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.

A Little Help

I was visiting my brother and his family the other evening and saw the most precious thing. Walking up the stairs my eyes caught the sight of something only a loving father (grandfather in this case) would do. The moment I saw it I was reminded of our heavenly Father and how He cares for each of us on a very personal level.

At almost two years old, my brother's granddaughter is trying her hardest to master the stairs. Exceptionally petite in stature, her hands can barely reach the main railing, so thinking outside the box he created a custom rail just for her. It's a beautiful textured piece of wood that looks nothing like the mass produced rod it sits under. Gently handcrafted and carefully measured, this bar was made especially for his little grand baby girl to keep her safe in her travels. Whether climbing to new heights or heading down to visit her G.G. Pa (great grandpa) she has just what she needs for the journey.

This precious little railing reminds me of what our heavenly Father provides for each us as well. After all, how can we grow if we don't learn to do things for ourselves, yet some things are simply beyond our reach. That's when God provides us with our own custom-built railing. Railings that help us through the toughest of times like a much needed boost of encouragement from a faithful friend, a word of truth and hope from scripture, that warm hug given at just the right moment, an unexpected but much needed financial aid, or the relief of a breakthrough in a seemingly hopeless situation. Whatever the circumstance, God provides just what we need to make it through.

While it would be cumbersome for me to hold onto Heidi's railing, I am no less in need of one of my own. It seems no matter how old we become there is always something that's just beyond our grasp rendering us in need of a little help of our own. Perhaps you need a little support today as well. Maybe things seem beyond your reach this holiday season with too many needs and not enough resources. If so, grab ahold of our only sustainer and hope, Jesus Christ. More than a temporary bar of support, His cross has given us eternal victory over any trial that comes our way here on earth. So, grab hold of Him and climb to new heights. He'll be with you every step of the way!

"Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places.”

Deuteronomy 33:29

"But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless."

Psalm 10:14

"The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies."

Psalm 118:7

"So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Hebrews 13:6

My Part in Thanksgiving Dinner

I am not much of a cook. When Jimmy traveled full time I concocted meals just to keep the kids alive. Now that he's home he's taken over as chef and not only is he a fantastic cook, but he loves it. Guy Fieri has become his new best friend and like a fly on the wall I watch his shows too. It's never too late to develop a passion for cooking and even though I'm still only a spectator, who knows what the future may hold. Miracles do still happen.

Jimmy's always especially enjoyed making Thanksgiving dinner. He dolls up the bird, compiles the stuffing, and coordinates all the rest. Peculiar as it may be, however, when it comes to making pie crust I'm not half bad. If I have a food processor I can whip up a flat pastry in no time at all and it's actually quite good. A few days ago I relished Jimmy's words as they drifted across the room and onto my ears, "Dear, can you make your pie crust?" Like a nurse holding the only First-Aid kit in a hospital I felt so important and needed. After all, you can't make pumpkin pie without a crust...I don't think. Besides, even if you could it was my chance to feel vital to the project. Dropping my coat and purse I promptly washed my hands and got to work. In a jiffy my "Easy Pie Crust" was done. Now we're ready for our traditional holiday meal and I can say I contributed my part.

Easy Pie Crust

2 cups flour

3/4 cup butter

1 tsp salt

5-6 Tbsp ice water

Mix flour, salt, and butter in food processor

until butter is distributed nicely.

With the food processor on, gradually add ice water

until the dough develops into a ball.

Remove ball of dough and roll it out flat

on a flour sprinkled counter.

Place in 9" pie pan.

(I don't butter the pan or dish but I suppose you could.)

What's your easy but good and favorite recipe for Thanksgiving?

It's a Wonderful Life

It was a fun day at work yesterday. We enjoyed a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and a special appearance by Karolyn Grimes, the actress who played Zuzu Bailey the littlest girl from It's a Wonderful Life. She showed clips from the movie, which were in color, and shared interesting little tid-bits of information about the making of the film.

Let's see...she told us that the snow flakes used in the movie were actually Ivory Soap flakes because they were quieter than Hollywood's snow flakes. To show its affect on the movie she showed the scene when George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) jumped into the water to save Clarence and how they both surfaced in a soapy film (no pun.) Then she pointed out a particular actress in the background of one scene who was donned in a big hat with a bow. She walked back and forth in that scene six times! Karolyn said Jimmy Stewart was the most kind and humble man you'd ever want to meet and she was paid $75/week to be in the movie that took only three months to make. At that time a car cost $750, so $75 a week was no small pittance.

The film clips where hilarious, enlightening, and quick to get us in the holiday spirit, in spite of the fact the movie was filmed in 90 degree heat. When all was said and done she gifted each of us with an autographed Christmas ornaments and a warm heart. It was truly a pleasure to hear from this fine actress.

Oh... and do you know how Karolyn's character got the name Zuzu? Well, apparently back in the day there were gingerbread cookies made by the ZuZu company and Jimmy Stewart's character called his littlest girl "Zuzu his little gingerbread cookie." She was just as cute as a bug's ear back then and is today proud to be a part of one of the greatest films ever made. Thanks Karolyn for paying us a visit!

"Zuzu still believes "It's a Wonderful Life"

A New Sound

One of the things we love about our neighborhood is that it's quiet. Many children have lived in our vicinity throughout the years, but as life would have it they grew up and moved away. Recently, however, new neighbors moved in next door with four children, a dog, and play equipment resembling a fort. I wasn't 100% on the side of giving up the quiet, until we met this wonderful family.

Not only are the parents the nicest folks you'd ever want to meet but their children are so sweet and polite. The two boys in particular love Jimmy. One day we were playing frisbee with the dogs when suddenly we heard, "Jimmaaaaaa!" It was the youngest boy hollering at Jimmy to say hi. I piped up and said, "Hey! What about me?" to which he replied, "I don't know your name." I revealed my identity but don't think he really cares. He's a man's man and doesn't have much time for any woman other than his mama...as it should be.

We've lost our quiet neighborhood but gained so much more. I thought silence was my preference until I realized how much the sound of children playing refreshes my soul. Taking me back to my own youth, the tickles and giggles never cease to put a smile on my face.

Yesterday Jimmy took a picture of the littlest girl drawing a picture of our family on her driveway. She is as smart as a tack and full of stories. What an absolute doll and just look at that head of hair!

What's in a Name?

Making my way across the hospital cafeteria bustling with healthcare workers finishing their lunch, I was fast approaching the last few directions on my crinkled sheet of paper. The instructions had done well to guide me into the main lobby of the huge facility, left down a tight, dark, and busy corridor, a zig zagg right to the “orange” elevators, and down to level B. Once off the carrot colored lift, I was aimed to the right and then left across the cafeteria to a meeting room where I had full intentions of being prompt, present, and ready for CPR class.

Opening the door to the classroom I half expected a room full of doctors conducting a work-lunch, but was pleased to see I had indeed arrived in the right place. Sitting around tables assembled in a “U” fashion, I saw four fellow students waiting by their CPR adult and infant dummies. There seemed to be plenty of dummies to go around so I knew I’d made good time.

Upon entering the room the first thing I saw was a sign-in sheet and handouts. The dog-eared corners of the handouts were a dead giveaway they were not ours to keep. They had been used before and would be used again, so we’d be asked to hand them in at the end of class. After signing in I reached for a hand out and noticed the one on the top of the stack had the name “Kim” written in ink on the upper right corner. In one easy motion I slid it to the side and took the nameless one underneath. Interestingly enough the guy behind me did the same thing.

I love watching human behavior. It never ceases to amaze me as I try to figure out why we do the things we do. I am convinced that even though some of our actions may be bizarre and unexplainable, we all do what we do for a reason. It may not necessarily be a good reason, but it’s a reason that motivates us just the same. In this case I find it fascinating that I instinctively didn’t want the handout with Kim’s name on it and I’d wager to guess the CPR students before me slid her aside as well. The question is why? What’s wrong with using a handout that has someone else’s name on it? It was the same life-saving information, yet I shunned it as if it were substandard material. I even knew I’d be handing it in at the end of class, yet still selected a non-named sheet.

I found this observation so fascinating I ran an experiment on the ladies of the Sunday school class I co-teach. I was planning to share this story about Kim’s unwanted paper so I wrote the name Kim on the top right corner of one handout. Placing it on top of the stack I handed out the outlines. As I told the story three ladies on the back row began to snicker. Knowing they’d had an encounter with Kim I asked them to explain. Confessing and confirming what I had expected, I learned that just like the students in my CPR class, they had rejected the named outline too. The lady who ended up with it took it only because it was the last sheet and she crossed out Kim, replacing it with her own name. Oh don’t you just love it?

After working years in women’s ministry if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that no one wants a mistake in their identity. Women want their nametags correct and will let you know one way or another. Some come right out and tell you so you’ll get it right the next time, while others simply conduct their own spell check by using a Sharpie Marker to correct the error. Accepting our name misspelled simply goes against our grain. Why? Because we are unique creatures of God. Handmade in His image we are one of a kind. That's why we go to great lengths to protect our uniqueness.

There is another with a name like no other. He is Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God. No one goes to the Father but by Him and He is the Light of the world! He created us, He died for us, and He loves us. Take the time to praise His Holy Name today. We owe Him our lives.

"On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:

KING OD KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

Revelation 19:16

Back on Time

You know how at daylight savings time there's always one clock that's last to be adjusted? Well...this clock hangs above our T.V. and gets the most attention in all the house. I glance at it several times a day and trust it with all my heart to keep me on schedule. It sits high and majestic on the wall of our family room and though most frequently used, is often the last to get its bi-annual attention.

In years past we gone months before altering these delicate hands to reflect real time because it's no easy task. It's actually quite difficult because Jimmy has to pull our 60 some inch television away from the wall and maneuver the 8 ft ladder into place. Once all items are in position he then commences with a beautiful but cumbersome performance of adjusting and balancing the 25 lb timepiece while teetering atop the ladder; kind of like a home grown Cirque du Soleil act.

I know it's a pain but I highly encourage Jimmy to change this clock because it drives me nuts to continually recalculate the time in my head. It breeds a degree of insecurity to the point where if the time is wrong for long I have to commit to not looking at it all together because the constant springing forward or falling back tires me to tears.

Last night, when I sat down to watch my favorite show, I looked up to see Big Ben had fallen back an hour. I couldn't believe my eyes so I ran into the kitchen to confirm my hunch. Sure enough Jimmy had adjusted it while I was gone, a mere five days after daylight saving began. Now my mind can rest until we have to spring forward in six months. --- Thanks dear!

How about you? Do you have a clock that's out of reach come daylight savings time?

Fall Foliage

This past weekend, before the fall colors disappeared, Jimmy took a picture of me with my boys. I'd just returned from a speaking event where I introduced myself by showing pictures of the family. I told Ecclesiastes and Cocoa Bean they were a hit and it made their day. They were ready for another photo shoot.
We went to a nearby lake that has the most breathtaking trees this time of year. While taking pictures, three other people stopped with their cameras to capture the beauty as well. I couldn't help but notice that each admirer was in their 60's or 70's prompting me to think how many years they must have already seen fall's beautiful display (unless of course they were new to Kansas City...which makes me wonder why so "seasoned" folks are moving to Missouri...but that's another story.)

No matter our age it's clear the beauty and majesty of God's creation never grows old. It is in fact a spectacular gift designed to bless our socks off and oh how it does each new season. I know we certainly enjoy His wondrous display of vibrant colors and as a result can't help but give Him all the glory, honor, and praise for the great work He has done.

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge."

Psalm 19:1-2