Walk Tall

Dec. 15, 2010

Well...this month has been somewhat bloggless...or at least me trying every day to play catch up...I just need to get over my OCD and let it go. December is hard. Sometimes it down right sucks. Dec. 7th three years ago someone started ripping my heart out of my chest when I learned that a mass was growning in my mother's colon. As the days ticked on to Christmas we learned she would not recover and that Christmas was really more of a hellish nightmare. So putting on the happy face and getting through the day is all I could do the last couple of days! Sorry if you read and have missed the cheerful me LOL...

So today I wanted to share the words to a lovely girls camp, church song we sang when I was a kid. I loved to sing it to my mom. She and my dad would come up to camp every year and bring things for the girls...they were the best!

Walk tall you're a daughter of God

Right now I have a prayer deep within my heart

A prayer for each of you there is a special part

That you remember who you are and He who lives above

Please seek for Him and live His way you'll feel His love

Chorus

Walk tall you're a daughter, a child of God

Be strong, please remember who you are

Try to understand, you're part of His great plan

He's closer than you know, reach up He'll take your hand

Long before the time you can remember

Our Father held you in His arms so tender

Those loving arms released you as He send you here to earth

He said my child I love you don't forget your great worth

Chorus

Walk tall you're a daughter, a child of God

Be strong, please remember who you are

Try to understand, you're part of His great plan

He's closer than you know, reach up He'll take your hand

This life on earth we knew would not be easy

At times we lose our way His path we may not see

But please remember always please that you are not alone

He'll take your hand He loves you, He will guide you home

Chorus

Walk tall you're a daughter, a child of God

Be strong, please remember who you are

Try to understand, you're part of His great plan

He's closer than you know, reach up He'll take your hand

Thank you all for the blessings of your presence in my life...they are my greatest presents!

Walk Tall!!!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Dec 12...

Dec. 11

Dec 10

Lighting a candle for loved ones...

My friend EN sent this request after losing her son this year in a tragic car accident, and her son losing his friend prior to that.

Sunday, Dec. 12, is the "Worldwide Candle Lighting" in rememberance of all children who have died - "that their light may always shine". It creates a virtual 24 hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone around the world. In honor of Jason, please light a candle for 1 hour from 7pm to 8pm on that evening.

It would make Jason and I very happy and grateful if you could also remember his good friend, John, who was killed by a drunk driver on March 25, 2010. John was a talented actor and film producer. The lives of these two kind-hearted and gentle men were snuffed out too soon; but may their lights shine on forever!

Thank you,

EN

You can check out the link for compassion friends and

"Worldwide Candle Lighting" just click on the link.

I want to take the time to honor those family or friends my family have lost in this life, not forever...but for this earth life. They are missed and their light will never go out...it burns...it burns in my heart.

My Angel Mother

Joshua

Leslie (Sr.)

Shane (Sr.)

Britt

Don

Chuck

Jimmy

Martin

Aunt Bessie

Uncle Terry

All my grandparents

3 of Ryan's grandparents

Uncle Dale

Aunt Lois

Uncle Mel

Aunt Pearl

Uncle Don

Cousin Jerry

"Grandpa" Bill

Uncle Ronnie

Julianna

Kole

Abe

"Grandma" Ahlmann

and sweet little Hailey...

Never let their light go out...I know we all have loved ones that have crossed the veil... Please join me in remembering them this Sunday from 7-8pm by lighting a candle. Some of you have flameless candles, that is fine too...just light one up...for someone you love, or for support of others loss.

May your Christmas be filled with love, compassion and giving of self.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Tis the season

Tis the season for

smiling

singing

loving

helping

giving

thanking

receiving

wrapping

sharing

kissing

hoping

praying

dreaming

wishing

believing...

Tis the Season!

Peace and Sympathy...

Today I learned of the passing of Elizabeth Edwards. My heart just ached. I having been striving not to cuss. But the words of a little nephew came to mind from when we lost my mom, his grandma... "D@#% Cancer!"

I am at least grateful for the time they got with her, to love and hug and say goodbye. But having been a child that survived her mother who was only 63 my heart aches for them. May the Lord bless and keep them. May he comfort them through the Holy Spirit. Nothing makes losing a parent, a child, a spouse ok...NOTHING! But love, and comfort from loved ones and those sent (I believe) by God... makes it bareable...almost!

May we all reflect on this blessed season...that there are down trodden, heart broken, poor in spirit among us. Let us be aware, let us lift, let us love, let us pray for them.

Make it a great day FOR SOMEONE ELSE! Only YOU can!

Dec. 6

Long Walk Part of the gift...

Dec. 5, 2010

This weekend was full of driving. We drove to and from my older brother's house almost 11 hours away. The total time gone from home was 60 hours. This was a quick trip...if 60 hours can be considered quick. But usually we stay for a week or more. The trip had duel purpose. My #2 son and I had originally planned to fly. My twin niece and nephew his age were being baptized and it was going to be his turn to fly with mom to see them. But then DH's wonderful cousin called last month to let us know they finally had a wedding date and it was the same day! Not only was it the same day, but the buildings for both events shared a parking lot. Divine intervention, tender mercy...I say both! So we altered plans, called to see if my brother could accommodate 7 instead of 2 and packed. A joyous time was had by my whole family. The small sacrifices and sometimes large ones made by family to be together are worth it. There have been times we couldn't go...work, babies, life prevented it...but when we can it is a joy.

Our mom used to relate a story, a legend I suppose. I found it in many forms online...this version was closest to mom's version. Whenever she or any of us did something that took a lot of care, time, sacrifice or giving of self... Mom would always say, "Long Walk part of the GIFT!"

I hope this time of year and always the Long Walk is a good reminder to you. The Road to Golgotha,the site of Christ's crucifiction was strewn with stones and dirt. It was not an easy walk. Especially after he had already suffered so intensely in the Garden of Gethsemane for you and I. But he continued, he walked it...because He loved us...and he knew what freeing us from death and potentially from sin would mean eternally. LONG WALK, Part of the gift. I am so thankful for Him this blessed time of year. I am so thankful that through Him and by Him and of Him...we are free from the chains of death and will live again....

Enjoy...

There is a story about a foreign person who was working in Central Africa. This man had taught a group of native people about the Christmas story and about the wise men. He told them the story of how the wise men had travelled hundreds of miles on foot from ‘the east’ and how they had searched and walked for more than two years in their search for the baby Jesus. He told them about the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, but he explained that the real gift was the walking for hundreds of miles for two years. One young boy heard the story. One day, this boy disappeared from his tribe and was gone for more than two weeks. He finally returned with a gift for the foreign man. His special gift was a beautiful shell. The man asked the boy where he found that shell. “I have never seen such a shell my whole life.” The boy replied, “I have walked to the Great Sea, and it is only in the Great Sea that this shell is found. Long walk part of the gift.”

Our journey was long, we came home late and tired...long drive part of the gift...but like all gifts giving freely, we received as much or more than we gave.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Life...precious life!

December 4, 2010

This weekend commemorated a year without the life of my husband's dear uncle. We were able to be with much of the family during a tender wedding which was a day apart from his death. His sweet and beautiful daughter was married. He was tragically killed by a driver who did not see him in a cross walk. As I hugged family and shed tears both of loss and of joy for our cousin, I could not help but reflect on how precious life is. We get but a few short moments on this earth. We have a life that lasts sometimes hours or minutes or sometimes spans a century. Yet the life of the one is as valuable as the life of the other. Why? Because...can't you feel it? This life...our mortal earth life is not the end any more than it was the beginning. We came from a loving God, we will return to Him. Our tragedies are not a sign that he does not know, hear or love us. But in the midst of them, if we turn to Him we can surely see that through them, because in an earthly and imperfect world there will be tragedy...but we can see that the sorrow can bring us closer to the master of our souls. And with that, closer to each other. He never leaves us without love. Some might lose the love they want most, but He fills those holes. Our sweet aunt has a broken heart. But a loving family that surround her make the grief bearable. I believe that blessing comes straight from the heavens, straight from God. Many a time I have felt the healing influence and strength of my mother's support from the "other side" as some call it. Stop, reflect, listen with your heart. This life is not the beginning or the end. Of this I am quite positive. I am grateful that you are on the journey with me.

Make it a great day! ONLY YOU CAN!

POST # 100!!! :) Opps...counted wrong #98!

December 3, 2010

A good friend of mine sent this and I thought it bore repeating...

For all the times I was blind...I thank my family and friends for being the bell.

For all the times I got the chance to be the bell, I thank God and promise Him I will always look for fields to serve in.

Two Horses
Author Unknown

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.


From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite
Amazing....

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind.
His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for
Him.

This alone is amazing.

If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell.
Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from
The smaller horse in the field.

Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell.
It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two friends,
You'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind
Horse,
And that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk
To where the other horse is,
Trusting that he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns
To the shelter of the barn each evening,
It stops occasionally and looks back,
Making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.


Like the owners of these two horses,
God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect
Or because we have problems or challenges.

He watches over us and even brings others into our lives
To help us when we are in need..

Sometimes we are the blind horse
Being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our
Lives.

Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way....

Good friends are like that...
You may not always see them, but you know they are always there.

Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.

And remember...

Be kinder than necessary-
Everyone you meet is fighting
Some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......

~A bend in the road is not the end of the road
Unless you fail to make the turn~

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

I believe

DECEMBER 2, 2010

I believe...

I believe in Christ

I believe a smile can change a mind...

A heart

A life

A world

I believe in fairies (I DO I DO I DO)

I believe in Santa and I think he works for Jesus ;)

I believe in giving

I believe in graciously receiving

I believe in love

I believe in forever

I believe in magic

I believe in miracles

I believe there are things that are true that we can not see

I believe there are things we can see that are not true

I believe, I believe, I believe...

Go out and do something about what you believe!

Make a dream come true

Give a gift

Give your time

Give your love

Give your heart

Give a smile

Change a life

React Out

Lift up

You can do it! I know you can!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

DECEMBER!!! YEAH! I LOVE YOU DECEMBER...FINALLY YOU'RE HERE!

Ummm...If you can't tell, December is my FAVORITE time of year. I love the music. I love the smells. I love the treats. I love the smiles on peoples faces. I even love the crowded shopping malls. But MOSTLY I love the change in people this time of year. I love that they reflect on Christ. I love that they reflect on giving. I love that they share and bake and give. I LOVE DECEMBER...Because it means CHRISTMAS is just around the corner! My mother made CHRISTmas magical. Our house was steeped with tradition. There were always homemade ornaments on the trees. She baked cookies and treats to share and to eat. Our packages literally were wrapped with "brown paper" and "tied up with strings"...we each had different colors. There was magic in the air. Barbara Streisand singing carols and Bing Crosby singing White Christmas. Apple Cider on the stove...I know, I know...it all sounds to cliche to be true...but trust me it was like that.

We did find out one year it isn't that easy to string cranberries. Evidently you are supposed to soak them first. So mom got out the pliers to pull the needle through...we all got stuck at least once that night...but all of us kids and our friends that came...thought it was the best time. Mom made homemade popcorn...the kind you cook on the stove in a cast iron pan...none of this microwave stuff. It had real butter and was loaded with salt. She made the best popcorn. We ate most of it, and strung some of it.

I remember Christmas caroling with family and church friends. I love the music and the message of love, of hope. "Christmas makes you feel emotional..." Yep! That is it! It does. The last couple Christmases have been pretty painful. We lost mom right after Christmas and by Christmas things were pretty bad. It was bitter sweet. But the other day I found a note from her. It said remember the traditions of Christmas. And remember the Savior and the reason we celebrate. I hope you will never forget. I love you. Mom. It was a note from when I was 10 or 11...but it felt like a message from heaven. So I LOVE CHRISTmas. I am so excited to celebrate this wonderful season.

Merry Christmas!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!!!