Gifts at Genesys

I realized I hadn't posted this. It was before Christmas...

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There have been so many people - family members, friends, and church family - who I have been in prayer for this past week. The needs include physical healing, financial provision, relationships restored, and guidance.

How appropriate that my study this week focused on the Peace that we have through Jesus Christ.

455. A life-size nativity outside the entrance to Genesys Medical Center.

456. A poem by Peter Marshall, Chaplain to the US Senate posted inside the Genesys Medical Center elevator pointing to Jesus who is "the way, the truth, and the life."

457. Being with friends through the bad times as well as the good.

458. Advent reading for today focused on Jesus, our peace.

459. and finally, on the way to worship this morning, the first song we heard was, "Hold Me Jesus"

It's a Battle - It's a Choice

It's a new year and I'm battling with the same struggles - all related to my mouth.  

This morning's Scripture reading came from Genesis 4:6-7 

"...'Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.'"

Then again from this morning's message taken from Romans 6:12, 

"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions."

Who am I obeying?  The deceiver whispers in my ear, "You'll never win this battle. You're a failure. You should have this mastered, by now. You are weak. You are useless." 

Thankfully, I KNOW my God and my God is the God of second, and third, and fourth...chances. By His grace I will overcome, for it is:

"...Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4:6

If I believe my God is mighty to save, how can I NOT believe that He is mighty to overcome my weaknesses?

My Jesus, My Savior,

You have accepted me as I am - all my fears and failures. I ask that you move the mountain in my life. You conquered the grave, help me conquer the enemy (often myself) in this daily battle I fight. You never fail! May your mercy fall on me.  I surrender; I give my life to follow that your light might shine through me for the glory of the risen King!

BonVoyage 2010 - The 4-C's

Reflecting on the events of the past year, the 4-C’s will remember 2010 as a year of changes and challenges, but also overflowing with God’s blessings!

Cristin is in her senior year at Charleston Southern University.  She thoroughly enjoys her studies and her extra-curricular activities such as Lyric Theater for which she was the stage manager. This spring, she won the first undergraduate research award for the Southeastern Region of the American Music Therapy Association for her research about the effect of music on children with Autism. In June, she had the unexpected opportunity to go to Italy with her choir.  She enjoyed her second summer at Spring Hill Camp as a Wrangler-Counselor-Coach and is planning to return for a third summer. Cristin is also busy investigating internship possibilities starting next fall – a six month internship is a requirement for graduation.

Chad did not come home this summer as he was able to obtain a summer job at the University of Alabama Huntsville; we only saw him twice between January and December. The summer job led to a position as an RA in the freshman residence hall, which he has enjoyed. Chad planned a road trip and weekend away to visit Cristin in Charleston for Thanksgiving. He excels in his academics and is excited about an engineering internship with American Axle & Manufacturing this coming summer.

In March, Craig’s dad lost his battle with kidney cancer. We were thankful that he made it home from Florida in time to spend his last few days with the family. Dad’s passing has left quite a void in our lives. Craig still works as a chemist for GM. This year, his job has taken him to Florida, Mexico, and Delaware. Between taking care of Dad’s Estate, serving our church as an elder, and keeping our vehicles operational, there was no spare time to attend on his favorite hobby, and the boat was left dry docked for the second summer in a row.  He did get to do some salmon fishing, thanks to the generosity of good friends.

The most amazing news is that Cheryl was hired by GM as a Fluids & Lubricants Materials Engineer after working 8 months contract in the Chemistry lab under the same manager. While she loved her work in the lab, the engineering job provides many new opportunities, challenges, and benefits. She never dreamed she’d be back to work as an engineer after 20 years of retirement. It has been a challenge to balance home and career – definitely a work in progress.

Craig and Cheryl also celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary in September, fishing out of Ludington with our good friends, the Allens and Ludwigs.

Finally, with all of our lives changing and realizing it will not get simpler with careers and independence, Cheryl had to do something drastic to get the family together for our first family vacation since early 2006. She “imprisoned” the 4-C’s on a ship for a 4 night cruise from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together. The main highlight was that Craig “forced” the kids to parasail over Coco Cay. Chad entered the paper airplane and table tennis competition onboard, while Cristin surprised us by her rock wall climbing prowess. Other activities included a Pirates and Fort Tour in Nassau, reading, playing cards, and just hanging out, relaxing together.

We concluded the year hanging out with our family – we had a70th birthday celebration for Gramps; Craig and Chad fished on Barnes Lake; Cristin and Cheryl enjoyed skiing and snowmobiling at Knable’s Kottage with Nonna & Gramps and Julie & her boys.

As we say Bon Voyage to 2010, we anticipate the exciting adventure God has for us in 2011!  Happy New Year!

Gifts From My Children

In the last week and a half, I received many gifts from my children. Every call, e-mail, and IM makes me smile - well, most every one!

449.  Hearing that Chad wants to go fishing with Dad on break, and Cristin wants to go hunting on the property. This surprised their dad and I'm sure blessed his socks off ! :)

450.  Getting a "safe arrival" call twice during the week. The thought of my kids looking forward to just hanging out together and willing to spend 8-10 hours in the crazy holiday traffic each way to do it is a gift.

451.  Getting a call that a phone interview for a summer internship IN MICHIGAN went well. The thought of both kids being within day visit produces anticipation and joy that is difficult to contain.

452.  Getting a message stating he got the internship at American Axle and Manufacturing - YAY God! It looks like Chad will be home for the summer.

453.  "New Bible" topping the Christmas list for both kids.

454.  A humorous e-mail from Cristin that made both Craig and I laugh. The Lord knows, we need to laugh more.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
        the fruit of the womb a reward.
    Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
        are the children of one's youth.
    Blessed is the man
        who fills his quiver with them!
    He shall not be put to shame
        when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."
 (Psalm 127:3-5 ESV)

Thank you, Lord, for my children. They are a precious gift from you!

Scrapbooking Until it Hurts

Today, I stayed home and scrapbooked to my heart's content - or rather, until my hands hurt, my eyes started blurring, and I ran out of tape - amazing how it all happened at the same time. :)

448.  I am thankful to have had a day, pretty much to myself, without anywhere to go, no one to see, and nothing else to do. OK, I really should have cleaned house, but I played "hooky" instead! I looked through pictures, tried to remember names of people from six years ago (my memory is not so good, these days), and tried to come up with creative ways to display them in my scrapbook. Did I say I "played" today? I take it all back...This creating thing is hard WORK!

I am exhausted, and ready to relax on the couch with a good movie or a good book. Or, maybe I'll just enjoy watching the backs of my eyelids. =D

What a great day! I am blessed...

A REALLY old picture of me doing the limbo on a cruise we took BEFORE kids. I better start practicing...leaving in 3 weeks. YAHOO!

A Different Thanksgiving and Black Friday

This year, Craig and I spent Thanksgiving at the home of  friends and with their extended family. We were not the only "orphaned" family they took in this Thanksgiving.

My character and thankful attitude was challenged on several occasions - yet, I still praise His name!

440.  Failed pie crusts are just a cup of flour an a little shortening - thankful it's easy to start again, and thankful for the www. to figure out what went wrong! (I've made dozens of pies, so I was stumped!) Could it be the old, old flour?

441.  Pumpkin pie mix spewing out of the base of my blender splattering everything within a square foot area. I had checked the seal but failed to see the huge crack through the plastic blade mount. *sigh*  I guess it served me well for the last 25 years. I'm thankful it's easy and inexpensive to replace, and I now have something on my Christmas list. :)

442.  "Helping" Craig carry in our food, only to spill turkey juice down the front of me before we got to the house. Thankful that a little water and rag got it out, though it was a little sticky when it dried.

443.  Being unbelievably embarrassed in front of a roomful of people I had just met by something I had no control over. Nothing like a BIG dose of humility and being thankful to be an adult and not a teenager. Some day I'll get over it and may even be able to laugh about it.  :-/

444.  Thankful for gracious hosts and the opportunity to meet and get to know some new people.

445.  Thankful for phones and phone calls from my kids. And thankful they miss being with me- almost as much as I miss being with them.

446.  Calling our very best neighbors ever and having a long conversation to catch up. We'll never forget them even though they live across the country. It's still fun talking to them and we're so thankful for the impact they had on our young family.

447.  Spending the day scrapbooking and visiting with my sister, thankful I was not out navigating the crowded streets, parking lots, and stores. Just being with her is the BEST! (But I actually accomplished something, too.)

Sometimes, you don't appreciate things until you don't have them, anymore. I have always been thankful for my family, but never so aware of the void they fill as this Thanksgiving when we weren't able to be together.

This may shape future Thanksgivings...

With Thanksgiving

Giving Thanks with a Grateful Heart for:

421.  My God and Savior, Jesus Christ, without whom I'd have no hope in this world or for the next.

422.  My one and only husband of 25 years...and they said it would never last! Thankful for the adventure we're in.

423.  My "kids" excited to spend a few days together; excited to cook, and bake.

424.  Seeing my children grow up and what they are becoming. It's a blessing to see that them making some of our values their own.

425.  Seeing my children flourish where God  has placed them and knowing that even though they are so far away, they are right where God wants them and trusting Him to care for them.

426.  My Dad recovering from a mild stroke.

427.  The love and support of my family and extended family.
428.  Many happy memories of large family Thanksgiving gatherings.

429.  People who look out for my kids while they are so far from home.

430.  Blessed to have been able to stay at home and raise my children - the memories are precious, irreplaceable, and forever.

431.  Sitting under the teaching of a godly pastor for the last 4 1/2 years. 

432.  Old vehicles that are paid for and still get me to where I need to go. (And a husband that can figure out how to keep them running!)

433.  Learning to be content in all circumstances. 

My new job at the NEW GM - Who could ever imagine that I could get back into a career after 20 years of retirement AND back with that same company I started with 25 years ago?! 434.  Unbelievable in human terms, but predictably a "God thing".

435.  Awesome, helpful co-workers!(Thanks Jess and Joan for all the "training".)

436.  Financial provision to be able to help our kids pay for college so they won't graduate with a load of debt.

437.  Seeing people grow in their faith as they read, study, and "do-do" the Word.   :)

438.  Mentors and mentees who challenge me to live out my faith loudly, and encourage me in word and deed.

439.  Friends who open their homes and hearts to others.

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!