Test of Faith

My oldest daughter and her husband have had many trials in their short relationship.  My son-in-law is battling leukemia and has been for six years.  He has undergone treatments of all kind, with the latest being a bone morrow transplant from his sister.  They found out yesterday that his body is not accepting her morrow.  What does this mean?  I am not very savvy with medical terms and much of the process, I am clueless. 

Through this trial, my daughter has cared for her husband and exemplified the unconditional love that only an all loving, compassionate, merciful God can give.  She is teaching others so much about selfless love, giving without asking for anything in return and a genuine love, through her actions.   She is a Light with God's love in a troubling time.

I know a Great Physician though and I hold on to the Truth, that God knows what he is going through, God created him and knows intimately each cell in his body, and knows the outcome.  So we continue to Pray for Healing and Strength.  Hold on hope, His Word and Promises.

  Below I have listed some verses from ESV(English Standard Version) that help with the process of our life's trials. 

Jeremiah 29:11      For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.          

Romans 8:28    And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.        

John 9:1-41       As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” ...           

Revelation 21:4    He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”            

Romans 5:3-5       More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.             

James 1:2-3     Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.             

Matthew 5:45     So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.            

1 Corinthians 10:13        No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.             

Psalm 13:1-6      To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. ...           

Psalm 10:1-18      Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. ...            

1 John 2:15        Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.             

Isaiah 57:1        The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity;             

1 Corinthians 13:12       For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.             

1 Corinthians 11:29-30        For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.             

Matthew 13:18-23           “Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. ...             

Romans 8:1-39      There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. ...             

Luke 13:2-3           And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.             

Job 14:1        “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.            

1 Corinthians 1:13          Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?            

Acts 20:24          But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.            

Deuteronomy 6:7           You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.            

1 Peter 2:9          But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.             

John 3:16-17           “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.           

Matthew 5:1-48        Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ...          

Isaiah 54:17         No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”            

Psalm 78:63-64       Fire devoured their young men, and their young women had no marriage song. Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows made no lamentation.             

Job 42:12-15        And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first daughter Jemimah, and the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-happuch. And in all the land there were no women so beautiful as Job's daughters. And their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers.             

Colossians 1:16         For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.             

Acts 10:38     How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.            

Isaiah 1:1-31         The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...             

Romans 3:10-12          As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”            

Isaiah 40:1-55:13     Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” ...            

Isaiah 2:1-22         The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. ...            

Psalm 23:1-6         A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Love in Action by George Brindley

Amidst all the hoopla about how unprofessional some athletes are, I feel compelled to tell you a GREAT story about one football player that deserves it. Back in 2011 my son (James) was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks. He arrived one day after all the rookies, as his flight was delayed because of snow in Utah. He got picked up at the airport in the Seahawks limo and was told to report to the training facility to get a physical. When he arrived at the Seahawk's training facility he is in the waiting room to get his physical, remember the room is filled with tons of veteran football players. So he waits and waits and finally this guy tells him "hey you been waiting for awhile you go next" and then introduces himself, "I'm Matt" (yes the starting quarterback for the Seahawks). Well things got off to a very good start for James as Matt Hasselbeck took him and other players under his wings. As a Dad I was so happy that he met someone like this compared to well I'm trying to stay positive. Matt invited him over for dinner, took him to Church, gave him a tour of Seattle, invited him to some fundraisers that Matt put on, one was at the stadium, $1000 a plate, and other things. See there are some good athletes out there trying to make a difference. Matt is married, has 3 children and still made time to mentor these young football players. Come on reporters dig a little for great stories instead of.... I will never forget what Matt Hasslebeck did for James.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Cowboy Boots

I was talking to a friend last Monday at small group, which we are studying the book of Hebrews in.  She and I were talking about our boys and behaviors at age 4-ish.  She mentioned how her son used to wear Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle shirts and cowboy boots.  I laughed so hard.  The year 1992, my husband and I were getting married in August, just a couple days away from the pictures below.  My husbands family all drove in from Phoenix for the wedding.  His brother was his best man, his parents, cousin, his sister, her husband and children arrived.  The mullets had been cut off.

What a joyous occasion this was. 

Then there were the twins, who were four at the time.  They lived in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles clothing and cowboy boots.  The oldest twin actually thought he was Raphael.  He went around in costume and showing his mad ninja skills (without the half shell).  The boys would actually get upset if I had their shirts in the wash the next day, they lived in them!  '

I laugh because the clash of cowboys and ninja's, oh and turtles....

Here are some photos of the cousins and the crazy teenage mutant ninja/cowboy kids.  Oh and they do have guns!

Panda's, Fairies, and Babies

OK! Does anyone else read as many Children's Books as I do?  

I find myself reading as many children's books as "adult" books.  

Currently, I have in my possession....

How Many Baby Pandas? by Sandra Markle

The Girls of Gettysburg by Bobbi Miller

Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Tale of Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter *who shares the same birthdate as I, just a few years earlier*

Rush Revere and the American Revolution by Rush and Kathryn Limbaugh

Does it come from having worked in a Children's Library for four years, or from loving to read to my own children or loving children's literacy? 

Maybe all of the above.

I recently ran across a book, "Just Right For Two" by Tracey Corderoy and loved it so much I sent a copy to my son and his wife, my pastor's son and his wife, and my daughter.  Only because the meaning of the book was so good, for those in loving, fullilling relationships.  We think we have all we need and are ok by ourself, the independent.  Then we meet someone and realize our life is missing something when they are not in it.  Oh and I purchased myself a copy.   

My husband is the missing piece, when we are apart.

(This is a pattern for me in my life, to dedicate books to people)

10 Years Forgotten

So I previously noted that I was reading a book, "What Alice Forgot" by Liane Moriarty.  As with most books, shows and life I have a great imagination to allow my thoughts to become part of the book.  To say "I get into a book" is an understatement.  This is why I LOVE reading.  I can experience and go places I have never been.  When I was reading Wild by Cheryl Strand I imagined myself hiking the PCT, which I have always wanted to do.  Though my character would be slightly different, I appreciate the courageousness. 
Back to "What Alice Forgot", she bumped her head after falling at the gym in a step aerobic class and forgot 10 years of her life.  I have replayed this in my head and last night a friend asked which 10 years in our life would we chose to forget.  Well, it got me thinking that today if I fell on my walk (which could very well happen).  My feet and my brain are not really connected.  To say I am not athletic is an understatement.  I like to hike and walk and explore nature, I do not do well at organized sports.   Once, while on a weekend away in Carmel, CA with my husband, we were walking to the beach one evening and I tripped and fell on the sidewalk.  There could have been a crack? There could have been a hole in the sidewalk?  But no.  I went down.  I do not go down gracefully, I hit the ground like a sack of potatoes.  No arms stretched out to catch me, just DOWN.  My husband does not get this because his brain and head are one.  He catches himself at a stumble and doesn't fall.  Just kinda stumbles.  I love cross country skiing.  I worked with a woman one time who took me to Royal Gorge often.  I fell a lot while on these excursions.  When I fall I just wipe out.  She used to say, "I have never seen anyone fall quite like Dawn".   Obviously, a sack of potatoes!
Back to "What Alice Forgot".  So imagine I lost the last 10 years.  My husband would have just retired from the Air Force the year before and bought a Landscape Maintenance Business, which he still owns and having never advertised built a very successful business. My oldest daughter would have moved out that year, she was 19 and she would have been living in Nevada City with her best friend.  Now she is married, lives two miles away, works at the salon I managed for two years, and her husband is recovering from a recent bone morrow transplant.  My oldest son would have been a Sophomore, playing football, baseball, and wresting at Nevada Union High School, which all of my children attended and graduated from, as did I, and my parents.  Today, he is a college graduate, married to his college sweetheart, his "one love", living as close to the beach as possible in Ventura, and selling solar to homeowners.  His twin brother was also a Sophomore, playing football and basketball.  Oh and I was teaching them to drive.  The driving lessons fell on me, due to the fact, that I was in "taxi" mode most of the time.  I loved teaching my children to drive, I also like to drive myself.  Today, he is a college graduate, living with his twin brother and wife in Ventura, working with the same company.  My third son was in Jr High ten years ago and driving me nuts... he and I love each other probably too much.  We are both compassionate, outgoing, adventurous, and strong willed.  I always struggled to stay in control and in a parental structure with him.  Today, he is in the US Army stationed at Ft Drum in New York.   My youngest daughter would have been in middle school and she was involved in horses, swim team, and making great relationships that would carry her through her life.  Today, she is at CSU Monterey Bay studying Psychology, dating a great guy, she met the first day at college.  Her dad and I had just left, sobbing and reminiscing on how the last of our children are in college and she goes to the quad for freshman orientation activities and meets a guy!  Shouldn't she have been sad?  Shouldn't she have some attachment issues?  This is not how I raised my children.  Of course not!  My children were all ready to become independent adults after high school, they were ready for whatever life brought them next.  They still are. 
To lose 10 years of my life today would be a catastrophe.  Wish me well as I walk my 3 miles today.

New Beginnings

I absolutely love new beginnings.  The idea of keeping my journals on a "blog" has been a thought I have wondered about.  So I have some Anonymous Aquaintences (AA) in my life who have blogged for years and share their thoughts "outloud".  I would never!  

OK.  So my husband and I went to a marriage seminar years ago, while we were raising five children.  I think it was more for the time-out for the adults, and to provide the grandparents with some one on one time with the children.  While at this seminar, we were advised not to use absolutes with our spouses or children.  Absolutes such as: always and never.   I call them "hyperbolic absolutes" unless those terms are used properly to describe true absolutes (i.e. "God always existed."). Most people use hyperbolic absolutes glibly (while accusing their partner of "always arguing" for example).    Anyway, so when I say "never", let's just say there are things in my journal that I would never, ever, ever share.  I have gone as far as to burn journals, which I have shelves and shelves of in our office.   I am going to attempt to "moderately" share my life with my vast audience.  

FYI-I might admit to being a person who loves absolutes.  Hmmmm...  I believe in some absolutes.  More to come. 

BOOKS I am reading---This will be a common thing with my blogs.  What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriaty, Happy, Happy, Happy by Phil Robertson, Sled Driver by Brian Shul, Rush Revere and the American Revolution by Rush and Kathryn Limbaugh, In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson (author of a Walk in the Woods).  Oh and my Poetry fix is Emily Dickinson.

MOVIES/SHOWS I am watching---Downton Abbey**yes the bug finally caught me**, Castle TV Show(more for my husband, who loves crime shows) and A Hundred Foot Journey. 

Moderation

Moderation:  without excess; moderately; temperately

This is my New Year's Word.  I do not and never have cared for the idea of a resolution.  However, a word to practice throughout the year seems a little less intimidating and restrictive.   I am an extremist!  This year I will practice moderation.