Part the Waters

When I think I’m goin’ under, part the waters Lord

When I feel the waves around me, calm the sea

When I cry for help, oh hear me Lord

And hold out your hand

Touch my life, still the raging storm in me.

 

Knowing you love me, helps me face another day

Hearing your footsteps, drives the doubts and fears away

And in the night of my life, I see the promise of day

Here is my hand, show me the way.

 

An old song, powerful words, I needed them.

 

Additional strength:

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

 ”Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Need more? Read Psalm 121

…calm the sea.

 

 

…T-minus 38 days and counting! Whew.

I am daily trying to avoid hyperventilating when I realize all that must be done in a very short time. I am also trying to purposely breath in and enjoy each moment as we near this wonderful milestone – our oldest daughter Robbin IS GETTING MARRIED!!!

The checklists we made (and keep making) seem to grow by the minute. I think I saw one of them growing arms and legs and hair the other day…

I remind myself of the other times in my life (my own wedding, the birth of our daughters, etc.) where there were countdowns and remind myself that we all survived them, just as we will this one. But my main goal is not to “survive” but to “thrive” and savor the moments.

So far so good.

Now….just in case you might want to jump into the throes of wedding-ness with Robbin and I…

Needed: Frames for Robbin’s wedding décor.

Have any 5×7 or 8×10 tabletop frames you want to get rid of? The chunkier and the more ornate the better.

They will be painted.

And…

We also need mason jars. J

(If you are just dying to get rid of the frames and mason jars you have just sitting around, I’ll be more than happy to take them off your hands.)

Ah, camping – always an adventure!

My good friend Kaela cracked me up this morning with her tale of their most recent Camping Adventure Disaster.  I had been hearing about this camping trips for several weeks prior and so understood Kaela’s little bit of anxiety, although she graciously was keeping great humor over the whole thing and was courageously willing to move forward.  Chris, you definitely have a ton of moxie for wanting to embark on this adventure and I definitely hope you all do this again!  If for nothing else than it makes for great stories for the rest of us!

Here’s a picture of Kaela – looking much the way most of us would feel after their experience. 

Here is my comment to Kaela’s story…

Thanks for a great laugh! Not AT you, but WITH you, definitely. I’m proud of your attempt. The most we ever did was pop a tent in the back yard when the girls were little…and here’s the BEST part, I made it all about the girls having quality time with Daddy, so they all slept outside while I luxuriously spent some much needed alone time inside – watching TV, taking a bath. I did hear them come in from time to time, but it was quality time with Dad after all – so far be it from me to ruin the moment. I can remember it all so clearly – me sighing happily as I slid back under the bath bubbles. It was a great first camping trip! LOL

Special Note:  Kaela is also a terrific photographer.  If you need someone who can really capture candid moments of your family – perhaps on their first camping adventure – you should definitely connect with Kaela!

 

Whew!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted. I’ve thought about posting a DOZEN times. I have blog respect for my friend Jeanie. Sometime when I really grow up in my blog life I want to be just like her! I love reading her excerpts of life…love the humor, the thoughtfulness, the intention and the photos. Sometimes when I’m just needing an “oasis” from life break, I log on and check her blog out. Thanks, Jeanie, for always having something for me to read that makes me smile, chuckle, shed a tear or laugh out loud! You are my “Blog Queen!”

I have been teetering between “It’s gonna be fine, everything will get done just fine!” and “Holy Canoli! How in the world is this thing gonna happen!” regarding the nuptials of my oldest daughter, Robbin, whose date is approaching us at light speed!!!! (August 1^st) I’ve made dozens of check lists, and can’t seem to still feel like everything is under control. Has anyone discovered a money tree anywhere? Whew, the wedding budget-ness sure does help a person become a creative financer!

I have also been neck deep in launching the Summer Semester of the Adult Education classes for Goals, Inc. where I work. It requires creating the classes, hiring the teachers, hiring the childcare workers, creating the brochure, printing the brochure, running registration, calling all students to confirm registration and then finally the program begins! Almost 400 adults, nearly 110 smiling little faces, 8 teachers, 8 childcare workers, 8 classrooms, 5 levels of English Classes, GED classes, Finances, Couples Communication Classes, Anger Management Classes, Computer Classes, lots of budget spreadsheets, hundreds of copies and calls later….the semester has officially launched!

Whew! This is the first week. So far a few little speed bumps, but overall, we’re off to a great start. Thanks to my friends who have let me vent along the way and have prayed for me to have extra stamina and capacity!

Tomorrow is “Oh Happy Day!” for me. Rob and I are headed out of town after work to celebrate our anniversary (24 YEARS, BABY, AND GOIN’ STRONG!) with a few days getaway. Some fishing might take place, a lot of relaxing, yummy food cooking, movies, laughing and hanging out with the Bresinas (our good buddies) who are going with us…hooray! Sunday is our official celebration day – dinner, followed by the Carbon Leaf concert in town.

I am soooooo looking forward to a break from regular life to have a little down time with my favorite [and only] husband in the whole world! J

P.S. Hope all goes well at home while we’re away. Last time we went away, our basement flooded. L

I’m not wise, but HE is!

I am thankful to be a child of God.  Especially during times of heartache.  Mostly because I have no words really that can truly comfort, but God’s words are always right -  God’s words are always true.  God’s words are always appropriate.  I am drawn to His word sometimes with a frantic thirst to quench the hurt that is going on around me.  These past few weeks have been intense for needing to hear from God, through His word!  I pray that the words He gave me have been soothing…

…to my friend whose Mom went to be with Jesus on Monday morning in the early morning hours.

…to my friend whose trying desperately to reach out to a couple in their church whose baby was born without a brain and only lived a few hours.

…to my own heart that is facing blips of extreme overwhelming-ness as I am in a busy season and sometimes feel like I can’t keep ahead of all the details.

…to my friend whose heart was feeling betrayed.

…to my friend whose greatest desire right now is to be able to have a baby.

…to my friends who are working so hard to honor the Lord and keep their ministry moving forward while the economy continues to shred dreams.

…to my friend who is still waiting to know about his job situation.

Again, I’m thankful to be God’s child. I’m not wise, but HE is.  I don’t know what to say so often, but He’s already said it!   The longer I live the more deeply I feel the need for walking closely beside Him!  Thanks, Father, for always knowing just what to show me in your Word!

Psalm 27 – The Message Version

A David Psalm

 ¹ Light, space, zest— that’s God!
   So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
      afraid of no one and nothing.

 ² When vandal hordes ride down
      ready to eat me alive,
   Those bullies and toughs
      fall flat on their faces.

 ³ When besieged,
      I’m calm as a baby.
   When all hell breaks loose,
      I’m collected and cool.

 ⁴ I’m asking God for one thing,
      only one thing:
   To live with him in his house
      my whole life long.
   I’ll contemplate his beauty;
      I’ll study at his feet.

 ⁵ That’s the only quiet, secure place
      in a noisy world,
   The perfect getaway,
      far from the buzz of traffic.

 ⁶ God holds me head and shoulders
      above all who try to pull me down.
   I’m headed for his place to offer anthems
      that will raise the roof!
   Already I’m singing God-songs;
      I’m making music to God.

 ^7-9 Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs:
      ”Be good to me! Answer me!”
   When my heart whispered, “Seek God,”
      my whole being replied,
   ”I’m seeking him!”
      Don’t hide from me now!

 ^9-10 You’ve always been right there for me;
      don’t turn your back on me now.
   Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me;
      you’ve always kept the door open.
   My father and mother walked out and left me,
      but God took me in.

 ^11-12 Point me down your highway, God;
      direct me along a well-lighted street;
      show my enemies whose side you’re on.
   Don’t throw me to the dogs,
      those liars who are out to get me,
      filling the air with their threats.

 ^13-14 I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness
      in the exuberant earth.
   Stay with God!
      Take heart. Don’t quit.
   I’ll say it again:
      Stay with God.