Connections

We are connected!
What happens to ONE, happens to us all!
If you drop a stone in a lake the ripples are felt
top, depth, width, breadth...
No loss, no hurt of another, no sin offended
leaves us, the connected, unaffected.
~Jen Polk circa 2011

 Today I FEEL like this.  ^

A ball of yarn, or ribbon, both
wouldn't mean a lot to most
they can't see the beauty hidden
or connectedness in the life we're livin'

Where does one heart stop
and another begin?
Where does your hurt start
and my pain end?

It's somewhere in the in-between
a place where faith and Spirit meet
Where we see we're more than we're meant to be
We're woven into a beautiful tapestry

I stopped there because sometime my "rhyming" make me nauseous.  I can't help it...I don't try.  It just sort of happens.

I am dealing with a lot lately.  Much of it isn't my own "hurt".  But it effects me.

Divorce, loss of a child, miscarriage, lack of leadership, displacement, abuse, abandonment,

Success, abundance, graduation, mission, birth, new life, growth.

I call myself beautiful mess.  That's how I feel. 

Fortunately for you, I talked a lot of this out with my good friend Laine, so I'll spare you 2 that read this the drama behind all of it all.

The HEART of it is: We are not unaffected by others life circumstances and choices. 
Unless we choose to be...then we need to look within. 

Images stolen borrowed from here:
Water: http://www.lehmanmac.com/?attachment_id=480
Yarn: http://awoollytail.com/product-detail.asp

 

Sabbath Tooth

Yesterday was a Sabbath in a sense for me. 

I had just spent several weeks in a "work nightmare" along with preparing for a Passover Seder with, oh about, 70 people.  I was a bit rattled. 

I had had a precious conversation with a friend the day before Passover about Biblical Holidays and Sabbath. I was just lamenting about how "we" as a generation (speaking mainly about myself) had gotten away from God's best for us.

I wrote last year, wait was it really, yes...TWO years ago about the SABBATH and a book I was in love with. 
Doesn't it stink how God begins something in us...and somehow we get off the path, sin or otherwise, and the SEED does not ripen to fruition... {I digress}

"What would I do for a twenty-four-hour period of time if the only criteria was to pursue my deepest joy?  

book

So, yesterday I went to spend the day with my Bestest-Most-Greatest-Sister-Friend-In-The-Whole-Wide-World-Ever at a beach house they are staying at. 

I awoke floating on a cloud.  The previous night's Passover was an amazing time with family and friends.  I relished the fact that the Lord somehow pulled it off with the help of family and friends.  I was in awe of His love and that He did not allow the whole thing to flop and fail because of what a wretched sinner I am.  {I digress}


I did not want to leave our home in it's present state of affairs so I got up with hubby at 5:30am and set out to surprise him when he got home.  By 9:00a it shined!  I hated that he had to work and I got to play at the beach; I wanted to impress upon him how important he was to me by making his castle fit for a king.

So, while I was cleaning I was thinking about the beach and the "issue" of late was regarding sharks teeth. 

I have never found one. 


I've looked. I've tried. I can't. 

We set off for the surprise birthday party (he's turning 17--waaaaaaaaa ...enough of that ) for my son. His best-friend-for-the-longest-that-is-a-girl...which just happens to be my best friends daughter...how convenient....organized a beach-day-par-tay for him with a few friends (joys of homeschooling friends cause this was a Thursday). After picking up the guys and laughing all the way to the beach, to the point of tears I tell you, because he and his friends are HIL-AR-IOUS, we arrived. {worst paragraph but I don't care-I digress}

It was a delight to see the care they had taken to prepare a birthday celebration.  I had not had any time of late to even think about planning a party so thank God for friends.

The beach was beautiful. Secluded. Peaceful. 

I stayed in the house for a good chunk of the time because the sun/heat/beach generally don't agree with me.{who cares}
 
Then, after playing pin the tail on the unicorn, and which man-is-a-manly-man (which happened to be my besties-hubby the oldest man present ;) I am sure he was difficult to live with after that death defying stunt of manliness and the fact that he "beat" an 18 year old.)   {I digress}

Kim and I walk along the beach discussing many things. Delightful things. Frustrating things. Things that matter. Just catching up.  Oh! How we needed that time.

One of the things we discussed is how we have never found a shark's tooth. 

Mockingly, she bends over and demonstrates someone pointing to the sand and says "hey, look there's a shark's tooth" 

I look and point and say "LOOK THERE'S A SHARK'S TOOTH"...

She says: "No way, you have got to be kidding me" 

We can't believe it...she takes two steps and says "LOOK THERE'S A SHARK'S TOOTH".

So, in the span of a few minutes we had BOTH found our FIRST shark's tooth. 

Here is the picture. 

I died laughing as I showed my husband and son this picture. It is truly a ridiculous face of pure joy. Which isn't very flattering...I give you my permission to laugh at how silly I look. 

...and the teeth looked MUCH bigger when we first found them.  Haha!

I am not going to lie, and it won't surprise you if you know me, I GOT A TEAR in my eye.  How crazy is it that the Lord loves us so much to give us that moment together.  Forever!

While writing this I erased several different story lines that tried to take shape. I could have told you about a ton of things ...being a wife, friendship of our kids, Passover, birthday's come to soon, where does the time go, not-enough-time with your closest friends, Levi's art work, back story of my shark's tooth issues....but none of those stores were the point.  My husband always says of my story telling:  "to make a short story long ;)" So, I tried to keep it short.

Yesterday was a rich, rich, day.  I got to "practice eternity" with my friends and family. 

Deepest joy, to me, is time being the best wife and mother 

I can be.  Time spent with family and friends. Making memories. Delighting in God and His creation. Laughing. Enjoying life.

Book: Sabbath {Ancient Practices Series} by Dan Allender

Pure Religion

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." 

James 1:27

Yesterday, Bryan Turner, a pastor and missionary passed.  

He was not someone I was close to. However, he was close with many people I love! He was my brother.

We now have the GIFT to care for his wife!  

One of my best-friends, wrote several blogs and I got her permission to share them with you. (well, really I only got permission to share one-but she won't mind) 

The BEST is an emotional one: On Grief 

I am re-posting as I know we are too busy to follow links to good stuff sometimes. 

Grief makes you feel stretched thin. It makes your heart heavy. In its thickest fog, it is blinding. You cannot pull over and wait for it to lift. Your life goes on. The world feels like fiction, like walking around a movie set. Nothing seems real. Time sits still.

Then it fades. You get caught up in something else, and you have an instant when your loss is not on your mind. It is like playing in the ocean as a child. You get caught up in the moment with your friends, and you completely forget that waves are lapping at your back.

That's when it happens. An enormous wave overcomes you, out of nowhere. You find yourself coughing, sputtering, and gasping for air. Your eyes are burning. You can't breathe. You weren't expecting it at all.

I remember a specific moment like this after we lost our son. I had been to the grocery store a week or so after losing him. I was driving home. Ephraim was chattering away in the backseat. The thought then occurred to me that my second little boy would never be sitting back there with him. I wept. Chris Tomlin's "Amazing Grace" came on the radio. "...my God, my Savior, has ransomed me..." I wept. My shoulders shook. My lungs heaved with breath. I was overwhelmed. I was not prepared. One cannot be.


This has been a hard day. My husband had to say goodbye to a friend. My heart is just shattered for his family. Fortunately, I also know what this family is all about... or who. The Turner family loves Jesus. Bryan lived his life in passionate pursuit of our God. His family did and will continue to do the same.

Our God will envelope his wife, lift her head, sustain her, give her unnatural peace and irrational hope. Our God will hold her close when the unexpected waves crash over her. Our God will be her husband, her love, and her comfort. Our God is her all in all. Our God will cover her boys in His fatherly love. Our God will be glorified through Bryan's death, as he was in every moment of Bryan's life. Our God will be lifted high.

I know that God's glory was Bryan's highest purpose. I know his family will find comfort in glorifying God because it is what Bryan would want them to do. I know that his wife and children will be strengthened, comforted, and brought close to the Father. I know that God draws near to the brokenhearted. I know He is in their midst.

I know that grief is hard.

I know that we can help.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I am going to beg again for financial help for the Turners. I'll warn you in advance that this won't be the last time.

Imagine yourself in this situation. You are a mother with 2 young sons. Your family's primary breadwinner has been taken from you, and it was completely unexpected. You are devastated. And on top of the crushing emotional grief, the reality of finances weighs heavy. Please join with me to lift this part of the burden from her shoulders. She has enough to carry.

This is pure religion.

Please donate to the Bryan Turner Family Fund at Community First Credit Union. If you cannot make it to the bank, you can mail your gifts to Community First Credit Union, Post Office Box 2600, Jax, FL 32232. The check must be made payable to the Bryan Turner Family Fund.

(I will be brainstorming some creative fundraising ideas in the coming weeks. Tell me your ideas, and join with me.)

Then there is: Rubber Meets Road

Those of you who've known me awhile know that I don't mind asking for money when it's for a good cause. I've got a good cause for you.

Bryan Turner.

He is his family's primary breadwinner. Momma friends, I know it is really difficult to even imagine the financially dire situation most of us would be in if our husbands were hospitalized and unable to work. Well, this isn't imagination. This is real life. Please help take the financial concerns off Joy's plate. She should not even have to give this aspect of her life a second thought.

Acts 2:44-45 - "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."

Acts 4:32-37 - "All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet."


This is the body. This is our job. 


There is an account set up at Community First Credit Union, The Bryan Turner Family Fund. Please give. Make a sacrifice and help this Momma.


John 13:35 - "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 


Love is a verb.


So let's not just PRAY for Bryan, let's PAY for Bryan. And may God receive all the glory for His people doing what He's called us to do, bear each other's burdens.


Thank you, thank you, thank you!

What Love is This? Mission 1

It was a thought...

"I should go see her."

"Naw..."

"NO really! I SHOULD go see her..."

And the THREE "HERS" aligned and hubby gave me permission and I was off on a mission to see 3 ladies I love.  All for different reasons.

I shared a song last post: HERE

This is redemption, this salvation
This is our mission, and this is our passion

Each new post I'll share a different mission.

This is Mission 1: Visit a dying friend.

(Remember I said we are ALL dying; 100% chance) It is just perspective.

This picture is from 2005. 

John, my son Hunter (head shaved to honor their grandson), Frances, and my daughter Brit.  

Frances is a woman that is the mother of a dear friend.  Frances and I became close as her grandson was brought into my life.  Soon he was going through great medical difficulty.  Brain surgery in fact.

Their grandson introduced himself to me a "Bridgekeeper"; so that's what I called him.  Here is a post I wrote about him sometime ago (the date on the blog is not accurate because it was transferred) HERE


Here is a picture I stole, of a picture on their wall, behold the Bridgekeeper!

So, Frances became like family.  She made Brit a blanket.  Made Hunter a pillow.  She always sent me a birthday card. When I moved away to another state, she would check on me.  Like a mom...


Well, years come and go at such a rapid pace and time steals precious "shoulda woulda time" and next thing you know someone you love has a serious illness and you have a choice: Keep moving at the ridiculous pace.. or tell the carnie to stop the ride cause you want to get off and spend time with some people before you have no time left.

So, I finally drove to visit her and her husband.  Who cares that our car's air conditioning works only when it wants to. Sacrifice and they are worth it!

She looked frail; but healthier than I thought she would.

 
We laughed.  Shared stories. Cried.  So, much of that day I never want to forget.  Much is private.

Heartbreaking stories that aren't mine to share, but I am grateful for the lessons!

God is faithful in life & death!

I loved seeing her "home" and the "things" in it.  Saying "I like that little box" and then she would say "oh ________ gave that to me" ...that is a lovely cabinet... oh my sister... and the stories of things go on and on. 

Much I will forget...

One thing I knew I would never forget is scripture! 

I asked her to share her favorite Psalm with me.  

Psalm 46

 ¹ God is our refuge and strength,
         A very present help in trouble.
 ² Therefore we will not fear,
         Even though the earth be removed,
         And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
 ³ Though its waters roar and be troubled,
         Though the mountains shake with its swelling.  Selah
       
 ⁴ There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
         The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
 ⁵ God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
         God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
 ⁶ The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
         He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
       
 ⁷ The LORD of hosts is with us;
         The God of Jacob is our refuge.  Selah 

Read Psalm 46 in it's entirety: HERE

Her life is beautiful. Her family is beautiful! The fact that she took time to share it with me BEAUTIFUL!

 1 Peter 1
 ²³ For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. ²⁴ As the Scriptures say,
   “People are like grass;
      their beauty is like a flower in the field.
   The grass withers and the flower fades.
    ²⁵ But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
   And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.

 I love my friend! I am thankful God gave me time to share life this side of heaven with her!  I am thankful that we have LIFE eternal thank to Jesus Christ!

What if...

Faithful fellow blog readers (and visitors) let me introduce you to one of my great friends Jennifer.  She is unusual (in my blog world) because she is a real-life-actual-friend-as-in-I-can-stop-by-her-house-anytime-but-don't-often-enough! {wink}wink} She has finally recently started blogging.  She is hilarious.  Serious.  Crafty.  ...and just a beautiful person.  More importantly she lives for Jesus.  Her testimony and faith walk has been amazing.  God took her life in a way no one ever expects... He took her son.  I am thankful you get to hear the story of God's goodness. It has been a powerful story to witness firsthand... 

Excerpt from Ransom's Story Part 1


Today we went for an ultrasound to find out the sex of our baby. Instead, we learned that our baby’s heart had stopped beating and that our baby is with Jesus. Obviously, we are grieving and devastated by this loss. However, we desperately want to praise our Lord in this storm and thank Him for the brief life He entrusted to us. Because our child is too old to miscarry, we will soon choose a day to induce labor and deliver our baby. We have not decided how we want this day to take place, so please pray for wisdom and guidance.

Ransom's Story Part 1  *  Ransom's Story Part 2  *  Ransom's Story Part 3 and the beginning of Aspen's Story

I wanted to spotlight her because you never know WHAT IF...

Jennifer shared this video through face book... and it made me think WHAT IF...

Watch the next two videos and tell me what you think... then I'll tell you what I thought...

WHAT IF...




Then after watching that video... it suggested the next video which reminded me of Dana's {from Chaos to Grace} @ last post; so, I thought she would appreciate it. 

What if...

FESTIVUS

Each year our family celebrates FESTIVUS.  If you ever watched Seinfeld you might have heard of the holiday, however our family does not participate with the Festivus Pole or Airing of Grievances.  We make gifts and treats for neighbors.

Here is my Grandog Snickers dressed for the holiday

though he doesn't look too happy about it :)

Making bead ornaments

(check out Snickers :)

Below: Peddling their wares

 

 

 

These weren't earrings-but they could be :)

I interrupt this post for a random ZEKE photo!

Chocolate covered pretzels

My baby makes FUDGE!

Thanks Carnation for making a kit :)

Zeke and "his" ornament

We then watched Elf

check out that married couple on the floor

Ha! Sound Asleep!  even Snickers!

Another Zeke shot

and while it is not the best shot of me-HE is the cutest!

and we also celebrated the birthday of our neighbor Heather!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY~!~

Showing off her SUUBI necklace!

It was a lot of fun! It always is!  but there is still SOOOOOO much to do.

Trent and I attempted to bake sugar cookies yesterday. Let's just say I think I'll stick to "no-bake" items.  They were ugly, didn't taste very good, but thankfully hungry teenagers aren't picky. Hunter and his friends consumed them all saving the neighbors from their fate.

I am getting ready to go cook "poinsetta cookies" I don't want to after yesterday's catastrophe but I already made the dough. So here I go...


Happy Festivus!  Do something great for your neighbors!

Thanksgiving in Pictures

There is nothing better than being busy doing dishes after a wonderful Thanksgiving meal and seeing a brother/sister moment.  The 15 year old brother, no matter that he is now bigger than his sister, sitting in her lap-awww...

Unfortuantely, I did not do my duty on the camera; so, I really did not get many pictures on Thanksgiving day. Being dissapointed with myself for "missing moments" I decided to do better at our next gathering.

As family arrived it started with about 20 pictures of Zeke.  I'll spare you but here is a taste---

This was our view of Zeke:

This was his view of us:

Doting , oohing, and making strange noises-hilarious!

Now it is Auntie Brittny's turn

Hunter & Daisy

My best-most-greatest-friend-slash-sister-in-the-whole-wide-world! "bmgfssitwww" for short, made this Thankful Tree and brought it to add to our decorations.  It is a GREAT idea!  Copy her! 

Thankful Tree

 

My "First" official, all by myself, Turkey!

It was SO easy, what was I so scared of?

The feast prepared by all

The THANKFUL table

The Honeymooners table :)

Flying Ava

Mr. Magician, Levi

Showing his "trick" to the floating spoon

I WISH I remembered what was being said here--it looks funny!

CHEEEEESE!

This is only a few of the pictures to highlight the days of THANKFULNESS!

We shared Thanksgiving riddles & jokes, read the story of Squanto, and each shared what we were thankful for.  A delightful evening no doubt!  I am sad it is over.

Our life is truly blessed THANK YOU JESUS!

One more for the road...

Nonni, Poppi, Zeke and Reese (jealous pup)

Our Trip

Our trip to Georgia last week was a great success!

I, however, found myself fascinated with SIGNS.  You know the signs you can only see when you go "somewhere else".

I thought I'd share a few with you... This happened to be "middle-of-nowhere Georgia"!

Yes, Ladies & Gentlemen that says "MINI MALL!" 

No, there is no other part left out of the picture.

Just the size of a typical convenience store.

I did not patron this "mini mall" however it CRACKS me up every time we pass it!

_________________________________________________

Well, growing up in central Florida we had a grocery store called "Piggly Wiggly"

Well they aren't everywhere, as there are none here in north Florida; but we did have them in South Carolina and Hunter got a shirt to represent his fondness of the "Pig"

Well, in the town closest to the hunting cabin is this grocery store which is a mini piggly wiggly (I guess). 

Ha! The Piglet! 

_________________________________________________

Why would they advertise "non-ultra"?

It just struck me as ODD, and I laughed every time I washed the dishes. 

Imagining the sales pitch to get THAT on the label.  The fun conversations I have in my head...

Next...

_________________________________________________

Our trip at the hunting cabin

The truck ride to Georgia created a sleepy back seat!

The cabin

This is the view that GETS me every time! 

That is the chair where I spent most of my time praying and enjoying God's creation.

My Guys!

I don't appreciate how big my baby looks! He's trying to do his tough hunter face.

Daisy & Reese enjoyed their time too!

until this moment...

Kersploosh!  Daisy tackled Reese and they both tumbled into the pond.

I belly-laughed-out-loud and thought all the hunter's in the woods were going to be upset with me; but they later said they did not hear my hysterical laughter.  Whew!

It was a nice trip to the cabin but no deer were harmed. To the guys disappointment.   We had fun; I did get a lot accomplished in my organizing project. Thanks for the prayers!

_________________________________________________

Then off to another part of Georgia to visit my husbands nearly-life-long friend.

He is a football coach and we wanted to get out and see at least one game before the season came to a close. Nothing better than High School Football... (well a lot of things, but it was still GREAT)

Not sure what my guys are trying to accomplish with those faces.

Me, my may-as-well-be sister "S" and her daughter "V"

This is "B" our friends son and these are his items acquired perusing under the bleachers.

Quite the treasure hunter!

My favorite quote of the night "I got this {the black necklace draped on shoulder} for my mom for an early birthday present, now I am going to go find something for my dad for Christmas!" {He found the mug}So, thoughtful and resourceful!

Too cute! He did return the band had promptly after the photo op :)

Friends son "B", friend "D" and hubby!

The guys did spend the rest of their time hunting and my hubby did kill a doe. So, yeah, meat for the freezer!
S, the kids and I went to the movies, hung out and just had a grand old relaxing time!

I am very thankful for this trip!