Homecoming 2008

Last weekend was homecoming for my oldest two children. Since Meghan is now a Senior, and her brother David a Freshman, they were able to attend it together. It was my daughter's first dance and my son's too. Meghan made it special by wearing the same dress I wore to my Senior homecoming dance in 1985.

Her idea, not mine.

For all of my wonderful relatives who have left phone messages, text messages and emails...HERE ARE THE PICTURES...and I am having Paul draw up the restraining order!

To share a quick story with you all, Meghan had called me frantic on the Monday before her big night when she realized the kids had waited too long to get dinner reservations. "Mom, remember that idea you had about having a few couples for dinner before the dance?" "Mmmm hmmmm..." I nervously replied. "Well, are you still up for that?"

A few couples for dinner = nineteen Seniors, eight adults and ten younger children.

We all had a great time. The extra blessing was that Meg's date was Aaron, my dear friend Kim's son. Meghan and Aaron have known each other from church since they were eight years old. They are good friends and had a great time together.

David had a great time too. And no, he didn't take a date. Call me old fashioned but a 9th grader is way too young to even think about taking a date to a dance!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Wordless Wednesday....well, sorta...

Mom's famous apple crisp!

Thank you God, for my mom.

Is there a day on your calendar that is marked by your heart? October 27th is that day for me. It is my mom's birthday. Growing up, us kids knew that this day was special for mom. Raising four children, this was the one day of the year that demanded we take our eyes off of ourselves and place them on her.

She would have turned sixty-three today.

This day used to be filled with phone calls, birthday cards, family dinners and birthday cake. For eight years now, October 27th has become painfully quiet. In some ways, growing older I need her so much more. We used to talk every day, sometimes numerous times a day to share a story, an update about family, a laugh or just to talk about what we had planned for the day. I miss her calls the most. I yearn for her to be on the other end of the telephone to share highlights of my children's lives. She would have loved to see Meghan go to her first dance Saturday night. Her heart would have swelled with pride over David's graduation from junior high last year. No doubt she would have bragged to everyone about Grace's first goal in soccer this year and made numerous calls to friends after hearing that Samuel scored five goals this Saturday at his game.

To fill you in on this special photograph, it was snapped a few months before cancer took her life. I had just stopped by to visit and while sitting on the stool beside her, I tried hard to talk to her about anything but the heartache staring me straight in the face. A very mischievous thought came to mind. I leaned down for dramatic affect, whispering in her ear, “You know what mom? I just had a great idea. I think I am going to toilet paper you.” Sadly immobile, a frightened smile lit her face, as she looked up at me with a you-wouldn't-dare look in her beautiful green eyes. My sister was my accomplice as we twirled the white toilet paper from top to bottom, creating beauty from the cold steel hospital bed. Lastly placing a paper white bouquet in her hands. All the while laughing until our sides hurt, tears streaming down all of our faces.

Just like vanilla candles, Jean Nate, Aunt Jemimah coffee cake and Greek cookies, October 27th fills my heart with my mother. I loved her so much. I still do. So today, the day that has been forever marked by my heart, I thank God for my mom. Cancer took so much away from her, from all of us, but it never took away our joy and I am anxiously counting the days until I can laugh with her again.

REVOLVE TOUR 2008

For the third year in a row Meghan and I attended The Revolve Tour. Put on by Women of Faith, this tour is a teenage version of the same. Lots of great Christian music, drama, and testimonies. Three time American Gospel Singer of the Year, Natalie Grant headlines the tour. Her music is great and her words to the girls inspiring. She encouraged them all to put their life in God's hands and make a difference in this world. Below is a scrapbook of some of the fun that the six of us had together.

If you have a junior high or high school teenager who needs to be reminded of who they are in Christ, this concert is more than worth the money. We all had a blast.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

He Keeps ALL Promises.

There has not failed one promise that He has promised. 1Kings 8:56 nkjv

Yesterday afternoon I turned on my computer to find an email I'd been anxiously expecting from a publisher. I had submitted my book proposal at their request, the month before. The letter began, “I'm sorry to say that we’re not going to be able to pursue this book.”

I was disappointed. I shared with my husband my discouragement. I even went on to tell him how I'd really thought I'd heard God speak to me when he gave me a promise last year in Psalm 45:1 “My heart overflows with a good theme. I recite my composition concerning the King. My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” It seemed to me that God was confirming what I would write, I would speak about. The theme overflowing from my heart was the captivity of activity and the bondage of busyness. So why had my book proposal on the subject been rejected? During my time with the Lord this morning He answered this very question.

After my time in the Word, I opened up my Streams in the Desert devotion book. The verse for today, “There has not failed one promise that He has promised.” 1Kings 8:56 I underlined the words that spoke loudly, almost shouting at me from the pages, “Someday we shall understand that God has a reason in every NO which he speaks through the slow movement of life. Somehow God makes up to us. How often when his people are worrying or perplexing themselves about their prayers not being answered, is God answering them in a far richer way.” I took out my pen and began to underline, “When did God take anything from a man without giving him manifold more in return? Suppose that the return had not been made immediately manifest, what then? Is today the limit of God's working time?”

Friends, our God is the great promise keeper. What promises has God given to you? He is not bound by our time, twenty four hours in a day, or our twelve months in a year. He is working them out in your life in his own time. He has not forgotten, not a one. Keep the faith. Trust him. Stand on His words to you. Pray them back to God reminding him that you are waiting patiently for them to become manifest in your own life.

When the frosts are in the valley,
And the mountain tops are grey,
And the choicest buds are blighted,
And the blossoms die away,
A loving Father whispers,
“This cometh from my hand”;
Blessed are ye if ye trust
Where ye cannot understand.

If, after years of toiling,
Your wealth should fly away
And leave your hands all empty,
And your locks are turning grey,
Remember then your Father
Owns all the sea and land;
Blessed are ye if ye trust
Where ye cannot understand.

WANTED!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Wordless Wednesday....well, sorta...

Caught in the act!

Angel, this is not your bed!

Dad just pointed at her. Guess who walked out of the room and didn't even make her get up?

He is such an old softy.

Happy Birthday Little Sister!

Happy Birthday Amy!

For those of you who don't know my little sister Amy, I thought I would give you ten random facts about my youngest sister.

1. Amy LOVES animals! Her dogs are her children.

2. Amy is a Southern California girl now, after leaving her Northern California roots.

3. She was born with a full head of red hair.

4. There isn't anyone she can't strike up a conversation with.

5. She is so creative, she could give Martha Stewart a run for her money.

6. As darling as she is, she has inherited our obnoxiously loud family laugh.

7. She has recently gone back to school to get her nursing degree.

8. Amy loves children. Good news for her two daughters and one son!

9. Her sweet tooth is out of control!

10. She loves to plant vegetables in her garden.


Happy Birthday Amy, I hope and pray this year is one that is full of love, laughter and more joy than you can hold in your heart!

Love,

Your OLDER and much WISER sister.

MUST SEE MONDAY!

Today I have the joy to share a new blog with you. Writing from Home, hosted by writer Elizabeth Thompson.

Beth (known by her friends), has been published in numerous publications including Focus on the Family. She leads the Christian Writers Group, Inspire, in Northern California.

Take a moment and mosey on over to Writing from Home.


...and make sure to tell Beth that Joanne sent you!

Why I love Fall.

I am in love with the Fall season. There is no other time of year that puts a smile on my face like this time of year. I love Fall so much that I thought I would write down a couple of reasons why it is the absolute best season of all.

I love Fall because:

1. triple digit weather is finally over.

2. of the changing of the leaves.

3. I look really good in a sweater.

4. my crockpot gets back to work.

5. I am always for the underdog, and Fall is bullied by Summer and Winter.

6. I look extremely lovely in a sweater.

7. there is nothing better than comfort food.

8. weeds don't grow as fast.

9. Have I already mentioned I look darn good in a sweater?

10. gloomy and rainy days are just around the corner....yippee!

Help, I Have a Virus!

Some kind of middle-aged virus has attacked my bedroom closet! Everything seems to have shrunk a size.

We are going out to dinner this Saturday evening, my husband and I and some dear friends. After searching and searching for something appropriate to wear, I have become disgusted with my drab, hang-out-at-home, sweats, jeans and baggy t-shirts wardrobe. I have a whole closet full of nothing.

Why does this only seem to happen when I want to dress up and go out like a big person?

I don't know if you need a laugh today, but I sure do. If you have never heard comedian Anita Renfroe before, you are in for a treat.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

I DARE YOU!

We all know the importance of working at our marriages, but how many of us really work at them? Just like a well-balanced diet, we know what our body needs, but continue to run through the drive-thru for dinner. Our marriages should not be getting second best, but our absolute first considerations, thoughts and hard work. As women, we desire our men to send flowers, provide financial security and romance, and some of us would just be happy with a husband who picks up his dirty socks.

But what are we doing to help, to encourage, to show sacrificial love to our husbands?

Beginning this Friday, my friend Chelle at The World of Chelle is hosting a 40 day treat for our marriages, The Love Dare as seen in the movie Fireproof. Whether your marriage is all roses and dark chocolates, or is hanging on by a thread, take the time to go over to Chelle's and see what you can do to be a part of this 40 day transformation.

I double-dog-dare you!

MUST SEE MONDAY!

You ladies out there bless me! There are so many of you using your tiny space on the world wide web to inspire, encourage and bring us to a better understanding of Jesus and who He is in our lives.

This week I am starting MUST SEE MONDAY. An opportunity for me to put up a blog that has encouraged and inspired me. For starters you can go to my sidebar to "Blessed...Blogs" and peruse from there.

My first Must See, is Eternity Cafe, hosted by Susan. Susan is head of her women's ministry, her husband is the worship leader at their church. I met Susan while at the She Speaks conference this summer. She has a love for Jesus that shines in everything that she does. She is a speaker and a writer for Jesus, mom of two and friend to many!

This is her first week blogging, and since I personally know the woman behind the blog, I encourage you to stop by and encourage her!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Love is not a fight.

My husband and I went to the movies to see Fireproof last night. This is now my new favorite song. It explains love and marriage perfectly. When Paul and I have our own heated discussions (politically correct for: knock down drag out fights) I often struggle with the urge to run away, walk out in my anger and leave. The line from this song, "If we try to leave, may God send angels to guard the door." speaks right to me.

At the age of twenty-seven I watched my first marriage go down in flames-personally pouring gasoline on that raging fire. I am so thankful that we serve a God of second chances. My life is a testimony that our Lord can bring life from the wreckage of poor choices. My marriage today is beauty from ashes. My husband Paul is the love of my life, my best friend, and the other half of me.

Friends, if you haven't seen this movie...SEE IT. If you know of ANYONE who is married, encourage them to SEE IT. If you know ANYONE who is engaged or in a serious relationship, tell them to SEE IT.

...and make sure to bring a big ol' box of kleenex.

ECSTATIC...yep, just a teensy bit.

Yesterday afternoon I received an email from Glynnis Whitwer, editor of P31 Woman Magazine, letting me know that the article I'd submitted was accepted. It will be published in their August 2009 issue.

Was I thrilled, uh, yeah. Did I react to the news like a mature adult, um, well, no. I was sitting at Starbucks as I opened my email and thankfully in front of only two bubble-gum chewing baristas, started squeaking and yelping. I very ungraciously jumped out of my chair and dashed out the door, running accross the busy street, red shiny laptop half open like a pizza box, to share the news with my husband.


I'm real classy like that.

Anything that grows - changes.

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon. Psalm 92:12

Change is inevitable...except from vending machines. anon

Growth and change go hand in hand. Change requires faith. Faith to believe that God is in control and that His plans may not make sense to us, but make perfect sense to Him. I love God but I hate change. I am perfectly happy living day in and day out in the comfort of monotony. Red lights flash and sirens scream their shrill warnings if I wander outside of familiarity.

My husband Paul is an attorney. He is a good attorney, a Christian attorney. I know, quite the oxymoron, isn't it? This week he is moving his office from his envied spot on Main Street in the quaint city of Placerville. Established in the 1800's, this California gold rush town is known for it's country charm and relaxed atmosphere. For six years, Paul has been the Atticus Finch, (Gregory Peck's character from the book/movie To Kill a Mockingbird), to folks in these parts. I can't begin to count how many times someone would walk in without an appointment, ask my husband legal questions and then walk back out of his office, never offering to pay for his services, my husband not demanding payment. Would you believe, one client even paid my husband in apples?

It surprised me when tears welled up in my eyes this morning as I witnessed a gentleman outside, at our request, climb up on a ladder and take down my husband's large office sign, his shingle. My tiny muscle of faith immediately being stretched, while my heart was reminded that God's plans for us are always sifted through his blood-stained hands of love.

This God given spot on the map has been more than good to our family. A true blessing of provision. Yet, like the Israelites, we feel the cloud of the Lord moving us on, (“By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way...”Exodus 13:21)

It is difficult to accept change and even harder to move when things are good. But we are learning that sometimes you have to say no to the good to say yes to God's best.

Fall Giveaway- Laced with Grace

The team of writers at Laced With Grace is please to announce their fall readers contest. They have joined with Women Of Faith Ministries to offer two premium tickets to attend the two day conference at any venue in the United States.

Tickets include admission for two, boxed lunches and other neat stuff.

"I attended my first Women of Faith event in 1998. It was there I found a new passion to begin reading my Bible every day. My life was forever changed because of Women of Faith." Shared Laced with Grace contributor Lynn Donovan.

What do you think God could do in your life through a Women of Faith conference?

Please plan to enter their contest daily. Stop in and read their daily devotions Monday through Friday and make sure to leave a comment. All comments count as an entry.

Laced with Grace will announce the winner on the Monday following Thanksgiving. ~A perfect day for one of their readers to receive a gift and a give thanks to the Lord for all He does in our lives.

Tell your friends and add their button to your blog or website then let Laced with Grace know. They will enter your comments twice into their drawing.

If you have any questions, please feel free to leave Lynn a comment and she will email you.

****On a side note...I personally enjoy this site ALOT. Laced with Grace is a blessing to the internet and to so many Christian women in our blogosphere. I have been blessed to be a small part of God's mighty hand with this devotional website. If you have never stopped by, make a point to go there today!*****

Who is Your Elizabeth?

It's no secret that us gals are relational. Get a group of women together and we will talk and talk and talk and talk. We can't help it, it is how God has wired us. When I have something big happen in my life, after talking to my husband, my next impulse is to call my girlfriend Celia, my Elizabeth.

When Jesus' mother Mary, was given the biggest news of her life, she had no husband to confide in. Her first instinct after her visit from the angel of the Lord, was to immediately go out and seek Godly counsel from her cousin Elizabeth. Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah and entered the house of Zecharias and Elizabeth. Luke 1:38-40

Mary didn't wast any time, she went with haste. The definition of the word haste is; to move with speed, or in a hurry or a rush.

As a Christian woman, who is your Elizabeth? Who do you rush to in a hurry? Who do you seek for your Godly counsel? If you don't have an Elizabeth of your very own, ask God to put one in your life. I have included below a few characteristics to look for in your Elizabeth.

Your Elizabeth should:

Have a steadfast walk with the Lord.
Give Godly counsel in truth and love.
Encourage you in your walk with Jesus.
Encourage you in your marriage.
Be someone whom you desire to learn from.
Pray for you.
Rejoice in your successes.
See your God-given gifts and encourage you to use them.


Your Elizabeth should not:

Gossip with others about things you have shared.
Disrespect your husband or family.
Remind you of past failures, or make fun of your shortcomings.
Pull you away from others.
Discourage you from serving the Lord.
Be in competition with you, or insecure in your achievements.

Take a moment and stop to ask yourself, "Who is my Elizabeth?"

I hope you comment today, I would love to hear more about her!

It's Hard to Leave Home

“There's no place like home. There's no place like home.” Who of us doesn't know those words by heart? Infamous lines from The Wizard of Oz. No matter how many times I watch it, when Dorothy clicks her heels and repeats those words, my stomach flutters. As a little girl, I couldn't imagine anything worse than being separated from home, from your family.

I could almost feel the same gentle flutters as we recently left our church home. It is not easy to leave those you have grown with, laughed with and loved. Taking our family of six and visiting another church was like being in someone else's home. The smells were different, the sounds were different and the people were different.

Thankfully, like a good family who raises up strong children to go out on their own and to know right from wrong, we have been brought up with a strong foundation. Our previous church family taught us to be respectful of all, but to always put God and His word first. We have been trained in the ministry on how to serve others. The lesson of God, others, self, coming back to mind like the teachings of a loving parent.

As we seek the Lord to lead our family to where we are to serve next, we are learning that as long as Jesus is by our side we are home.

LET IT RAIN! Then Sings My Soul Saturday

In honor of the first rainfall today, in our small, Northern California town, I thought that this song by Michael W. Smith (one of my favorites) was most fitting!

My One Month

Genny from My Cup 2 Yours is hosting a wonderful contest, a contest that really makes you think. I don't mean think like Trivial Pursuit think, but think about your life and what is important.

What would you do if you only had one month to live? Go to her site right now and check it out.