5K (Cholesterol) Update

It's final. I've committed to running my first 5K on May 1st and now I'm seriously training. I've consulted friends who know how to run (not just to the store) and begun implementing their advise into my life. Did you know the elderly need 50 grams of protein per day? Now, I'm not quite elderly just yet but I am facing that direction, so between running and gingerly aging I've started drinking protein drinks and focusing on food high in protein and it seems to be helping. I no longer crave sugar or carbs and seem to have enough energy to do my 3 miles. Furthermore, it might be my imagination, but weight lifting seems a little easier too. Who'd-a-thunk?

The good news is my run today went much better than two days ago. Granted Tuesday was a 80 humid degrees, I fought Cocoa Bean for a quarter of a mile and had to take him back home all to start over again, and today was beautiful dog-less 60 degrees, but it still felt like I'd made some progress. For instance on Tuesday I'd run and run and run and run all to look down and see it had only been a minute and a half! Jogging for 5 minutes was like running for an eternity as time seemed to stand still. Today, however, I ran 3 miles with 3 minutes walks in between each mile. I picked a route that had few hills and lots of shade, setting myself up for success rather than failure. As a result the dread I had before the run turned to joy seeing that little bit of improvement in just one week.

I'm finding another joy amidst the decision to run these 5Ks, others are joining me and as a result offering more help to some very good charities and causes. All of these 5Ks represent people in need and it's an honor to get in shape to make changes for the better.

Are you up to the challenge? If so check out:

Couch-to-5K Running Plan

Susan G Komen for the Cure (Breast Cancer Run)

"Kolesterol"

Well the cat's slowing but surely scratching its way out of the bag as I work on committing (as in still in the process because I can't believe I'm doing this) to run a 5K in May. For most people the "K" in 5K refers to distance. In my case it refers more to the "k" sound in cholesterol. While it's true I could lose a few pounds and yes I need to exercise more as a general rule, the real motive for getting off my keaster is this dog-on cholesterol.

Now, I've been exercising nearly all my life. I played basketball in high school (bad but played nonetheless) and when aerobics hit the scene in the 80's I hopped on the band wagon leg-warmers and all. Somewhere in my 40's though exercise began to creep down my list of priorities. Now I'm paying the price with a pesty cholesterol level...so I gotta get moving.

For me passion is driven by motive and cause, so I figured if I could run for a reason I'd kill two birds with one stone. The May 5K benefits a local family with three terminally ill children, a run in September is for breast cancer (which took my mother's life), and last but not least the Autism run will touch my heart most of all.

With all that said, if you're ever driving down the road and see a runner plugging along, think of me and pray for my 5K cholesterol. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I just had a cardioscan today which showed all my heart's arteries were clear as a bell. This tells me the two "mild inclines" I ran yesterday weren't as close to killing me as I thought they were.

Grand Simplicity

God has graciously granted one of my biggest wishes by giving Dani a fabulous teacher at her Day Hab who is also a wonderful Christian. Loretta is a spunky Italian who lives life fully each and every moment. Her deep brown eyes grab my attention every time she speaks and I can't help but smile watching her hands fly around with that good ole Italian gusto. She loves the Lord and loves our little Dani, which is why she invited us to her church last night to see her sing in a cantata.

We told Dani she'd see her teacher sing at another church and she was cautiously excited, not knowing exactly what to expect. We arrived and were immediately welcomed by those about to perform. Loretta's husband saw Dani and rushed to our side to say hello. He took us to Loretta who then escorted us to our seat and introduced us to the pastor. The church was much smaller than we are accustomed to, but as we settled in the small sanctuary waiting for the performance to begin, I began to feel something very special as tears began to overtake me. It was all I could do to keep my composure as I watched and waited. Beyond a shadow of a doubt the Holy Spirit was in our midst!

The singers dressed in black and white took the stage, as the younger helped the older and more fragile up the few carpet covered stairs. Some sat in chairs due to medical conditions, one lady gripped a cane, and they all held black binders which held their music. I caught myself praying for the elderly man with the black suspenders on the left side of the stage. Prior to the start he had shared that during rehearsal his blood sugar dropped so low he fell off his seat, scaring everyone half to death. He assured us he'd eaten well and that we could expect an emergency-free cantata.

The lights dimmed, the music started, and the Lord began to move. I couldn't get over how simple everything was, both the performance and the presentation, yet the Holy Spirit was stirring in my heart like a gargantuan wooden spoon in a big black kettle. I'd heard better singers before, I'd seen some of the most gifted actors in the past, and I'd sat before fancier scenery. But all that apparently doesn't matter when God is present because this humble group standing before me, medical conditions and all, was bringing me to my knees.

The event's purity was so gripping and refreshing I had tears in my eyes even today. It was truly grand simplicity at its very best and I walked away sensing the Lord had a good lesson for me to learn. Life can be so complicated but God is simple. Simple love. Simple grace. Simple forgiveness.

The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast

heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.

They took palm branches and went out to meet him,

shouting, “Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

"Blessed is the King of Israel!”

Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it,

as it is written,

“Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion;

see, your king is coming,

seated on a donkey’s colt.”

John 12:12-15

Welcome Spring!

Today is the first day of spring! The sure sign warm weather, green grass, budding flowers, and days filled with golden sunshine are just around the corner and I can hardly wait. The weather certainly has a mind of its own, however. After all, the calendar states clear as a bell it’s spring, yet the forecast calls for rain mixed with snow. I could be upset but it wouldn’t be worth it. Spring is official and that’s all that counts.

The change from winter to spring is a fascinating thing. Warm months make their way back into our lives by a subtle inconspicuous tilt of the earth. Making its way above the equator, this mild adjustment of the sun sets this happy season in motion; something only a holy Creator could master with precision time and time again. Perhaps this is why spring is the sign of hope. It’s God’s handiwork and signal to man of true and lasting hope.

Spring also marks the celebration of another grand event, Easter, the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Just as the sun’s move north of the earth’s equator brings nature new life, so too does the remembrance of what Christ has done for us. With the same power used to create the world and all that is in it, He rolled away the stone to conquered sin and death. How awesome is God’s great power and love and what hope this brings to my heart. I hope it refreshes your soul too.

Maybe your day is a bit chilly and mixed with “rain and snow” too. If so, keep in mind where your true hope lies. Our King Jesus is slowly but surely making His way toward us. Each new day marches us one step closer to Him and soon He'll come to take us home. What a wonderful day that will be. I do declare that’s a change of season I look forward to!

Happy Spring!

Sunday March 21st. When all was said and done, according to our deck railing, we received a total of 9" of spring snow.

Closer than a Brother

When Cocoa Bean came into our lives we hadn't planned on having two dogs, but he grew on us like a little weed. Cute as a bug's ear, we just had to keep him after his mama birthed him and his eight brothers and sisters in our home. Once the decision was made to keep him I couldn't help but wonder what role God had for him in our family. The other night I got a glimpse.

Each evening when we put Dani to bed we say our prayers and always include her brother who lives out of town. She misses Drew but understands she can only see him every so often. The other night, after the amen, I look down to see Cocoa Bean standing on the foot of the bed waiting for something. It seemed a bit odd he wouldn't lay down, but I figured he was simply waiting to follow me out. I couldn't have been more wrong.

Turns out he had no intentions of leaving with me at all. He was in fact waiting for me to skedattle in order to take my place. Snuggling up close to Dani, he looked at me as if to say, "I thought you'd never leave." After a quick flash of the camera he got his wish and I left the two alone.

Beanie Weenie sleeps with Dani every night. Like a guard standing post he's with her as she drifts off to sleep and protects her through the dark midnight hours. Even though she rarely pets and by all accounts ignores him, he doesn't care. Somehow knowing she's different and in need of extra special attention, he's adopted her and accepted the job as her companion and friend. Now I see one of the gifts God has given us in our little Bean. A little brother who cares for our Dani with unconditional love.

It's good to know God loves us with an everlasting love as well. When life gets lonely and darkness threatens to swallow us whole, He is there to comfort and provide. He continues to love us even when we are unlovable and is faithful to remain by our side when we forget or choose to ignore Him. He is faithful to the end. Let us thank Him for abounding love.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles,

so that we can comfort those in any trouble

with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

86 Years

We celebrated my father's 86th birthday this week and topped it off with dinner at a place where he and mom used to frequent, Jumpin' Catfish. As we got out of the car Dani saw her grandpa pulling in with my brother and sister-in-law and took off. She's always happy to see her grandpa, take hold of his hand, and give him a big hug. This night was no exception.

At 86 years old we're grateful for the years God has blessed dad with. He's certainly a survivor having lived through hands-on combat in WWII and one of the biggest natural disasters to hit the midwest in 1957, the Ruskin Heights Tornado. This wicked twister abducted him from the family, leaving mom to search high and low for her husband. She eventually found him in an area hospital with a collapsed lung. A few good Samaritans discovered him injured in the rubble, loaded him onto a door they used as a make-shift gurney, and took him to the hospital. He not only lived to see another day, but another 53 years.

Dad tells me the invention that astounds him the most is the cell phone. The ability to make a phone call to and from anywhere using a little gadget from his pocket is nothing other than utterly amazing. I gotta say I'm with him on this one too. I love texting our son, Drew, throughout the day and not having to wait till he gets home to receive a call. Things have come a long way since dad was a kid and I came to a new realization of how blessed my generations has been as he told of life as a child in the summer of 1930.

His family, like all others, was poor. When it came to shoes they had money, but only for one pair and they were for winter. This meant they walked, ran, and played all summer in bare feet. He said during the dog-days of summer they always ran and never walked because the pavement was too hot to walk on. As he told this story around the dinner table a vivid picture of all my flip-flops, pool shoes, and sandals popped into my head. While I know how hot pavement can get in the summer, I haven't a clue what it's like to have no shoes to protect my feet.

God had blessed me with a strong and steady father. He never gives up and continues to persevere. Putting family first for all these years, he's been a wonderful example of what a Christian should be. Firm, fixed, and focused to the end. Thanks for showing me these godly principles dad and Happy Birthday!

Texting While Driving

Have you ever been tempted to text while driving? I know I can't drive and text at the same time but I have attempted to read an incoming note here or there and for me each are equally distracting.

Our son, Drew, works at a TV station that did a story on this and he was asked to be a guinea pig of sorts. Could he text or even read a text, while driving without compromising the attention needed to drive safely? The results were sobering to everyone, especially Drew.

(As you listen to the story note the voice of the officer sitting in the backseat and see if you think he sounds like Dr. Phil.)

I think I'll stick to praying while I drive. It's a whole lot safer.

Cranky Ole Man Winter

I've lived in Kansas City all my life so I hold a little clout when I say this has been one tough winter. Seems like we, along with many across the U.S., have been hit with one winter storm blast after another. Believe it or not we are amidst yet another. We started the week with...

Remnants from the last snow lingering out back.

Then some more snow blanketed the scene.

As I enter this blog it's freezing rain.

The tree limbs in the field

are weighty as they sway in the wind.

The dogs are working hard at waiting out the winter.

Modern hibernation you might say.

Cocoa Bean periodically hides his head from

cranky old man winter.

We have another cold week ahead but I know from experience Spring will indeed come when she's good and ready.

"There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven..."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

A Tough Day on Patrol

My sister works at a hospital where the security guards make rounds on two-wheeled Segways. When she told me about it I couldn't resist asking how it works if the guard has to use an elevator or "walk" down the hallway past patient rooms. "They just coast along on their Segway" she said.

We both wondered if this was truly the most efficient way to make rounds. For instance, how fast could the Segway go if the guard needed to chase someone and could it stop on a dime if a little child ran out of a patient room as the wheeled guard passed by? You have to wonder if this is truly efficient or simply lazy. Of course I don't know the answers and shouldn't judge, but the Segway scenario interred my mind again when I turned around from my computer the other day and saw the dogs "guarding" our house from the couch.


Could they be thinking about asking for a Segway to chase the Frisbee this summer?

A Princess Turn Queen

Dani's Adult Day Hab held their sweetheart dance last Friday. My husband Jimmy was the photographer so I came along for the ride. I was curious as a cat to see if our little angel would dance even one step. As much as she loves music I couldn't imagine her putting forth more energy than it takes to watch and smile at the proceedings. I didn't want to miss it for the world and I'm glad I didn't. It was oodles of fun.

With the sweetheart theme swirling in my mind, I dressed her in a beautifully delicate pink Easter-type dress, curled the ends of her long shiny hair, put on her lacy white socks and black patton leather shoes, and crowned her with a tiara atop her pretty little head. She was as beautiful as the day she was born, our little princess in pink, and who would have known she would return a queen!

The decorations were complete, the DJ was warming up, the photographer was set (and mighty cute I will say), and in came the crowd. One after another folks filed in until the room was jam packed full of people ready to party the afternoon away...and party they did. Whether in wheelchairs or holding walkers, everyone danced to the oldies, newies, and everything in between. There were songs I never heard in my life that others were singing and dancing to like it was the national anthem. I felt a bit dated till they played one of my old-time faves, the Bees Gees "Staying Alive." I couldn't resist boogying a little myself, and to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" as well. Not one person was left out. Everyone had a wonderful time and by the end of the afternoon my cheeks ached from smiling so much.

Then...it was time. Time to crown the king and queen of the sweetheart dance, to which we were pleasantly surprised to learn Dani was up for the running. Wow. Just the thought. Our little girl a queen? Sounded mighty nice and she was certainly dressed for the occasion. What great timing! But, would we get a good picture of her? She hates taking pictures and will surely cry when she has to stand before the crowd with cameras pointing in her direction. What in the world was she going to do?

When the nominees were called and had gone forward, the crowd voted via applause and what do you know Dani, her partner the king, and another couple tied. It was a wonderful time for everyone, especially one queen's mother and father. Jimmy took a few shots of her and to no one's surprise she is crying her eyes out. Beauty and fame is painful, so I hear.

King and Queen (left)

Dani and mom knocking hips

Becka and Dani (left)

A little pre-dance glide down the hall on the scooter with her teacher, Loretta.

Somehow they kept the dress clean.

Happy Valentine's Day!

His Valentine Until...

Jimmy and I believe there are lessons waiting to be taught in nearly any situation. Just give it a little thought and you'd be surprised at the different opportunities we have to teach our children, even when they are adults. With this in mind I told our son, Drew, years ago I was his Valentine until he had one of his own. As his mother I use these times of the year to teach and mentor him with regards to how to enjoy a healthy relationship with a woman so when he finds his own "one and only" he'll be the best husband, father, and leader of the home he can be.

As mothers to our sons, we are the first woman in their lives and this relationship, be it good or bad, carries a life-long impact. My goal has always been to have a healthy, strong, close, and happy relationship with Drew so he will desire the same when looking for his future wife. Part of what makes our relationship strong and healthy involves taking advantage of teaching opportunities along the way.

When Drew was a little boy Jimmy made a special point to help him remember my birthday and holidays, with the sole purpose he'd one day do the same for his wife. Now that he's older I've taken over the role of teaching him more directly. Like anyone there are times when he's failed to apologize, spoken without compassion, or acted in ways that I know would likely offend a woman. When this happens I lovingly draw it to his attention and work to teach him how to better handle himself.

As an example, not long ago something got his tail feathers in a twit. He didn't take it out on anyone but it was something that even he admitted was minor. So, before he left the house I gave him a big hug and gently whispered in his ear, "Honey, I want you to work on something." "What's that?" he asked. "Self-control. It's a fruit of the spirit that's vital in life because the world is full of glitches and obstacles. To be a godly man you must have self-control. Work on that for me from here on out will you?" He took it very well and I must say this fruit has indeed begun to flourish in him.

Life is full of opportunities to learn and in learning we are obligated to teach, especially our children. One thing I've learned now that Drew is an adult is that teaching did not end when he turned 18 years old. In many respects it began anew as he went out into the world as adult. Our job as parents of adult children is to obtain and maintain a healthy relationship with our children in order to teach in the adult setting. They will make mistakes but don't we all. In the end they'll do fine as long as they have loving parents that teach from afar and pray like the dickens for them every inch of the way!

By the way...are you dying to know what the dog on Drew's card is saying?

FRONT: "I have a confession to make."

INSIDE: "I've seen you naked."

BACKSIDE: "More than once too."

Thanks Hallmark! It's sure to give him a giggle.

Joy Comes in the Morning...it really does.

I love the motto that says, "If it ain't broke don't fix it." It couldn't be more true when it comes to blogs. After all, why rewrite an already perfectly worded blog? There'd be no point. That's why today I want to do something a little different. Since you're always hearing my perspective of caring for our special needs child, I thought you might want to hear my husband Jimmy's side for a change. Click the link below and see for yourself his and Dani's little adventure this morning.

You're a good man dear!

DOUGLAS PHOTOGRAPHY

One Word

How many parents of 21 year old children are proud as peacocks their child wrote one word? For sure not many, but Jimmy and I are among the few because last Sunday Dani copied the Name above all names on the white board.

I'd just taken her to her new special needs class and as I spoke with the teachers the kids began to write and draw on the board. In order to give Dani a little guidance I wrote "Jesus" and a line underneath for her to copy the letters. Handing her the marker I turned back to talk with the teachers. I'd no sooner returned to the conversation when a little tap landed on my arm. She knew what she had written, for she knows His name, and was eager to show me her work.

Like a good mom I gave the board a quick glance, but instead of turning my attention back to the conversation with the teachers as I had intended, I gasped a gasp that shocked even me. Why...I sucked in so much air you'd have thought a poisonous snake was crawling up the wall. But instead of running, I stepped toward the source of my shock because there in front of my eyes was the most beautiful handwriting I'd ever seen. My little girl had written the name of her maker and it was simply beautiful.

I remember the days when I not only would have never placed Dani in a handicapped class, but been more ashamed than proud she could write only one word at 21 years of age. Those were the days when my pride was so devastated over having a disabled child that it took every ounce of energy to tend to damage control. I ate Twinkies continually to numb the pain and prayed without ceasing for God to heal her so I could survive. He never did grant my wish, yet somehow I managed to exist.

It's been a long road these past couple of decades but I've come a long way. I no longer gorge on little cakes to ease the pain and my eyes are less on me and more on our daughter. Little things like writing a word on the white board actually warm my heart and prompt me to thank God for the biggest little thing in the world. After all, if no one else notices her sparse accomplishments we know He does because nothing escapes His attention. He created her, He cares for her, and loves her just the way she is. So do I. Guess I'm finally becoming a little more like Him.

Winter Run

Ecclesiastes been so needy lately sticking to us like glue. Last night at 11:07 pm he was in my face for no good reason. Jimmy said he had just been outside to potty (Ecclesi not Jimmy) yet instead of heading off to bed he came in, put his wet nose in my face, and woke me from a fitful sleep (Ecclesi not Jimmy). If he weren't so cute I'd have popped him on his furry little noggin (of course I could never) when he then tried to get up on the bed in the middle of the night...and it wasn't even storming outside. He needed something but what could it be?

When morning came it dawned on us. The dogs have been stuck inside for days on end. Oh they get their car rides but that doesn't burn off their energy in the least. The 11 inches of snow have melted and now the yard and field is a muddy miry mucky of a mess. Even a gentle walk on the sparse grass calls for a bath. With this in mind Jimmy decided to give them a try on the treadmill and the results were great!

My baby Ecclesi smiled from ear to fury ear during his stationary trek.

Cocoa Bean took his turn and ran like he'd been a health club member all his life. The dogs are now resting as if they'd chased frisbees all day long. Now, maybe just maybe I won't be woke in the middle of the night by a big bored lab looking me point blank in the eye.

Our babies don't know it but they are dying for spring. Perhaps you are too!

For tips on running your dog on the treadmill visit Jimmy's website.

"Exceptional Family T.V."

I'm thrilled to be teaming up with Exceptional Family T.V. as they reach out to provide support and resources for families with disabled children. Shows begin airing online in May 2010 and I'm excited because this is just the thing Jimmy and I wish we had tucked under our belts 21 years ago as we launched on the toughest journey of our lives.

I can't help but wonder what it would have been like to have had even an inkling of what lie ahead. Maybe if I had been told what to expect I'd have been better prepared to handle watching my dreams shatter before my very eyes. Maybe a little knowledge of the inevitable would have not only softened the blow, but also prompted me to accept rather than fight the will of God. Only God knows for sure what a little support would have done, all I know is that even now tears stream down my cheeks as the tape of history rewinds to the early days of learning our child was both Autistic and deaf. No words can describe.

Dani's birth was like driving into a wall of dense fog. Once in it we were completely lost, yet there was nothing we could do but persevere through. I can't tell you how many times we've felt disoriented, discouraged, and exhausted on this journey, yet no matter the condition we could not give up or turn away. We are her parents and must continue to move forward trusting God is in control and has a plan that is good, even though its often cloaked in a fog.

I visited Exceptional Family T.V.'s discussion board today and read the current question, "What do you find to be most challenging as you raise a child with special needs?" Parents mentioned different things like the judgements and attitudes of others, and people either not seeing their child's disability or seeing nothing but their child's special need. Reading through the list I could relate to every single entry and my heart went out to each loving parent's challenge. Each comment touched me deeply because when it comes to parenting a disable child, I know one thing is true, "if it ain't one thing it's another." I suppose that's why when pondering my biggest hurdle it wasn't difficult to pinpoint it's that of giving my life as a living sacrifice. It's been a long and difficult road and it isn't near over. Why, just this morning I no sooner sat down for some quiet time all to look up and see Dani awake and alert staring at me ready to begin the day. I confess I was irritated but even in the frustration I was reminded that my call is clear and my job not yet complete. I must persevere and not give up, yet another thing I wish I'd known in the early years.

What is your calling? Maybe it's nothing you ever planned. If so, I can relate and encourage you to remember you are not alone. Many of us are in the same boat, it's just sometimes difficult to see one another amidst the fog. It's good to know that even a little support or the smallest word of encouragement can turn a life around. If you are a discouraged parent of a special needs child, visit Exceptional Family T.V. today and find the support you need. I'll be there too and look forward to seeing you there!

Snug as a Bug

"Did you turn on my side of the bed?"

"Not yet."

"Are you sure?"

"Pretty sure. Why?"

"Well...I went to turn the beds on and your side was on but mine wasn't."

"...that's weird."

I can't tell you how many times Jimmy and I have had this very conversation. Nearly every evening for the past month we've mildly interrogated one another trying to figure out why one side of the electric blanket will be on, leaving the other cold as a stone.

For quite some time I took the blame because I'm terminally forgetful and that's no exageration. It is not at all uncommon for me to walk into the bedroom on a cold winter's evening with full intent of turning on both sides of our electric blanket all to turn on one, get a thought, and walk out neglecting the other. It got to the point where after flipping on one dial I'd begin repeating to myself, "Now turn on the other side. Turn on the other side. Turn on the other side" until I'd complete the task. Then, I'd release my brain to flit to its topic of choice. Both sides of the bed were on and I could relax, or so I thought.

About a week ago things got really weird. I'd come home from work all to see that Jimmy's side of the bed was already on while mine remained untouched.

"Jimmy. Did you turn your bed on already?"

"No, It's too early."

"Well look...it's on!"

It didn't take a rocket scientist to see our old blanket was playing tricks on us and could no longer be trusted. (I once had a cellphone that made calls to my various contacts on its own accord and without my permission. It was immediately evicted from our family as well.) Since temperatures here in Kansas City have hit record lows we set out to find a new more competent and cooperative blanket. Without delay we found an ivory colored soft and snuggly one that taught us toot sweet we'd been missing out! While the old blanket barely warmed the bed after 2 hours, this fancy smancy thing warms in minutes, fooling even the manliest of men into thinking he's having hot flashes in the middle of the night. --- What a hoot!

Our new blanket it a modern marvel and we love it. Now we're snug as a bug in a rug and can drop the nocturnal interrogations. Sure hope you're toasty too!

Super Duper Ready for Bed

Last night at bedtime Jimmy let the dogs out to do their business while we commenced with our evening ritual of brushing teeth, turning off lights, and shutting down the computer and T.V. After finishing with Dani's teeth (thanks dear) Jimmy paused to let the dogs back in. Now mind you, the midwest is suffering a severe whipping by the most frigid cold snap we've seen in years. Snow is piled several feet high at every turn and the mercury has long since drained out the bottom of our thermometers, which no doubt explains why Cocoa Bean beat everyone to bed last night.

Like a fully fueled rocket fresh off the launch pad, he shot in the back door through the house and disappeared leaving only a faint tinkling sound of dog tags lingering in the air. His quick disappearance peaked my curiosity so much I stopped what I was doing to see if my suspicions were true. Now, if I was a bettin' girl I'd have placed a hefty bet on his whereabouts, I'd have won, and been set for life, because sure as shootin' there he sat perched atop the warmest spot of the house...our bed.

Peering at us as if we were tardy to the biggest event in town, he put me in mind of an avid theater buff proudly claiming the first seat of a sold-out movie premiere. All he needed was a heaping bag of popcorn, some Jujubes, and a large soda pop. He was so dog-on cute I quickly grabbed my camera to capture the warmest moment this cold midwest has to offer.

Needless to say he slept warm and snug with us till sunrise. Now, if I were a bettin' girl I'd bet I know what's gonna happen tonight as well.

Twinkle

I recently finished a book that was the most enjoyable little thing. It's called, Twinkle, Sharing Your Faith a Little Light at a Time. I purchased it about a year ago and promptly propped it on a shelf for just the right time. Once in my hands this little gem was hard to put down and made me sad it had to come to an end.

Elisa Morgan is the president and CEO of MOPS International and the author of a bundle of books. Twinkle may be my first of hers but it certainly won't be the last. As an honest and down to earth author, her artistic writing made me laugh and cry sending me on an urgent search for another copy to give my best friend for Christmas. It arrived in the mail just in time for me to proudly pass on.

Twinkle addresses the common "I can'ts" that keep us from sharing our faith. With her own creative and enlightening touch, Elisa candidly shares her personal struggles of shining her light, which just so happens to be difficulties we all have in common. I especially loved how she points out the importance our little twinkle of light is in the lives of those around us and that our job is never to shine our own light, but rather reflect the true light of Christ. Somehow this simplicity takes a load off my shoulders I was never meant to bear.

If you are looking for a sweet little read check out Twinkle. It's sure to brighten your day!

"For you were once darkness,

but now you are light in the Lord.

Live as children of light."

Ephesians 5:8

Word Verification

It just begun happening. It's a sign of the times and I don't like it one little bit. Anonymous junk blogger comments. I'm always a bit leery of anonymous comments because I figure they are behind a curtain for one reason or another. Either they don't wish to be known for their own privacy reasons or they're about to blast me and it's more easily done incognito. Fortunately blasters are few and far between. As a general rule you who visit the Olive Leaf Ministries blog are a tidy intimate bunch who are more than trust worthy. Unfortunately, a few interlopers have crept into the mix prompting me to add the Word Verification feature. It creates an extra step for you when adding a comment but prevents automated systems from bogging my blog with spam.

As I woke this New Year's morning to another full plate of spam, I was reminded how important it is to implement our own word verification when hearing the word of God. For instance, whoever you listen to, whether a trusted teacher, favorite preacher, or long-time godly friend, all of it must be filtered through the Word of God. Ask yourself if what you are hearing syncs with what the Bible teaches. If it does accept it. If it doesn't reject it like a hot potato. Allow no teacher to be exempt from your filtering process either. The Bereans were praised for their word verification and just take a gander at who they were listening to.

"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians,

for they received the message with great eagerness

and examined the Scriptures every day

to see if what Paul said was true."

Acts 17:11

Oh mercy, if the Bereans were wise enough to test Paul's words against Holy Scripture, how much more wise should we be? Paul was an Old Testament scholar, he personally encountered Christ on the road to Damascus, and had been taken up into the third heaven where he heard inexpressible things that man is not permitted to tell, yet they tested his teachings against the word of God. What tenacious wisdom!

Now, I don't know about you but my knowledge of God's word doesn't hold a candle to many around me. This doesn't make me vulnerable however. On the contrary. I, like a Berean, can test what I hear against the very word of God, listen to what the Spirit is teaching me, and walk strong and steady in His truth each day. The same is true for you. As you listen to your favorite teachers and preachers, measure every word, thought, and idea with the word of God. If it coincides with God's truth hide it in your heart. If not, toss it far away in the trash. If you aren't sure about a teaching, ask God to help you discern truth from fiction and He'll be faithful to provide.

As you enter this New Year I hope you are determined to seek a greater knowledge of God over the coming days. Christ will return soon and we must be ready. We are bound to be tested and must be vigilant to guard our hearts against lies from the enemy. This involves carefully planting only God's truth in our hearts and meticulously monitoring what we accept as truth. This can be done even by us modern day Bereans, and the good news is when we do we will be blessed!

Happy 2010!

Christmas in the Park

It's tradition for our family to go to "Christmas in the Park" near our home. It's simple, cheap, and fun. First, we stop at Quik Trip for hot cocoa or a cold Coke, and then take a bee-line straight for the lights.

The display started small 22 years ago and has grown into one of the most popular events around. Now mind you, I was warned to go as soon as the sun went down to beat the long lines, and I listened, but found myself wanting to finish the evening news. As a result we ended up joining the crowd as opposed to beating it.

It was a beautiful 53 degree evening, so the long wait didn't seem to matter. In fact, it made our time of fun last even longer. With Dani and the dogs piled in the car, we rolled down the windows, turned up KLOVE, and absorbed the holiday atmosphere. For 65 minutes we traversed hill and dale and crept through patches of low-lying fog, all while enjoying the smell of winter woods. As we left, the line of cars had grown miles longs setting those yet to see the lights up for a 1 1/2 - 2 hour wait. I have no doubt they enjoyed their trek through the lights as much as we did. It's a popular holiday attraction that's sure to put a smile on everyone's face.

One of many welcoming elves.

45 minutes into the wait

some folks had to make a pit stop.

Not us. We kept going.

We arrived!

(continue...)

Christmas in the Park (cont.)

Merry Christmas to you!

"In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made;

without him nothing was made that has been made.

In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

John 1:1-4

Mother of Invention

If necessity is the mother of invention, we hit the mother load with a BIG necessity. Our yellow Labrador is 2 years old and has had chronic ear infections since the get go. He's been on nearly every antibiotic, anti-fungal, antihistamine, ear drop, pill, capsule, cream, and special diet you can imagine. Each ear infection costs $150 on the average and is back in no time at all, which is why we began looking beyond conventional medicine for help. After a quick gander at Google we discovered a simple but highly effective home remedy that's proven to keep Ecclesiaste's ears under control as well as get rid of Cocoa Bean's first case of bilateral ear infections a few weeks ago.

Our medical supplies include: extra virgin olive oil, white vinegar, a few cotton balls, and some Q-tips. Mix 2-3 Tbsps of vinegar with 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a small bowl and stir with a Q-Tip. Dab a cotton ball into the mixture so it's about 1/2 absorbed. Coat the inner ear wall and squeeze a few drops into the ear canal. Coat a Q-Tip with the mixture and use it to clean deeper into the ear canal. Repeat this process until your cotton ball and Q-Tip are clean after wiping out the ear.

Ecclesi gets this treatment each day or maybe every third day if he's stable. He loves it so much that as I prepared these supplies to take this picture he begged me to swab his ear. (His ear looked great but he got a "treatment" anyway.)

Please understand that until you know exactly what you're dealing with you should take your dog to the vet before trying this remedy. If by chance, however, your dog turns out to be chronic like our Ecclesiastes and you've tried everything else under the rising sun, this home remedy is worth a try. Beats $150 by a mile!

How we know when to treat our dog's ears: Inner ear is swollen, red, and smells sweet. They itch their ear(s), tilt their head to the effected side, and often shake their heads.

A healthy ear will appear light pink in color, show no signs of puffiness, and smells more neutral than sweet. Checking your dog's ears every day or so will help you develop the skill for knowing when to use your home-made remedy. At first your dog will not like want you to handle his/her sore ear, but if you are patient and gentle he/she will soon learn you mean no harm. Cocoa Bean is not nearly as compliant as Ecclesi, so we allowed him to sniff the soaked cotton ball and started out with "mini treatments" to gain his trust. He's a pro now and has healthy ears to prove it.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

My sister's mother-in-law recently passed away. She was 98 years old and will be greatly missed. Having outlived all of her friends, the family didn't expect a lot of people to attend so they chose to have a small memorial rather than a formal funeral service. It proved to make the gathering far more intimate and touching.

Jimmy stayed home with Dani who was ill, so I went to the funeral home alone. Promptly greeted by my sister, she led me to the front of the chapel to a beautiful collage of pictures representing Marie's life. We giggled and gawked over how silly we looked in years past and marveling at how our children have grown. She showed me the bouquet of flowers that sat next to the urn and two special hand-made cards constructed by my grandniece and grandnephew. After a time of visiting with all who were in attendance, the group sat quietly in the sanctuary. Then, with the great ease and authority, my grandniece (Olivia age 7) walked to the podium in order to explain her card which was on display behind glass.

Olivia's Card

Olivia explained that in the picture her great grandma is in heaven

looking down on her son and his wife saying, "It's ok. I am in heaven."

I was fascinated that she drew a line between heaven and earth,

naturally understanding the divided.

Then Calvin, her 5 year old brother, approached the podium and explained his card on display next to hers.

Calvin's Card

Writing to his grandpa he penned,

"Imsoree da yr momdieed."

(I'm sorry your mom died.)

Olivia and Calvin bravely and proudly

speaking at the podium.

After the great grandchildren spoke, Marie's son, daugther-in-law, and grandchildren shared as well. It was a humble ceremony void of any pomp and circumstance, somehow making it extra special. A simple, quiet, hard-working woman honored for her life and service to family left me pondering King Solomon's summary of our purpose in life in Ecclesiastes 12:13, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

It also brought to mind the priceless value little children hold in the heart of God...

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me,

and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Matthew 19:14

Late Night Early Surprise

In honor of the big 5-0 visiting me tomorrow, I was met with a pleasant surprise last night just before I hit the sack. It was 10pm and Jimmy was letting the dogs out for their last visit to the latrine and turning off the TV and lights, as I headed to the bedroom. Turning back the covers my tired eyes met an early birthday present. New night clothes and a book!

It's become tradition for Jimmy to pick and purchase my night clothes. He seems to have a natural knack for it and not only do I always love what he selects, but they never fail to provide a perfect fit. You can imagine my joy to find hidden amidst the pre-warmed blankets a new night outfit and book I've been interested in, "The Same Kind of Different as Me." It's received rave reviews and I can't wait to delve into it. (But first I must finish "Twinkle.")

I have a feeling celebrating my half century mark isn't over. Jimmy's asked me to keep Monday open. When asked why he was struck silent. Hmmm.

A Bee in Her Bonnet

Getting a picture of Dani smiling is as scarce as hens teeth, but we hit the jackpot the other day. More proud than Autistic, she happily modeled for this photo.

Jimmy had just bought this new hat but before he could put it on his beautiful bald head, Dani got a bee in her bonnet to wear it first. It was well worth the purchase just to capture her smile.