CURIOUS GEORGE

I love to read. In fact, I don't read any ONE kind of book. I like a variety of books. When I was in school, I HATED to read. I would fall asleep when I had to read or study. I can't remember one book I read in high school or college. (Hmmmmm, hope that doesn't mean I didn't read any of them???????) Anyway, I began reading when I was about 30 years old. I was living in the Dallas area and took a 50 minute park and ride to and from downtown Dallas. Since there was nothing to do on the bus for that amount of time, I began reading James Mitchner's books. (What a way to begin, right???) I fell in love with reading. Yes, Mitchner is very detailed, very, very loooooooong, and begins each book from the very beginning of time. But his writings are fantastic. I loved reading his work. I read fiction, autobiographies, history and comedy. I read for entertainment. I don't like self help books. I figure if I have to go to another person who had to go to therapy, and took years to work out their own problems, how could they help me work on mine? Besides, their problems aren't like mine, right? And anyway...what problem was I going to work on? I can't remember....? Oh well....couldn't be tooo bad.

I didn't read to my children when they were small. Jimmy and I both worked, and like I said, I took a 50 minute park and ride home before picking up two little boys from nursery school and rushing home to feed them, bathe them and put them to bed. Reading just wasn't in the picture. Another 30 minutes was just waaaaay too late for two little guys.

My son and daughter-in-law, however, read to our two grandchildren. In fact, Alix, our daughter-in-law, take the kids to the library at least once a week for them to pic out books and movies for their enjoyment. The kids LOVE the library! (Laura Bush would be so proud!) They each get to pick out books of their choice, and at night, before bed, they get to choose the book of their choice that is read. Emery likes her princess books and Huston likes an assortment of books.

I babysat for them last week while Clark and Alix had a date night for their anniversary. Since it was a school night for Huston, I went to their house to sit. After fun time and baths, they chose their books for Lovey to read. Emery chose some short, cute, book and was lights out and fast asleep quickly. Next, Huston was busy choosing just the right one for our time together. It was interesting how he carefully chose between the number of books he brought home from the library. After careful survey, he decided on Curious George. Funny how this little monkey, George, has been such a popular book for so many little kids for so long.

Curious George, and his keeper/master - the man in the yellow suite and hat - are quite a pair. The man is this patient, kind, helpful and protective owner. George, a curious little fellow, cannot help himself, but constantly gets into trouble because he doesn't follow the instructions of his keeper/master in the yellow suite and goes on about his own, curiously seeking something he shouldn't. Sometimes George causes all kinds of trouble, even though his intentions are not to do so. He is just curious. He just can't help himself. He is just following his own desires. Even when his keeper/master would tell him not to do one thing, George could not help himself.

Sometimes, I think I am like George. I am curious. I like to check things out myself. I like to do things or see things or go to things that look good to me, even if I know I shouldn't. Somehow, I convince myself it will be okay and not so bad after all. Like George, I get into trouble. Except my trouble, unlike George's, is sin. You see, my master has given me instruction (in His WORD). They are very clear. His Word is my standard. His yes is yes and his no is no. His basic standard of behavior is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. But in my humanness, I want to explore things MY way. I want to try to do things in MY way, with MY attitude, within MY rules and with MY expectations. Like George, this only causes me trouble. My bailout must come from my keeper in the yellow suite and hat, my Lord. Like Curious George, why do I never learn?

One thing is good to know though, the man in the yellow suite and hat is ALWAYS there for George in the end. He never leaves George. Never forsakes George. That is true for my Lord too. So why do I continue to test Him? Hmmmmm....will I EVER learn?

Today, I am thankful for the unconditional love and support of my Lord, my "MAN" in the yellow suite and hat. The ONE who never leaves me, but is always there when I goof, get into trouble and call for help. The ONE who gives me freedom to choose Him but does not forsake me when I goof and return to Him to repent.

So today, how curious am I to know the ONE in the yellow suite and hat...to know what His desires are for me and His standards are for my life?

Hmmm....I wonder if His glorious suite sparkles like gold? A little glitter, bangles, sequins or beads? Sassy!

OCCUPATIONS

I was looking through a list of registrants for our Bible study this morning, noting occupations of some of the members in order to find certain ones that might be willing to serve in some specific capacity in our class. It got me thinking about the different occupations we all have during our lifetimes. It's funny, but most of us don't even stop to think about the shear NUMBER of occupations we can count as having had. Many of the sheets I looked through had "retired" written on them. Yet, were they really retired?

Take me...I made a list from birth to present...I had to think really hard to remember them all, but here goes:

1. Baby

2. Middle Sibling (not always the best job, but hey...someone had to do it on

our family!)

3. Red Cross Representative in school (at least my school annual said I was)

4. Volunteer in School (plays, etc.)

5. Ballet student

6. Ballet assistant

7. Ballet teacher (loved all the ballet years)

8. Girlfriend (now I REALLY liked that one! Especially since I married the guy!)

9. Baby sitter (prepared me for later years and made some cash)

10. WIFE - Yeah!

11. Sales clerk (YUK)

12. Receptionist (Hello!)

13. Insurance whatever (at a bank)

14. Property Manager for a Real Estate Firm (2 actually - one in Beaumont and

one in Dallas)

15. Bookkeeper/Business office (Ho-hum)

16. Executive Assistant to the President of a Data Processing Firm (Downtown

Dallas was really fun - during the "Dallas" TV show time)

17. MOM - YIPEE

18. PTA President (worst job ever!)

19. Home Room Mom (for two children - wild!)

20. Asst. Coach (soccer team - 1 yr.)

21. Sewer of costumes (Halloween)

22. Volunteer/Committee head for fundraisers in community (Wifely duty)

23. Bible Study leader

24. Sunday School Preschool Teacher/Class Leader

25. Church Yard Maintenance (Corralled the boys to help serve)

26. Children's Choir costume maker

27. Legal Secretary (interesting job)

28. Preschool/Children's Ministry Coordinator (Kids say the darnedest things!)

29. Asst. to the Minister of Education

30. International Flight Attendant (LOVED TO TRAVEL)

31. Author (Book for flight attendants)

32. Painter (our homes)

34. GRANDMOTHER (BEST JOB EVER!)

35. Housekeeper (sucks!)

36. Cook (sucks worse!)

37. Ironing Queen (worst sucks ever!)

38. Listener and encourager

39. Household Shopper (HATE the other kind - no kidding!)

40. Best Friend

41. Blogger

These are just some of the ones I could think of. There are probably many, many more I can't even remember. With all these jobs/activities/responsibilities, how in the world could any of us really be good at any ONE of them? We are one big balancing act! I don't work outside the home, yet I don't consider myself retired. I have much to do.

It made me think about our Lord. Scripture tells me that our Lord is the Alpha and the Omega. He was always and always will be. He never stops, never ends, never retires. He never leaves us, never gives up on us, never retires from us, and has NEVER said we are to retire from Him or His work! So why do so many of us think as we move on into the later years of our lives that we have "done" our time and we can "retire," let another have a turn?

God calls us to a "lifetime" of relationship with Him. Relationships don't retire, they don't stop "doing" or "being" or "producing" or "stop". Relationships love and serve each other. God calls us to a lifetime of service to Himself. A lifetime of living that glorifies Him in every way, in everything we do and are. So in all my "jobs", whatever that may be at this time of my life, (including my blogging), it is my "job", out of great love, appreciation and honor that I glorify my Lord in all things said and done.

Today, I am thankful for the opportunities God has given me to work for Him as I have worked for others in my lifetime. It was and is, in these opportunities, I have had the honor and opportunity to bring honor and glory to Him in all things.

My challenge today...how in the world will I bring Him honor while I clean these commodes? (Surely HE will figure out a way!)

LEGACIES

I guess it's a guy thing. It must be...they have this thing that a little boy can NEVER have too many Legos. Huston just turned 5 and has begun collecting Lego sets. Jimmy and I gave him the Toy Story train set for his birthday. Then, he earned a "prize" from Lovey (me) for doing something good (I can't really remember what it was that it was so good for a $20 lego set). And now, he has combined all his small lego pieces to make an assortment of things he loves to play with.

Jimmy bought season tickets to Baylor's home games. Huston loves to go to the games so he can eat popcorn and see the bears (he could really care less about the game!). The first game is coming up on September 4th. (Jimmy has already asked permission for a boy trip - guess he felt he needed to since it's our 39th anniversary.) Huston is really pumped and decided he needed to show just how excited he really is - to be sure and snag a seat and transportation for the big day. We received a text from Clark today with a picture of Huston's rendition of the upcoming festivities. As you can see....he's ready to GO - SIC 'EM BEARS!

Isn't it fun to be a part of a university's alumni? To feel so excited to be on campus, remembering those fun times with friends and family, those years you spent there? Isn't it fun to bring your children back with you and tell the stories of where you met your wife, hung out with friends or did some mischief? I'm sure Jimmy and Clark will both have those moments as Huston grows and they get to share their fun memories with him. I'm praying Huston and Emery will want to continue their education at Baylor and become a part of this legacy too.)

Legacies are wonderful. In fact, our family has a number of bricks bought that now lay in the Burleson Quadrangle with Jimmy, Clark, Alix, Graham and Whitney's names on them, along with Jimmy's dad's, aunt, uncle, and cousin's. This legacy of Allen family bricks proclaim a history of men and women who proudly and lovingly walked the halls, lived in housing and worshiped in Chapel at this wonderful institution. This legacy is one we hope future generations will be added.

But the greatest legacy of all, is that our name be placed in God's book of life. Our name be known to the Father as belonging to Him forever. A legacy to be passed down from generation to generation. Though we are born into a family who are God's, this does not guarantee we will be a part of that legacy. It is our personal choice, to accept the offer of unconditional love and forgiveness by the blood of our Lord Jesus that we become adopted children of God and a part of His family and the legacy of believers.

So, what legacy do I want to leave my children? I want them to always know and remember; I am a believer of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was only by His personal choice that His blood was shed and He became the sacrificial lamb for the redemption of my sins. It is only by my complete reliance on His power for all things that I can do anything. It is by the power of His Holy Spirit that dwells within me that I can know Him personally and stand firm in my faith, making me a part of His family, His legacy.

So today, I am thankful for the legacy of my family at Baylor University. Thankful for their example of loyalty and pride in this fine institution. It is this example that reminds me of the loyalty, faithfulness, and devotion God expects from me each and every day because He has been loyal, faithful and devoted in His love for me first.

Hmmmmm...I wonder if I can make ballet shoes out of legos? Wonder if Emery will take up ballet like her Lovey? Kind of hard to pass along a legacy of love for ballet with a family of all men!!!!! PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE EMERY!

WALK LIKE A MAN

An old high school friend found out he has cancer. Yes...the dreaded C-A-N-C-E-R word. Apparently he was given a choice in treatment and chose surgery. However, his doctor told him to loose, what is it Jimmy, 20 lbs, before surgery? 20 LBS? MAN!!!! For some people...that doesn't seem much....for ME...MUCHO! In fact, for me.....only HALF MUCHO!

Jimmy says he's trying for 42 miles at six miles per day. My average is 3 miles, 5 Xs per week. And believe me...I take off the other two days! But hey...he is a GUY! Why is it that guys can loose weight easier than women? They can cut out just a little food and WHAM! Pounds gone! They walk or bike a little and WHAM! Pounds are gone! They eat SNICKERS for lunch and WHAM! Pounds are gone! They kiss babies and WHAM! Pounds are gone...(well I guess that's a little exaggeration but it seems like it's true.) For us women...we look at a cupcake and WHAM! 25 pounds are ON! We SMELL ice cream (my favorite!) and WHAM! An extra 50 pounds! Do men know how HARD it is for women our age to loose? Add a little medication to our system and WHAM! There you go again.

It seems like weight is one of those constant battles most women over a certain age battle day in and day out. It is a way of life that one must keep in order to retain the standard of weight designed for the size of body she has. At 5'2", my weight goal is much different than that of another women of 5'11" or even 5'5". Yet We women obsess over those pounds. Today's society make us believe we must look like an anorexic 12 year old in order to be acceptable in the world today. I don' t know about you, but my Jimmy and I had dinner with out-of-town friends and their "11 and a HALF" (we HAD to note the HALF age!) year old and I REEEEEEALY don't want to look like THAT again! I've been trying to push those memories out of my mind for YEARS! Yet that is the standard the world is leaning! Are we in the Peter Pan fantasy world?

Yet, the Bible tells us our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. If I think of that, I can REEEEEALY get depressed. How well do I keep this body of mine? Not JUST physically, but mentally and spiritually? I'm working on the physical, but mentally and spiritually must come with more than a physical workout. It takes more time, constant reflection and "walking" with God each day, ALL day.

Keeping a well body is not easy. We are men who love sin. Most people would object that phrase and even take offense. But we do! Sin is FUN! I know...we really don't want to admit it, but we like our own way, we like the mischief, the rebellion, the doing things OUR way, the lack of forgiveness when others are in the wrong and so on and so on. This is the "fun" we revel in and don't want to give it up. Yet it is the very thing that keeps us from having that perfect body, that perfect temple for God. The temple that needs cleaning of the debris and waste that clutters and spoils the temple of God's Holy Spirit.

Today, I am thankful for my alarm clock. Ha! Do you wonder why I am thankful for such a random thing? Well, it gets me up and out at around 6:00 am to walk. I am thankful because I can't do it on my own. I am but a sinner and can do nothing on my own. It helps me make my physical body healthier so the spiritual body may be pleasing and more like the one my Father created for His dwelling. It helps me "get moving" so that I may become a temple of God's holy Spirit, pleasing and more alike in His image, He created me to be. It is the time I am able to praise Him as I build physical strength, and learn as I pray and build spiritual strength.

Are you spending the time today in things that will make you more into His image? Make you a pleasing temple to Him, a pleasing time you can go to praise Him and spend intimate time with Him?

Now, Jimmy S., when you walk, I bet you don't have that wonderful music of praise I have on my iPod Shuffle! I could let you borrow it. Maybe we could walk together...You gonna let a girl beat you?

One in Six B-I-L-L-I-O-N

Well, my Bible Study year is about to start. Things are rolling along and I am busier than ever! What a job I have. I love what I do...as Class Administrator, I handle all the "behind the scene" stuff for our class of over 500 women and over 150 children. I'm so excited this year, we are studying the book of Isaiah. It will be awesome!

Every three years in this Bible Study. the leaders go on retreat. The "Texas" group of around 3,000 leaders from across Texas will meet in Dallas for the weekend. It's a mountain top experience that we as leaders truly look forward to. And since I have been in classes in Arlington, The Woodlands and San Antonio, I LOVE getting to see old friends I used to be in class with.

In this Bible Study, everyone wears name tags. Not just any name tags, but one made for each person for that particular year. They are usually made about 4 x 6 in size, laminated and hang on ribbons. All small group leaders make a name tag for each person in their group. Each group has a name tag in their group that looks alike. Each week, all class members and leaders wear their name tags for security purposes and so that others can learn their names and recognize and greet each other by name. With a class of 500 women, there are a lot of names to learn.

Well, when leaders go to retreat - especially one with approximately 3,000 people, each class of leaders likes to have name tags that are alike so that people will able to recognize what class, in what city, they are from. Since I am the Class Administrator, I usually make those name tags for the 54 leaders in our class. Jimmy calls me the "craft" lady since I have my own room with walls of ribbons and paper and other necessary equipment for my hobbies. So it's fun for me to be creative and make the name tags for the leaders in our class. I usually look on line, find some wonderful looking card and recreate it on my computer, add each leader's name, print it on 4 x 6 picture paper and laminate it. This year, the colors are blue and brown with brown and cream stripped ribbon. YUM...LOVE the colors. I know...guys could care less!

Anyway, I began thinking about wearing name tags. After a while, I begin to recognize people without their name tag. Some, I can remember their first name, some, their first and last. Others, I still draw a blank. Often I see people at other places around town and know they are in my Bible study class, but can't place their face with a name. That's when I wish everyone wore name tags ALL the time! Don't you like it when people call you by name? I know I do. Maybe I should start a business with cute name tags people could wear all the time - you know, all different colors so women could color coordinate them with their outfits. Men...well I would only have to make them in blacks, blue, brown, olive, khaki or baby blue...to match their suites - or just black and white...they don't care about color coordination. Hmmm...a new business adventure...wonder how long THAT would last!

Okay...sorry, got off track. Anyway, as I was saying, wearing name tags...It made me think about recognizing people with their name tags and without. Think about how many people there are in this world right now. Did you know there are approximately 6 BILLION? Yes, I said B-I-L-L-I-O-N !!!! Who would have known? Well, maybe Douogy Houser! Think about the number of people you know and how many people you would recognize if you saw them on the street. Okay, if you were going to invite everyone you know to your anniversary party, or a child's wedding or birthday or something very important...how many would that be? Do you know all the names of your friends children and/or their spouses and grandchildren? The list could go on forever...yet it doesn't even make a dent in 6 B-I-L-L-I-O-N !

But do you know that God know ALL 6 Billion people by name? He even knows the number of hairs on each one's head. That blows my mind! If He's so big and so mighty and so sovereign and so awesome...why does He care about that many people to the point that He knows them not only by name - WITHOUT a name tag, but that He know them so well and cares so much for them, that He even knows the number of hairs on each one's head? He does, because He's our creator, the lover of our soul. I am one in a B-I-L-L-I-O-N and he loves M-E. Do you know He loves Y-O-U too? He knows my name and your name without a name tag. Do you know Him? What name do you know Him by? Would you recognize Him if you saw Him walking down the street? He could be the One asking directions, asking for job, hungry, homeless, hurt, or just needing a shoulder to cry on.

Today, I am thankful for name tags. They help me learn people's names, identify people I want to know, and serve as a reminder that I am one of 6 B-I-L-L-I-O-N who never need one to be known by my heavenly Father.

Hmmm....now, all I have to do is color coordinate my outfits to match my name tag! Oh the vanity of it all! Too bad I'm not a guy and don't have to worry about this sort of thing!

HOME SWEET HOME

Home Sweet Home

My youngest son and his wife live in Chicago. They have been living there over a year and LOVE it. Don't blame them...it's pretty terrific! My sweet daughter-in-law has a new job. She's working for a real estate firm as their Social Media Coordinator/Video Director. Not sure what ALL that means, but I do know she will be posting their Face book stuff, writing and filming their "picks" (apartments/homes) of the week and etc. I think that is the PERFECT job for her. She loves decorating and showing off her home and loves looking at great places. Since she majored in telecommunications at Baylor, and worked in television, she can interview and navigate through property, showing it's pros to any potential buyer on film and do a bang up job. It will be posted on Face book and other media, I believe. She will be the face of her company as she shows off property on-line and in any other media they choose. What a fun job! I'm really excited to see how she can creatively use her degree in a way she never imagined.


We all, at some time or another, look for the home of our dreams. Perhaps our first is not the "one of our dreams," but it soon becomes very special to us. Each apartment/condo/home is very special. Don't we get excited as we anticipate looking for just the right place? Isn't it fun to "shop around," riding through neighborhoods, looking on the Internet, picking up fliers from front yards, calling apartment managers for appointments to see the corner unit and looking at all the amenities available for our use? There are so many things we all dream we want each time we move. Each time we "move up" to the next "better" place.

But sometimes, there are those who must escape the expense and move to "something more economical" because of bad stewardship, a relocation and the costs are more, loss of job, medical problems or some other circumstances.

Then there are those moves when people combine their moves. People who get married, Those who want to "try each other out as partners", or friends who move in together to share expenses. All moves make us a little anxious - each in a different way. Every move creates emotions within, some good - some not so good. The question is, what will it be this time?

Jimmy and I have had many moves in our married life. Our first time together in our our little one bedroom efficiency garage apartment behind Mrs. Slatten's house was wonderful. It was a tiny place with antique furniture. Mrs. Slatten used to come over about twice a week and ask us, "the children" if we would like to go to dinner (at Luby's). Then we'd go back to the "big house" with her for an after dinner liqueur. It was a wonderful time. Our first home was just as exciting. All our friends were buying new, four bedroom homes with no yard and no furniture. Jimmy and I bought a small two bedroom, one bath, precious home with 8 trees in the front yard and 13 in the back. Flower beds burst with azaleas and ground cover that ran up the trees. Our friends came to our house to trim the loriope it was so thick, in order to save money and plant it to border their new beds. It was khaki green with black shutters and a black door. It had a sun room with french doors and was adorable. Our friends were actually jealous because we could afford furniture and they couldn't with their larger homes. We loved living there. I do believe our first home has always been my favorite.

Homes mean a lot to us. It is often said to represent a woman's identity. It's decor reflects her choice of style, who she is, her priorities and nature. A woman takes great care and pride in arranging and decorating her home.

It makes me think about the home God has prepared for us. I've spoken about this before, but not so much about it's preparation. God has taken great care in preparing a place for each one of us. A place, as if we were the only one He had to prepare for. It is ready and waiting for us. It is wonderful, beautiful, planned perfectly and exactly what we would need and desire. God knows us and our very desire. He also knows what it will be like in eternity and the kind of place we will need. We will be happy, overjoyed and content with His prepared place. We will have no wants or needs. We won't need an agent to look for someplace "better." It will be the BEST!

So today, I am thankful for the provision God has given in the places He has provided for me and my family. I am thankful for the fun and exciting job He has given our Whitney so she can assist others in finding just the right earthly home for them. And I am thankful for the opportunity He will give her to be the witness for Him as she serves others in their need to find that home as she works diligently filming and networking in the new opportunity she has in Chicago. Most of all, I am thankful for the place He has prepared for me when I will be "home" with Him. Now THAT will the THE perfect place!

Hmmmmmm....there is a one story in our neighborhood I wish would go on the market...my knees aren't what they used to be! I Keep dreaming!!!!!!!

TRAINS, DONKEYS, FEET AND THE MEDITERRANEAN

Ready to Go!
Passing the time

Watching the "Polar Express"

Almost there!

Well, today, my little guys left with their mom, headed for Dallas on a TRAIN! I can only imagine their excitement as they boarded the Amtrak car with all their gear, DVD players, games, books, blankets and etc. Huston LOVES trains and has been counting the days before he rides the rails from San Antonio to Dallas to visit cousins. Oh, how I wish I could have seen their faces. Fortunately, today, we are all blessed with wonderful cameras and phones that take pictures, and send pictures via phone texts and e-mails so doting grandparents like myself don't have to miss much.

When Jimmy and I took Huston to Disney, he was fascinated by the monorail. He screamed with excitement every time we got to ride one. For his birthday in July, we gave him Disney's monorail and track for his home. He merrily reported to his dad, after setting up the very large circular track, it would be placed around their Christmas tree at Christmas time. Then, he begged and pleaded for Lovey (that's me!) to get him the "Toy Story" Lego train set. Well, when a little guy looks up at you with those gorgeous, pleading eyes, says "please, please, plllleeeeeeeeeeeas, Lovey. I REEEEEEEEEALY WANT THAT FOR MY BIRTHDAY! And begins giving me kissy lips....well....just HAD to be done. The kid loves trains...what can you do?

Now his other grandmother had the idea to take him, along with his sister to Dallas to visit their cousins. What a deal they have! I had not known there WAS a train from here to Dallas. Fortunately, Kristi, their other grandmother, did and found a perfect time for the trip. Now THAT's heaven for little guys!

I've always wondered what was so interesting about trains. I found out when I traveled through Europe. Trains have a romance about them. They have history. They amble their way through the country, carrying people who have lives that tell stories. Unlike planes, where people are in a rush, getting half way across the country in three hours and off to a meeting...trains roll along, swaying, slowing moving along, speeding up, and making stops along the way. The definition for the word train is "to draw along, trail, drag." And that is just what a train does. It draws along a track, the engine tugging cars, carrying passengers, telling a story of the lives that are seated within.

I met many people when I traveled on trains in Europe. On one trip, the one with my "Musketeer" friend Robbs, her brother and my mom, we met a US couple that were traveling through Europe for month by train. They were great fun. We had lunch at a table in the dining car beside them. We shared an after dinner drink and they even gave my mom a small bottle of liquor she loved. We had our pictures taken with a border patrol officer in Austria and a funny wait person on the train. We called the waiter, Danny Devito because he was short and stout and looked just like Danny Devito. The border patrol officer was HUGE. Robbs stood in the middle of them both with a huge grin. What a fun picture and fun memories. See, this is what I mean by stories. You can't do this on a plane. A train offers access to meet others, share experiences, share yourself and see much.

I'm glad Huston and Emery are getting to experience this trip. What great fun and great memories they will have travelling the rails!

You know, in Christ's day, travel was quite different. There were no cars, boats, planes or trains. One could ride a donkey. But most travel was by foot. Christ walked many miles from place to place. He made many stops to visit family, friends and even those who only heard of Him. He was never too tired when He reached his destination to offer a kind word, touch a wounded person and heal them - whether spiritual, emotional or physical. He was never too tired to speak the Word that would heal the heart or teach the truth. His travel ALWAYS had a purpose and was ALWAYS for another. And His travel "drew along, had others trail along, dragging along" behind Him, hanging on His every Word. He was like the "Little Train that Could." He never stopped, just kept going. How exciting that must have been for those who followed along with Him on His journeys. Those that were closest to Him. The experiences they had with Jesus. The stories, lessons and encouragements they heard Him teach. The meals they shared and times they sat at His feet. Now THOSE TIMES must have been the trips of a lifetime!

We too, can take those trips today. We can share in some of the experiences His disciples did. We do so as we read the New Testament. We know all these stories to be true because we know that the Bible is the true Word of God. Inspired by Him, given to men to be recorded for eternity. And because they are God's words, they are true. The stories recorded by the men who recorded them are true. Their experiences are true - every one. In fact, the entire Bible is true. Every word is the inspired Word of God. God didn't leave a thing out. Some of it even reads like a soap opera! You should read through it if you haven't already! Cool reading!

So today, I'm thankful Huston, Emery, Alix and Kristi had the opportunity to make this wonderful train trip to Dallas. What a reminder, as I think of the stories they will come home with - stories they will have for a lifetime, and of the eternal stories, promises, comforts and joys my Lord offers as I read through His journeys in His holy Word.

Hmmmmm...I think I smell a boat trip and a weeks stay down the Mediterranean to Santorini Greece! Spicy food, the blue, blue waters of the Mediterranean, white, white stucco houses with blue tile roofs, and beautiful sun rises and sun sets! Juju...you listening, smelling, dreaming too? CALL ME!

BEAUTY AND THE BUTT

Two Beauties

This past weekend, Jimmy and I were back on the links working hard on our handicaps. "Working hard," meaning hitting balls everywhere but where they should be. Anyway... as we rounded the back nine, our threesome ran into a friend playing by himself. He told us he hadn't played in a long time and was out trying to work on his game. Jimmy asked if he wanted to join us. He was glad to tag along and make a foursome for the back nine.

It was nice visiting with him. We hadn't seen him in a while and got to catch up with him and hear about his family. He has a son who just graduated from the Air Force Academy and is now flying F17's - much to his mother's fear (I should say so!) He also mentioned that his oldest daughter is getting married in December. It was exciting hearing about the plans - it really got our minds off some the incredibly HIDEOUS shots we were making as we played along.

He told us his daughter, now approximately 32, just finished her residency and is marrying an ENT. Her specialty is plastic surgery. He talked about how proud he was of her and what a tender heart she had. She was wanting to do plastic surgery that dealt with reconstruction surgery for breast cancer patients and other things. I said, "Oh how great!", thinking to myself, "and all those face lifts so she can do REAL surgery like clef pallets!" (Isn't that the line from one of my favorite movies, "Doc Hollywood"? Anyway, he talked about his saintly daughter and how cute she was with her ENT fiance' at the dinner table. He wasn't sure their family dinners would be the same! (I'd sure like to be a fly on the wall at their dinners!)

Then he laughed and relayed a conversation he recently had with her . She was talking about the work she did and began talking to her dad about his age. He mentioned that he could tell when women had work done on their face. He could see little scars in certain "places." She said, "You know dad, I see a lot of people your age coming to me for work." He said he thought she was going to say to him that he should have some face lift work done. He said, I'm 57 and I'm not about to have anything done. I am what I am. She said to him, " You know what the biggest problem with men your age is? You've lost your butt!"

Our friend was shocked. He wasn't expecting his daughter to tell him he lost his BUTT! She said, "You know dad, one of the most popular things to do now is to have a Brazilian butt lift". Our friend had no idea what a Brazilian butt lift was, never the less have his daughter do one on him! She explained that it was having implants put in his butt, and his butt would look lifted and cute! He politely said no thanks and ended the subject. He wasn't sure with two doctors in the family if his household would ever be the same. Now especially since his daughter wanted to lift his butt AND when he first met his soon to be son-in-law, he said, "Oh, your a booger doctor!" (guess that didn't go over too well with the ENT)!

I started to tell or friend to tell His daughter that if she wanted to do a little butt lifting on some patients, or add a little "extra" to the "top" areas in the "front" of others, we could probably work a deal where she could liposuction some from me and transfer it to her other patients. Surely by now, the medical profession has figured out a way to transfer this stuff. I figure its the new "green" way. You know...save the planet...hug a tree...save the wales...blaaa...blaaa...blaa! Surely there are plenty of us ready to contribute so no plastic will need to be used. We'll have to get Brad Pitt and Al Gore to work on this. We'll call it "Growing Green." You know...people's butts and fronts are "growing" and it will sort of be like going "green." (I'm TRYING!)

It makes me think about the way we all perceive ourselves. Some of us love ourselves the way we are. If not love...at least satisfied. Others may not love or are not satisfied with the way we appear, but are too scared to actually "do" anything about it. Then there are those who HATE the way we are. Some can do something about it and others just have to live with it - hating it. Yet, we forget that each of us was uniquely created in God's image. Yes, in the image of "God." Each one, a little different from anyone else - but in the image of our heavenly Father. So why do we hate what He so beautifully created? Why do we think aging is so ugly? Who knows...perhaps the Lord, Himself, has wrinkles and we are just growing in His image more and more. Why are we so concerned on what the outside looks like when He is concerned what the "inside" looks like? Scripture tells us that we are pleasing to Him when we live by the Spirit. When we are living by the Spirit, the fruit (or beauty) seen/produced is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Now THAT is beauty! No doctor on earth can surgically make that or surgically produce that. Only God's Holy Spirit can make us beautiful like that. So what is it that is keeping your beauty from shining through?

Today, I am thankful for wrinkles. Wrinkles that "give away" the years God has given me with family, friends, and time to know Him more intimately. Wrinkles that will never go way but only grow more beautiful to Him as I depend more on Him.

No...I still have to paint on my face before my 7:00am walk. Can't quite get over that yet! Maybe one day...just don't want to traumatize the neighbors!

A-B-Cs of LOVE

Today was the day for my long overdue Christmas lunch with a friend of mine. We usually have lunch every couple of months but had to cancel at Christmas (my fault). Then, for some reason...we never got around to rescheduling until now. I love having lunch with her. She is a true friend from my Bible Study. One I can always count on to discuss personal things and know she will point me to just the right place...UP... and to just the right answer...THE ONE. We laugh at each other...she points me correctly alright...and goes for the juggler...like a good friend.

I've struggled these last few months. Struggled with unconfessed sin. Sin that eats away at you and destroys your joy, turns you dark inside, and what comes out of you from that unconfessed sin is ugly and noticeable to many, even though you think you have covered it well.

But my friend could see it. It was the last question she asked me. I thought I was home free from admitting my sadness, my pain, my hurt, my anger, my frustration, my bitterness, my disappointment and my lack of love...basically, my sinfulness. but it was there...in full view. My wise friend and I talked about many things before the last question. But then, when asked, the floodgates opened and I was exposed.

This is the kind of friend people need. Those who are honest, who hold you accountable with truth and love. One who speaks the truth, pointing to the Father for the answer and the cure. My friend reminded me what God expected me to do. Reminded me to confess, so I could be free. Free from sin and free from the pain I felt caused by my sin. Sin hurts. I mean HURTS! Both spiritually and physically when you repent. Sometimes I don't want to repent because I know it will hurt badly. But then, she reminded me...how good it feels. Yes...how good it does feel.

But how do I stop, and I mean STOP from continuing in my sinful thoughts? Continuing in my anger over the hurt I feel, the pain caused to others I love, the anger for the injustice done to me and others, the jealousy from the partiality I feel is given to others instead of fairness, the lack of integrity shown that later comes back and costs many much? How do I stop the thoughts of anger that keep cropping up? And then...is the anger really at another human or at God for not stopping them? Hmmm...I don't like that thought!

My wise friend reminded me that every man has a choice. God does not cause injustice. God is JUST. First, we must forgive. I've always told my children that forgiveness is a gift. It can't be earned, it must be given away just as Christ gave it. We can never earn God's forgiveness - but He gives it to us anyway. That is how God wishes us to forgive. Unconditionally and freely. So if I forgive, how do I continue without the sinful thoughts continually cropping up? How wise she is...the process she suggested is easy...ABCs...yes ABCs.

I started blogging this year with a desire to see what my life would be like if I could think of something to be thankful for every day and write about it. I was SURE my life would be different in a better way. What I didn't realize was that I had to begin with repentance and asking for forgiveness. THEN...I could be grateful for who God is. This is where the ABCs come in. Each time those ugly, sinful thoughts creep in, I begin to praise God for who He is by using the alphabet. EVERY TIME a thought creeps in, start praising with the letter "A". Here, let me show you...

I praise you Lord, for you are:

A Almighty
B Beautiful
C Creator of all things
D Our Deliverer
F Show Favor to those who love & obey you
G Good
H Heavenly Father
J A Just God
K Kind
L Loving
M Majestic
N Nucleus of all things
O A God of Order
P Perfect in every way
Q Quiet and Gentle in Spirit
R Our Redeemer
S Savior
T The Triune God
U Your love is Unconditional
V Victor over death
W Wonderful
X ? - too awesome to describe
Y un-Yielding in your standards
Z Zealous for your people

What a great idea! I started the minute I left her and I feel much better. But still, I must repent. I must go through the pain of confession and plea for forgiveness. Then, the joy of praising God can bust through anything!

So today, besides being sooooooooooooooooooooo thankful for my friend, I am thankful for the A-B-Cs. Thankful for a process that will take me into a place with my Lord in the center and my sinfulness further away until one day, my Lord gives me victory over that which He calls me to shed and release to Him.

P is for.....Praise Him, Praise Him all you little children, God is good, God is good!

CUTE SHOES & BALLET SHOES

These are a few of my favorite pair!

Ahhhh...Sunday afternoon on the course! Life is sweet! However, yesterday wasn't as sweet as it usually is. My golf game was a little off...or should I say a LOT off!. I've noticed since my back surgery last year, my swing has changed. A friend used to say I had a pure swing. Now, would he say it was "sour?" YUK! Anyway, I'm still trying to work out the mess I create every so often on the course. I keep telling Jimmy I need to take a lesson. However, to tell you the truth, I really don't want to. Reason being...I don't want some golf pro to change my grip or rotate my hips different or whatever he may tell me to do. I don't know why I feel that way...I guess I just want to do it myself. (The hard way?)

See, I have this theory about golf. It's like ballet. Yes gentlemen, "ballet." Now don't go all bonkers on me...it really is a lot like ballet. When I said this to Jimmy, I thought he would throw up! Men! Then when I said it to this friend of ours in California (a scratch golfer who is on the board of Calloway golf), I thought he would fall out of his chair laughing! And Bruce (Litezkie that is)...don't even bother to think about it....it IS a lot like ballet.

See, when Jimmy is not playing well, he thinks it's the clubs. So he goes and buys a different kind of club in order to compensate to the type of swing or game he is playing. He wants the "club" to suite HIS swing and speed. Whereas I, on the other hand, believe that one needs to learn to play consistently with the club they have (meaning...hitting it down the middle of the fairway, with good distance, good height and roll), and THEN get new clubs to tweak and improve or go to the next level.

In ballet, a dancer "feels" her body in each position as she steps out into it, holds it and releases to another. If she is doing a single turn, she only does a single, not a double, until she has perfected the single and THEN and only THEN does she move on to the double turn. But she must FEEL secure in that single turn enough to move on to the double. A ballet dancer can feel her body in each position and the balance to hold that position for however long is necessary. She knows exactly when to release that hold to move into the next position. She doesn't rely on new shoes to hold her feet strong, or a knee brace...she only relies on feeling and assurance she can go forward.

In golf, it is not how strong a person is...a golfer's strength is in his body rotation. He can feel it as he comes through the ball with the hips. A golfer does not so much swing with the arms but the arms come through as the hips swivel from back to front. It is one fluid motion. That motion has to be smooth in rhythm. Like a dance. In fact, many golfers have knee problems because of this rotating movement. But it is beautiful to watch when it's done correctly - just like a dance. And, it is soooo powerful.

When I danced, I liked to figure out what I was doing wrong by myself. A dancer always practices in front of a mirror. You can see yourself in the mirror and see what you are doing wrong. But there are times when a dancer performs turns and she can't see what she does wrong. In those cases, she needs a teacher to "spot" her and give her direction. A golfer doesn't have a mirror. He must rely on "feeling" the movement - fluid, smooth, rotating through, in order to know what he is doing wrong. That is why a golf coach's eye can serve as a golfer's "mirror."

Since I gave up dance after I had children, I took up golf in order play with my family of all men. I have really enjoyed it. Now however...I am a little frustrated. That pleasure has turned to work. Yet, each time I make a good shot, feel the rhythm, make a long putt or pitch it over a tree...it's like completing a triple pirouette (turn on one leg). Like being able to hold that position for one last extra moment before releasing. There's that adrenaline. It just keeps me coming back.

You know, dependence on God is like ballet and golf. We try so hard to do things on our own. We want to play the game of life in our own way with our own tools. Sometimes, we change the tools to try and make them adjust to our life style. Other times, we try on our own, in our own strength to achieve the goal, working it out in our own way. Either way, we just don't cut it. But when we rely on our "coach" (God), He can see what we need: if it's a change in tools from Him, or a new attitude (way to grip) or a new direction (view of His way). He's the ultimate coach, all knowing, all powerful and one that will lead us to victory in our lives.

So today, I am thankful for those "cute (golf) shoes" and those "ballet shoes" I've had the privilege of wearing through the years. They've taught me many lessons of discipline and hard work. But most of all, the lesson of dependence on a good teacher and coach to teach me and correct me to lead me to victory. And now...they've taught me the absolute need for the "Perfect Coach" for my life.

Now...the biggest question of all....would MEN ever be "tough" enough to wear "point" shoes?