borrowed suitcase to hold all our trinkets. We did a day of shopping at the Pearl Market, it was fun and exhausting all at the same time. It is our intent to return to China in the Spring of 2008. I would love to share more details with any of you who are interested in person. I will return to my bloggers state of writng on a semi-regular basis. We missed the grandchildren and their parents. We have seen them all this past week and are happy to report that they are still the delights of our hearts. Nona

Just Thoughts!

For those of you who read my blog on a regular basis, pray for us while we are in China October 1 through the 13th. I won't be blogging while we are gone. I have left a complete itenerary with my daughters. I returned my son-in-law's pocket knife to his wife tonight, met her in Salem for dinner and a quick visit. She gave us each one of her (first) professional business cards. It is hard not to be a little overbearing in our proudful boasts about her pursing her PhD. Not sure I will blog much before leaving for China as Popa and I have lots to get done before we leave. Daughter #3 is taking us to the airport...yeah we get to fly out of Eugene. I need to get in some extra visiting with the two grandsons here in town, we are pretty use to seeing each other everyday. Got a good revelation from my favorite book today....ask me about the "goodness of God"! Hint: it has to do with Moses wanting to see God. God allowed HIS goodness to pass before Moses! God is so awesome! I marvel at HIS great deeds in our lives. I submit to HIS plan when it is different than my own and I allow HIM to restore my soul...to plant new hope within and that causes me to want to see HIS glory. NONA

God Thoughts!

It is late on Saturday night, almost Sunday morning and here I am sitting at the computer thanking God for HIS faithfulness. HE alone is the answer to life. Was invited to a 40 year telephone company reunion in Myrtle Creek, Oregon today; for some of you who don't know I worked at the telephone company in Myrtle Creek as a service representative in the business office for the first four years of my married life. It was a wonderful experience and it provided some lifelong friendships. I was aware all day long of how wonderful it is to know Jesus and how empty life can seem for those who don't know HIM. I am grateful for HIS care and direction in my life. Yes, we got our visas for China and will be leaving in eight days. What is in store for all of us? Part of the attraction is our total trust in God orchestrating our days. We trust HIM to provide opportunities and divine appointments. I plan to keep a daily journal of events and will record some of my thoughts right here on Nona's Thoughts when we return. I pray each of you will celebrate the goodness of God in your lives on a daily basis and will take hold of the opportunity to worship every chance you get. Good night after a very long day, which followed a rather long week. NONA