True Love April 15, 2011

My dad has always been a romantic. He has often times brought flowers to my mother or presented her with jewelry and never seems to forget an occasion to give a card. So the story that follows is so characteristic of my dad that I wanted to include it in my blog.

Whenever my dad is honored or receives an award, he tells this little story. I have it here in his own words.

“This is a little story that I heard or read somewhere many years ago. I don’t know from where it came; I just know that it was not original with me. I wish it were. I only know that it has become more precious to me through the years; and i have carried it in my heart for so long that I now call it mine, even though I stake no claim as to its origin.

An old man was walking through a forest one day. As he paused to enjoy the beauty around him, he happened to glance down at the forest floor. There lying in his path was an old dry, shriveled leaf. He thought that he detected a fragrance coming from the leaf, so he knelt down and examined the leaf more closely. Sure enough, there was a faint fragrance coming from the leaf. The old man inquired, ‘Why, you old dry, shriveled leaf, where did you get this fragrance?’ The leaf replied, ‘ I have lain for a long time next to a rose.’

So…If there is ever the slightest hint of fragrance that comes from this old dry, wrinkled leaf, it is because I have lain for a long time next to a rose.”

My mom sits there with a beautiful, gracious smile on her sweet face and dad has to pull out his hankie and wipe his eyes…. as do I.

After an event where dad told this story, my mom, dad and I were exiting the building when my mom said, “Ed, you have got to stop telling that story….I have a lot of thorns!”

What a joy to witness their relationship and experience the deep committed love they have for each other.

Date Night June 5, 2009

I love date night with my husband.  We don’t go out very often.   But when we do, I really enjoy it.  I love having all of Scott’s attention for myself.  I love going out to eat and not having to clean up.

The Obama’s had a date night last week and were given a really hard time about it.  I was so glad to see them on a date.  How great that our president is nurturing his marriage.

We should all heed his example.  Pay attention to your spouse.  If you make a promise to your spouse, keep it.  (He had promised Michelle that they would go to a Broadway play after the election.)

Way to go, Mr. President!

Blogging in Secret April 9, 2009

I have begun blogging in secret. My husband gets his feelings hurts when I’m on the computer and not engaged with what is going on around me! I guess he has a point, but it’s really hard to blog when he’s not around. He’s always around! We have pretty much the same schedule, so I’m trying to get creative.

I thought I had the perfect solution. I couldn’t sleep one night, so I got up and began a blog post. I was in the den…but I heard from deep in our room “Come back to bed!” It was 3:00 AM. He had been sound asleep.

It’s as if he can smell my writing. I’ve gotten jumpy when I am blogging, like I’m doing something I’m not suppose to be doing. But I love writing. I love reflecting on my days and trying to craft a story.

I’m pretty good at hiding some things…like chocolate and receipts….(hiding is a strong word…more like discreet storage) maybe I’ll get better at hiding my blogging.

Have you ever hidden anything from your husband? Not that I am promoting keeping secrets from your spouse, but…have you? Do you?

Getting Even February 28, 2009

Is it possible to “get even”? We were discussing this in Bible class Sunday morning. We know it’s not godly to attempt, but is it even possible?

Getting even is not the same as justice. Getting even implies personally carrying out vengeance. Justice is a legal action that provides punishment and retribution.

Getting even requires damage to the character of the one who has been wronged. Even the secular world believes that getting even with someone demands losing integrity. Many movies have this theme running through out. Often, the one seeking revenge becomes much like the offender.

Can you think of a book or movie that is all about getting back at someone and the result is diminished integrity, loss of friends and loved ones?

• The Count of Monte Cristo
• Frankenstein
• Wurthering Heights

What do you think? Is getting even possible?

same kind of different As me February 27, 2009

Meet Denver, a man raised under plantation-style slavery in Louisiana in the 1960s; a man who escaped, hopping a train to wander, homeless, for eighteen years on the streets of Dallas, Texas. No longer a slave, Denver’s life was still hopeless-until God moved. First came a godly woman who prayed, listened, and obeyed. And then came her husband, Ron, an international arts dealer at home in a world of Armani-suited millionaires. And then they all came together.

But slavery takes many forms. Deborah discovers that she has cancer. In the face of possible death, she charges her husband to rescue Denver. Who will be saved, and who will be lost? What is the future for these unlikely three? What is God doing?

Same Kind of Different As Me is the emotional tale of their story: a telling of pain and laughter, doubt and tears, dug out between the bondages of this earth and the free possibility of heaven. No reader or listener will ever forget it.

from Barnes and Noble

Denver Moore, page 80:

I slept in the doorway of that United Way over on Commerce Street for a whole lotta years. And every mornin for all that time, a lady who worked there brought me a sandwich. I never knowed her name and she never knowed mine. I wish I could thank her. Funny, though. That United Way buildin was right next door to a church, and for all them years, nobody at that church ever looked my way.

For starters, I don’t like sad books. This book broke my heart. I cried several times. But it’s been recommended many times by many good friends…I felt compelled to read it.

I am so glad I did. It is a precious book. Maybe I don’t mind sad books after all. I was strengthened by the way this couple faced disaster. They included people in their struggle and maintained their service to God through personal pain. It helped them cope with their heart break.

I hope I will handle life’s pains and struggles with similar fortitude and focus on eternity.

The story is told through the eyes of Denver, the poor homeless man, and the eyes of Deborah and her husband, the wealthy volunteers.  The reading is awkward when Denver tells the story because the spelling and grammar try to be authentic.  However, it was worth the time and energy to see the lives of these three who are striving to die to themselves.

Let me know what you think.

Village Creek State Park February 20, 2009

Our Valentine date at Village Creek State Park was a huge success!  We had a lot of fun and were able to relax and enjoy the weekend.  We spent the night in our horse trailer and rode for about 4 hours on Saturday.  Several other riders were on the trails and they all wanted to stop and chat.  The weather was perfect, crisp and cool.

Scott didn’t push me to trails that made me uncomfortable.  We only did the easy trails and saw lots of beautiful country.

Walker

Timer

our trailer where we spent Friday night

camp stalls

There are no pictures of us or on the trail.  Here’s why!

• Scott is not wild about his picture being taken
• my pockets were loaded down with water, granola bars, GPS and cell phone  (yes, I was a site!)
• I have missed far too many events in the life of our family because I was BEHIND the camera, it’s not the same as being there….fully….in the moment
• I wanted to be ready for that run-away horse!  He really did spook at a branch that slapped him in the side, he sprang into high gear, and about lost me.  But, since I had both hands, he calmed right down and went back to his nice slow walk!

Thanks for asking!

Valentine Plans February 12, 2009

Horses have always been a part of my life. As a child, I always had a horse somewhere that was my very own. I rode all summer long.

My husband and I met when I was the horseback instructor at a Christian camp. By the time we married, I was in between horses and had filled my life with other things. However, my life with horses had always intrigued my husband who had grown up in a big city.

Several years and children later, a friend of ours had a new colt on his farm and asked my 10 year old son if he’d like to help halter break it. We were all game. Eventually, we bought the colt and began our adventure as a family with horses.

But I was the most reluctant to get back into horses. I knew the work and expense involved and my sense of adventure had waned since giving birth. More than waned…I think it slipped out with the baby.

Gradually I have become more comfortable with our horses, have started showing my own horse, and can watch my daughter barrel race without gripping the closest thing to me.

For Valentine’s Day Scott wants the two of us to go camping. Just the two of us…with the horses.

When he shared this with me, I held my breath and went to my safe room. (bathroom, whatever you want to call it) It struck me with fear. All of the what-ifs came bounding into my consciousness..tornadoes, run away horse, crazy person on the loose…and the children at home…

He showed me the brochure of this beautiful state park with stalls for the horses and wide gorgeous trails. We will have hook ups for electricity and water. The trails are well marked with similar ratings to a ski trail. Before you go onto the trails, you have to register with the park and then be off the trails by dark.

He has seen my list of what-ifs.

He knows I love the out-of-doors and my horse. He is making me feel safe and protected. I love him!!

I checked with Mom. She could be on call.

We will have a wonderful, romantic weekend. I can’t wait!

The Lord is my strength…I will not be afraid.

S.W.A.K. Challenge February 11, 2009

From the blog We Are THAT Family:

“I’m issuing my own personal Kiss Challenge for myself. For 30 days, starting Feb. 1st, I’m planning to passionately lock lips with my hubby.  To block out all distractions for a few minutes and lay one on him.

I think just this one simple act will speak volumes to my man.

{You can secretly join in too if you are up to some serious smooches}

The days leading up to Valentine’s Day (Feb. 11-13), I will be having a little S.W.A.K. carnival. I want you to link up a post honoring your hubby anytime during those three days. It can be how you met, your first kiss, what you’re doing to celebrate Valentine’s Day, or about your own personal Kiss Challenge.”

Granted…we are a little behind, but I loved this idea!  I’m not sure how to “link up” but you can just go to her comments section and add your story. She is even giving out prizes.

I’m going to add mine and hope you do too.  What a great way to honor our husbands!  Remind ourselves and tell the world what a blessing they are to us.

Outstretched Hand February 11, 2009

From In The Dailies blog:

“When I started Mama Loves a couple months ago, the initial focus (for me) was on positive aspects of parenting. It’s so easy to get lost in the exhaustion and frustration of parenting that moms sometimes forget or maybe just overlook all the good stuff. But wives often do the same about marriage. I love women’s groups, moms groups, girlfriends, all kinds of female bonding, but, if given enough time, these groups almost always turn into bickering sessions. Each woman there wants to out-do the rest with her sob story of how fat she is, how difficult her life is or how her husband is worse than everyone else’s. We claim we’re just “sharing” and that it’s all in good fun, but I hate it. Today I want to focus on marriage and how wonderful my husband is. No, this is not in honor of that Hallmark holiday later this week, the one we never celebrate in this house. It just happens that this week God reminded me how good I have it in the marriage arena.

What are you grateful for this week? What has God given you as a show of His love for you?”

My response:

My husband and I had a communication problem that came to light this week.  Do you ever just keep plowing ahead even when you know something isn’t quite right?  Even when you can tell things are askew?

I could tell we were missing each other in our conversations for the past few weeks, but I kept forging ahead.  Talking and chatting about what was going on with me and accepting his short replies to my questions about him.

Finally, I asked him if he thought we weren’t as close as we could be and he said….a lot. More than I cared to hear.  So I shut down, embraced my hurt feelings, and didn’t want to talk.

Bless his heart!  He stayed with me, wouldn’t let me crawl off to my little hovel and insisted we talk it through.  Eventually, I saw through my hurt to his outstretched hand and gingerly took the love and forgiveness that he offered to me.

I am so thankful for his love for me.

What are you thankful for today?