What is your life?

Late Friday night I received word via email that Andy, the son of a very close friend, had died on Thursday. His death, which came after a non-life threatening accident at his job, is at this point unexplained. He was in his late 20's.

My heart is broken for my friend and her family, and I can't imagine the pain they feel. She told me that it is the worst thing she has ever had to face. What they hold on to is their trust in God through Jesus Christ in all things.

After hearing this news, and being a mother, my thoughts turned to my own children and grandchildren. I was reminded to cherish my time with them because none of us knows when death will come. Scripture says that life is just a vapor that appears for a little time and then is gone.

All of us who knew this young man and his family are shocked. However, his death did not take God by surprise. And because Andy had put his trust in Jesus Christ, he is absent from the body but present with the Lord. What a comfort!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

We live in central Florida. You know, Florida: the Sunshine State. The place with Mickey Mouse, warm tropical breezes, palm trees, sunburned tourists and snowbirds.
Well, this morning it is 17 degrees here! We knew the forecast was for low 20's in our area, but when that happened before 11 PM, I told my husband that I would turn on the water at the kitchen sink to a trickle so the pipes would not freeze. (It usually works!) When I went back to check on it after an hour or so, there was no water running. The pipes were already frozen.
Fortunately, we still had a gallon of water in our hurricane supplies from last year and were able to give drinking water to the dogs and cats. But more importantly, I was able to make coffee. Yeah, gotta start the day out right, especially when it's this cold.
Now, I'm a Florida native, as were my parents and grandparents. Unlike them, I really like cold weather, so I'm not complaining about this cold snap. And it won't last long. We say that in Florida there are two seasons: Summer and two days of Winter. Just kidding. We also have Spring and Fall for two days each. (Wink, wink)
Wherever you are, stay warm. It's cold outside.

FOR TODAY (January 15, 2009)...

Outside My Window...It's sunny, but for Florida, it's cold!

I am thinking...about all the things I need to get done before the day is over.

I am thankful for...my warm, snug house.

From the kitchen...a Cuban dish called Picadillo. January is missions emphasis at church and tonight is the international dinner.

I am wearing...short sleeved t-shirt, sweat pants, warm socks.

I am creating... scrapbook pages. I say that almost every time, don't I?

I am going...to finish this and then get back to my "to do" list.

I am reading... Soul Survivor by Phil Yancey. WOW! Great book.

I am hoping... to get my closet cleaned this weekend. Too much stuff!

I am hearing... my washer and dryer, my snoring dog. How can he sleep all day, fall asleep beside me on the couch in the evening, then get into his bed and sleep all night?????

Around the house...it is quiet. I love quiet.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...Take supper tomorrow to some friends who have a major illness to deal with. Hmmmm. What to fix????

I'm so glad to be able to participate with the others in this Notebook entry. You can visit The Simple Woman's blog

HERE!

Number One Resolution

According to Fox News, the number one New Year's Resolution for Americans, according to a poll, is not to lose weight or stop smoking. It is to get out of debt.
Our church is among many across the country that is offering a 13-week program to help families do just that, become debt free. It is called Financial Peace University and is designed and taught via DVD by Dave Ramsey. It gives participants the information and tools they need to get their finances under control. It is an awesome program, and I recommend it to everyone, even if you don't have a lot of debt.

There isn't enough space here to tell you all that is covered in the lessons. Go to daveramsey.com, enter your zip code, and find a class near you. Then sign up and go. You won't be sorry.

Taking Inventory

Everywhere you look, from newspaper artricles to television specials, you see the lists that always show up this time of year. You know the lists I mean: The Best of 2008; The Worst of 2008; The Weirdest of 2008, etc. I get so tired of them, and refuse to read or view them. But I have to admit that making a list at the end of the year isn't such a bad idea.

I think I will make my own list tomorrow, on New Year's Day. I want to remind myself of the good things from the past year, things given to me so lovingly by my Heavenly Father. Not all of those things would be considered good by many people, but they ultimately work for good in my life.

It's good to take inventory. Count your blessings. Count it pure joy. (James 1:2-4) Count yourselves dead to sin. (Romans 6:11) Count God's thoughts. (Psalm 139:17-18) Count all things loss, for the sake of Christ. (Philippians 3:7-11)

There is little optimism for the new year from the talking heads on television news programs. But, God has not changed. He has things under control. And we, as His children, will see that as we look into His Word, and we can rejoice no matter what is going on around us. Let's enjoy life in this new year. Laugh with others and at ourselves. Look for the good things. Have a tea party.

Happy New Year, friends.

Merry Christmas???

Today is Christmas. Traditionally, we go to our daughter's house about 8 AM and open gifts together while sipping coffee or hot chocolate and munching on sweet rolls. But this year is anything but traditional. The above picture, taken when we were decorating my tree this year, has healthy kids hamming it up for the camera. Today is a different day!

A "bug" has invaded Todd and Tracee's house, and they are in various stages of illness: just getting over it, completely sick, or just coming down with it. YIKES! It's a major germ house. We tried to decide how to spend Christmas together without spreading The Yukkies to everyone in the family, and there isn't a good solution.

So, we watched via webcam as the kids opened the gifts that were under their tree. Later, we will take our gifts for them outside and have an open-air gift exchange, possibly reducing the chance of contamination as they open them. (Yes, we can do that, because it is once again hot in Florida for Christmas. In fact, we are using the air conditioner today.) Our Christmas dinner will probably be postponed until Saturday.

Is this disappointing? Yes, because we had planned for this day and always have so much fun together. But, I think of all the men and women serving in the armed forces who are separated from their families. They are willingly sacrificing time with those they love in order to help protect us. And there are many who can't share Christmas with their families because they have answered the call to missions and are sharing the story of Jesus in another country. Some can't go home for Christmas because of financial struggles, or illness, or other challenges. Others have lost loved ones this past year, and don't feel like celebrating at all.

This interruption of our Christmas plans is truly small. We will work it out. I'm so thankful for how God has blessed our family, and changing our plans is not a biggie.

Merry Christmas, everyone, and a blessed New Year.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

We have been so blessed to have children who love and honor us, and who desire to live a life pleasing to God. They made the choice to seek after God when they were young. Our prayer for them has always been that they be godly and that they would find godly spouses. Our son, who is still single, continues to wait on the Lord for the answer to that prayer.

Our daughter, Tracee, has been married to Todd for almost nineteen years. Today is his birthday and I want to honor him as he turns 39. So, here goes.

Todd, you are a blessing to Dad and me in so many ways. We see you grow in your walk with Jesus and know that you desire to live for Him. You have matured as a husband to our "little girl" and as a father to the J's. You are so helpful to us as tech support for computer problems, tv glitches, and cell phone programming. And you can repair almost anything, analyze what is wrong with an engine no matter the size - car, mower, weed eater, air conditioner - and make it run again most of the time. Heavy lifting, you're there. Moving stuff, you're there. Building, tearing down, cleaning up - there. We depend on you for so much help, and thank you for always being there for us.

Most of all, we are so very grateful that you love Tracee and work so hard to provide for your family. You love Jared, Jessie, Juliana, Jacob and Jordan. And we know that you love us.

When you came to Dad and asked for permission to marry Tracee, remember what he said? He gave you a list of several things he thought you should improve on before he gave you an answer. Many young men would have bristled at the idea, been offended at the suggestion, and ignored what he said. But not you. You addressed everything on that list, and a few months later became our son-in-law.

We have weathered a few storms together as a family, and we have grown to love you as a son. We wouldn't trade you for anyone, and pray for you and for your family daily.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and much love from Dad and Mom II

PS. For anyone who is reading this blog and wonders about the picture - no, Todd cannot play the piano. But he fakes it well in a picture.