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Coffee Shop Confessional

Posted in GOD, life, WONDER, tagged Alone, catholic, confession, enough, Ephesians 3:14-19, Forever Reign, Hillsong, Hope, light of the world, nothing compares, nothing compares to your embrace, prodigal son, run, security on August 8, 2012| 2 Comments »

I am not, nor have ever been Catholic, but on this particular day, I went to confession … at Starbucks.

I was sitting in a cozy orange chair (cozy because my squatty feet actually touched the floor when I sat down … and I smiled with pleasure … it takes so little to make me happy) in Warrenton, Oregon.

I needed to just get away with my laptop and God. Funny really, since I had been at a Christian Conference Center for days, worshiping in music, listening to fine speakers and enjoying the pleasure of sharing in the lives of dear friends who share a common faith.

But, for me, my intimate relationship with God is one that flourishes when it is just He and me.

As I had been driving to my coffee break, I heard a song on the radio, and immediately Shazammed it. Then, when at the coffee shop I went to Youtube to hear it, while absorbing the lyrics, and reading about it’s meaning, or background.

Sitting there, listening, watching and reading, with about thirty Harley Davidson bikers all around me, the tears started to fall, with no end in sight.

Now some would say it was simply the effects of too many nights of poor sleep, or the ingestion of too much bacon, but I know it was something different.

Like a child who has been away at summer camp, I caught sight of my Daddy, and I needed with every fiber within me, to be reunited with Him. And not just reunited, but, like the prodigal son whose father ran TO him, God, through the radio and internet, ran TO me, and reminded me that nothing and no one compares to His embrace.

So often we look to our politicians, our family, our theology to provide security, or hope. But, as I sat, and poured out my confessions to my heavenly father, I was reminded that:

“The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign”

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—-to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19

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Inspired by an Olympian

Posted in life, WONDER, tagged 1 Corinthians 9:26-27, 400m relay, abilities, amputation, Disabilities, inspitation, Jo'burg, olympic, Oscar Pistorius, paralympic, runner, South Africa, will on August 7, 2012| 1 Comment »

After a week of being removed from the Olympics, due to a fun filled vacation, my eyes are glued to the television, and the internet to get caught up.

I was watching the finishing qualifying heat for the mens 400m race, which featured a preliminary story about South African runner, Oscar Pistorius. This handsome young man, with that charming Jo’burg accent, runs, not on feet, but blades. Due to a defect at birth (leading to double amputation), he has no legs below his knees.

Not only has he had to endure the physical struggles with which he was born, but he also recently had to struggle, legally, to be allowed to compete in events beyond the paralympic distinction.

Now, think about this, it was believed that his disability gave him an advantage over the other competitors …

I would have to agree … his (and anyone else of limitations plus a will) disability does give him an advantage over the other competitors. As a man with limitations since birth, he has had to work harder, been more driven, more focused and more determined than his fellow competitors.

Oscar has been known to tell of a childhood memory when he and his brother were preparing for school. His mother said to his brother, “you put your shoes on.” Then she turned to Oscar: “And you put your legs on. And that’s the last I want to hear of it.” Oscar lost his mother when he was only fifteen, and on his right arm is a tattoo of her birth date, as well as the date of her death.

On Oscar’s website is a quote, “You’re not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have.” How can one not respect a man who is able to take the preconceived thoughts of the past, and turn them around for a future perspective, filled with hope.

And, speaking of hope … on his left shoulder is tattooed the words of 1 Corinthians 9:26-27:

“Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

I do not know of Oscar’s motivation for life. I do not pretend to know of a personal faith in the God who allowed him to be born disabled, as well as who allowed him to be born with the ability and drive to run. I only know that he could not sleep one night in New York City, and chose this verse to be tattooed onto his body.

In an interview for the New York Times, by writer, Michael Sokolove, Oscar said, “he gets no special thrill from defeating men with two biological legs. To do so would be to dwell on his own disability. “You have to move past it,” he said. “Everyone has setbacks. I’m no different. I happen to have no legs. That’s pretty much the fact.””

May he continue to inspire, at the Olympics (where he did not qualify for the 400m finals, but who is yet to compete in the 400m relay with his countrymen), and in life.

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Old to New: The Weight Loss DiaBLOG – Week 5

Posted in Weight Loss DiaBLOG, women, WONDER, tagged accountability, biking, Change, diaBLOG, diet, divided container, losing weight, myfitnesspal, Old to New, pounds, salads, Struggle, Swimming, Texas Caviar, weight, Weight Loss on August 6, 2012| 1 Comment »

Week number four was one of cravings, and week number five was one of temptations!

I have to say I was so very excited by my progress … and a little scared, because vacation was coming, and this vacation location provides breakfasts (with bacon) and dinners created by a creative and talented chef …

I a m s o w e a k . . .

After four weeks of trying to change my habits, it has now become work … hard work! That said, I have still not become faithful with exercise. Oh, I have hopped in the pool, and spent hours walking the aisles of thrift shops, but not so much the daily walks and abdominal exercises.

And that was my goal this past week.

We come to Cannon Beach every summer to attend Cannon Beach Christian Conference Center family camp.

From our room to the famous Haystack Rock (above picture), is about one mile. My goal for the week was to walk there and back at least once every morning (meaning that I could have my bacon, and eat it too).

After two days of two, two-hour walks, I thought I might never walk again. But, alas, the reward of getting my bacon made the gain worth the pain (I only wish they served bacon EVERY day!). I did the walk at least once every day (and twice on about half of the days that we were there) that we were there, and felt great satisfaction for it!

I was also very faithful to myfitnesspal app. Even though there were a few days that I went over my caloric goals (despite my walking), I was still feeling like it was a complete success heath wise. And really the holistic perspective is what it is all about.

I do not have a weight loss update, as I was away from my scales (but feeling no sense of separation anxiety for it) on Friday, so I’ll have until this coming Friday to erase the sins of ~~bacon-filled~~ days past.

Let me know how the summer is making living healthy easier or more difficult.

Week 6

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Love Stories to Make you Smile

Posted in life, Love, WONDER, tagged 60 love stories to make you smile, Encouragement, Hope, Life, love stories, photo, Pinterest, tissues on August 3, 2012| Leave a Comment »

It all started with a picture …

As I was perusing the website Pinterest, the photo to the right popped up, and it just made me smile. I admit, the romantic in me loves pictures of older couples showing outward signs of affection. For me I feel a sense of hope, an understanding of the finish line that I hope to one day cross with the hubby.

So, I clicked on the picture, and found that it led me to a website with “60 Tiny Love Stories to Make You Smile“.

I thought I would only read one or two, but I quickly got hooked, and read them all. They are amazing!

Since it is Friday, I thought we could all use a smile, encouragement, something to make us feel that there is hope and love in our world, to start our weekend.

But, be warned, tissues will be needed.

Carole

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Born Alive

Posted in life, WONDER, tagged abortion, Alive, born, born alive, Cerebral Palsy, courageous, Disabilities, Gianna Jessen, heartbeat, Life, radio, survivor, ultrasounds on August 2, 2012| Leave a Comment »

It didn’t start with a picture …

This time it started years ago, while listening to a radio broadcast. What I heard did not make any sense to me … “today we will be speaking with an abortion survivor …”

That one sentence intrigued me enough to keep listening, to buy the guest speaker’s book, and to encourage my hubby (then a youth pastor) to find her.

The result of that one sentence, heard in passing, was the meeting of this courageous woman, a fantastic youth retreat, and the understanding of another view on the subject of unwanted pregnancies.

I do not pretend to know or to understand all of the details pertaining to all unwanted pregnancies. There are many reasons for a pregnancy to be unwanted. Still, I do believe that there are two individuals involved, and for this reason, I do believe that both individuals need to be considered in the decisions for the futures of both.

I remember seeing the heartbeat, just the heartbeat, of one of our unborn babies … beating so beautifully, so perfectly. Having seen ultrasounds of empty or unresponsive sacs, that heartbeat was the most beautiful image to me, to us. Unfortunately it was beating in a fallopian tube, and both the tube, and the heartbeat, had to be taken.

Abortion is a complex issue.

I know and understand the decision that I made, and I know the consequences … all of them, of that decision. I do not believe that most women make their decisions knowing all that is being decided, or all of the consequences. Two heartbeats, one is that of the mother, the other is that of her child. Both are lives of value.

Here is a link to the story of Gianna Jessen, abortion survivor …

Abortion Survivor

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50 Years of Marriage

Posted in life, Love, Marriage, WONDER, tagged 50th anniversary, Anniversary, celebrations, celebrity, committed, couple, devoted, Divorce, Hollywood, Joanne Woodward, Marriage, Paul Newman on August 1, 2012| Leave a Comment »

It all started with a picture …

The picture to the right of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. I saw it, and then read the caption at the bottom, “married 50 years.” I found myself wondering, how can that happen to a Hollywood couple?

Since hubby is a pastor, we get to attend MANY 50th Anniversary parties, and they are truly the highlight of the effects of his job for me.

To participate in celebrating a 50th wedding anniversary is a unique and special thing.

When I hear of couples divorcing, I wonder how many of these celebrations will be happening in the future. Oh, but what celebrations they will be, as they will be a truly rare and special event!

Although Mr. Newman died later in the year of their 50th anniversary, the legacy of their long lasting, committed love in a world that sees that as impossible can continue to encourage those of us who are still in process.

When asked the secret to their long & happy marriage, Paul attributed it to the “correct amounts of lust and respect.” And “. . . because of great impatience tempered by patience. When you have been together this long, sometimes you drive each other nuts, but underneath that is some core of affection and respect.”

It is a great read, accompanied by beautiful pictures.

Paul and Joanne

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A Heart-Shaped Meadow

Posted in life, Love, Marriage, Nature/Creation, WONDER, tagged devoted, England, heart-shaped field, Janet and Winston Howes, Legacy, Life, Love, Marriage, oaks, planted, South Gloucestershire, Wickwar on July 31, 2012| Leave a Comment »

It all started with a picture …

That is how my interest in this story began, with a simple picture, and a short story.

The story is a love story. It is one that makes you say “awwww …” when it is over. It is one that makes you have hope in love, and in the institution of marriage. It is one that could become a Nicholas Sparks novel. It is one that makes women wonder, “would I ever be loved and missed that much.”

This is the story of a couple married over thirty years, that quickly ended by death of the wife, Janet. Her heart-broken husband, Winston … well, how about you just go ahead and read the attached article.

Heart Shaped Legacy

It is a worthwhile read!

Carole

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Old to New: The Weight Loss DiaBLOG – Week 4

Week number four has been one of … cravings! It all started with hubby bringing home … ice cream (it’s a good thing it wasn’t cookies, or I might have given in).

I tried a recipe for cookies that had no added sugar, butter or eggs.

The ingredient list included:
oats (I love oats),
cocoa (who could say no to cocoa?),
bananas (yum!),
peanut butter (so much for no butter … and peanut butter is divine),
and vanilla.

I was so eager for these little 47 calorie treats!

Unfortunately they were not so tasty. I don’t even think that the Cookie Monster would have enjoyed them! Plus, three days after I made them they started to grow that familiar hairy material known as mold (and I discovered the ‘hair’ AFTER eating one … blech)!

I considered adding an egg and sugar, but figured that would defeat the purpose … back to the drawing board.

Even with the cravings, I still lost THREE more POUNDS!

I have to say I am so very excited by my progress … and a little scared, because vacation is coming, and this vacation location provides breakfasts (with bacon) and dinners created by a creative and talented chef …

I a m s o w e a k !

It is interesting to me that the people who have joined me in going from Old to New, have been so much more successful in their physical activities, and less so on the scales … maybe that is what is hindering me 😉 , I am afraid that if I exercise I will not lose anymore weight? Sounds like another excuse to me.

Oh, hubby did suggest a walk on my favorite trail the other day. It was sunny, it was warm, it was perfect. I am not sure who was grinning more, the beast or me. Unfortunately, the river is high, and the mosquitoes swarmed us as soon as we entered the wooded part of the trail. I thought they were going to literally carry us off. I had not experienced mosquitoes like that since I was a child and our family was on vacation on the Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia. So, our intended hour-long trek lasted only thirty minutes.

And that is my goal this next week.

Week 5

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The Olympic Relationship

Posted in FAMILY, life, Love, WONDER, tagged Cerebral Palsy, communication, Disabilities, father / mother, I Can Only Imagine, Marathon, Mercy Me, Olympics, Rick and Dick Hoyt, Son, Team hoyt, unconditional love, You Can on July 27, 2012| 2 Comments »

Today marks the beginning of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, in London, England.

There will be the lighting of the flame, the entrance of the athletes into the stadium, the speeches, the music, the spectacle that is the opening event.

Of course the Olympic Games are about the games themselves, about the competition among athletes and countries, about about winning medals, but, what are the values of the Olympic Games?

According to the International Olympic Committee, it takes more than being an exceptional sportsman or woman to become part of the Olympics or Paralympics. “This is why both games come with a set of core values which encompass what these competitions are all about proving that sport even at this level, is not just about your ability.”

The seven official values, which aim to embody the spirit of the events are :
Respect
Excellence
Friendship
Courage
Determination
Inspiration
Equality

There is a story that is behind the picture to the right. It is a story of a father son relationship that exemplifies all of the values of the Olympics. Beyond that, their relationship is one of love … unconditional, sacrificial love.

To me, they, father and son, epitomize the Olympic spirit, not just in regard to athletics, but also in regards to life … lived full and complete, not because of their circumstances, but in spite of them.

“You can!”

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The Butterfly Princess Lesson

Posted in GOD, life, WONDER, tagged african american, and yellow, barbie, black and white, butterfly princess, color, differences, Jesus loves the little children, red, Shopping, similarities on July 26, 2012| 7 Comments »

I remember so clearly the first Barbie that our eldest daughter had, and the first lesson she taught us in the process of purchasing it.

The television was constantly advertising ‘Butterfly Princess Barbie’ at every opportunity, and with each commercial break our daughter would say, “Mom, can I get that Barbie?”

Finally, it was her birthday, and we thought we would let her go with us to the store to pick it out. Unfortunately, we had gone shopping in the U.S., and, unfortunately, there was not one Butterfly Princess Barbie, like the one we had all seen on television … or so we thought.

As hubby and I were preparing for deep and mortal depression from our daughter, when she realized that the desired doll was not there, we heard her happy shout, “there she is!” Our eyes moved to the doll that she was struggling mightily to reach on a higher shelf, and then to each other. The doll most certainly was Butterfly Princess Barbie, but she did not have the blue eyes, the golden blond hair, or the alabaster skin. This doll was most clearly the African American doll.

When we lifted it down to her opened arms, and hugged it tightly, we asked if she was sure this was the one she wanted. And she answered, “yes” with her arms still tightly embracing it. We then said, “you do realize that she is not exactly like the one on TV?”

With this questions, she opened her eyes, and looked carefully at the doll in the box. She held it out, she frowned, she stared at it intently, and then she said, “you are right, she has brown eyes instead of blue,” and continued hugging it.

And her father and I looked at each other, and marveled at how quickly and completely we had seen the differences, and how much effort it took for her to see even one.

That is the story that most of us have been taught by our children, or by others children. For children do not see differences, but similarities. We grow up to see, to point out, and to fear differences.

I like that lesson, that was taught to me so innocently by a three-year old. It kind of reminds me of one of the most influential songs of my childhood …

“Jesus Loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow black and white
They’re all precious in his sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world”

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