A Tribute To My Mom....

"You were the very best mom!', I whisphered.
"I needed to hear that," she replied in her soft German accent.

It was the middle of the night and I was sitting on the side of her bed.  At the time I probably didn't realize just how much Mom needed to hear those words. The next day she left us for Eternity.

I makes me angy now to think of how the devil torments our thoughts with feelings of doubt and worthlessness, even in our darkest and weakest moments.  Or perhaps especially in our darkest and weakest moments.  That's just how hateful Satan is.  But Gods love overcame the hate that night.  Just me, Mom and Jesus in the dark night, praying, smiling, embracing and encouraging.  Led by the Holy Spirit into a sweetness not of this world.  Only God can take the fleeting hours before impending death and make them a treasured memory.  And only God gives us the promise of an estatic reunion one day.

I love you you, Mom, and I miss you still.  But it's never been 'Goodbye,' but rather, 'See you later!'

Octuplets....

Since I am sleepless again tonight, I thought I'd just check out the news on the net. And, yes, there are yet more stories vilifying the mother of the octuplets. I find it sad that this woman's own mother is being reported as putting her down in almost every interview. Whatever Nadya Suleman's motives for being implanted with so many embryos, the fact is that this is a beautiful miracle! Surely God's favor was on this woman for all these babies to have survived and to be doing so well!

OK, so some want to address the medical expense of all these preemies, and the possible 'drain' they could be on our health care system. I work in a hospital and I could write a book about irresponsible, non-compliant patients and how they are a drain on our system. Want to discuss alcoholics, drug addicts, smokers, not to mention those who are constantly in the ER with vague symptoms just so they can get a legal buzz? Would it surprise you to know that most of the above mentioned patients health care is paid for by the government? And why is that? Because they have chosen a destructive lifestyle that has left them disabled. Besides free medical care, many of these also get assistance with rent, utilities, and food. Now that is a drain!

Now, please don't misunderstand. I am not against these people. Frankly, they help keep me in a job. I'm just saying that maligning the mother of the octuplets for this reason is totally ridiculous.

Well, what about her ability to care for all these kids? Just this week I spoke with an elderly woman who was the mother of 16 children. She was amazing! And she was surrounded by love. Compared to some elderly people I know who are alone, either because they have no children or their children cannot or will not visit, the lady with 16 kids is so blessed. No one will deny that caring for 14 children, 8 of them newborns, is going to be a tough job. But God put us all here to be family to one another. And if the Christians in Nadya Suleman's life pitch in to help like those in the lives of other parents of multiples have, then she will manage. In just a few short years those babies will be able to do much for themselves. And as they grow up together, they will never feel the loneliness that plagues some children that have no siblings.

My parents had 7 children. We didn't have a lot of material things. We wore hand me downs and ate simply. I never had a room of my own and seldom had a bed of my own. Sharing was a way of life. So was looking out for one another. And working along side my siblings and parents was considered normal. We were 'family' in every sense of the word. I think it will be somewhat the same for Nadya Suleman and her children. They will make it, and the difficulties will make them strong. And it will all be worth it.

Who knows what kinds of wonderful contributions these children may make to this troubled world. What if from this 'batch of embryos' there will be one who is destined to discover the cure, once and for all, of cancer. Or perhaps one of them will develop that car that runs on water instead of gas. Who knows? But time will tell. In the meantime, I hope Nadya gets all the help she needs. It's not our place to judge. I prefer to marvel at what the Lord has done. And I look at it this way. It replaces 8 aborted children. PTL!!!

Oh My Gosh! I'm 60!

Yikes!  Another birthday.  I can't believe I'm 60.  I don't feel sixty.  I certainly don't want to act 'my age'.  However, the years are catching up with me in some ways.   One of the sweetest things about growing older is that I have learned so much! 

 Finally I realize that there are more important things in life than ('gasp')  me.  I now know that if I don't get my way in all things, my world will not fall apart.  

I have come to understand that relationships are more important than material possessions. 

 My need for frenetic activity has been replaced with beautiful moments of quiet meditation and reflection. 

 I have discovered that God is closer than I ever imagined, and that my relationship with Him is the most important thing in my life.  

All in all, I'm feeling pretty good about being sixty.  Life is simple and good.  

'My whole being shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness.' Psalm 63:5

Rainy Tuesday

Sometimes I just love a rainy day! There's something about the subdued skies and sound of rain on the roof that is just relaxing. And all the better when I know that I don't have to leave the house today.

I have a bit of an annoying sniffle today. It's that time of year I guess. A bit of extra vitamin C will help, and lots of soft fluffy tissues. ;) Still, it's a great day!

Two new items have been added to The Kings Treasury today. If you get the time, go check them out. One of them has a prophetic word included. This is a bold step since not everyone understands or accepts that God still speaks to His people today except through His word. And when this subject comes up, I always stress that the Bible is the number one way God speaks today. And any prophetic word given must be in line with what the Lord has already spoken and recorded in His word. That said, I think it is exciting to know that God is not totally silent in these tumultuous times. I love it when He has something special to say to only me. It makes me feel like He is near and He really is mindful of each one of us. That makes even a rainy day seem special!

A New (sort of) Venture

Wow! It has been a while since I posted, but I have been very busy. I am starting a new Etsy shop, and am in the process of getting all my ducks in a row, so to speak, before I officially launch it. That means setting up the shop, getting banners and avatars, making products and numerous other little tasks that will make this shop special. And did I mention praying? Because this shop is inspired by God and will be a bit different from most others. I would love to say more about it, but I am going to wait until I begin listing items before I promote it too much.

Besides the new shop, I have been busy with the normal day to day things that we all contend with. Housework, shopping, etc., along with working my full time job. I could use a few more hours in each day, but I would just fill them up and still have things that I want to do. For instance, I would love to learn needle felting. But I just cannot add another hobby to my schedule right now. But there are such pretty things out there that are made that way. I admire you felters. You are so creative and talented!

But for now, I will stay with what I know. And if I don't add too many tasks to my days, perhaps I will find time to update my blog more often, and to read your blogs as well. As a matter of fact, I am off to read blogs right now. Catch you later!