Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Life, Death and moments with your sister

Sunday was Father's Day. It was a very busy day for us.

We ministered in Garrettsville for 2 services (9 & 11AM), lunch with Pastor, and then a visit to my in-laws for a belated birthday party and Father's Day celebration. Got home just before 8PM.....12 short hours later. I was whipped. My sister came over and brought the kids some ice cream....about 9:45pm a phone call came from Trinidad...my grandfather had just passed away at the age of 97.

Saying that grandpa was 97 is all relative because back in those days...... they did not register a birth right away......so the thought is that grandpa was somewhere around 103. Wow....what a long life. He rode his bike 20 miles per day well into his 70's. He was a very healthy man until a few years ago when his memory started to go and his body began to fail.

Back to the story....I fell asleep around 11:15 and the phone rang 15min. later. It was my sister, she had found a flight for dad that was not $ 1,200, did not leave out of Toronto, Canada, in fact it was only $ 350 but dad had to be at Cleveland Hopkins at 4:00 for his 6AM flight. All this would not be that bad if your parents did not live 3 and a half hours from you.

So I got dressed and headed over to my sister's house since her husband was out of state on business. We had not had a sleepover with just the 2 of us since I got married 14 years ago.

There are some things in life that just is made better because you have a sibling.....there is someone with whom you have an exclusive history with and things to laugh about.

We also realized that we have gotten use to sleeping with our husbands because I could not sleep because she is a heat machine and moves to much. She had issues with me because I don't sleep once I have been awaken. Therefore.....I want to talk and she wants to sleep.

We got out of bed at 2AM, got dressed, and went to Wal-Mart because dad needed a few things picked up. What a hoot!!! We laughed because it was just us and the workers at 2:30 in the morning.

Picked-up mom and dad in Mayfield and headed to the airport......dropped dad at 3:55 and went to park the car. Yea....we made it!!!

We stayed with him until he did the security thing at 5:15AM. Left the airport, picked-up his car in Mayfield and was back home in my bed by 6:30AM. But the story did not end there......

After just 1 short hour of sleep...people in my house were up and very surprised that their Grammie was in their house asleep. IT WAS TOOOO FUNNY!!

The kids could not believe all this happened while they were sleeping.

Mom went back to Lima on Monday to get things straight for church while they are gone and tomorrow she will head to Toronto for a family reunion. Because my sister will be out of town and our schedule is so jammed pack, my cousin (brother) Anil will be driving here to pick her up and take her back to Toronto for the reunion.....all in the same day. She's going to spend a few days with her sister and family and then back to Cleveland before dad comes home next week.

I have thought a lot about the process of life this week and the importance of family.

I am thankful for a close family. We love and support each other even though we live all over the world. There is something to be said about being Indian and the duty we are raised with concerning family. There is a bond that we share that is strong and gives us the opportunity to ALWAYS have someone to depend on when it is needed the most.

Thanks sis!!

(I have posted some pics for your enjoyment)

Friday, June 19, 2009

Treasure




I have been spending the day today cleaning out my closet.
It is NO secret that I Love Shoes.....I am somewhere between 125 and 150. Who counts anymore!!
Anyhow, for some reason cleaning the closet has caused me to think about our "earthly" treasures.
I think we all have "stuff" that we can say we treasure.
Some can say they treasure their spouses, children, cars, TV program(s), stamps, tools, clothes, motor cycle, house, SHOES..you name it. We can all put something in that spot.
The problem comes when we put our treasure before our walk with the Lord. OUCH!!
Yea, you did read correctly.
I can put my family before my relationship with the Lord, I can put my love for Shoes before my relationship with the Lord, I can put my love of summer and the fun that those sunny days bring before my relationship with the Lord......YOU fill in the blank.
When you find yourself spending more time chasing down a shoe sale, time with friends, listening to music.....it does not matter what it is. We need to be careful.
The bible has a few scriptures that we need to consider:
Matthew 6:1-34: Talks about praying, our treasure, and Anxiety
Hebrews 10:25: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
Our relationship with the Lord is one of "working out" our salvation. We need to search our hearts daily and see if there is anything separating us from what God would desire for perfect communion.
I always want to keep my eyes on the Ultimate Treasure!
Finally, I want to share a song with you that was popular back in the 80's. Some of you might remember it. The title is TREASURE by Gary Chapman. Here are the words:
They say that were your treasure is
There will your heart be also
And your heart stays where you hide your greatest love
Now you can leave that love on earth
Where thieves may steal tomorrow
Or you can take it to
That hiding place above
Where there`s a treasure at the end
Of this narrow road I`m traveling
And it gives me a purpose for my life
Jesus is my treasure
He`s the reason that I am living
And he`s gonna be my reason when I die
So if you`ve been wondering where you are
And where it is you`re going
He`s left a map for you and me to use
Just read the map and follow close
Always walking where it`s showing
You just can`t miss it
It`s way too much to lose
See there`s a treasure at the end
Of this narrow road
I`m traveling
And it gives me a purpose for my life
Jesus is my treasure
He`s the reason that I`m still living
And he`s gonna be my reason when I die

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Laundry, Laundry, Laundry

Does the laundry ever go away?
NO......It's all about laundry in our house.
Matthew gave me a shirt to be ironed this morning.....so like any good mom....I turned the iron on and as I was inspecting the wrinkles.....THE SHIRT WAS DIRTY.
So I headed to Matthew's room and did a little inspecting....the clean clothes were mixed up with the dirty ones.
Brittney does that ALL the time but until the past few months I had at least one child that had a clean room and things were in order.
Not anymore. He has caught her sickness and his floor is not filled with clothes but Lego's and his desk chair is piled up with clothes.......clean or dirty...it's all there....just 2 feet from the laundry shoot.
I will never win!!!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Rain and summertime

It's raining today. Now, I truly enjoy it when it rains.........if it thunderstorms.......WOW!!! My favorite day. If only I had an all glass sunroom....my life would be complete.
Rain and summer does not go well with the rest of people who live in this house.
Matthew started his day by falling out of bed at 9:45AM. That must have been some good sleeping he was doing. Anyhow, he has been stir crazy since then because he cannot go out and play. I think boys just need to run sometimes.
The summer pirate ship has been set up on the deck. Every summer my kids turn our deck into the hand made pirate ship. It's really funny. They have the best time turning my nice deck into their playground. They had to bring the sail and flag in because of the rain. So it looks like a ship with no "mates".
I have decided to make this a day where we help mom do some cleaning.
Can you just hear the joy they displayed when they heard they were going to help clean the laundry room?
I am inclined to be OCD and since I had surgery in April....my entire house is out of control. So, I am trying to get control a little bit at a time. Starting with the Laundry room. I will post pictures of our progress.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Memories

Today, I had a doctor's appointment in Geneva. It's funny....I only go to Geneva for doctor's appointments or to see friends during the holidays.
Do you have better memories as time passes?
I cannot help myself as I drive into the town but to remember my days in Jr. High School and Geneva High School.
I still remember the first Sunday we were at Geneva Assembly of God (my dad was the new pastor) in 1978. I met Holly Whitmire that day, she was there to introduce me to people at Geneva Jr. High since it was the middle of the school year. Although Holly and I did not remain close in High School, we still maintained a friendship and do to this day. I will never forget riding to Youth Convention in the back of (I think Kitty's truck) and Holly's mom being in our room. We got lost and made it to the service when it was almost over. Sis. Whitmire was a hoot back in those days and I am sure she still is.
I can think of so many people that I have been blessed in my life to meet. They have all had a part of shaping who I am today.
I think about my days in Marching Geneva....even though I was a BQ....it was different in Geneva for some reason. There is something about that band.....there is an Alumni Band today that performs for Grape Jamboree and there is a Marching Geneva FB page.....what does that have to say about a bond that you all share?
I laugh about sleepovers with Holly Euype (my HS Bud), Birthday parties with MB Emigh, trip to Kings Island with Kelly and Amy, Youth Convention, Tiny Bubbles (my name on the back of my band shirt), the glass enclosure.....great talking took place there, to boyfriend or not with Mark Tamblyn (enough said by the name), Studay Hall 100, senior doughnut sales, cookie grams........there are so many more memories.
The other day, I found Mr. Stand (our band director as freshmen). He was one of those teachers that taught me valuable lessons outside of the classroom that I did not even know about at the time.
The one thing I can say is that 26 years later, I am thankful for the friendships. Some have been renewed over the past few years and all have a common bond.....Geneva High School.
There was a little song I learned in elementary school that I want to share with you:
"Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold."
Thanks......all of you GOLD friends!!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Summer

Summer is in full swing at the Wilson house. They problem is.....the kids are sick. They have been sick off an on since last Wednesday. What's up with that? Today, children are coughing everywhere.
Every year I look forward to the kids being home. I have such great plans....they include.....cleaning the basement, their rooms, closets, scrubbing floors......Oh Yea.....going to the pool, park, and a host of fun stuff.
I sure hope they get better soon so that we can enjoy my plans for the summer!!!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

It was just yesterday


This morning I woke up as the mother of a 7th and 4th grader. I simply cannot believe it.
I spent the weekend handing out diplomas to graduating seniors. Went to 2 - 5th grade promotions and shook 240+hands at 8th grade promotion.
For some reason I felt very emotional. I always think that I am ready for the different stages of my children's life but the older I get........I AM NOT READY!!!
Was it not just yesterday that the strip turned pink and I found out that I was going to be a mom?
There are moments in my children's life that feels like it was yesterday.
The day that she was sick for the first time and I worried about her being healthy. BTW....she is sick today and running a fever....the feelings have not changed.
The day that I walked into Munson Co-Op with my sister and "checked-out" Miss Amy and her school. How do you say THANKS to one of the MOST EXCEPTIONAL teachers and people that I have ever met. This woman has exemplified (to this day) how teachers should be. She simply loves her job and her students. She has always gone above and beyond what is expected of her.
How about the first day of Kindergarten when my little girl wore her orange bow, striped top, jean skirt and her sandals. She seemed so small walking into that big building.
3rd grade came along to quickly and my heart broke everyday that she cried because she had to go to her home school. You see the school of choice was full and had no room for another 3rd grader. It all ended up part of God's great plan for her but those tears everyday was more than mom could handle at times.
5th grade came along and what can I say..........the drama began. There were some lessons that were encountered and the tears flowed. I would have given anything to take away the pain.
This past year we have started to deal more with hormones, boys, friends, clothes, make-up, victories, and disappointments.
Raising boys are a different story for me. In our case......it seems to be......steady as he goes.
His greatest battle is just building himself up to TAKE THE CHANCE.....He just might like whatever he tries.
He also had Miss Amy.....she changed his diapers and helped us conquer potty training. She was there to help in the reading during the summer. Then he went to Pre-K at the same school that I was teaching K thru 8 Music. I could go and see him when I had a break. Then came Kindergarten, Matthew had no adjustment problems to being there all day. It has always been......BYE MOM!! He thinks he's tooooo cool for mom.
Both kids are very blessed and do very well in school. They both have their sports and activities that they enjoy and do well at most everything they try. They seem to have no shortage of friends and are very social (Brittney more so than Matthew). He is a chick magnet.......it's really funny because he cannot stand girls.
How does mom deal with all these changes in their lives? Prayer.
I can teach my children so many things but the greatest thing I can teach them is the power of prayer. I can live an example that shows them what a difference God can make in their everyday lives and be the BEST FRIEND that is always needed.
Now, none of that changes the fact that I love it when they are home under our roof. We take every new school year and adventure one step at a time......knowing the fact that we have 18 short years to build the foundation and after that.........the parenting changes.
I look forward to everyday with the expectation of watching them grow and change......even when I am not ready for it!!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Words

For sometime now I have had a real problem with Christians using words that I feel do not honor the Lord. We use words like: crap, dang-it, sucks, screwed.....etc.. and we think it's alright because we are not actually cussing. The bible has much to say about our tongues and our hearts. James 3:10 "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing." Now, please don't get me wrong, I don't judge someone because it's not my place to judge. I can tell you that it grinds my nerves.
I think everyday we need to ask Father to search our hearts and help us to see what is unpleasing to Him.
Pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church in Texas wrote a blog about "The Cussing Pastor", I thought it had some great thoughts. You can view it and read it on his blog and post your thoughts here or on his blog......I would love to know what you think.
Here is the link: http://www.edyoungblog.com/2009/06/the-cussing-pastor.html

Monday, June 1, 2009

Thinking about friends

Today, I have been working in the office, trying to fill our ministry schedule for the rest of the year. I never knew that I would be a booking agent when I went to bible school. In fact, there were a whole lot of things that no one ever taught me in bible school that I have learned about ministry.
1) Guess who gets to do the jobs around the church that no one else does?
2) Painting 101
3) Trash dumping 101
4) Sunday School teaching for ages 0-99 at the drop of a hat
5) Construction in various forms
6) Keeping awake when you have been up all night with a hurting soul
7) What to do when the bride has "lost her grip" the day before her wedding or the wedding food is "frozen"
8) Did I mention Toilet Cleaning 101
9) How to start a church and make sure it is running 500 in 3 short months....debt free
10) The value of ministry friendships
These are just some things that I have been thinking about today.
Now, it's funny I know but you think about it......did they teach you those things?
The main thing on that list I want to talk about is my "ministry friends". I have been so blessed to have made friendships with people all over this country whom I met during my years spent in Springfield, MO. Now, I have not seen some of them in years but because of modern day technology I can re-connect with them and it's like time has not passed ....... we have just added new people to our family.
I am thankful for those who we have kept in contact and we have enjoyed ministry High and Lows......Marriage......Kids.....Sports.....Ballet.....Diapers (some of us Doug)........Pool time.....Summer......Winter.....you name it. It's all part of being Friends!!!
It is wonderful to know that although we are living out our "callings" in various cities and towns within the path that God set before us....I can always pick up a phone, send an email, or text and there will be a friendly voice on the the other side to listen and say a prayer.......I am truly blessed!!!
Today, I am thankful for my Friends!!