What a fun day Wednesday was! I got the tickets bought for our next trip to Sicily, and then Ken and I took off for Gruene to dance to The Georges, our favorite band. Four hours later, we headed home; happy and tired. We slept good that night.
The next morning, I noticed a message on the answering machine. From the airline company. Our credit card had been declined! I was ready to become frantic. I had shopped hard for a good deal and a good flight; I couldn't lose those tickets! So, as I walked out the door for the gym, armed with my laptop (not sure why I tucked it under my arm) and my bags for the day, Ken said he would call the credit card company and email me the info.
When I got to the gym, I tried to open the door with my key chain, instead of the gym fob they gave me. That made me feel pretty dumb! When I got on the treadmill, I found I still had my glasses on. (At that distance, I don't need them to read my iPad.) As I ran, my sweat rag fell off the machine, onto the floor. I knew I didn't want to use it after that.
As I pulled back the shower curtain, I realized I had forgotten my towel. I was thankful for the extra Nike Dri-Fit shirt that was in my gym bag. It really does soak up really well! As I searched for the spray gel, for my hair, I remembered pulling it out at home. Hmm. The hairstyle was going to be a little wild today! Then, when I finally got out to the car, I realized I hadn't packed the black shoes I needed for my outfit. I only had the white ones. Oh well.
I arrived at the office and the boss was trying to figure out how to print on 11x17 paper from the bypass tray. Ah! That was a task I had managed before with this (free, but very) user-UNfriendly copy machine. But, I still wound up calling the help desk, after I had him email me the file. His version was very blurry. It was a good thing I had my laptop with me, with the right software to handle the little task! Done before checking my email. Yes, Ken said all was straightened out.
Then, I called the airlines and convinced them to try the credit card again, since Ken's email said the card was good, as we suspected. No known reason for the decline, except to put us into a tizzy.
As I was scrambling to eat a quick breakfast, the volunteers for the day walked in and asked how I was doing. "Great!" I said. Why not? The day could only get better, and besides, if I got crabby about the morning it wouldn't make the people around me happy. They'd just try to avoid me, probably. But, I determined that I wasn't going to let these situations get me down. It might make me forgetful, but it wouldn't get me down.
There are too many wonderful things and people around me. But, mostly, I decided that God was going to work this out.
"Can circumstances possibly change, who I forever am in You?" Nope.
Monday, May 30, 2016
In-laws
I'm sitting on my front porch, enjoying a mango/berry smoothie, courtesy of my daughter-in-law, who left here nine months ago. How can that be? Well, I've finally been using things out of my freezer, and halfway down, I ran into the frozen bags of mango chucks and mixed berries she bought while she was visiting.
Naturally, as I enjoy it, I am thinking of her; praying for her; and thanking God for her. You never know where your blessings in life are going to come from. This one came into our lives in part due to our prayers, and in part due to Jon pursuing her! We are so glad he did.
She makes me think back to the precious mother-in-law that I had. She loved me, and she encouraged me, and she chastised me, lovingly. She stood up for her son, but acknowledged he wasn't perfect. And she loved her grandkids like any good grandma should. As I think about parts of her life, my heart aches for what she went through. I don't think folks understood things like depression back when she needed that understanding. So, she did the best she could to live up to Mrs. Cleavers' example. She had a husband who loved her, and supported everything she did with their three sons. And then a brain tumor stole him away. But she never stopped being that ideal that she felt was expected. Even when she received the medical report of her terminal condition, she was willing, and determined, to be the strong one.
As women, we look for others to emulate. I never thought I could do or be all that she was, and did. It just seemed like too much! But, she is one of those models that I always keep before me.
And that brings me back around to thinking about my daughter-in-law. April is everything I hope I was to my children, but I know I probably wasn't. I didn't give them the time she puts into my grandchildren. I didn't create spaces for them to be creative, like she does. I didn't pray for them nearly as much as she prays for hers. While I addressed my husband's basic needs when he came home from work, I didn't try to get into his areas of interest and join him there (until recently).
To say she is amazing seems almost superficial. But in truth she seems to be more than that. Her genuine sincerity makes everyone feel as though she is most concerned about them. Her unfailing trust in God comes out in the way she loves. And I know that love was instrumental in our grand-daughter making a profession of faith at age five. (And no, I don't think that's too young. Just ask her daddy, who did it at three.)
She confirms my faith in the Lord. I love sharing Him with her!
April's fault? She tries to be and do everything for everyone, and that makes her late! She just can't seem to be on time, but it's because she is busy thinking about everyone else. And when she smiles, laughs and apologizes, how can you not forgive her? She was probably writing one of those darling Thank You notes to someone. Or on the phone with them, listening and encouraging. As I went through a spiritual wilderness around Christmas, and we were visiting them, I began crying one day. I was embarrassed, mad at myself, and I couldn't stop. She put her hand on mine and prayed for me! She didn't judge or condemn or question or criticize. She accepted me, and lifted me up to God. I have a few friends who might do that. I never imagined I would have a daughter-in-law who would, and who would also be so kind, thoughtful and gentle.
I don't know why God blessed our family with this woman. But, we all agree it was His doing. It's just too hard to imagine it happening by chance.
So, as I am reaching the bottom of my smoothie, I want to thank Jesus for all of my blessings. They all link together to create a beautiful mosaic of love in front, behind, and around me; and April is one of the most important links that helps remind me that all good things come from Him.
Naturally, as I enjoy it, I am thinking of her; praying for her; and thanking God for her. You never know where your blessings in life are going to come from. This one came into our lives in part due to our prayers, and in part due to Jon pursuing her! We are so glad he did.
She makes me think back to the precious mother-in-law that I had. She loved me, and she encouraged me, and she chastised me, lovingly. She stood up for her son, but acknowledged he wasn't perfect. And she loved her grandkids like any good grandma should. As I think about parts of her life, my heart aches for what she went through. I don't think folks understood things like depression back when she needed that understanding. So, she did the best she could to live up to Mrs. Cleavers' example. She had a husband who loved her, and supported everything she did with their three sons. And then a brain tumor stole him away. But she never stopped being that ideal that she felt was expected. Even when she received the medical report of her terminal condition, she was willing, and determined, to be the strong one.
As women, we look for others to emulate. I never thought I could do or be all that she was, and did. It just seemed like too much! But, she is one of those models that I always keep before me.
And that brings me back around to thinking about my daughter-in-law. April is everything I hope I was to my children, but I know I probably wasn't. I didn't give them the time she puts into my grandchildren. I didn't create spaces for them to be creative, like she does. I didn't pray for them nearly as much as she prays for hers. While I addressed my husband's basic needs when he came home from work, I didn't try to get into his areas of interest and join him there (until recently).
To say she is amazing seems almost superficial. But in truth she seems to be more than that. Her genuine sincerity makes everyone feel as though she is most concerned about them. Her unfailing trust in God comes out in the way she loves. And I know that love was instrumental in our grand-daughter making a profession of faith at age five. (And no, I don't think that's too young. Just ask her daddy, who did it at three.)
She confirms my faith in the Lord. I love sharing Him with her!
April's fault? She tries to be and do everything for everyone, and that makes her late! She just can't seem to be on time, but it's because she is busy thinking about everyone else. And when she smiles, laughs and apologizes, how can you not forgive her? She was probably writing one of those darling Thank You notes to someone. Or on the phone with them, listening and encouraging. As I went through a spiritual wilderness around Christmas, and we were visiting them, I began crying one day. I was embarrassed, mad at myself, and I couldn't stop. She put her hand on mine and prayed for me! She didn't judge or condemn or question or criticize. She accepted me, and lifted me up to God. I have a few friends who might do that. I never imagined I would have a daughter-in-law who would, and who would also be so kind, thoughtful and gentle.
I don't know why God blessed our family with this woman. But, we all agree it was His doing. It's just too hard to imagine it happening by chance.
So, as I am reaching the bottom of my smoothie, I want to thank Jesus for all of my blessings. They all link together to create a beautiful mosaic of love in front, behind, and around me; and April is one of the most important links that helps remind me that all good things come from Him.
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