I love...

Some things I love about my life...
I love that I got to marry one of the good guys.
I love that I got to be a mom to some really unique and wonderful people.
I love that I was raised in the church.
I love that I have lived in some unique places, from small towns to large cities.
I love that my Mom has always been a loving role model.
I love that I got to be an RN. Why doesn't everyone want to be a nurse?
I love getting to know two sweet little granddaughters.
I love that I have always felt loved.

I take none of this for granted.


(photo from March 2012)

Parental Guidance Movie Review

Mike has been more busy than normal during the week between Christmas and New Year's Day.  Often that week is a lot less busy, no committee meetings and such.  This year he had two funerals added to the mix. You can't help but feel more compassion and empathy when someone has to deal with the death of a loved one on Christmas Day.

People always tell me how much comfort Mike delivers with his funeral sermons.  I've long told him that was something he's really good at. He seems to know the right things to say, or not say, in each situation. It takes a lot out of him, though. He'll probably shake his head when he reads this post but the truth is, he picks up the burdens of others and helps carry it for awhile. He lightens their load a bit, but it increases his load.  That is his job and he didn't complain, but I noticed.

After such a week, though, I think it is my duty to help lighten HIS load.  Sometimes he just needs to get out of his own head.  He needs to laugh. So.... we went to see Parental Guidance.

On our way home from a movie Mike and I often rate them.  This time, he asked me to rate the movie on the way there.  This seemed like a movie where there would be no big surprises.  I gave it a 3 I think (on a scale of 1-5), before I saw it.  After the movie, though, I had to up my vote to something over a 4.  Why? Did this movie have delightful surprises or a deeper hidden message than expected?  Nope, not really.

I think I gave this movie a high score because it "hit the spot".  You know, when you are craving a potato chip, a candy bar does not hit the spot. Well, I think we were craving light-hearted fun and this movie hit that spot.  Bette Midler and Billy Crystal seemed to be having fun filming this movie and that fun spirit leaked right off the screen and oozed onto us.  That was just what we needed!

So, yes, I am recommending this movie, but only if you are in the mood for such a thing. It isn't life-changing or deep but it will make you smile and on your way home, you will feel a little less burdened.  That was worth the cost of the ticket!

Happy 2013!

Happy New Year!

So, I want to hear your New Year's Resolutions.  Do you even do that?  I've gone through the whole "exercise everyday" and "get more organized" types of resolutions.  I usually stick with them for a week or two.  This year, I am going to use a fortune cookie to determine my one and only resolution.  Remember Mike's fun fortune cookie from last summer?  No? Read about it here.

No, I am not getting the terrace haircut, but I likely will get my hair cut this year. That's beside the point, though.  I just intend to let myself loosen up a bit.  I'm not sure what that entails, but I want to live more creatively. Maybe I will start with the front door.

(photo from Google Images)

Or maybe I will finally begin learning to play the clarinet. Perhaps I will just do a few things differently from my normal...shop at a different grocery store on occasion, wear a color I've avoided or buy false eyelashes. Any suggestions? Anyone want to join me?

Now, what about you? I hope you will leave comments and tell me if you've made any resolutions.

Mixing It Up a Bit

I was rushing around, hurrying to get out the door and head to church.  I had set out two pairs of earrings earlier in the morning, undecided as to which pair I would be wearing.

Both pairs were actually made by my Grandma Rose.  She always wore dangling earrings and when I wear them, I like thinking of her.  She was so creative, always making things.  That is why our Etsy store, Wyoming Rose Boutique, was named after her.

Anyway...  just as I was leaving the bathroom I glanced in the mirror as I was tucking my hair behind my ears.  What I saw made me chuckle at myself.  I had picked up one earring from each pair.  Of course, I had to get my camera.  That seems pretty dumb but any blogger who tries to post daily knows that EVERYTHING seems like a potential post.  

There once was a time when I would not have even considered putting such a weird photo of myself on the fireplace mantel, much less on the internet.  Oh well, pride isn't always a good thing so maybe this is progress.  The point is, I was wearing a mismatched pair of earrings and I'd nearly headed off to church that way.  

A few minutes later, just before I pulled out of the driveway, I realized I still had NOT TAKEN OFF THE MISMATCHED PAIR! I was running late so I just took them out and headed on down the road.

THEN, I thought about a new fad I've seen many times now... mismatched but coordinating socks.  Have you seen that?  You can even buy a pair of mismatched socks!  Now, that is a fashion statement that seems kind of sensible to me.  We all lose socks, right? Well, now you can just pair up the left-over singles.  It is practical AND cool.


Well, I asked myself, "Why not?"  I put on the mismatched earrings and went on in to church.  I have to say, I did feel kind of cool all morning.  As far as I know, only one person even noticed but I'm hoping it will catch on.

Carry Me to the Cross

Carry Me to the Cross

Kutless

When the path is daunting 

And every step exhausting 

I'm not alone, I'm not alone, no, no

I feel You draw me closer 

All these burdens on my shoulder 

I'm not alone, I'm not alone 

You pull me from this place 

(Chorus)

Hallelujah!

You carry me every day 

You carry me all the way 

Hallelujah!

You carry me to the 

You carry me to the cross 

How Your love has moved me

To the foot of all Your glory 

I'm not alone, I'm not alone, I'm not alone 

Chorus 

All of these cities you have built 

And every cathedral you have filled 

To all of creation you gave life with your hands 

And with those hands you comfort me 

You lift me up from my knees 

And carry me 

You carry me 

Chorus

The cross 

You carry me to the 

You carry me to the cross

I Am With You Always

I had a problem at work yesterday. You know I like to wear a cross to work every day.  Yesterday, though, it just wasn't hanging right. Every time I looked down, my cross necklace was stuck awkwardly to my name badge.  

This cross is from Africa and I love it.  It was a gift from a friend of mine who travels to many countries and she often brings me crosses from those countries.  Isn't that sweet? This necklace, however, has a lot of metal in it.  My name tag has a magnet.  You see my problem?  I was kind of annoyed by it, actually.

Later, when I went by a mirror, I noticed that necklace clinging to my "Susan, RN" tag yet again.  Suddenly, I realized that maybe this was kind of neat.  It can't be bad to have the cross clinging to your name, can it?  I decided to think of it as Jesus staying close to me, even when I'm not paying attention.  Cool, huh?

Matthew 28:20b New Living Translation (©2007)  ...and be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

The Show Must Go On!

There are times when a blogger, such as myself, messes around too long and suddenly discovers they have run out of time to do a proper daily post.  At such times as these said blogger has a few options.

1. Just skip it and hope no one notices.
2. Rerun a post from the archives.
3. Show photos of  cute little granddaughters.

Still Hanging on to That Christmas Glow

Before I go any further, I think I need to have you go read my daughter, Maria's, post from before Christmas.  I just read the rest of it myself today.  When you read it, you'll see that I was COMMANDED to refrain from reading the last half of the blog before Christmas.

Go ahead and hop on over to it... I'll wait.

Yes, that above is my gift from Cordelia.  I LOVE it!  You may think it is a tin but Cordelia correctly identified it as a drum.  I didn't even know if I could drum but it turns out that I am just fine at it... at least with my tin/drum I am good.  I have another idea for it as well.  I think that I will write down cool little things Cordelia says or does and put them in the tin.  I kind of got that idea from her mother.  Read here about one of the best gifts I ever received.

Now, I leave you with the last of the photos from our Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve Photographs

We have a weird family tradition of going out for Chinese food just before our Christmas Eve Service.  That started the first year we came to Wyoming.  Mike was doing two evening services with just a little time in between for a meal.  Since there was a Chinese buffet nearby, that was where we went.  Since our congregation moved to a larger facility we can all fit for just one service.  Still, we choose to go out for Chinese.  It may be weird but it works for us.

A big part of our Christmas celebration is our worship service at our church.  I love it.  We sing... a lot!  I like that.  Our church was full.  It was fun to see people we haven't seen for awhile. I enjoy seeing all the grown children who have come back for the holiday.  Mike's sermon was about children and how they can accept their gift of faith with such simplicity.  Near the end Mike told the story I'd told on my blog here.  He include those photos up on the big screen.  Cordelia likely hadn't seen those photos before and when she saw herself up there her reaction was great concern! I was surprised but she had a worried look on her face and repeatedly said, "Why is that me?" It was sweet.

One of the traditions during our service is the lighting of candles.  Everyone gets a little candle in a holder, the ushers light the candles of those seated by the aisles and soon we've passed the light down the rows and the room looks beautiful!  Then, we sing Silent Night.  It's a tender part of the tradition.

After the service, it is time for some photographs, home to finish Christmas Day preparations then off to bed.  Tomorrow I will tell you more about our Christmas Day.

My friend, Allen, would appreciate your thoughts and prayers today as he is back in the hospital. Please pray for his comfort.  Also, the whole holiday season, joyful for many, can be especially difficult for others. Some are dealing with a loss while others are just far from family and friends and feeling lonely.  I want you to know that I do not take for granted what I have here and now.  I wish you peace.  

Special thanks to Maria, Eric and Jim C. for taking photographs Christmas Eve

I don't often get photographed with my "baby", Sam.

I love him.

It was a happy night.

Elise was ready to be done but Cordelia and I were feeling the joy!

Luke 2: 1-20 (New International Version (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah,the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Merry Christmas!

Christ our Savior is Born

 

Silent night, holy night
All is calm and all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from Heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing halleluia
Christ the savior is born
Christ our savior is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God
Love's pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord at thy birth
Jesus Lord at thy birth

Halleluia!
Halleluia!
Halleluia!

Christ the Savior is born

Merry Christmas, My Friends.

Week-end Reward

I worked long, long hours last week and had several evening activities.  By the time Saturday came along I was pretty worn out.  I had piles of laundry and a lot of other things I needed to do at home.  I was up early and accomplished some of those tasks but I dropped it because I was invited to join my daughter and granddaughters for a trip to the library for story time.

The little girls are so precious to me.  I realize how very, very blessed I am to have them close by.  To be able to be a part of their daily lives is something many grandparents do not get.  Now that I have these little ones, I realize what we were unable to give our own children and their grandmas... time...lots of time together.  That makes me sad but it also makes me cautiously guard what I've been given.  I never want to put housecleaning or any other tasks before that precious time.

Mary's Song

Breath Of Heaven  

Songwriters: CHRIS EATON, AMY GRANT

I have traveled many moonless nights,

Cold and weary with a babe inside,

And I wonder what I've done.

Holy father you have come,

And chosen me now to carry your son.

I am waiting in a silent prayer.

I am frightened by the load I bear.

In a world as cold as stone,

Must I walk this path alone?

Be with me now.

Be with me now.

Breath of heaven,

Hold me together,

Be forever near me,

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven,

Lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy.

Breath of heaven.

Do you wonder as you watch my face,

If a wiser one should have had my place,

But I offer all I am

For the mercy of your plan.

Help me be strong.

Help me be.

Help me.

Breath of heaven,

Hold me together,

Be forever near me,

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven,

Lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy.

Breath of heaven,

Hold me together,

Be forever near me,

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven,

Lighten my darkness,

Pour over me your holiness,

For you are holy.

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven.

Breath of heaven

Cultural Differences

I meant to sleep in this morning but it was not to be.  By 5:00 it was all over as far as sleeping.  So, I got up and started a load of laundry, prepared a warm cup of coffee and sat down to watch "Mary, Mother of Jesus". It is a film from 1999 and seemed like a great pre-Christmas Day movie to watch.

(Mary and Joseph as portrayed in "Mary, Mother of Jesus")

As I am watching this movie I find myself wondering about Mary and Joseph and their relationship prior to their wedding.  This movie portrays them as very loving and tender toward each other as they plan to get married.  It is also possible that they barely even knew each other.  Either way, God was able to work with that marriage to provide parents to raise Jesus in a loving environment.

I met a lot of people this week. I've always been a person to whom others share personal information.  I'm not quite sure why but it has been true at least since I was about junior high age. This week I met two contrasting families.  In neither case did I ask the parents about the history of their marriage, they just volunteered information. Actually, the wives volunteered information.  In both cases the husbands were pretty quiet. One seemed cold and the other, just shy.

The first wife told me she and her husband had just had their wedding two weeks prior.  She made a little laughing sound and commented that they had three children together but wanted to be certain of their own relationship before marrying.  I was in a situation where I did not feel it was appropriate for me to comment.  She told me they waited so long because they felt it would reduce their risk of divorce. Then, she ASKED me, "Don't you agree?"  I kept my answer brief, something about statistics showing that couples living together before marriage actually have a higher divorce rate.  I was sorry that came out of my mouth. There was no point to it as they can't go back in time and do it differently anyway.  I stumbled along saying things about how the important thing is to work on having a healthy marriage now.

What I would have said to this couple BEFORE they had three children would be something about having a secure relationship prior to adding babies to it. A shaky relationship is a shaky foundation for children. Children are a big commitment and I certainly believe it works better if the parents are first committed to each other.  I doubt they would have listened anyway. We are from different cultures, even though we live in the same community.

The second couple had foreign names and the husband had a strong accent.  Making conversation, I just asked where they were from and I learned more than I'd expected.  The young mother was raised here in Wyoming but her father was from a middle Eastern country.  She simply said, "I had an arranged marriage." That came as quite a surprise! Her husband was pretty quiet but he seemed comfortable with her disclosure. She told me they did not meet until their wedding day!  I was fascinated and wanted to ask a lot of questions about that.  How did that work out? Were they frightened? Were they disappointed? How awkward did it feel? I asked none of those things only because it wasn't my place.

I didn't really spend an extensive amount of time getting to know either of them but my intuitive feeling was that the second couple seemed much more loving toward each other than the first. That may be a result of their individual personalities, their family culture or many other things.  All I know is the first couple seemed tense.  The husband actually seemed a bit angry and his new wife seemed to need a lot of reassurance.  I don't know how it would've been for her but for me I would've felt quite insecure all those years of waiting to be found deserving of a commitment. I know I jumped to the conclusion that it was her husband who dragged his feet to the altar. That is just how it felt to me as I spoke with them.

The second couple seemed to have a sweet relationship.  Do you know what I mean?  I caught them passing little looks and smiles between each other.  I'm telling you, it was hard for me to not badger them with questions.

Cultural differences are intriguing.  Of course some differences are seriously wrong, such as allowing the persecution of women and children.  Other cultural differences, though, might deserve our respect. No, I'm not advocating for arranged marriages but I am an advocate for commitment.

What are your thoughts on this?

Mike's Nativity Scene

This nativity scene is from Mike's childhood.  When we were first married his mom gave us a bunch of old Christmas decorations.  They are all precious to Mike.  You know how things that remind you of your childhood are so sweet.

This nativity set originally came with a manger that folded up flat or storage.  It was made from a soft pressed board kind of material, not much stronger than cardboard.  It had straw bits glued to the roof and it was fun to set it up.  Alas, though, it did not outlast our children.   For a few years I taped it to hold it together.  I actually think we still have it; I couldn't bring myself to throw it out, but it was pretty much crushed.

The little figures have been played by Mike and likely his sisters' little fingers when they were children.  They were played with by our children and hopefully our grandchildren will enjoy them for years.

Do you have a nativity set?  Is it vintage or new?  We have quite a few of them but none more precious than this one.

The Beauty of a Tree

On my way home from work one day this week I found myself really noticing trees. they are all around town. Each is different from the next. What I was really noticing was the intricacy of each tree. That led me to thinking about all the opportunities to observe beauty that are available pretty much anytime. Although I was tired, I decided to stop for a few minutes to enjoy the view.

Here is what I was enjoying. It seemed like an amazing work of art.

I love trees.

Kissing the Baby

Cordelia was looking at this angel decoration at our house. I grabbed my camera, intending to ask her to pose by the angel.  Instead, I just watched and snapped photos.

The first thing she did was to hug the angel.

Soon, she spotted Baby Jesus.              

And she simply leaned down and gave him a kiss.

 

Let's Make a New Holiday - Santamas!

I have a GREAT idea!  Let's advocate for a new holiday and let's call it Santamas!  We can make it be about a chubby guy in a red suit that has reindeer to help him fly all around the world, delivering presents.  He can only deliver presents to children who earn them through their good behavior.

It will be FUN!  We can say that he slides down our chimneys.  Maybe we can make up that he has elves to help him make toys for children!  He can live far, far away... how about the North Pole?  He can be all about candy canes and we can focus on getting lots and lots of presents from him!

This new holiday can be appropriate for everyone as it will be quite secular.  We'll be able sing about Santa in our schools!  It will be so cool! We can make it clear that it is just for fun; that the story is just a story, loosely based on nice man who lived and died long ago.

THEN...

Let's celebrate another holiday, called Christmas!  We can focus it on Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God!  We can read about his birth from the Bible, including reading that his birth was prophesied centuries before it occurred.  We can imagine how it was for his mother, Mary, when she found out she was going to be mother to God's Son, and that her son would be The Savior. We can talk about multitudes of angels declaring his birth! It will be so exciting! Imagine the glorious songs we can sing in our churches, homes and even out caroling to shut-ins. Doesn't it just give you goose-bumps?

We can let our children know that it is a real story.

The story will be about giving, rather than getting.

It will be a story of joy and peace and hope.  

It will be just what the world needs.

It will be all about HIM.

It will be holy.

An Oops that Led to a Great Afternoon

Saturday the Worship Team I am on scheduled a special practice.  We are working on music for Christmas and I am really enjoying it all.  The problem is, I'd left early the Sunday before and didn't know they'd scheduled a practice that afternoon.  Naturally, people would expect that the pastor's wife would have a clue about things going on at the church.  Sometimes I do but in this case, not so much.

As far as I knew I had a free afternoon so...

I read in the paper that our local ice skating club was putting on a program.  I don't know any of the kids in the program but it seemed to me that it might be something Cordelia would enjoy. She agreed, although I doubt she even knew what to expect.  I love her enthusiasm!  

Cordelia and I had some great conversations throughout the afternoon.  For example, she likes to bring up that I am her mom's mom.  We talked about her mom living at our house then growing up and marrying her daddy. At that point she told me that her mom had told her she couldn't get married now.  I told her I thought that was a good idea since she was still a child.  She wanted to know why she couldn't get married just because she was still a child. (Trust me, that was NOT the only "why" question of the day.) When I said she couldn't get married now because then she would move to another house to live with her husband, she was quite horrified!  She informed me that she would cry and cry if she couldn't live with her mom and daddy.  She carried that thought forward, worrying that when she grew up she'd have to move out.  I told her she could just always live with her parents then and she was quite happy again. Maria and Eric, I hope you don't mind.

I had a similiar conversation with our oldest son, Ben, when he was about her age.  He wasn't asking to get married but he was quite shocked when he noted that some big kids grew up and moved away from their parents.  He said, "I will ALWAYS live with you, Momma!" He now lives more than 3,700 miles from me! I hate that but I am also proud of him for the sense of adventure he shares with our daughter-in-law, Sara.

Cordelia is so smart, it is already quite easy to carry on some pretty big conversations with her. She really seemed to have a good time. She was mesmerized by the skaters.

I was mesmerized by her.

While I am sorry that I did not show up for practice, I would not have missed the fun on this little face for anything!

Here am I

Mary set such a good example for us with her response to the angel when she learned she was to mother God's only son,

"Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."