A Very Goodly Harvest

My family held our Thanksgiving feast a few days early this year.  When trying to get 20+ plus people under one roof on the same day, a little re-scheduling of the calendar and national holidays is necessary.  The Grand Princess did her part in bringing a dish to the pot-luck by helping me make macaroni and cheese.  It was especially yummy and the first pot to be emptied.  Look out Rachel Ray!

After lunch we had a Harvest Party, complete with a game of horse shoes, a bow shoot competition, sack races and a hay ride.  The little kids had an “Acorn Hunt”.  They each were given a cup and told to see who could find the most acorns.  They proudly turned in cup after cup of acorns.  My seven year old nephew, Jackson, wearily said, “Aunt Neen, you and Mammie sure did hide these acorns very goodly.”  Sweet little guy thought we had spent the day hiding those acorns all over the yard just so they could find them!  He was doing his best to harvest each and every one.

Tonight Ted & I joined many other folks from our church for a community Thanksgiving service at First Baptist Church of Florence.  The pastor who gave the message asked us to think about the things for which we are thankful.  He challenged us to not just give text book answers, such as my family, my job, my health, etc., but to really dig deep and consider our answer.  To look at our lives and see what is building our character and be thankful for that.  Many times God uses suffering to build our character.  Are we thankful for that?  Disappointment.  Are you thankful?  Heartache.  Still thankful?  Loss.  What about now?

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”       Romans 5:3-5

This level of giving thanks definitely requires some deep digging.  It is not easy.  It is a sacrifice.  But if we can learn to do this and give thanks in all circumstances for all things, we will find perseverance, character, a hope that will not put us to shame, and a love that is poured straight into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.  

Perseverance.  Character.  Hope.  Love.  Now that is a very goodly harvest!  

I Want To See A Miracle

Ted & I enjoyed a wonderful getaway to Gatlinburg last weekend.  My goal was to find Fall.  Indeed I did!  The leaves were spectacular.  The reds and golds were vibrant and bold.  They seemed to scream, “Relax!  Enjoy my beauty and worship my Creator.”  So I did.  All we did was drive around and take in the beauty of the mountains, the wildlife, the winding roads and the rippling streams.  It was refreshing.

It has been a few weeks now since my grandmother’s death.  My life has been a little out of sync since then.  My plans for this week were to get back on my schedule and resume the activities of my ordinary life.  Monday went as planned until I received a phone call from my Mama that evening.

“The MRI I had done last week for the double vision problem I’ve been having showed a mass in my brain.”

What?  Wait?  That’s not on my list of activities for my ordinary life!  Tuesday was numb.  I went to the Neurosurgeon with Mama and Daddy.  He confirmed the tumor.  It is in the worst possible part of the brain.  Surgery is not an option.  The good news is that it appears to be uncharacteristic of that type of tumor, in that there is no swelling and it doesn’t show signs of malignancy.  The plan of action for now is to observe it.  So we wait.  She will have another MRI next month to see if there are any changes in the tumor.

There is a knot in my stomach that will not go away.  A lump in my throat that swells to the point of choking me at times.  Tears behind my eyeballs that are filled to the rim, but will not flow.

As I was praying this week for a miracle I was reminded of my own words I wrote in my journal on September 24.  “Lord, I want to see a miracle!  I want to live a life of seeing miracles.  I don’t want just a few.  I want miracles to be an everyday part of my everyday life.  I want to see lives changed, people healed, the dead raised, chains broken, budgets met, elections won by the righteous, churches exploding, Christianity made relevant to our culture, Christians becoming real, prayers answered, people saved, REAL LIFE MIRACLES!  I don’t want to just see them, I want to be in on them.” 

How can I have a miracle without first experiencing devastation?  How can I have healing without first having heartbreak?  Oswald Chambers wrote, “Why shouldn’t we experience heartbreak? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us collapse at the first grip of pain. We sit down at the door of God’s purpose and enter a slow death through self-pity.  He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, as if to say, ‘Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine.’ If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours?”

So while I wait for the miracle of my sweet Mama’s healing I will thank Him for breaking my heart.  Do not give me sympathy.  Oswald goes on to say that the so-called Christian sympathy of others helps us to our deathbed.  Rejoice with me that God is doing a miracle and His purposes are being fulfilled in my life.  Join me in praying for a miracle.  Ask God to stir up your own faith and to do a miracle in your life.  Welcome those things that are not on your list of activities for your ordinary life.  It’s in those places that we will experience true identification and fellowship with Jesus Christ in His blessings, His pain, His sufferings and His miracles.

Pass Alongs

Two weeks ago my 92 year old grandmother had a massive stroke.  She remained with us just over two days before going to her eternal home.  For the first 48 hours or so she was able to respond to us and seemed to understand when we told her how much we loved her.  I had the privilege of spending the last night with her.  The doctor came in and told me the stroke was fatal and we probably only had a matter of hours left with her.  How do you spend someone’s final hours?  I did what I would want to do in my final hours on this earth.  We worshiped.  I cranked up iTunes and played some of the old hymns.  I sang to her and read some of the Psalms.  She couldn’t sing along but I told her that was ok because the next time she sang those songs it would be with the angels.

My earliest memories of my grandmother are ones of sitting beside her in church.  She loved to sing the hymns.  She couldn’t read a note of music but if she heard a song once, she could sing it or play it on the piano by ear.  I was always fascinated with her spot on harmony.  I’ve spent my life trying to learn harmony so I can sing like MawMaw.  It still doesn’t come as natural to me as it did her.

MawMaw was also quite the gardener.  Until just recently her flower garden looked as if it could have been featured in a gardening magazine.  When she just couldn’t stand the Mississippi heat enough to keep the flower beds weeded to her satisfaction, she began to pass along some of her plants and downsize her garden.  Just last fall she gave me some day lily bulbs that actually came from some her mother had passed along to her.

There are things other than flowers that she passed along to me over the years, bits of advice and wisdom.  I’ve been trying to recall them and write them down before the memory of her voice and mannerisms fade from my mind.  Here are a few:

• Day lilies are a must for every garden.  They are practically maintenance free, welcome summer every year without fail and multiply so you can pass them along to others.
• Always take a dish to pot-luck dinners, even if it’s only an assorted cheesecake tray from Sam’s.
• A lady should not wear short shorts or skirts.  It’s just not fittin’.  I learned this the hard way.
• If you don’t do anything else, keep your hair appointment because your hair should always look nice and kept.
• Fix your face before you go outside.  Lipstick is one of life’s little necessities.
• Zip lock bags can be washed out and hung on the clothes line to dry.
• It’s ok to hang your lingerie on the clothes line next to your zip lock bags. This causing your grandchildren embarrassment is an added bonus!
• You can re-use butter tubs, ice cream buckets, pie crust pans, milk jugs, and cool-whip bowls for years.  A lesson I’m sure she learned from growing up during the Great Depression.
• A kleenex can be neatly folded into a 1” square and it will fit into any pocket, purse or drawer.
• Your purse really should match your shoes.
• Costume jewelry and really big flower earrings never go out of style.
• Don’t ruin Christmas.  This is a personal story and a personal reminder to me not to be too bossy.
• Dessert should be served after every meal, preferably ice cream.
• Don’t plant your spring bedding plants until after Easter.  There’s always a frost right before Easter.
• Keep in touch with your friends and family.  Make a point to visit.
• Go to church.  Every time the doors are open.  Even if you don’t really feel like it.

These pass alongs may seem silly and useless to some, but to me they are priceless.  Small little reminders of my grandmother’s life.  Lessons learned that I’m sure I will pass along to my granddaughter.  

I will now look forward to each summer when MawMaw’s pass along day lilies start to bloom.  It will be like a little “Hello” from heaven.  Thank you, MawMaw, for all the precious pass alongs.  I’ll do my best to mind my manners!

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Long Hair!

My dad built a play house in his backyard for all the grandchildren, complete with a climbing ladder,  a rock wall and a swing set.  Last week Mylee and I were playing outside and she climbed to the second story of the play house.  She stood next to the window, pulled her hair over her shoulder and pretended that it was hanging out of the window and said, “I am Rapunzel and this is my castle.”  I made the mistake of shouting, “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Long Hair!”  The rest of the day turned into a real live fairy tale.  Anyone who dared enter her “castle” was dubbed as the monster and chased out promptly.  She defended her castle with all of her might.  I had to call her Rapunzel and if I slipped up and called, “Mylee”, she quickly reminded me that she was NOT Mylee, she was Rapunzel! 

Well, being the very cool Nene that I am, I got my little Grand Princess some Rapunzel hair, a little braided head band with long blonde hair attached to it.  Now she has REAL Rapunzel hair to throw over her shoulder and hang out the window.  It is so fun to pretend with her and watch her get into character.  

God can speak to us through many things.  Last week He happened to speak to me through hair.  A friend of mine from church, Kathy, began chemo treatments yesterday.  Friday she cut her very own Rapunzel hair.  I don’t even begin to understand the emotions Kathy must have felt as she courageously decided to cut her hair and donate it prior to loosing it due to the chemo.  As I was praying for her, this scripture came to mind, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-30.

I was overwhelmed with the Father’s love for Kathy, and for me.  I felt so known.  So cared for.  He knows how many hairs are on my head.  And I have ALOT of hair!  I don’t understand cancer.  I don’t understand pain and suffering.  But His Word tells me that He cares about hair.  HAIR!  The creator of the universe cares about HAIR!!!  MY hair!  Kathy’s hair!  Even Mylee’s, uh-hmm, excuse me, Rapunzel’s hair!  And that’s the reason that He gives when telling me not to be afraid.  The very hairs on my head are all numbered, so don’t be afraid.  I want to learn to find comfort in that.

In the meantime, if you see me and think to yourself, “What in the world is going on with Janine’s hair?  It is a complete mess!", just know that God is teaching me not to be afraid.  I’m also letting it grow longer so that I can donate it.  Can you  just imagine how many wigs this hair will make?

WARNING! Deep Water Ahead!

Today was spent cheering on the athletes participating in the CPC’s Tri-4-Life.  Between the swimmers, bikers, runners, toddler dashers, and cheerleaders, Fannin Landing was buzzing with activity early this morning.  I was a cheerleader, just in case you might be wondering.  However, I was inspired to consider riding a bicycle.  I’m just not sure how I would look in a biker’s helmet and if I could even find one to fit on top of all my hair.  Perhaps I’ll stick to clapping my hands and encouraging those who can pull off the helmet look.

Little Mylee looked perfectly adorable sporting her Toddler Dash t-shirt and her big yellow hair bow.  She had so much fun!  After the Dash was over she just kept right on dashing, again and again, all by herself.  She earned herself a gold medal, a goodie bag, and a chocolate brownie from the bake sale.  It was a great day and a great event for a great ministry!

As the swimmers were lined up to dive in the reservoir, I noticed a bright yellow sign standing in the rocks by the water.  Written on it was a portion of this scripture, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.  When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned; the flames will not consume you,” Isaiah 43:2.  This verse doesn’t say, “If you...”, it says, “When you...”  I heard so many of the athletes comment today that they were not worried about the biking or the running, but the swimming...they were concerned about passing through the water.  Even though there was concern, 188 courageous people jumped into those waters head first.

I’ll be honest, I don’t want to go through any deep water.  I want to keep my feet firmly planted on the bottom and my nose breathing fresh air.  Preferably at the same time.  But that’s not what God promises us.  He promises that he’ll be with us WHEN we’re in over our heads.  I personally find this to be true.  Most days I feel like I’m in over my head and every time He comes to rescue me.  He doesn’t just throw out a life preserver, He IS the life preserver!  Hallelujah!

Every time fear wells up inside of me, here He comes.  Every time I don’t know what I should say or do, here He comes. Every time I am tempted, here He comes.  Every time I cry out for wisdom, here He comes.  Every time I feel anger or hate or bitterness, here He comes.  Again and again and again He rescues me.  And every time He does I am so grateful for His mercy and His love and His power to save a wretch like me.

I pray that next time I want to turn around and run from the deep water, I will remember His promise and I will raise my hands above my head and dive right in.

The End of An Era

Today was the end of an era for Ted’s mom, Virginia Mangum Smith.  She retired today from the U.S. Postal Service after having worked 42 years.  She served as the Postmaster of the post office in Star, Mississippi, the community where she has lived most of her life.  The amazing thing is that someone in the Mangum family has served as Postmaster since 1915, when the post office moved into the Mangum Store building.  It truly is the end of an era.


I don’t know if the folks in this little town will be able to put a stamp on an envelope without her.  The post office is more than just a mailing facility, it’s a place where community happens.  Ms. Ginger did more than just hand out the mail, she gave suckers to the kiddos, treats to the puppies, and bread to the ducks across the street.  I’ve watched her help folks fill out their money orders, address their envelopes, and wrap their packages not because it was her job, but because she cares for and loves helping people.  This is the kind of service that would make Uncle Sam proud!

My dear mother-in-law is now moving into another era.  Retirement.  She may not be standing behind the counter in the post office any more, but I have a sneaky suspicion she’ll still be seen around Star offering a helping hand, feeding the ducks, and even passing out a few suckers to the children who are smart enough to take the time to get to know the woman who probably put stamps on their grandparent’s mail.

As Usual

I returned last night from a PMC (Pregnancy Medical Clinic) Summit in Memphis, TN.  I am on the Board of Directors for the Center for Pregnancy Choices so that means I get to attend wonderful conferences and workshops and hang out with the coolest people.  The Summit was kicked off with a devotional led by the pastor of the church hosting our conference.  He was encouraging us to not get so busy with life and the work of the ministry that we fail to spend time alone with God in prayer.  He read Luke 22:39, "Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him."  Why did Jesus go to the Mount of Olives?  It was His usual place to go to pray and meet with His Father.  The pastor noted that Judas was not among the disciples, but later led the crowd to him in order to betray him.  How did Judas know where to find Jesus?  Because Jesus was in his AS USUAL place.

This has caused me to reflect upon my own AS USUAL places.  If someone were to look for me, where would they go?
Would they say...
"She's working, AS USUAL."
"She's on Facebook, AS USUAL."
"She's on the phone, AS USUAL."
"She's watching TV, AS USUAL."
"She's sleeping, AS USUAL."

Where are my AS USUAL places?  Do I pray, AS USUAL?  Do I worship, AS USUAL?  Do I further the Kingdom, AS USUAL?  Do I study the Word, AS USUAL?  Do I serve others, AS USUAL?  Are these my USUAL places or are they UNUSUAL places that I occasionally visit?

In my 2010 visit to the Holy Land, I stood on the Mount of Olives.  From there you can see a breathtaking panoramic view of  Jerusalem.  Maybe this is why Jesus chose this spot to pray.  His burden was before Him.  His passion was in full view.

Could it be that my AS USUAL places reveal the objects of my passion?  Oh, Father, have mercy on me.  "Jesus went out AS USUAL to the Mount of Olives, AND HIS DISCIPLES FOLLOWED HIM."  May I leave my AS USUAL places and follow Him to His AS USUAL place, which is sitting right next to His Father.

The Soul Dare

This is the first Saturday since April that neither Ted nor I had anything planned.  It was just a free day to do NOTHING!  Ted took advantage of this day of nothingness and surprised me by taking me on an adventure.  All I asked was that it did not include 4-wheelers or woods (I'm still itching from the last adventure).   He assured me it didn't, but I still wore a skirt and flip flops just to be safe.  We grabbed a cup of coffee, shared an apple cinnamon scone and down the road to went to an unknown destination, unknown to me, that is.  He knew exactly where he was heading.

We arrived at a place that I had seen advertised in a newspaper many months ago and had mentioned that I would like to go to one day.  Fulmer's Farmstead and General Store in Richton, Mississippi.  We walked into the General Store and were welcomed with the words, "Lunch will be served in 15 minutes." How's that for a greeting?  There we so many things to look at - homemade breads & pastries, colorful jars of preserved fruits and vegetables, fresh tomatoes, watermelons, onions and peppers, bulk food items and much, much more.  Lunch was a meat and choice of veggies grown right there on the farm - lima beans, squash, greens, peas, and sweet potato pie for dessert.  It was delish!

After lunch we walked through the farmstead and were accompanied by a host of chickens, goats, horses, cats and turkeys.  The neighbors dog escorted us through the grounds and snuggled up close to Ted when we stopped by one of the old farm houses and tried out the rocking chairs on the porch.

I wandered into the farm house and found many things that I've heard my daddy talk about from his growing up days on his granddaddy's farm.   It felt like I had walked right into Laura Ingall's little house.  Then I spotted a hand stitched sampler sitting on top of the ice box.  It's words were simple, it's meaning deep and rich.  "Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see...".  The soul - the mind, the will and the emotions.  Faith is daring the mind, daring the will, daring the emotions to go beyond what the eyes can see.  I love this!  I need this!  There are things that I see with my eyes and believe that that is all it will ever be.  Faith dares my soul to see more.

Who would have thought that a simple little sampler in a simple little house would dare my simple little soul to go beyond what I can see and believe that things can be better.          


"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  Hebrews 11:1

A Birthday Gift From The Sheep

Today I celebrated my 43rd birthday.  I declared it a holiday and took the day off of work.  The festivities actually started last night when Mason and Ted cooked my favorite meal for me, Chicken Parmesan, and Cassie made me a Bops Ice Cream birthday cake.  Yummo!  This morning I slept in a little late and then surrounded myself with my bible, a stack of books and a hot cup of coffee.  I received many emails, texts, phone calls and facebook birthday wishes.  I am amazed by the number of people in my life who took the time to think of me today.  I am blessed!

My mom treated me to a day of lunch and shopping.  On my birthday wish list was a new tube of my favorite lipstick, new makeup brushes, and books.  I will end my day just like I started it - sitting in my bed surrounded by a pile of books!  Except this time I will have my lipstick on.

When I walked in my house tonight I was hit in the nose by the smell of pine-sol. Ahhh!  My wonderful husband swept and mopped the floors and cleaned my bathroom while I was out.  The next best thing to presents are acts of service!  Today I received both!  Can you guess what my Love Languages might be? :)

But perhaps the best gift I received was an example set by my parents.  A few nights ago my mom received a phone call around 9:30 pm from a friend of hers.  Her friend stated that she had just received a phone call from a friend of hers from another state.  That friend had a friend who was traveling and had developed some serious medical problems that prevented her from continuing her trip.  She wound up in a Jackson hospital.  She was alone with her three children several hours from home, sitting in the emergency room in a strange city.  She knew no one, only the name of a friend of a friend.  My mom’s friend asked if this lady’s children could come and stay with her.  Without hesitation my mother went to pick them up and opened her home to them.  In the wee hours of the morning the mother was discharged from the ER and my dad went to meet her and brought her to their home.  My parents offered this lady a comfortable bed to sleep in, food, and care for her children while she waited for someone in her family to drive several hours to come get them.

This is not the first time my parents have opened their home and extended hospitality to people.  Over the last 43 years of my life, Mama has fed and hosted many traveling missionaries and pastors.  More than once, my daddy has offered a spare room to friends and family members who were down and out and needed to make a fresh start.  Some for a night, some for several months.  

I can’t begin to express my gratitude for the gift of this example.  This is the stuff that legacy’s are made of.  This is the kind of gift that I long to pass down to my children.  The gift of living beyond yourself.  The gift of serving others.  The gift of hospitality.  The gift of kindness and self-sacrifice.  

Long after my lipstick has faded away and the pages of my books have yellowed, this gift of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ will still be alive.  And if, by God’s grace, I can live up to the standard set before me, I will be living this gift to others.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. The King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,  I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’  Matthew 25:31-40

This is What Love Looks Like

Our family spent Wednesday at our deer camp celebrating the Fourth of July.  Ted & I went up the day before to prepare the way for the Quick clan’s arrival.  Ted also had some deer scouting he wanted to do like putting out trail cameras, looking for sign, and finding new places to hunt.  I willing joined him on this journey deep into the woods.  Riding the 4-wheeler on cleared trails was no problem, I would even classify it as fun, but forging through the woods while dodging branches and briars, ditches and fallen trees was a little less than fun for me.   

You see, I don’t really like being in the woods and I don’t really like riding ATVs, but I do really, really like my Man.  So for that reason alone I acted like a big girl (well, I did whine a little when he drove down this steep bank into a creek) and went along for the RIDE.  At least I thought it was going to be a RIDE.  I didn’t know it was going to be a RIDE and then a HIKE.  To my surprise we stopped the 4-wheeler and hiked into the woods for what seemed like miles.  Ted assures me it was only yards.  Okay so maybe I did whine more than once.  But all in all I think I was a pretty good sport.  We did our scouting and headed back to the camp house.

I was feeling pretty good and proud of myself for my accomplished joint adventure with my husband.   It was in that moment of pride that the red bumps began popping up all over my ankles and legs.  Red bumps that itch and ooze!  In the South we call those red bumps chigger bites and those oozing bumps poison ivy.  I have carried a can of Calamine spray in my purse all day and have shown my red bumps to anybody that will stand still, like a soldier displaying his Purple Heart.  Last night I put my bug bitten ankle in Ted’s face and said, “This is what love looks like!”  We had a nice little chuckle and he gave me lots of sympathy.  

My own words have resonated in my spirit today.  As I spoke those words to Ted, “This is what love looks like”, God whispered to me, “No, THIS is what love looks like”, and He flashed an image of His Son hanging on the cross.  Our cultural definition of love is so messed up.  I tend to think of love as sweet things like cards, candy, flowers and acts of service.  Those things are loving and we should show our love in those ways.  But love, real love, isn’t sweet at all.  It hurts.  It scars.  It itches!  Real love says, “I am willing to be uncomfortable for you.”  Jesus was way more than uncomfortable that day on Golgotha’s hill.  He died.  Why?  Because THAT is what love looks like.

A Record Breaking Day in Hotlanta!

We spent an action packed weekend in Atlanta with Matt and the Grand-Princess.  We rallied behind our favorite baseball team, the Atlanta Braves, Friday night at Turner Field.  Despite our loudest Braves Chant and our most fierce Tomahawk chop, we couldn't bring home a win.  Oh, well.  We had a great time and enjoyed a spectacular fireworks show after the game.  And, I got to see Chipper Jones play!  Not a bad night!

Saturday we headed out for Six Flags over Georgia.  We sweltered in the record breaking temperature of 106 degrees!  I'd like to do a short commercial for the Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad.  "When wet, the towel begins to evaporate and cool, providing cool, soft comfort to the user."  It really works and I will love my dear friend, Terri Pate, forever for giving me the heads up about it.  Between my Chilly Pad and my $10 refillable Six Flags souvenir cup, this magnolia blossom survived the heat.  Mylee was well prepared for the day with her hat, shades and a "pak-pak" full of necessary supplies.  She figured out things pretty quickly in Bugs Bunny World and pointed us in the right direction all day!

The last time we were at Six Flags, which was about 12 years ago, I had to ride all of the roller coaster rides with the boys.  Ted had this thing about heights and being more than 5 feet off the ground.  So being more than 5 feet off the ground, upside down, going 50 miles per hour was just not going to happen.  Matt announced his intent to ride the coasters and stated he needed a partner.  Ted volunteered, and this weekend my man overcame some fears and broke a few personal records of his own.  They started the day off by tackling the Acrophobia, a 20-story tower that takes you to the top and then free-falls while tilting you at a 15 degree angle, forcing you to look straight down.

This was the highlight of the trip for me.  I really could not believe Ted did this.  I've barely been able to get him on the Tilt-A-Whirl at the state fair for crying out loud!  And now he's free-falling 20 stories and riding roller coasters doing vertical loops at 88 feet in the air?  What a man!  There's just something about a man doing death defying, heroic things that makes a girl get all giddy inside.  But there's also something about a man who washes my clothes, waters my flowers and makes a trip to the grocery store just so I can rest that makes a girl's heart melt.  So whether he's doing death defying stunts or simply serving me in the mundane things of life, he breaks his own best record every day and captures my heart again and again.  

It Broke My Heart

In my bible study yesterday, I read Nehemiah 1:3-4.  It says, "They said to me, 'Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace.  The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.'  When I heard these things, I sat down and wept.  For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven."

I was challenged by the fact that Nehemiah's heart was broken over the broken state and condition of other peoples lives.  People he did not know.  I was asked the question, "What breaks your heart?" and "Where could you be more tender?".  The "What breaks your heart?" list would not surprise you if you know me at all.  Divorce and broken families.  Abortion.  People living in bondage when they can be free to live the abundant life in Christ.  These things break my heart.  But the "Where could you be more tender?" list, the "What DOESN'T break your heart?" list, well, I'm not brave enough to share that one.  It's embarrassing, really.  So I prayed that God will give me compassion where my heart is indifferent and develop in me the heart that Jesus has for others.

And then it happened.  Wham!  Out of nowhere, as I was driving down the highway today, my heart broke.  A vehicle was beside me that was rather beat up and raggedy.  I glanced over and noticed a lady in the drivers seat.  The window was down so she must not have air conditioning in her car (poor thing, it felt like 100° today!).  She looked as though she's lived a rough life.  As she passed me I noticed these words written on her back window, "In memory of my daughter."  It listed a name, and a birth and death year.  Her daughter died young.  My heart broke.  I felt a physical pain in my chest.  I hurt for her.  I cannot image her grief.  I prayed for her and have thought about her many times today.

God is so faithful.  He answered my prayer to give me a heart that hurts for the things that hurts His heart.  I wonder if that lady knows that God's heart hurts for her?  I do because today I felt a small bit of His hurt for her.  What if I had not asked Him to break my heart?  Would I have even noticed the lady who lost a daughter way too soon?  Probably not.  And that REALLY breaks my heart.

Lunch With My Grand-Princess

Today I had lunch with my Grand-Princess, Mylee, and her daddy, my son, Matt.  We went to my newest favorite place to go for lunch, the Mendenhall G&G http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mendenhall-G-and-G/114997378241.  The owner, Pam, is becoming a dear friend of mine.  She always greets me with a smile and a hug.  We've even stopped and prayed together right there in the middle of her shop.  Prayer has a way of connecting two people who really don't know each other that well.  Anyway, before I make it to the deli in the back of the store for lunch, I love to look at all of the girlie things.  Earrings!  Necklaces!  Bracelets!  Rings!  Purses!  I'm amazed I ever make it past all of that stuff.  There's always a great Lunch Plate Special and a big 'ol cup of the best sweet tea.

Mylee joined me today in all my oohin' and aahin'.  "Look, NeNe, rings!"  "Pretty bracelet!"  She made me laugh out loud when I turned around and saw her walking toward me with the cutest little purse shaped like an elephant strapped across her shoulder.  We both agreed we didn't need a purse today so we cheerfully put it back.  She really was cheerful about it and I really was glad because one little pouty lip and a "Please, NeNe" and she would've had herself a new elephant purse.

I call Mylee my little Grand-Princess because my daddy always calls (yes, that's present tense because he still does) me his Princess.  That rightly makes Mylee the GRAND-Princess.  Our church Missions Pastor, Jim MacLellan, preached this past Sunday and reminded us that as Believers, we are also Princes and Princesses.  Being a Believer/Princess doesn't mean just living a life of royalty, it means serving the people.  He pointed out the modern day Princesses like Diana and Grace Kelly who spent their reign serving.

My little Mylee is indeed a Princess.  She's a part of a royal Kingdom.  I want to influence her not to view herself as a princess who just gets spoiled rotten and given everything she wants, but as a princess who is to use her resources, her time, her life to serve others.  The best way I can influence her is to act like a Princess myself.  Lord, Jesus, may we both grow up to be Servant Princesses in your Kingdom.

Peek and Pray at the CPC

Today was the monthly "Peek and Pray" at the Center for Pregnancy Choices.  It's a day for friends of the Center to stop by to take a peek around and to pray.  I took my lunch hour and headed to Jackson to pray for a ministry that has had a huge impact on my life.

In 1994, Barbara Beavers (the Executive Director of the CPC) spoke at my church's women's mission meeting.  As she shared about the mission and ministry of the Center, my heart was literally pounding out of my chest.  I don't think I've ever heard the call of God so strongly telling me to "GO!"  I think I went the next day and filled out a volunteer application.  I worked in Downtown Jackson and my office was not far from the Center, which was on President Street at that time.  I arranged my work schedule so that I went in to work at 6:00 am one or two mornings a week so I could get off at 3:00 pm, and then I headed over to the CPC and volunteered from 3-5.  This wasn't easy because my boys were just 5 years old and 6 months old.  Little did I know how saying "Yes" to the call to "Go" would change my life.

My Pastor, Freddie Brown, recently taught a series on the Keys to Breakthrough - http://restorationms.org/media/.  He says that giving is the key to breakthrough, really, giving is the key to everything. Those few hours a week that I gave was the key to everything my life is today.  I went in so eager to "help" others, only to find that what I had to offer was broken, fragile, and confused.  My healing came as I gave.  I thought about this as I prayed for the CPC today.  I stopped by to give a prayer.  I left a little more whole and a little more healed.

http://mypregnancychoices.org

VisionCast

Today I spent a few hours with my brother, Josh.  He asked for my input on some things he's putting together for his new business.  He doesn't really need my input, but I am honored that he asks for it.  About a year or so ago Ted & I sat with Josh & Tierney during lunch one day, and Josh shared his vision for a business direction he felt God leading him to go in.  We talked about simple things like a name for his business (we settled on VisionCast) and difficult things like when and how he should start his business.  His passion for following the call of God on his life was evident.  I knew that day it wasn't a matter of IF he was going to pursue this call, but WHEN he was going to pursue this call.  Over the next several months I watched him grow restless in the waiting.  Then one day he did it.  He left his land of Haran, which held security and familiarity, and set out for his land of Canaan, which held insecurity and uncertainty.  Reminds me of the call of Abram in Genesis 12.  He quit talking about VisionCast and began doing VisionCast.  I'm watching him grow and struggle and depend on God as never before.  It is so inspiring to see someone totally depend on God for their every provision.  Due to our self-sufficiency we don't see that much these days.  As a big sister I've held my brother's hand many times.  I am so proud of the man he is becoming and so honored to hold his hand again while he walks towards his Promised Land.

www.visioncastconsulting.com

The Pain of Pruning and Plucking

I love flowers!  Last year I had some landscaping done that included planting several rose bushes.  I've never grown roses before so I was a little iffy about them.  This year the roses have been beautiful.  They started sprouting up huge stalks that have been producing clusters of blooms.  I've been told that I need to prune those stalks back - for the good of the bush.  I have not been able to bring myself to do it.  I decided this week that I have an unhealthy emotional attachment to my roses.  So this morning I began the pruning process.  There's a lot to be said about pruning and its benefits.  It's such a painful process but is so necessary.  I hope I can remember this the next time the Master Gardener prunes the wild and untamed stalks in my life.  And I hope I don't bite back, like that thorn that punctured my finger!  OUCH!

I've also spent the morning plucking tiny oak trees out of my flower bed.  The 50 + year old Oak Tree in my front yard produced a bumper crop of acorns this year that are now sprouting up trees - HUNDREDS of them.  This plucking process seems to be never ending.  Everyday I pluck, everyday an oak tree sprouts.  So is the way with the unwanted things of the flesh.  If I do not pluck away everyday the acorns of unholiness, my life will be overrun by tiny little saplings that will develop deep roots. 

Today has been a lesson about pruning and plucking away those things that will overtake my life if left unchecked.  I'm glad my Gardener is gentle and patient.  This garden needs a lot of work!