Can you have a white Christmas in heaven??

Christmas is past for another year. It was amazingly snowy, something we are certainly not used to seeing in the south, at least not in the Georgia area where we had landed for a good old fashioned extended family Christmas. It seems, however, there is much more snow up in North Carolina where we currently reside. We had about an inch here in Atlanta, but I've heard tell there is 8-10 inches back in NC. I guess the next time I ask God for a white Christmas I should specify which state I'll be in on that date! lol

It's been good being with family again, but I think I am ready to be back home. There's something about sleeping in your own bed and rambling around your own kitchen that is just plain comforting. It doesn't matter how comfy the guest room is, it's just not home.

Can you imagine how Jesus must have felt upon leaving heaven and coming to earth? I'm sure there were times he was comfortable, in comfortable surroundings, in the company of people he loved, taking in the beauty this world can offer in it's natural surrounding. But I have to think there was still a part of him that missed his home.

I think there should be some of that in us, as well. This is not our home. We are citizens of a heavenly country. We live here, for now, but it shouldn't be our home. There should always be a part of us, somewhere inside, that is aware we have a home elsewhere. There is a saying; "fish and houseguest start to smell after 3 days" so you don't want your guest to get too comfortable. We shouldn't get too comfortable here either. Let us keep our focus on our heavenly home, the other kingdom we owe allegiance to. My hope is to be able to enjoy the beauty that surrounds me, enjoy the comforts this temporary home affords, but to never be completely content here, to always have a part down inside that longs for home.

We are headed back to North Carolina tomorrow. It's a long 8 hour drive closed up in a not quite big enough car with many suitcases, 3 teenagers, a 5 year old and a dog with dragon breath. I don't think I'll have a problem getting too content and comfortable there.

If you see a woman running down the middle of the interstate screaming, drooling, babbling incoherently with her hair on fire, you will know my trip home is not going well. Don't intervene, it could get ugly. Just point me to a quiet, dark place where there is no children, no laundry, and leave me be. Eventually my sanity will return and I'll wander on home.

Soaked in His blessings,
Spokenfor

Call me Clause, Santa Clause

Good morning, yall!

Has anyone noticed it's getting really cold around here? I don't know about where you are, but here in North Carolina it's just this side of arctic, and that's saying something coming from an honorary Wyominite!

We had a dusting of snow here this weekend. It was really nice. It turned everything all soft and pretty, you couldn't even see all the yard work the commander didn't have time to do! Now if only I could get a deep snow fall inside my house to cover up all the house work I didn't get done!

Have you guys noticed it's Christmas time? We had a visit from Eddie the Christmas Elf Saturday night. Scamp wrote his letter to Santa and Eddie came and picked it up while we all slept. Of course, we had to leave him some cookies. Elves get hungry too, you know. Apparently they get tired too because it appears he also took a little nap on the sofa. Scamp was appropriately impressed by all this. Unfortunately, he now believes Santa will be bringing EVERYTHING on his list. Wow! Seems a shame to dissolution him so young. I may need to have the "Santa has been a victim of the recession" talk with him. Gone are the days when a hand full of cheap toys from the dollar store was a Christmas wonder land! Now it's all about the electronics. When did kids get so expensive? This whole "sacrifice for the kids till you're broke" thing was not in the brochure!

This time of year also brings about the necessary corporate Christmas parties. This year the Commander's company is putting on a big one with a James Bond theme. WHAT???? How do we get James Bond out of Christmas?? Is there a James Bond Christmas special that I'm forgetting about? Does Jimmy dress up in red and say "I'm Clause, Santa Clause" or "I'll have my cocoa shaken, not stirred"?? What does one wear to a James Bond theme corporate Christmas party? gold paint? bell bottoms? a fedora that acts as a sharp, spinny disc thingy? I am at a loss. I refuse to wear a dress as I've already done that this year and once a year is just about my limit. Getting panty hose on this body is not a feat taken lightly and requires several days rest before and after.

If anybody has any ideas about my attire for the upcoming shin dig please share. Hopefully it will be one of those parties where the lights and really low and everyone else is drinking heavily. That way, even if someone gets a good look at me they won't remember it the next morning! Better yet, I could just stay home and tell everyone I was there. They'd never know the difference! No, I'll go and be the corporate wife. I'll smile and try to keep my mouth shut. You never know what I'm gonna say and I don't want to get my husband fired! lol

I guess I'll either paint my finger gold, or change my last name to Jones and decorate my hair with Christmas tree ornaments. Anyone get the reference????? Anyone???

Soaked in His blessings,
Spokenfor

When obedience made green rain......

As a rule, most of us are concerned with little things, you know, things like getting a good parking spot, like the library having that book you’ve been looking for, your favorite dish getting dropped but not broken, catching that red light when you’re running just a little bit late. I’ve got news for you; God is also concerned with the little things. Everything that comes into our life must first pass through His hands. I know most of us have heard that multiple times, but have we ever stopped to really ponder that? Everything means everything. Of course, since I’m His favorite person ever, I have personal experience with this notion. Let me tell you a story…….

Quite a few years ago, when my children were young, we found ourselves in a common situation. The Commander had just finished college and was working at his first job as an engineer. Financially, things were really tough and we were counting every penny. Raising 4 young boys is not easy under any circumstances, but we were finding it particularly difficult.

I was attending a women’s conference at our church while The Commander was busy with other things. Childcare had been provided at the conference, so the boys were all with me. I really don’t remember much about the meetings, but I do remember, at the end of our time together they took up an offering for the teenagers who had spent most of the day caring for the many children that were there. I knew I needed one dollar for my oldest son’s lunch money Monday. I opened my wallet and found 5 one dollar bills. I pulled 4 of them our and prepared to put them in the offering. As I did, I heard the Lord speak very clearly to me to put all 5 in the offering. I’m glad no one around me could hear the ensuing internal argument that took place. I reminded God again that I needed one of those for The Viking’s lunch money but the Lord was relentless. I was to put all 5 in the offering. I said to God “what? Are you going to make the extra dollar just fall from the sky????” Nevertheless, I put all 5 in the basket as it came by, but I did so grudgingly.

The next day was Sunday. Following church the Commander took the boys outside to wear them out so we could get some peace, while I stayed inside to worry about how I was going to feed my kid the next day. I had not told my husband I no longer had the dollar we would need. I stepped out onto the front porch to call in the men folk for dinner. It had been breezy all day and still was quite windy. As I looked out into the yard something caught my eye. The wind was carrying something aloft on the breeze. Right as whatever it was approached me, the wind calmed and it fluttered down and landed right at my feet. Imagine my shock and surprise when I looked down and saw a crisp, new one dollar bill laying right on my porch. My first reaction was to laugh in amazement, but followed quickly on the heels of that was a little chagrin. In my doubt and grudging obedience, I underestimated just what my God is capable of.

I have sometimes wondered, whenever I think of this story, just what God might have done if I had only believed. He took my unbelief and made the sky rain down money. Imagine what He might have done if I had only trusted! I missed out on an opportunity to believe.

How many times have we hindered God with our unbelief? In the word we find the story of a man who also struggled with unbelief. In Mark 9 we read of a meeting between him and Jesus. The man utters the words so many have heard so many times. “Lord, I believe! Help thou my unbelief!” What humble words of self-examination! God knows, when challenged with a situation that seems too big, we are often swamped with rampant unbelief. I believe it frees God to work with us, and in us, when we are humble enough to come before Him with transparency of heart and speak out what we find in the depths there.

I want all that God has for me, every blessing, every challenge, every opportunity for growth. I don’t want to ever again feel what I felt on that sunny afternoon when God made money fall from the sky. I don’t want to miss another chance to believe, or if I can’t quite believe, bring my unbelief to Him. It is true the Lord can do anything, but He loves to work for both a faith filled heart, and a humble, honest heart.

Take time today to look up, to believe, to be transparent. It’s my goal to live in faith, and when that’s not possible, to be open about where I am. So look around today, seek out chances to put your faith into action. You won’t be disappointed. That’s what I’ll be doing. If you come by, you’ll see me out in the front yard. I’ll be the one looking up and holding a butterfly net!

Soaked in His blessings,

Spokenfor

I'm at home, despite myself

There was a huge dinner at church last night. Every year my new church does a Holiday Gala. It's a big fancy dinner for women only. Not long after I arrived I was asked if I would like to be a table hostess. Of course, I said yes. I had no idea what all that would entail. It seems a table hostess is responsible for EVERYTHING on the table except the food. (it was catered by a really nice place here in town) I realized, when I found this out, I didn't actually have matching place settings for eight. In fact, I had nothing! So, I had to get the dishes, the stemware, the flatware, the napkins, chargers and the center piece! It was a little more than I was expecting, but, oh, so worth the expense! My table turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself!

The entertainment was amazing, too. Adoration, a three woman group performed. The harmonies were wonderful! More than the beautiful settings, the great food, the amazing entertainment, it was phenomenal for another reason; the women there.

If you have read many of the postings on my blog, you know I was less than overjoyed at the prospect of relocating here. In fact, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. It was done, simply, out of obedience to God. I knew He was sending us here. I knew, because He loves me, it would eventually be a good thing for us. Eventually has arrived. I am not so foolish as to think there will be no hard times, no difficult times, no trials to go through, fiery or otherwise. But, I am now surrounded by friends. I am amazed at how many people I have made real connections with.

So, while I still miss friends and family in the wonderful peach state, I, almost (don't tell my kids!) have a life! Will miracles never cease?!?!

Next time you're in the area look me up. I can't promise I'll be home, but if I am, we can have a sit, have a cup and get caught up on God's goodness! I have come to the startling realization, that despite my best efforts, North Carolina is now my home.

I'm gonna go now, I've got places to go and people to see!

Soaked in His blessings,
Spokenfor

The icing covered woman who walks with a limp

Home alone on a Sunday morning.

Why? You ask? It's a very long story, but it involves an injured knee, a harvest festival, a house that didn't get cleaned, a game that didn't get painted, and an assortment of other jobs that didn't get finished because I'm hobbling around at 1/4 speed of my normal rate. So, I find myself here alone while the others have all gone off to Sunday service. Sometimes, Sundays are indeed a time to rest. I figure if I stay home, move slowly through the list of things still to be done and take frequent breaks to put my knee up, I just might make it through this evenings festivities without ending up on crutches.

There was a time, in the not so distant past, I would have been unable to do this. Unable, not because anyone was standing over me with a whip, but because I would have been swamped with condemnation for missing service. Yes, I do miss going. I love attending our new church, God always meets me there, but I have finally realized I won't go to hell if I miss Sunday morning. He is a good God who understands our frailties and does not condemn us for them.

My break is over now and I've really got so much to do! There will be pictures later of all the fun and excitement. If you're in the area drop on by Church Alive and squeeze your way into the cake walk. I'll be the one with icing on my face!

Soaked in His blessings,
Spokenfor

How a train left me incomplete

I'm tired, I just am. It matters not that I didn't get out of bed today till noon, only to go back to bed at 2:30 and sleep till 5pm. I was up at 6:30 with the puppy (THAT was not in the brochure). Then took Mumbles to wrestling practice only to be called back an hour later as apparently there were only 3 of us dumb enough to attend a Saturday morning practice. After a quick stop at Dunkin Donuts, a quick run around the yard for the pup, I was back in bed by 10am. So, you see, while there was a lot of sleeping going on today, it was broken sleep and everyone knows that's just not restful. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

This afternoon we headed for the North Carolina State Fair. That's all I've heard about for several weeks now. "Oooo! how wonderful the fair is!!! How glorious the fair is!! Have been to the fair yet? NO?! Well, your life is just not complete. yadda. yadda. yadda." So fearing that my life, would not, in fact, be complete, we headed that direction. Notice I said we headed to the fair, I never said we actually made it to the fair.

About 2 miles from the entrance we hit the traffic. We creeped along, stopping and going, never reaching 5 mph for what seemed like an enternity. We finally reached a point where we could see the fair. We could actually see it! We could smell the funnel cakes and hear the screams from the roller coaster. We had only one intersection to make our way through and we would reach our destination. Then it happened, the lights started flashing, the bells starting ringing and the cross bars over the railroad tracks started to lower. I could not believe a train was coming through! "But, oh, it's not so bad" I thought, "it's a passenger train and it's short!" Then when it had only 3 cars left to clear the intersection it came to a stop. A STOP!! It was 25 minutes later before we made it past that intersection and after a total of over an hour in traffic we had still not reached the entrance. When we did make it that far we found there was no parking within 2 miles! I guess we weren't the only ones with incomplete lives.

We left.

We headed to Red Robin instead.

After a Mai Tai I felt much better.

I'm not feeling incomplete. I'm just hoping that's not just the Mai Tai talking.

Funnel cakeless and tired,
Spokenfor

Surprise!!! Roadtrip!!!

Don't you just love fall? The colors, the smells, the cool, brisk mornings; I love it all! It's truly my favorite time of year.

This weekend, I went to the women's retreat with a group from church. I made some friends, had some fun, learned a lot, and got absolutely no sleep! It's a good thing this only happens once a year, I'm too old to do it more often!

The Commander and I, finally, were able to pull one over on the brothers. I had to leave Friday morning for the retreat, which, since it was a teachers workday, meant the boys would have been home alone all day. It wouldn't have been a problem for any of them except Scamp. I don't mind leaving him with them for short periods, but, since I'm a little attached to him and would just as soon he have all his digits upon my return, other plans had to be made for him. The adults hatched a plan! The commander took Friday off to, at least we told the boys, take care of them while I was gone. They were told they had to go to Surfer Dudes eye appointment and then would spend the day at a museum with their Dad. They were not happy about it. Mumbles complained that it wasn't even uniquely boring, it was "cliche boring"! lol Little did they know I was secretly at work!

Friday morning arrived bright and early and we got the brothers up before the sun. You should have heard them complain! We explained, in order to save money we had to make Surfer Dude's appointment in a town not exactly near us and they would have to drive a bit. So, we piled them all in the car and The Commander started driving south. They got all the way to the South Carolina border before they realized something was up. The eye appointment truly wasn't in town here, what they didn't know, was that it was back in our home town! I had packed them the night before while they slept and the Commander had sneaked the suitcases out the back door the next morning while they stumbled around half asleep. Museum, indeed! lol We showed them we may be old, but we've still got some tricks up our sleeves. We had already made plans for them to spend time with their friends and go to the High School football game. They were incredulous that we had pulled it off. I think I laughed all the way to the retreat! Needless to say, fun was, indeed, had by all.

I love doing things for my brood that I know will bring them joy. A trip to Georgia was cool, but a surprise trip to Georgia was even cooler. I think sometimes God does the same thing for us. We have times in our lives that are "less than cool", times we look at the future and see nothing but a day at a museum, when God has something much cooler planned for us. The joy I got out of doing this for my kids was enormous. God loves us so much more than we can love our kids.
Some of the attitudes in the days leading up to the trip were less than stellar. They were, shall we say, really crappy. (yes, I did just use that word, sometimes it's the only one that fits!) How many times do we have that type of attitude about what we perceive is in our future? Because our Heavenly Father loves us beyond words we have to trust whatever He brings into our lives is there for our good, even if we can't see it right away. I told the brothers to trust us, that they would have fun, that maybe they would be surprised at what a good time they had that day. They were considerably less than trusting. Mumbles even replied "Dad is just not the surprising kind". I nearly choked on my laughter when he said that.

We serve a surprising God. Do you think Mary and Martha were surprised when Christ raised Lazarus from the dead? When all looked hopeless, Jesus had something up his sleeve. Do you think the disciples were surprised when He fed the 5000 with just a few fish and loaves? How surprised were the disciples when Jesus rose from the grave? All had looked lost a few days before, darkness engulfed their world and hope was a scarce commodity, but a surprise was coming! God is a good God and everything that comes from Him is good, even if we can't see it right away. He is a surprising God! If you look in the word you will find time after time when He surprised His people. Abraham and Sara, now there's a surprise if ever there was one! Daniel in the lion's den, Shadrack, Meshack, and Abendigo in the fiery furnace, another surprise. The disciples seem to be loosing hope and trust in him when the storm came up suddenly on the sea of Galilee, you might say it surprised them, but the biggest surprise was when Jesus came walking to them on the water, called one of them out of the boat, then climbed in there with them and calmed the sea. Do you really think they were expecting that? I'll bet if you asked them they would say it was worth going through the storm to have that experience with Him.

In the big things and in little things, God is a God of surprises. It still surprises and amazes me on a daily basis that He prefers me, He loves me, He sings over me. He delights in surprising His children. Sometimes it's a beautiful sunset, a bird singing by your window, an unexpected phone call from an old friend or even something as simple as your favorite candy bar on sale! ( I'm a firm believer that chocolate is, in fact, from God and will be prominently featured at the marriage supper of the lamb) So look around today, be aware, take time to acknowledge the little "surprises" He may plant in your way and just say "thanks". He delights in you, in me, in all His children. Trust in that, hope in that, revel in that.

What has God surprised you with lately? Share your story, we'd all love to hear it!

I'm going now. Unless God is going to surprise me with the gift of a laundry fairy, I've got to get busy around here!

Soaked in His blessings,

Spokenfor