What? Monday Already?

WOW!!! It is Monday already!! Where did these two days off go?? I don't know for sure, but they did fly by and were filled with good people and good times.

First, the dinner on Saturday evening. Then, Ryan, Cara and Lydia did come to church on Sunday without pressure from me. I was so elated to see them there and know that they want Lydia to have a good basis from which to grow.

Cara is already revisiting her youth and thinking about things that she has done...then worrying that Lydia will do the same and perhaps, even more. She is concerned about the choices she is going to make in her life, the kind of friends she is going to choose.

I told her that one of my biggest regrets is not raising them in a good church-based environment, and that this is important for Lydia to be able to make the right decisions in her life. So, hopefully, they are on their way!!

Then, after church--breakfast with Lindsay and some shopping for her birthday. We didn't find what we were looking for, but we had a nice time together--good, quality time....and this is actually more important than the buying of things.

I didn't know this until yesterday....but, apparently while I was at the dinner on Saturday, Andrew and Lindsay went to the speedway for "minivan races". I didn't even know there was such a thing as this!!

The person they knew who was racing came in second, so they were happy for him.

Well, that's all for now!! Have to go get ready for another week!!

Beth

Okay, I Admit It!!

What am I admitting? The fact that I am over 50 years old!!

I finally broke down and joined the "50+ Ministry" at my church. I've been in denial and didn't want to join in. After all, by doing this, I'm saying that I'm of a "senior age"!!

Last night, this group had a "Dinner for Eight". I signed up, made an Asian salad and meandered over to the church around 6 p.m.

Guess what? I had a wonderful, fun time!! I met some people that I have seen in church but didn't know, had a fabulous meal and played some games!! I even won a white flox to put in my garden (as soon as it becomes and stays warm enough here to plant anything without worry of frost).

So, I'm over 50 by some 6 years, and I'm proud to say it!! Now, I'm ready to move on to those other senior discounts offered at some places!!

Today---off to church this morning. Ryan, Cara and Lydia are supposed to meet me there. After church, Lindsay and I are going to breakfast and then shopping for part of her birthday present (which was Friday).

I haven't been able to knit, crochet or even sew for at least the past two month due to an elbow problem. I'm truly missing this, and I wish I could spend the rest of the afternoon working on a sweater for Lydia. The pattern has been picked out, the yarn ordered and arrived....and here, I sit with it staring at me just waiting to be started.

But, no, I'd better listen and do what the doctor tells me or I'll be right back where I started.

Lydia is almost 5 months old now, and Cara still has her sleeping in her room with her in what we called a "portacrib". This is now a "Pack and Play", and really--she is too big for it!

So, I talked with her and told her to put Lydia in her crib during the day while she is awake so that she gets used to being there.

Seems like she is content there, don't you think?

Now, I just heard from Cara. Lydia was put to bed in the crib last night and slept the night through. It is now 8 a.m., and she is just starting to wake up!! Cara says that she is proud of both of them. I'm sure that Lydia actually got more sleep than Cara who was up and down checking on her through the night.

I remember those days--especially with Andrew, my oldest. It was difficult to put him in his own room. He seemed so far away.....even though he was just around the corner. But, actually, he slept better....and after a while....so did I.

Well, I'm to get ready for church!! Have a wonderful day!!

Beth

Jesus, My Friend

Today I'm joining with The Power of Your Love in the study of "Praying the Names of Jesus".



This week the name we studied was "friend". Of course, the first thing that popped into my mind was the song "What a Friend We Have in Jesus".....remembering singing this when I was a young child.


As I reflected on this song, the verse that stuck in my mind was "what a privilege to carry every thing to God in prayer". And this is truly a privilege that God has given us. We can come to Him with our gladness, our joy and our praises as well as our frustrations, anxieties and worries. He wants to hear from us. He is waiting to hear from us. And when we don't show us to communicate with Him, He is disappointed and misses us tremendously.

I think of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden--that perfect place where God formed and blew the breath of life into them. Then, the sin.....doing the one thing that God had told them not to do.

Did God walk away from them? Did He leave them in their fright with them hiding from Him?

No, He came looking for them.....walking through the Garden.....calling for them. He wanted to spend time with them even though He already knew they had not obeyed. I can picture God calling to them:

"WHERE ARE YOU?"

There, at this very moment, the first sacrifice was given. One of the animals that God had created and Adam had named had to be killed so that Adam and Eve could have clothing to hide their nakedness.

The key scripture for this week is John 15:13:

"Greater love has no one then this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

I have friends.....I have brothers and sisters in Christ....but, would one of them give their life for me? I cannot honestly answer this with a "yes".

But, that is exactly what Jesus did--He came from Heaven as a helpless baby--came from the perfect place to live here with us in this fallen world. Jesus--the ultimate sacrifice--gave up His life so that we could call Him "friend". He bridged the chasm between us and God so that we could have the privilege to go to God with every thing--big or small--God cares and wants us to come to Him.

Through this past week, I've had another song humming through my mind. I could only grasp bits and pieces of this song...a word or line here and there. I've asked people..even sung for them to try to remember the name of this song and the words in their entirety.

This morning it came to me...just like that!! I'm going to share this song with you because Jesus loves us just as we are....He loves us even though we may fail and fall. He doesn't want us to stay the way we are....He wants us to conform ourselves to His likeness....a goal we will never achieve this side of Heaven.

But, we are to try. He is here to help us, and through the power and might and strength and, most of all, love of God, we can achieve what God wants us to do....exactly as He has planned.

Jesus, Lover of My Soul

Worship You, my Lord, until the very end
Worship You, my Lord, until the very end
Worship You, my Lord, until the very end
Worship You, my Lord, until the very end

Jesus, lover of my soul
Jesus, I will never let You go
You've taken me from the miry clay
Set my feet upon the rock and now I know

I love You, I need You
Though my world may fall, I'll never let You go
My Savior, my closest friend
I will worship You until the very end

Jesus, lover of my soul
Jesus, I will never let you go
You've taken me from the miry clay
Set my feet upon the rock and now I know

I love You, I need You
Though my world may fall, I'll never let You go
My Savior, my closest friend
I will worship You until the very end

I love You, I need You
Though my world may fall, I'll never let You go
My Savior, my closest friend
I will worship You until the very end

Worship You, my Lord, until the very end
Worship You, my Lord, until the very end
Worship You, my Lord, until the very end
Worship You, my Lord, until the very end

Beth