Ash Wednesday - Beginning of Lent

I did not grow up in a church that observed things like Lent and it has taken me awhile to learn to appreciate it.  I was trying to think of a good way to explain Ash Wednesday and Lent to people who do not know much about it. I happened upon this little video and realized it was a great way to explain it very quickly. I hope you will take the 2 minutes to see it as I think it is very well done and even a bit entertaining.

What about those of you who do observe Lent; how is it meaningful to you?

Christianity in 5 Minutes or Less

Yesterday we concluded our Bible Study of Deuteronomy with some good discussion. I kept scribbling down  interesting points thinking, "That will make a good blog post!"  The discussion that I kept thinking about all evening, though, was the one about explaining Christianity to someone who knows little or nothing about it.

I have to say, I've not often been in a position of having a faith discussion with someone who is new to the stories and beliefs of Christianity. When I was a child, most people I knew went to church most Sundays. The children I played with knew about Jesus' birth. They knew Easter was really about Jesus, not an Easter Bunny. In fact, it was such common knowledge it was taken for granted. I think that was likely the story across most of America. Even those who were not Christians knew quite a lot about Christianity. I'm not so sure that is really true anymore.

We have quite a lot of families moving here, even to the remote State of Wyoming, who come from different countries and cultures. One of the women in our group has been approached by some of these new Wyomingites, asking her what Christianity is really about. I imagine it must seem rather overwhelming to try to answer succinctly. Christianity has so many stories and lessons, how do you wrap it up and neatly present it in a 5 minute conversation?

I was raised Christian and have attended at least weekly services my entire life, yet I am still learning more about our faith all the time. The depth of lessons and history taught in the Bible is amazing. Where do you even start? Well, as usual, we look to Jesus for such guidance. When Jesus was asked which commandment was most important, he gave an answer that I believe defines what Christianity is supposed to be. His answer reflects back to commands given to the Hebrew people generations earlier, written in the Old Testament, long before Jesus was here. His words are recorded in the New Testament book of Mark, chapter twelve, verses 29-31:

Mark 12:29-31

New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁹ Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. ³⁰ And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’^[a] 31 The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b]No other commandment is greater than these.”

That's it! That is how we are to live! All the other lessons in the Bible center around those words.

I know that throughout history Christians have failed to quite live up to these commands. Why is it so hard for us? Why do we repeatedly try to put other things higher on our priority list than our love for God? Why do we have such a struggle to love others? I think I am going to print out those verses and put them somewhere that I look each day. I want to be constantly reminded that we are to live a life of love for God and love for others...simple as that. I'll end with this quote from The Law of Love:

"A love for God and neighbor transform our behavior and impact every last one of our actions and decisions." 
Melissa Moore Fitzpatrick

Reality Weather

I spent a bit of time this week-end watching the weather channel. I expect many of you did as well. As I watched meteorologists plopping themselves down on snowbanks or standing dangerously close to an incoming tide during a blizzard, something occurred to me. I realized that the Weather Channel has become my favorite reality television show!

We didn't need television, though, to experience weather drama. I saw some wild driving by others and went into a bit of a slide myself on Saturday. No harm done, but I think my pulse may have been a bit elevated. 

Really, all we needed to do was step out onto our deck to enjoy the changing scenery. It was a beautiful week-end!

Remember that we are doing that big one week sale at Wyoming Rose Boutique. Use the coupon code word JAZZY at check-out and you will receive 50% off ANYTHING and EVERYTHING IN OUR SHOP!

I Refuse

Josh Wilson

I Refuse

Sometimes I, 

I just want to close my eyes

And act like everyone's alright 

When I know they're not.

This world needs God

But it's easier to stand and watch. 

I could pray a prayer and just move on

Like nothing's wrong.

But I refuse.

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care.

I don't want to say another empty prayer.

I refuse to

Sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself.

I could choose

Not to move but I refuse.

I can hear the least of these 

Crying out so desperately, 

And I know we are the hands and feet 

Of you, oh god.

So, if you say move,

Then it's time for me to follow through,

And do what I was made to do.

Show them who you are.

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care.

I don't want to say another empty prayer.

I refuse to

Sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself.

I could choose

Not to move but I refuse.

To stand and watch 

The weary and lost 

Cry out for help.

I refuse

To turn my back 

And try and act like all is well.

I refuse

To stay unchanged,

To wait another day,

To die to myself.

I refuse

To make one more excuse. 

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care.

I don't want to say another empty prayer.

I refuse to

Sit around and wait for someone else

To do what God has called me to do myself.

I could choose

Not to move but I refuse.

On Being a Nurser

Not long ago Cordelia said that when she grows up she wants to be a "nurser like Grandma". Isn't that sweet? At her preschool recently a little friend had a tummy ache and the teacher asked the little girl if she wanted them to call her grandma. I guess that is the person who picks her up. Anyway, Cordy piped up, "No! Call my grandma! She's a nurse."  Aaaaah. I like that.

I started thinking, though, would that be my first choice of profession for Cordelia? I'm still pondering that question. I don't think I ever encouraged my own children to go into nursing. There are definitely pros and cons involved with nursing as a career.

There are a lot of careers that do not require overnight shifts or 12+ hour shifts on your feet. Jobs abound that do not require cleaning up diarrhea, vomit, blood or snot (my area of weakness). A lot of professions do not involve lifting heavy people up off the floor when they've fallen, calming frightened people who blame you for their misery or exposing yourself to dangerous chemicals such as chemotherapy. Many jobs don't demand such frequent hand-washing that your hands are rough or maybe even cracked and bleeding before you go home. Some professions do not regularly expose you to HIV, MRSA, hepatitis or a plethora of other diseases. I have personally suffered from Clostridium Difficile and Enterobacter cloacae (not your garden variety) of pneumonia, both acquired as a result of my nursing work.

HOWEVER...

Many careers do not offer an opportunity to see a frightened patient relax because you were able to calm some of their fears. Many people aren't in a position to see the courage and determination I've seen in people facing life-threatening illness. Nurses can find themselves comforting the newly diagnosed and encouraging family members to be the best version of themselves to help their loved one. I have been present for births and I have held the hand of a person leaving this world. Nurses can serve as comforter, problem solver, reliever of pain, nerve-calmer, massage-giver, health educator, and yes... friend.

One of my fellow RN's just this last week told me that "RN" stood for refreshments and narcotics, referring to the fact that in many ways a nurse serves somewhat as a waitress. It's true! Nursing is most definitely a career of serving as needed. I laughed at her statement but as I pondered it I realized it pretty well told the story of nursing. We try to provide whatever is needed at the moment. I've probably delivered almost as much coffee and demerol.

So, would I be pleased if Cordelia really did grow up to be a nurse? Well, only if it is truly her dream. It is a very demanding type of work with a lot of cons. Just the same, I've had some of my most powerful moments as an RN. I've learned more than I've taught and received more than I've given. I am very grateful that I've been able to follow MY dream. I am pleased if my children and grandchildren have the opportunity to discover and follow their own dreams.

Wyoming Road Trip

Remember that we are doing that big one week sale on Wyoming Rose Boutique. Use the coupon code word JAZZY at check-out and you will receive 50% off ANYTHING IN OUR SHOP!

Yesterday I was called off work so Maria and I took advantage and headed to visit my Mom, little girls in tow. Cordelia was pretty excited to go see Grandma Grace. As it turned out, my sister was sick and couldn't join us. My aunt and cousin came over for a bit. It was a fun day!

Cordelia does well on road trips. She has a little DVD player which helps.  Elise slept for much of the trip. We actually saw two bald eagles sitting on a fence but did not stop as we didn't want to disturb Elise. I'm kind of regretting that. Seeing two bald eagles hanging out is not an ordinary event. You would have liked the photos...sorry about that.

Elise enjoyed exploring my Mom's decor.

Cordelia loved up on my cousin, Anne Marie.

She sometimes loves kind of rough.

She also enjoyed my aunt, Michelle.

Do you see that Cordelia is wearing a shopping bag as her backpack?

It was a lovely girl day.

Something New on My Fridge

I told you about Mike helping me pick out new glasses a few weeks ago. What I did not mention was that I had received a bit of a surprise at my eye appointment earlier that day.

First, I should tell you that I have been miffed for the last decade simply because I had to give in and wear glasses at all. You see, I was really proud of my terrific eye sight for nearly 40 years. Dumb, I know. My eye sight was a gift; I did nothing to develop or enhance it. Nevertheless, it made me happy when a doctor once told me I could see into what was none of my business. Cool, huh?

Well, this eye visit was just a regular check. Mainly, I wanted new glasses and contacts because I could tell my prescription needed a bit of tweaking. That's all I wanted. Well, my eye doctor did that for me. Then, he showed me the photo of the inside of my eye that they'd taken. He said I had a few spots that were concerning him and he wanted me to do another test. No problem. He has cool machines and they don't hurt. The results didn't really cheer me, though. What he tells me is that I don't yet have macular degeneration, but that the peri-macular area has some problems already. Say what? I told him I didn't appreciate him talking to me like that. No one said those kinds of things to me when I was in my 20's.  

The doctor sent some artwork home with me to add to my fridge collection.  Do you see it?

No? I do have a lot of stuff on that fridge, don't I? Here, I will give you a close-up.

That funny grid thing is called an Amsler Grid. What you do is look at the dot in the middle, wearing your glasses or contacts as you normally would. (Don't use this one but if you want to try it you can find one here.) Close one eye while still looking at the dot. Do any of the lines in the grid look curvy or otherwise funky? Do you have any gray or black spots? If so, don't panic (although I pretty much did) but do make an eye appointment.

I learned a lot about macular degeneration that I didn't know before. The macula is at the rear of the eyeball. It is responsible for fine central vision, so it is a pretty important piece of the eye. When it degenerates, the patient slowly (or sometimes not so slowly) loses central vision. That may not sound so bad as peripheral vision will be left intact. The problem is, without central vision you can't read, see faces, drive, etc. It doesn't cause pain but it can certainly affect a person's quality of life and ability to function independently in the way they normally would.

Have you heard of dry and wet macular degeneration? Well, what makes the wet "wet" is when new little blood vessels develop in response to the damage. These little vessels can be friable and leaky. The leaking blood causes damage and can much more quickly destroy the macula. Most cases of wet macular degeneration began as dry macular degeneration. So now you know the difference.

I have some precious people in my life who are actually dealing with this but I still had more to learn. If you don't know much about it,  you can go to sites like this one or maybe go here for more in-depth information. I bet that you, too, know people who have this condition. Understanding what they are going through could be helpful.

So what about me? Well, I just don't know. The doctor asked me to check my vision with the Amsler Grid about every two weeks (the first week I checked about 3 times a day...not that I was obsessing or anything) and see him in 6 months. During that time I am to be taking eye vitamins. From what I read, there is a chance I will not even develop macular degeneration. Even if I do, it could be many years yet. I'm not thinking about it all the time like I did that first week. Educating myself a bit more helped me get my worry into perspective.

Another thing that I actually appreciate, no matter what I said, is my optometrist and his machines. I am well aware that a lot of people do not have access to such good care. I am really quite grateful to him for his thoroughness. 

One thing I enjoy is doing research on health related topics. I'm thinking I may, from time to time, do something like this again. After all, I am a nurse. However, I am NOT a physician. NOTHING I put on my blog should be used to replace talking to your doctor. I only intend to offer basic information that is readily available to anyone from trusted websites. So, now that I put out that legal-sounding mumbo jumbo, let me know if there is a topic you'd like for me to research.

And last, remember that we are doing that big one week sale on Wyoming Rose Boutique. Use the coupon code word JAZZY at check-out and you will receive 50% off ANYTHING IN OUR SHOP... YES, the ENTIRE order. Now is the time. We want to move out some things as we are preparing to fill in with new items. Either click on the name of the store highlighted in this paragraph or click on any of the photos of our merchandise. It will take you right there lickety-split! (Wow! I've not said, "lickety-split" in a long time!)

Happy Thursday!

Living Creatively - Assignment #1

Before I begin today's post, I want to tell you a little something. Soon, Maria and I intend to do some revamping at Wyoming Rose Boutique and some items will be disappearing. So, if there is anything you've had your eye on, now's the time to go for it. We wanted to give our blog readers a chance for a discount. If you choose to order something within the next week, use the coupon code word JAZZY when you are checking out and you will receive 50% off. Yep, that's half off!

OK, on to my regularly scheduled post... 

As I said yesterday, Maria gave me this little booklet full of ideas to spur me on with my determination to live more creatively.

I intend to try each one of them, either exactly as written or some creative version of my own that was inspired by her suggestions. I will spread this out over the course of the year doing it whenever I get the notion (or the time). 

If you want to try some of Maria's suggestions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments!

OK, for the first one, I took a series of upside-down photographs. It was easy and kind of entertaining to try to decide what would look artistic (or at least interesting) from that point of view.

Up the Down Staircase

Candlestick Parked

Crazy Corner

Jazz It Up

Well now, that was kind of fun. 

Have a jazzy day!

Living Creatively

My birthday was last week and I received a wonderful bunch of sweet greetings, cards and gifts. I really am a spoiled woman! Thank you everyone! I received books, warming oils, a beautiful new purse, clothes and much more. I'm telling you, I am surrounded by caring and generous family and friends.

Cordelia made a card for me that I will treasure. On the front is her own special artwork and she dictated these words for her mom to write on the inside, "Dear Grandma, I love you! I know it's your birthday. That's all. This is Cordelia. I made a note for you. God's blessing is on you!"  (Are you smiling? Did an "Aaaaaaah" slip out?)

Do you remember this blog post? I spoke of putting aside a lot of the normal New Year's Resolutions and instead, resolving to live more creatively. Well... Maria (Miss Creativity Herself) did not forget that post. In fact, she told me she started working on one of my birthday gifts right then. She made me a "Creativity Kit". What a fun idea! I wanted to show you as maybe you are trying to come up with an unusual gift for someone.

She used a container that was pretty in itself. I think it may have been one of those that comes with a new set of sheets. I love those and always try to find a way to reuse them.

Inside the kit was a plethora of cool things! Here, take a peek...

Isn't that a fun assortment? She didn't stop there, though. She made up a little booklet with ideas to jump-start those creative juices. 

I'm thinking of it as something of an assignment booklet. I intend to share some of my "assignments" with you over the course of this year. This is going to be so fun!

I joined a Linky Parties today. If you want to check them out, click on the cute little buttons.

A SUPER Evening

I don't care about football. 

There. 

I said it. 

I just don't. 

Maria doesn't care about football either. As a matter of fact, Cordelia, Elise and Bumblebee don't seem interested at all. So, we had a girls' night last night. I went to their house and enjoyed a very girly evening. As you can clearly see in that first photo, I can still multi-task.

We watched a nice movie, "The Little Engine That Could".

OK, I really didn't remain that fascinated with the movie but Cordelia, luckily, was not bothered by her mother and grandmother chattering all through the movie.

I received a lot of sweet Elise hugs.

It was a really, really SUPER evening and nobody suffered any injuries.

We had no power outages.

Nobody even had to take a time-out.

Everybody was a winner.

How was your Sunday?

Hold on to the Promises

Promises

(Click on Song Title for YouTube video of this music.)

Sanctus Real

 

Sometimes it's hard to keep believing
In what you can't see
That everything happens for a reason
Even the worst life brings
If you're reaching for an answer
And you don't know what to pray
Just open up the pages
Let His word be your strength

And hold on to the promises (Hold tight)
Hold on to the promises (Alright)
Jesus is alive so hold tight
Hold on to the promises

All things work for the good
Of those who love God
He holds back nothing that will heal you
Not even His own Son
His love is everlasting
His faithfulness unending
Oh, if God is for us who can be against us
So if you feel weak

Neither life, nor death
Could separate us
From the eternal love
Of our God who saves us

Odd Old Stuff

So, what is the weirdest thing you have ever saved?  I have saved a lot of odd items but here is my weirdest...

Do you even know what that is?








If you do, you might be as old as am I.






It is an old gym uniform.









It comes complete with built-in bloomers! 

This was my P.E. uniform when I lived in Minnesota in Junior High. Actually, I should call it a Phy (pronounced Fi) Ed uniform. Gym class is called P.E. here in the West but when we moved to Minnesota when I was in 6th grade I had to learn a new way to talk. P.E. was Phy Ed. and they kept talking about some weird place called the lavatory. I didn't know what that meant. 

Anyway, we were required to buy and wear these funny little things. I did not feel beautiful in it. So, when we moved away, why did I save it? I HAVE NO IDEA! Maybe I liked the color? Maybe I thought I would make it into something else? I don't remember. Now, I am just waiting for it to come back into vogue.

This is what I do know, though. Once you have saved something for over 40 years, you can't get rid of it. After all, what if some museum calls and wants it for a display? Wowsa, I feel kind of old.

Seasons

Yesterday felt like Spring. I know it isn't, but it even sounded like Spring. When I got off work I had to wait a few minutes for Mike to come get me. I stepped outside and immediately heard dripping sounds all around. There were icicles everywhere but they were melting quickly.

There is something about feeling/seeing/smelling a new season approach that I like. Why do you suppose that is? I think there is something about change that is kind of refreshing. Is it a feeling of hope, maybe? Do any of you feel this way? What is it about the current season that always starts to feel a bit old?  

Ecclesiastes 3

New International Version (NIV)

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

Someone is Watching

Last evening I thought for a minute that I was actually going to have a little nap in my recliner. The house was quiet. I felt myself fading so I grabbed a blanket, took off my glasses and snuggled down.

Shortly after I closed my eyes I started getting that weird feeling that someone was watching.

I opened my eyes.

I sat up.

I grabbed my glasses.

And this is what I saw...

For some reason Bode had to stop chewing and watch my napping attempts. He just kept staring at me with his toy in his mouth. I felt I had no choice but to reach for the camera. He's just such a dopey dog!  OK, I admit it. He is also very, very lovable. 

Defining One's Self

I ended my post yesterday trying to lead you into thinking about how you should define yourself by good memories, quit holding on to (treasuring) bad memories. So, I started trying to sort out exactly how I define who I am. Here are my top three:

1) I am a Child of God.

Ok, that's not news. I tried then to think of memories linked to that statement. One of those memories was from before I started school. We lived in Commerce City, Colorado. I remember waiting out in our car, ready to head for church. I had a pen. I had a Bible. I wrote my name in the front of that Bible. That is a pretty defining memory, I think. I spent quite a bit of time looking for that old Bible. I really think I still have it somewhere but maybe not. I do have two of my old childhood Bibles, though.

This first one was given to me by my Dad in 1968. It had been his and I think he gave it to me when I was baptized. I was 10 years old. A lot of things seemed more simple then. He had written notes in it and later, so did I. There are two $1 bills tucked in the front. I have no idea why but I would guess I forgot to put them in a Sunday School offering the last time I used the Bible. I think I should put them in the offering plate now, don't you?

 

This second Bible was given to me by my parents on June 12, 1971. I don't know why or for what occasion. As far as I know they just thought I needed a new Bible.  Well, look at the one in the above photo. You can only ask just so much of masking tape, I suppose. Anyway, I loved that little Bible. I was easy to pack around and really, it was flat out cute. That's important in a Bible when you are 13 years old.


2) I am a member of a loving family.

Again, not news if you've read my blog at all. We aren't perfect but we love each other. I have roles as a sister, daughter, wife, mother, and now grandmother. I am also an aunt, daughter and sister-in-law, etc. You get the picture.

The first time I moved away from home I went to Moorhead, MN. I worked as a real estate secretary and one day at work I realized it was the first time in my life that the people I spent the most time with did not even know my family. My boss and co-workers did not know my family. Even my roommate never met my family. It was such a weird feeling to me. How could these people ever really know me without knowing my family? It was a new experience to see myself as separate from my family in such an ongoing way. I didn't really like that.

3) I am a nurse.

I haven't always been a nurse and someday I will retire from nursing. I will still be me. However, even if it is not professionally, I think I strongly define myself with my need to feel like I am helpful and caring in some way.

My earliest childhood memories of this part of my character revolve around my little sister, Tina. You can get to know Tina here. My sister has cerebral palsy and her handicap likely has something to do with why I became a nurse in the first place. When we were young and I walked anywhere with her, I learned to grab a wad of the shirt/dress/coat on her back. This was to help stop her from falling if she tripped. As her older sister, that need to nurture and care for her was pretty strong when we were little.

Tina did fall a lot as a little kid. I seemed to think it was my job, when she fell and cut her head, to run get a damp cloth.  Mom would press and hold the wound, which in itself is pretty amazing if you know Mom. She has a little problem with blood. In fact, even as she is reading my post here, she's probably getting woozy, right, Mom?

So, that defines me a bit. Now, what about you? Anyone care to tackle that self-definition? What are your top definers?

What is Your Most Treasured Memory?

Two of my friends are leading a Bible Study at our church. It is a short (6 week) course. I purchased the book and said I would be a part of the class but knew I would miss the first class as it began the week we were in Arizona. Well, it turned out the second class was on an evening when I had a another meeting. The third week? I got sick and couldn't go.

Last night I FINALLY attended the class and I rather enjoyed it, even if I didn't much know what was going on. The class is based on a lecture study by Beth Moore.

Beth Moore has a way of looking at scripture, pointing out things that I maybe would have read over without much thought. Reading from Deuteronomy 26 she was pointing out one such event. Oh, I forgot to explain that we watch a video of Beth Moore going over the lesson for probably the first hour of class.  OK, so she was pointing out how the Israelites would recite the story of their Jewish history, particularly their escape from slavery. She said it may have been their most treasured memory. 

Beth Moore asked the question, "What is your most treasured memory?"

I started pondering all the possibilities. The birth of our children came to mind. Maybe it was a special time with Mike. Perhaps my most treasured memory is a childhood memory with my Mom.

A story of slavery and a scary escape would not necessarily be a happy memory. Beth pointed out that our most treasured memory may not be a happy memory either. Her thought is that your most treasury memory is the one you cling to, the one that defines who you are in this life. She said it may be a very horrible thing but you are treasuring it if you cling to that memory and give a lot of energy to it.

I don't think I exactly have something like that, but I maybe once did. I thought of something that really hurt me. I had someone who should have protected my childhood but tarnished that role. I had quite a few years in my life where I kept the hurt from my disappointment in my treasure box. I thought about it all the time. I took it out during quiet moments and cried over it. When I wanted to feel sorry for myself that memory became the tool I used to open up wounds. In a perverse way, I was treasuring it.

I won't be sharing much more about that. Don't worry about me. I have shared it with plenty of people. Mike helped me a lot through those years. I no longer feel wounded by it and I don't have a need to talk about it on my blog. I only bring it up now, because maybe someone reading this blog knows what that is like. Maybe someone else is now realizing they've been treasuring something unworthy of that kind of dedication. I guess I just want to encourage you to let it go. If you can't do it on your own, please seek assistance. I'm not a professional in such matters but maybe the first thing is to simply limit the amount of time you spend thinking about that which hurts you. Put that treasured memory up and take some of your lovely memories down from the shelf. Define yourself by the worthy memories, rather than the unworthy.