A Song Worth Singing

The other day when I was out and about, I saw a mini-van with a woman driving and what appeared to be her two young daughters in the backseat.  It looked like they were all singing.  And it brought memories flooding back to me.

When my two girls were young, it seemed we spent a lot of time in the car.  Living in a small town 10 miles away from our church, shopping, many of our activities, and a lot of our friends - it’s just what we did.  That was back in the days when we all had bigger hair, my eyeglasses were as large as my face, and I had a snazzy wardrobe that included leggings and razzle-dazzle tops.  We eventually moved to town, but we were still on the go a lot.  Sometimes they fought over who got to sit up front.  Make no mistake - it was not to be close to me.  It was for control of the radio! (I’m not sure I ever heard an entire song for a couple of years there in the early 90’s!)  And then came the age of the Walkman.  From then on, they were usually both in the back of my mini-van, each with their own knock-off version of a Walkman, both singing their guts out to a different song!

When I think back to those days of raising my girls, the hindsight thing kicks in and I wish I had done some things differently.  However, history is what it is and we can’t go back.  I know I made mistakes, and for that, I humbly apologize to my children.  But I was just doing the best I knew how at the time.  We had our share of mother / daughter disagreements, frustration, and trials.  But I think we also had some good times and fun along the way.  I know I have a lot of wonderful memories of their childhood.  I hope they do, too!  

But maybe I did some things right raising them.   In their metamorphosis from childhood years into the adult world, they traveled totally different paths.  And they have both emerged into amazing young women.  They are intelligent, articulate, driven, funny, compassionate, and fiercely loyal to those they love.  And they are both beautiful.  

They still march to different drummers and sing their own song.  And it puts a song in my heart to think about them.  My song is one of praise to God for allowing me the privilege of being their Mom!

So to you – Jenny and Katie – I just want to tell you how very special and precious you both are to me.  You are treasures beyond worth and I love you so much!

“Children are a gift from the Lord.”  Psalm 127:3 (NLT)

It's My B-Day!

Tomorrow I’m celebrating my B-day.  I’m not planning party or anything like that.  The celebration is in my soul.  You see, it’s not my birth-day, but it’s my baptism-day!

I was baptized as a child – I think I was in the 4^th grade.  But as I look back on my life I know now that I had no real idea at that time what baptism meant.  I was a rebellious child at best (so sorry Mom & Dad!) but I was also a pleaser.  My best guess is that when I was asked if I understood what baptism meant, that I said yes.  But over the last few years I have questioned if I was really saved and it has bothered me.  

For years I have prayed for many who are dear to me – especially my children – that God would speak to them in a way that was real to them.  But it seems that He has been working in and speaking to me also.  What I have discovered is that I knew who Jesus was, but I did not know Him.  In the past few months, I have truly encountered Him and I finally know with certainty what He did for ME on that cross.  For the first time ever in my life, when that knowledge finally sunk into my brain and into my heart, I fell to my knees, face down before God.  I am forgiven and free.  And I am grateful.  So now, it just seems like an act of obedience that I am baptized again, this time fully knowing the significance of the act.

Six years ago I married an amazing man.  It is in large measure due to him that I am where I am today on my spiritual journey.  We study together and pray together. He has encouraged me and taught me so much.   It is for that reason that I asked Mark if he would baptize me.  And he said yes!!!  I’m so excited!  We’ve talked to our Pastor, tomorrow is the day, and I am ready to celebrate!  God is so good.

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good . . . Psalm 106:1

Opening Day

The Event:  

Spring Cleaning 2011 - Episode #1

 (Note:  Hardly any weeds in the beds - reaping the rewards of 2010 chemical warfare!)

The Conditions:  

Mid 70's

Light breeze

Hardly a cloud in the beautiful blue sky

PERFECT!!!!

The Help:  

Enthusiastic!

(Picking up sticks)

(Stomping down the leaves)

(Running the leaf blower)

We raked out all of the beds around the house, mowed, and then tested all of the sprinklers.  Because I took the time to do a lot of the clean-up in the fall, we had plenty of time left to play a little football & soccer,  and to have a great chat under the big tree in the front yard.

I have an extensive list of garden chores on my agenda for this garden season.  But for right now, I'm just enjoying the beautiful weather and am grateful for what has been accomplished.

The 2011 garden season is officially open.  It's going to be a great year!!!!!