SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION

Two weeks ago when we took Huston to Disney World, we took him on the MUST ride for all children in the Magic Kingdom. "It's A Small World" has been THE ride for over 50 years. In fact, I think Jimmy rode it on opening weekend, in 1955, when he visited Disney Land with his parents and grand parents. We rode it with our boys when they were teens. And, I think every person who ever goes to Disney Land or Disney World rides this ride because it is one of those stations in life one has to experience. It somehow helps us understand we are all connected to each other in some way. People all around the world are basically the same in some way or another. In fact, no matter who travels through this wonderful experience, each come out with a smile and a spring in their step as they watched the children from each nation sing and twirl in joyful celebration.

Last night, Jimmy and I were at a United Way banquet. After it was over, as we walked out, Jimmy was stopped by a young couple. The young man (in his 40's) was a gentleman Jimmy knew from the Boy Scout board (I believe.) Jimmy introduced me to the couple and we had a very nice visit for several minutes. Our visit continue as we walked out with them to get our cars and I discovered the wife was going to come to our BSF Introduction class in April. Not only was she going to come to the intro class, but her mother and sister were members of our class and her sister was going to be a new children's leader. Needless to say, I was excited and thrilled to meet this young woman and we hit it off right away. We immediately had a common bond besides the fact that she had three sons.

You know, what's that thing about "six degrees of separation?" Yes, you never know who you will run into that you will have someone in common with - especially here in San Antonio! Though San Antonio is the 7th largest city in the US, it really is like a small town.

As I think about this, I realize this is what it is like for all Christians. "Six degrees of separation to God." Even if a person is not a believer, he/she is probably connected to Him by six degrees of separation. He/she knows someone who knows someone...who has a personal relationship with the heavenly Father. Then there are those who are part of His family. We are all much closer than six degrees...we are all siblings - there are no degrees of separation among believers. Hallelujah!

So today...I am thankful for those opportunities when I come in contact with others that reminds me to always be on my toes, prepared to meet and share with those who may not be siblings but have six degrees of separation to God. Opportunities that I may share of His wondrous love and sacrifice on our behalf so that one day, there is no separation for them, but that they become His child, heir to His throne.

So though my new friend is not separated either...I am thankful for the opportunity to meet and the reminder to be watchful. You know...six degrees is really a lot!

Huston & Lovey ride the boat in "It's A Small World"!

Huge tower ending ride of "It's a Small World"

TIME

Time. How come there never seems to be enough time in the day? No matter what one plans, no matter how organized a person may be, no matter how many listS one makes...there never seems to be enough time to finish what we need to do or intend to get done in a day. Some people HATE to have things left over for the next day. Some people, like myself, think - oh well, I'll get to it tomorrow (or the next, or whenever)! Yet, there is ALWAYS something left to be done. Take my closet...Jimmy says it's the one "room" in the house that NEVER gets organized. True, it is very unorganized. And granted, I do try to keep it organized. But there are so many other areas of our house that are seen by others or are used by other family members that need to be kept organized. Therefore, my closet is the last place that gets my attention. I guess it's the truth...it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil.

That's true with people in our life too. There are those who require a lot of attention. Then there are those whom we love dearly that we can go for months or years without hearing from or taking time to stop and call, yet when we do we pick up right where we left off, as if it were only yesterday. Yes, even our attention to people is often prioritized, if for no other reason but for their needs - like a squeaky wheel.

But you know what is so good to know? With God...there is no priority. There is no squeaky wheel. There is no situation more important than another. There is no life more important than another. If one person is on the verge of life or death and another is simply mourning the loss of a friendship...it is all of the same important to the Lord. Can you imagine? His love for us and everything about us is that important? How encouraging is that? How comforting is that?

Today, I am thankful for time. Each second, minute, hour and day. I am thankful that our heavenly Father cares about every second of our life, and has an abundance of time to spend with us. He is aware of every moment we have and wastes none of it, but spends it all for our good. Yes time with God, no matter how we use it, is always time well spent. How will you spend your time today?

OUR HERITAGE

Jefferson Memorial at night

Lincoln Memorial at night

Capitol Dome at night

Iwo Jima Memorial at night


Stephen F Austin in Hall of Columns

Statuary Hall just off the Capitol Rotunda

Jimmy and I just got home from a trip to Washington DC. Washington is one of my FAVORITE places in the US to visit. There is so much to see! Though I've been many times, I never tire of seeing the monuments and beautiful buildings in our nation's capital. Jimmy was there to meet with legislators about banking stuff. I was there to play!

I did something I have never done before...I went touring around with a group on a segway. Yes, you heard right...a SEGWAY. It was so much fun! Now, I've been in most of the buildings I saw along the way, so it didn't matter that we didn't actually stop and go inside the buildings. But we road by the Capitol, the Washington Monument, the White House, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, many of the Smithsonian buildings and many other monuments and buildings. They were beautiful and fun to see again. There is such energy in this city. There is such history in each building. The architecture is so beautiful and it is so fascinating to realize that this is a city, if not the only city in the world, that was actually built "as a capitol" and not already a city before becoming a capitol of a nation. The heritage of so many and so much in this city is just overwhelming to me as I go from place to place and listen to what has gone on through the 200+ years of our nations history here.

We also had the opportunity to take a night tour of the city viewing government buildings and the monuments. Jimmy and I have never done this before and we were awed by the beauty and the completely different view we got at that time of day. It was majestic - crystal and fantastic. Even a little romantic.

Yes, our nation's capitol is quite young compared to other parts of the world, yet very beautiful. And our heritage is the same. It is filled with people who came here with hope and fortitude. People looking for a new life. A life reborn in a new world. This too is the life each new Christian comes to. A life in a new world...one of hope and salvation. A life in a new kingdom, God's. A life no longer filled with suffering under a kingship of heavy burdens, but one paid for in full, all debts redeemed. Yes, we believers have a new heritage, we are now adopted children of God, heirs to His kingdom.

So today, I am thankful for the heritage I have. Not only for that of this wonderful country we live in, but I am most thankful for the one I now have as an adopted child of God, heir to His kingdom through the blood of Jesus Christ. May our country always remember the foundation by which it was founded..."one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty & justice for all." What a heritage!

GRACE

Frank with daughter Rene'

While I was on vacation this week, I got a call from my family, informing me that my oldest brother, Frank, living in California, had been in a serious motorcycle accident. Frank is a very cautious, safe biker, which surprised me that he, of all people, would end up in an accident. I had always been told that it usually wasn't the person on the bike that was the cause of a bike accident, but the driver of a car. Seeing most of the people driving here in San Antonio, I can tell you now...I would say that statement is totally false. However, knowing Frank, I would believe that to be true in his case. He is very, very cautious. He not only wears a helmet, ALWAYS, but he also, ALWAYS wears a leather jacket and chaps for protection. He has taken many safety courses and rides often with a group. This is why I was shocked that he would end up in an accident.

Since I have had two cousins killed in bike accidents at a young age, motorcycles are not my favorite mode of transportation. Now, they would be my LEAST favorite mode of transportation! Frank ended up breaking his knee cap and shattering his right leg so bad, he has pins down the entire leg, every inch, all the way down. The doctors were afraid they would have to amputate it because the damage was so bad. It is truly a miracle he came out with his leg in tact. His friend told us that since he was dressed the way he was, there was not a scratch on him. He simply had to lay the bike down in order not to run into a truck that stopped suddenly in front of him. The bike crushed his leg beneath it. We are just glad he is alive.

You know, no matter how cautious a person can be, or how many safety courses a person can take, or how much protective gear a person can wear or place around them....there is always the unexpected. And when that unexpected happens, it is by the grace of God we, as human beings, make it out alive of situations we place ourselves in. It is by God's grace we overcome and are able to walk away from situations, though often scarred, or even crippled by them, we are able to continue on. Yet, how we fail to see that it is truly only by His grace that it is possible. Frank will have many, many months of recuperation and therapy before he will walk or even be able to drive (it was his right leg). But he is alive. He will have his leg to use. He will walk and return to his routine. It is by God's grace he is still here.

So today, I am thankful for the unmistakable grace of God. Thankful that He protected Frank from any greater danger than he already had. Thankful for the return of the pulse in his leg so he would not have to have it amputated. I am thankful for the friends who will care and nurture him during the next period of time that will be so difficult for him. Thankful for all the provisions God is making during this time and for what is to come. THIS, is GRACE! Undeserved GRACE!

CHILDREN

Children. A word that stirs at a mother's heart strings. A mom spends 9 months carrying a child in her womb, goes through the labor pains of birth, delivers, and her whole world changes. No matter what anyone says...the change is spectacular. Not easy, but spectacular! And when she has the opportunity to experience it more than once, each time is as if it were the first. Each child is loved the same, each child is worth the same, each child is as spectacular as the first, yet each their own special person.


As children grow, life with each child grows in different directions. Though some may be closer, geographically wise, there is still the same fullness in a mom's heart whether they are far or near. Jimmy and I had the opportunity as adults to move from the comfy, cosy, closeness of our homes. Geographically, we moved five hours away from our parents which, at that time, could have been the same as moving up north. Though we were away and on our own, I know the hearts of our parents were as close to us then as they were when we were living in the same town.


Sometimes, we as children, no matter the age, go through difficulties and situations that break the hearts of our parents, leaving them in mourning for us as we travel through these times. No child can ever know the agony of a parent until they themselves become one and have that experience. Moms in particular carry the emotional stress of wishing they themselves could take the pain of a child in order to relieve or eliminate the child from an awful experience. And no matter what else is going on around her...that child is forefront in her mind.


I think that is the way it is with our heavenly Father. Except, He DID take the pain and agony. He DID suffer so we would not have to. He DID stand in the gap that we might have joy and peace instead of heartache. It is ours to have NOW. All we have to do is believe, trust and accept the gift He has to offer. Why is it so hard sometimes. Why do we think we are so undeserving? He paid the cost and made us deserving.


So today, I am thankful for my children, all four. I am thankful for the joy they bring. I am thankful for the opportunity I have to pray for them, intercede for them and for their heavenly Father who has made them worthy to love and be cherished.


I am not a perfect parent as He is. But I love them so deeply and am able to do so because He loves them through me. Thank you Clark, Alix, Graham and Whit.

BEAUTIFUL!

Beauty is so often seen today as such a physical thing. And even then, it is often seen differently by different people in different parts of the world. Example...in the western world...ultra thin, ultra sleek or ultra exotic is how people strive to be seen and is what many people think they must look like in order to be one of the beautiful people.

I just heard an interview with Jessica Simpson recently. No, I'm not a Jessica Simpson fan club member, but I did see an interview she made about a new movie/commentary she was making about beauty and the different ways people around the world viewed it. She was saying that in one country, I believe it was in Africa, the women had to be very, very obese to be considered beautiful. They spent much time in the fat huts, fattening themselves up to hundreds of pounds so they would be fat and beautiful to their men. The men in their villages liked their women to look like hogs. Man, too bad that is not the case here...I'd be a raving beauty!

Jessica also mentioned to what extreme women went to in order to cleanse themselves and the types of things they ate/drank in order to make themselves beautiful. Example...animal urine, milk from some exotic animal, etc. All very disgusting to her and stuff the western world would give back...if you know what I mean.

People today use beauty products, anti aging products, liposuction, face lifts, microdermabrasion, other radical medical techniques that cost thousands of dollars in order to feel beautiful. Yet, it never seems to be enough.

Today, I got an e-mail from a friend who was visiting a Rafiki village (one of many orphanages run by an organization that used to be a part of BSF International) in Rwanda. Her husband works on military training projects in Rwanda occasionally, and this trip, my friend and her son were able to travel along with him and stay at one of the Rafiki villages often visited by her husband when he is in the country. My friend is the children's supervisor in the BSF class with me and loves children. This was a real treat for her to see all the children along with one whom she and her family sponsor.

Jan, my friend, and her husband, sent me pictures of them while at the village the first couple of days. The picture I have included is one of my favorites. Jan is seated with the children taking portraits of each child. The look on the faces of the children and the look on Jan's face radiate the love of God like I've never seen before. The beauty I see in Jan, is God's radiance upon each child seated around her.

Yes, beauty is seen differently by many people. But there is no denying, the beauty of God seen in the face of those who love and serve Him and the beauty of those of whom His love shines is more beautiful than any man can ever work for/make themselves to be.

So today, I am thankful for my friend Jan and the love she shares with each child in that Rafiki village. It is God's love that shines through her on each little face, radiating beauty both in her and upon each child. It is a beauty that surpasses any man can ever hope to attain on his own.

Jan and the children at Rafiki village in Rwanda

HEALING A BROKEN HEART

I went to a cardiologist for the first time today. I'm not really sure why...just been out of breath and wanted to check things out. My internist did an EKG last week and this week, the cardiologist did some other tests and hooked me up to a small monitor for 24 hours. I have 5 small wires attached to my body and connected to a small, battery powered monitor that will read and store my blood pressure, pulse, etc. for this time. I'm supposed to sleep with it on tonight, but I'm not really sure how that will work. How can a person sleep hooked up to what looks like a remote control unit hooked to their chest and sleepwear? Then, I can't get it wet. Therefore, I can't take a bath or shower until I go back to the doc tomorrow at 3:00 to return the unit. Guess I'll be staying home ALL day tomorrow! Pew!

It makes me think about all that modern medicine can do for us these days. Did you know that the stress tests they used to give patients - those where you would get on a treadmill and walk while hooked up to monitors, is no longer the way they do it now. Now, you lay on a bed and they inject this fluid into your system and it brings up your pulse and whatever to make you feel as if you are walking and your heart begins to race. It's really amazing...exercise while laying on a bed...now that's my kind of exercise!

Anyway, what I am getting at is, there is so much science today that is used to heal and cure what is wrong with us. Especially in the areas such as kidney, liver, cancer and even heart. However, there is one area that will never be able to be cured by science. And that is the area of a broken heart. A heart broken by emotional pain, due to loss of loved ones - either by death, circumstances, situations, misunderstandings, assumptions or just plain selfishness. Broken hearts have been known to kill those who love someone so much that when that other person dies or leaves, the one so broken also dies. Broken hearts are often the cause for broken families, friendships, paralyzation from moving forward and even inability to continue on with ones daily living. Broken hearts can't be healed by alcohol, drugs, food or even exercise. It even makes people who were once viable and beautiful into someone old, bitter, anxious and lonely.

No, we can't do anything to heal a broken heart. But there is ONE person who can. Our Lord can not only heal the broken pieces, but breath new life into it. But in order to do so, we must empty ourselves completely of us and have Him fill us with Himself. It seems so easy to do that yet, in reality, so difficult for most people. We are fixers. We are doers. We are demanding that things be done NOW. But God has His own plan. It's not with little battery operated gadgets. It's not with "doing" something on our part. It's simply allowing Him to work in us, convicting us, encouraging us, nurturing us, guiding us, teaching us, comforting us and directing us with His love that we can again feel the joy He promises we NOW have through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So today, I am thankful for the little battery operated monitor attached to me. It reminds me, when I feel broken hearted, anguished over a hurt, bitter over words spoken, frustrated over situations unsettled... I can turn to the ONE and only who can heal my broken heart and make it whole again so that I may experience the joy He promises for all who trust and obey Him.

AND...His fix won't give me a shock!

THE WAY I FEEL

I'm getting so excited...each Saturday, before Mother's day, the Children's Ministry at our church has a mother/daughter tea. A person can buy one ticket, two, three or even a table of 8 tickets and invite their friends. The money goes toward the children's ministry at the church. A person can sponsor a table and decorate their table however they choose, using china, crystal, silver, melamine, plastic, paper or however and/or whatever they choose. The table should be decorated around the book theme chosen for the tea or one they have chosen for their table. These books, chosen by individuals for their table, should be children/tween type books and not very long. Reason being...they will be read at each table during the tea.

Alix and I both love this tea. We go ALL OUT for our table. In fact, we love it so much, each of us, now, have our own table instead of having a joint table to decorate. We say it's for fun...but we really go for blood, hoping to be the BEST table in the room. Not too competitive!

My book this year is The Way I Feel by Janan Cain. It's a very short, chipboard children's book with a great message. It only has 16 pages with mostly pictures and a few words on some pages. It's really bright with beautiful colors. It's kind of wacky, funky and adorable. I'm so excited to plan fun ways to express the book through the table decorations. I've included pictures of the pages to give you an idea of the book's material.

Silly is the way I feel when I make a funny face

and wear a goofy, poofy hat that takes up lots of space

I'm, shaking because I'm Scared , all alone in the dark at night.

The thunder and lightning crash and roar! Hold me close and turn on the lights

The smile you see upon my face as the sun shines in the sky

shows the world that I feel happy, and my mood is soaring high.

Sometimes I feel so very sad and really don't know why.

Instead of playing and having fun, I cry and cry and cry

Angry is how I feel right now, I shout with a mighty roar.

I mostly want to frown and growl and stomp upon the floor

I'm bouncing like a rubber ball. I'm more excited than I can say!

It's really hard for me to sit when I'd rather jump and play

"I did it! I did it!" I shout to the crowd.

Getting dressed by myself makes me feel proud!

As you can tell from the pictures, the colors are bright and bold, the pictures are funky and the ideas for a fun table could be fantastic. I've had the book a while and read it several times. Each time I read it, feeling words stand out more and more to me. They make me think of times when I have felt silly, scared, happy, sad, angry, excited and proud. Each of us experience these emotions from time to time. Some of us experience some more than others. No matter what, when we experience these emotions, we should always remember they are God given. And we should always remember that God knows exactly how we are feeling (even when we think we are showing no one else our true feelings - God knows our hearts).

I remember a very stressful time in my life. It had been a tough year for our family. I had depended on our Lord to care for us. I knew if he could heal a blind man who had been blind from birth by spitting in dirt to make mud and place it on his eyes, or if He could bring Lazarus back from the dead, or if he could feed 5000 people with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish, or if He would love a newly wed couple so much as not to embarrass the family by making wine out of water for their reception when they had run out ...I knew He loved our family and could provide for us. Now even though I knew all this...there were many moments of weakness when I was afraid/scared. In fact...dearly afraid. But God knew. He wasn't angry. The emotions I had were all a part of the personality he gave me. Yet it is how we react to these emotions that He cares about. We can let things like fear grip us and paralyze us or we can trust Him an move forward.

The same goes with emotions like happiness or being excited. We can even let our excitement over worldly things take our thoughts/focus away from Him or our trust in Him.

Emotions are not bad, they are God given, but they should be used in ways that would glorify God. So today, I am thankful for emotions...for the silly emotions when I play with my grandchildren and they will feel the love God has for them through me. I am thankful for the scared emotions when I know that the only place I have to look is up because God is in control of every situation. I am thankful for the happy emotions when I feel joy as I praise God for what He teaches me about Himself and the happiness I feel for the gift of the wonderful spouse He so lovingly chose for me. I am thankful for the emotion of sadness/grief, at the loss of a loved one or the health of one close or the unfortunate experience of others - especially when I realize they do not know the love of our heavenly Father to turn to - thankful because it gives me the opportunity to intercede in prayer for them. I am thankful for the emotion of anger - the Godly anger when injustice is done to another and is not glorifying to God. I am thankful for the emotion of excitement, when I witness the rebirth of an individual coming to know the Lord Jesus as their Savior. And I am thankful for the emotion of pride, not in myself, but for loved ones, because my Lord has worked in them in some way, accomplishing in them a talent, a work, a relationship or whatever that only could be accomplished through Him.

So today...I am thankful for the emotion of a grateful heart...it could only have come from God's Holy Spirit, teaching me, counselling me, enlightening me with each emotion I experience.

WE'RE NOT IN KANSAS ANY MORE!

Well, we are back. What a wonderful, fun trip. Yes, we are not in Kansas any more. We just spent three full days in the Disney World parks and had a ball! Huston was with us and what a great time we had. I must say, for a four and a half year old...he was a real trouper. We slept late each day and didn't try to kill ourselves by getting there at the crack of dawn. Huston was exhausted from the day of travel and was tired. Therefore, he slept in and we began our first visit to the park (Animal Kingdom) mid morning. This worked out so well, we decided that this is how we would work the rest of our trip.

Huston walked all the first day and toward the end of the day would tell us he was VERY tired. Poor little guy....he really was "running out of gas", as he says. We managed to eat at the Rainforest Cafe the first night, in Downtown Disney, and I can't believe he managed to stay up so late. I have to hand it to him...he really can hang with the best of them.

The next two days, we decided to rent a stroller for him so he wouldn't have to walk so much. It really is hard for a little guy to walk ALL day. I think he enjoyed it much more that way. He even managed to take a few cat naps. You will see, at the "Brown Derby" restaurant, he took a long nap - snoring included for free.

By the time we were headed home...he said he wasn't ready. However, on the plane...about half way home...he said he wanted to see his mommy and daddy. I truly understand. There really is "no place like home!"

You know, God's Word, in the gospel of John, says Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us. A "home". A place for us when we go to be with Him. A wonderful place. A place where we will never tire, never be sad or lonely, never feel hurt (physical or emotional), always joyful because he will be there. Yes, "home" will be magnificent. Many people today are always gone from home. They can't seem to stay home or enjoy their home. Sometimes because it isn't what they envisioned their physical home to be, or they want a home like someone else has, or the presence or lack of presence of others is not what they want. Yet just the thought of "home" should bring up joyous feelings for us. Just like it did for Huston when he was so anxious to be home with his mommy, daddy and sister. Jimmy and I were glad to get home again also. When we come home, there is this ahhhhh feeling that comes across us. This peace, joy, secure feeling that comes over us when step through the door. That is the way we will be when we reach our heavenly home. AHHHHHHHHH! But in capital letters!

So today, I am thankful for HOME. Thankful we are not in Kansas but HOME. Thankful for the provision our Lord has given me with family and loved ones that make up our home. Thankful for the heavenly home that awaits me one day. Thankful for the time away, so when I come home...I get that ahhhhhhh feeling.

We're not in Kansas any more...ahhhhhhh!

Checking in at the Southwest counter

Watching "Cars", headed to Orlando

Too tired!

The Disney Bus!

Outside our room, overlooking Cinderella's Castle

Huston's first Monorail ride

Breakfast with the Characters - Donald

Goofey!

Pluto!

Chef Mickey!

Huston's cool shades!

Huston & "Jim" headed for the Tree of Life

in the Animal Kingdom

Resting before dinner

Boys and their toys...

Harley Davidson shop at Downtown Disney

Face painting was a MUST - cute puppy

Better than the snake the day before

Honey I shrunk the kids!

Resting at the "Brown Derby" - snoring included

Huston & "Jim"

Mickey's House & mailbox

Huston & Lovey's favorite - Cinderella's Castle

The castle changed colors at night, every few minutes

Disney train station at night

Our last night together - two peas in a pod!