Imagine everything green you see in these pictures

As sparkling lake water like this:

The Great Lakes are shrinking. The water levels on Saginaw Bay, where these pictures were taken, have fallen 54 inches since 1984. I remember the last time they were that low in 1964, but our shoreline then didn't look like it does now.

Then, there were cattails and low marsh grasses. Now, there are eight to ten foot weeds that block the view of the shore line. Then, we had pathways out to the water. Now, you need a machete to cut through this jungle.

There is a battle going on between environmentalists and landowners who live on the shore. I won't try to debate the right and wrong on this issue, but I will lament the loss of access to the water's edge.

This is the closest picture to what it looked like when I was growing up on Lake Huron. It's deceiving because of the angle I took the picture. It's actually looking across the 'cut' - the entrance into our marina. The rest of the shoreline looks like this:

This is the beach beside the house I grew up in. The beach is still there, but the water is out beyond all the green you see. Those are weeds. And not something you want to walk through. There are all kinds of creepy things out there - namely snakes! In all the years I lived there I never had to worry about snakes - until now.The problem is that these weeds are not 'natural' to this area - they were brought in by the ships that travel the Great Lakes - and they grow like - just what they are! Because of state laws residents were unable to stop their growth when they first appeared and now they have overtaken the shoreline. Which brought me to this question - are there little 'weeds' in my life that need to be rooted out now, rather than becoming a major problem later?

This shoreline on Saginaw Bay (in the 'thumb' area of Michigan - think of the state as shaped like a mitten) are wetlands. The state has wildlife preserves not far from here. The birds, fish, natural grasses and wildlife are wonderful, but I still feel sad when I look at these pictures and remember 'back in my day'.

Guess I'm officially old now.

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy

Are you ready to travel home with me? Remember.I arrived home with thousands of family photos just waiting to be identified, labeled, organized, and placed into albums for the sake of 'family legacy'.ugh. Where do I begin? For starters I need to at least get the pictures out of the van. (However, we borrowed the van from Beth and Brian.maybe I should have left the pictures in the van, and THEY could have taken on this project. Beth is capable of coming up with some very fun captions!!) Well, the pictures came out and immediately went down to my basement. I placed them in a well organized pile.out of the way.because I really didn't know if or when I would even attempt this 'labor of love'. I actually surprised myself by digging into it right away. My one big organized pile became many littler semi-organized piles as I sorted and tossed.sorted and tossed. Time passed so quickly, and I found myself so absorbed in both the task and in my past.not just my past with my nuclear family of origin, but the past of my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, friends.wow. As I looked through photos, I remembered the sounds of voices and laughter; the sweet scents of individuals; even the movements unique to each person. I became aware of my pattern of sorting. I found myself examining each person in each picture to find the best representation of that person and event. I wanted to keep the pictures that made the people in them look their best. I looked at the backgrounds in each picture. Which were the most flattering?

I remember coming across pictures of one Christmas in my Grandma's home. I was shocked by what I saw. Was it the Christmas decorations? Was it yet another Christmas miracle? The inside of the house looked amazing and clean! You've got to know.my grandmother was one of the sweetest, nicest, most beautiful women I have ever known. Even my dad says she was the best person he had ever met.and he was describing his mother-in-law!! However, housekeeping was not her gift.cooking, baking, taking care of people.that was what she was all about. So when I saw these pictures, I was delighted. Her home looked so beautiful.just like my grandma. I kept those pictures.

So, in my method of sorting and choosing pictures, am I in denial? Am I only keeping the best because I don't want to think about the worst? Am I attempting to re-create memories to be much more amiable and palatable? Do I sound like the writer of Chronicles? Oh yes.back to the books of Chronicles. God inspired the writer of Chronicles to write to the nation of Israel to remind the people of just where their help and hope comes from.God Himself. Remember my comments about the deeds of Kings David and Solomon? I don't believe the writer left out their 'indiscretions' (SIN!!) because he was in denial or because of any negative motive. No, I believe the writer intentionally focused on the positive attributes of David and Solomon because he knew that God had chosen and anointed them to be kings, and the Chronicles were 'articles' that were passed down throughout the generations to be read as a legacy for future generations. The writer's words are words of HONOR and DIGNITY, HOPE and HELP. The writer chose to HONOR these men chosen by God instead of airing their 'dirty laundry' for future generations to ponder each time they would pick up their copy of the Chronicles to read.

Somewhere along the way, during my reading of the Chronicles and my sorting of family photos, I made this cool connection. No matter how many dysfunctions my family may have been 'blessed' with, I am truly blessed to be a part of it all, and a part of them. I am blessed that God has allowed me to see each of them as 'chosen' by Him. As I have gazed at each picture, I have fallen in love all over again with my extended family. No matter what, I will choose to honor them with each chosen picture. I want to join the writer of the Chronicles when passing something on as a legacy. I will do so with the intent of honoring one another.

Thanks for traveling with me.both through a bit of the Chronicles and down a bit of my family's memory lane.

Thanks for reading,

Libby

Labels: Libby

That's a weird title (and subject) for a blog, but that's where my life has been lately, so here goes...

I was at a most unusual funeral recently - my mother-in-law's, who was ninety-six. I heard several people comment, 'I've never been at such a happy funeral' - which sounds completely wrong, but was oh, so right.

Isabel had lived all of her ninety-six years to the very fullest. Not by the world's standards - she didn't achieve 'success' by power, or money, or position. She was a servant, in every sense of the word. She served her family, her church, her friends and community. She followed the Way of Jesus, not the way of the world. Her son (my husband) shared at her funeral that "I, me, mine" were not in her vocabulary and you know, I don't think I ever heard her say those words. He said she talked about "my family, my church, my Savior". Her calling and joy was to serve others. Her life had a way of impacting others around her because of her example of self-less love and care of others.

So, yes - the atmosphere at calling hours was one more of a party than sorrow or loss. Oh, there was sadness and it was, indeed, a huge loss in our lives, but the joy of knowing her and having had her for so long out-weighed the grief. There was laughter over shared memories, there were reunions of family members and old friends, there was great joy and gratitude for the gift of her life connecting with ours.

I don't think I'm morbid, but my thoughts did go to my own funeral someday. (Come on, admit that death always seems closer to us when we lose someone!) Will my life have the same impact? How about yours? Admitedly, part of our joy was in the length of time we were able to love her and have her in our lives, but the question remains for me - will there be more joy at my funeral than sorrow? Will others laugh and reminisce of good times together, or will there be unfinished business or regrets?

What I'm learning to apply (because I've always 'known' it to be true, but it's hard to put into practice) is that every day counts. Even the tough ones. And the ones that aren't so wonderful or great. Even the boring ones! Everything matters because time is short and God has given us a job to do while we live here on earth.

The question is - am I doing it well? Am I even 'running the race' that Paul talks about in 1 Cor. 9:24 and 2 Tim 4:7? Will I say with him that "I've kept the faith?"

I want to. That's my heartfelt prayer today. That I run the race God has put before me. I pray that you will run it as well. Because the celebration for a life well-lived on earth is nothing to the party that's going on in heaven when we first hear those words found in Matthew 25 and Luke 19, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

All for Him

Missy

Labels: Missy

One of the new endeavors I've taken on this summer is that of being a small group leader in the High School ministry department of the church we attend. When asked if I would consider the possibility my response was, "sure.if Emily says it's ok!"

Emily is our 15 year old; a high school student.which meant that she would be a member of the small group that I was being asked to lead.

It's been a couple of years (ahem.=) since I was in high school but one thing I have not forgotten is that there were times I really didn't want my parents hanging out with me and my friends. It didn't mean I didn't love my parents, it just meant.that sometimes I wanted to be "me" apart from them.

And so Emily needed to be the deciding factor in this ministry decision.

She said yes, and with that yes has come a new list of "opportunities" for my summer. Some come quite naturally to me; some are stretching me a bit. But I am enjoying every bit of it. Time spent with my 3^rd born is sweet time indeed, whether in a group setting, or one on one; whether in my comfort zone or in a stretching mode.

Miss Em is a 15 year old who is wise beyond her years. She's very quiet (quite unlike her mama) she's self-disciplined, studious, and always wondering why and what if.

I would love to take credit for each of those strengths, but quite frankly, I can't. Those characteristics are definitely her papa shining thru her. From me she received a love of being around people (just as long as she doesn't have to talk), and a love of reading - and, like me, she will read a favorite book again and again.

From me she has also received an appreciation of the One Year Bible. It is a sweet delight when she finds me, knowing we have read the same scripture that day, and says "Mom, you know where the Bible says.." And proceeds to share her thoughts and ask me about mine.

That's good stuff!

It is a delight to be her small group leader, and her mom. She's stuck with me as her mama but our roles of small group leader/student member will come to an end someday, either when she graduates in three years.or when the time comes that she decides she really needs another adult to mentor her in life and asks to be in someone else's small group!

But for today, she said yes, and that makes this mama's heart feel good.

Until next time.
Beth

Labels: Beth

(*Editor's Note: For those of you who don't know, Emily is my daughter and a regular contributor to this blog, so it's not unusual if we sometimes write/sound the same! Unbeknownst to each other, we both wrote about my husband's mother . Please forgive any redundancy as we honor one of our favorite women...)

Let me tell you a little bit about Isabel Horsfall. Married to Joe, mother of Joan, Bill, Sharon and Ned, grandmother of twelve, and great-grandmother of eighteen.

I've known her as Grandma. The grandma that only lived twenty-five minutes away but the drive always felt like an eternity. With a backyard that could be used for sledding, and a basement that was perfect for roller-skating. The candy dish full of the caramels with the cream in the middle and the freezer stocked with popsicles in the summertime.

She left the knobs on the oven dirty when she cooked - which was all the time! She'd make vegetable soup and have a special pot set aside just for me (no tomatoes or onions, thank you very much). She tried to hide the chocolate peanut butter Buckeyes she made near Christmastime so they wouldn't get eaten all at once but we could always find them.

She hated watching you bite your nails and made you sit on your hands to keep you from doing it. She insisted you say "rear-end" instead of that awful "b" word. She was a hard-core Canasta player, and it was rare you could beat her at a game. She loved hearing us practice the piano, bad notes and all, and told us we never practiced enough (partly because it was true, and partly because she could never hear us play enough). I never ever once heard her raise her voice or say anything negative about anyone or anything. She was the most pleasant, happy, understanding person I've ever known.

I'm full of memories, and yet there was still so much I didn't know about her. I didn't know what she was like as a girl, or what made her fall for my Grandpa, how she came to know the Lord or what her favorite verse was. What I do know is that she loved her Lord and she loved her family, and she loved so very well.

We'll miss you Grandma, but we'll hold onto your legacy of love and service and do our best to do it half as well as you did.

Emily

Labels: Emily

I am finishing reading the book of II Chronicles in the Bible, and have re-discovered something interesting. The writer speaks very highly of a couple of kings. It's as if these two men had a spotless record. I am most impressed.except that I had finished reading the books of 1^st and 2^nd Kings not long before, and found that the accounts there told a bit of a different story. Okay, not really different. - just more detail that is simply not found in the Chronicles. Kings David and Solomon.father and son; far from perfect, but chosen by God. As I read more about them, I find myself loving them even more - maybe because of their humanity and imperfections. I also find myself more in love with God.their God and my God.one and the same. Beautiful God Who loves us and chooses us in spite of our imperfections and--call it what it is--sin. Beautiful God Who works with us and changes us to become more of what He created us to be.

So what about the writer of Chronicles? Was he in denial of the weaknesses and sin of these two precious and chosen kings? Was he not willing to confront their sinful behavior and speak about it in Scripture? Did he not see the pink elephant in the living room? Maybe he did see it - and attempted to sweep it under the carpet. So, what's going on here anyway?

Travel with me.

I'm taking you to Missouri for a family reunion. I went with really no expectations, knowing that the only direction was up.hopefully! Don't get me wrong.I love, love, love my family, and we truly love to get together. Like a lot of families though, there is more than enough dysfunction to go around. Earlier in the year my father had asked me if I would be willing to take all of his and my mom's family pictures that had accumulated over the years - many years. His desire was that I would weed through them, organize, label, and assemble them in albums that would serve as a legacy for us and for future generations. Outwardly, I replied with love - "of course I will". Inwardly, I was breaking out in hives.knowing the potential magnitude of this task. (My dad made it clear to me that I certainly did not need to do this task at all. He did not want to create an unnecessary burden for me.) Seriously, we are talking about thousands of pictures - most of which are not labeled or organized in any conceivable way. My husband (most graciously) and I loaded them into the vehicle (hoping we would still have room for our luggage that would be nice to bring back home with us!), and we all headed on to the reunion.

Wow - expectations met and exceeded.highly! All during this family time, I found myself looking at my extended family members with an even deeper sense of love and gratitude. I know this was due to many factors, one of them being the fact that I had looked through many of those family photos before we had packed them up. Those photos brought back all kinds of memories - both beautiful and some not so kind. But the 'pay-off' for me was realizing that no matter what each picture contained, each represented an event or stage of life where we as a family worked and played together to accomplish life. No matter what - we were (and still are) in this together.this 'thing' called 'life'. When it was time to journey home, we were all so sad that such a great family time needed to come to an end. (I've often told my children that the amount of sadness felt is often equal to the amount of love held.)

So, what does all of this have to do with the Chronicles in the Bible? That part of our travels is yet to come! Stay tuned.

Thanks for reading,

Libby

Labels: Libby

Coffee - for ME?

"I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE," I cried to myself.

I shouted to God that He had to help, but could He hear me? Did He care? I purchased the business that was designed specifically for women. My goal was to create and environment that allowed women to feel safe, secure, loved, and appreciated. It was to be my ministry for the women in the community. So why was God allowing it to crumble all around me? I felt like a hamster that was furiously running on the wheel but wasn't getting anywhere.

I had an amazing team of women working with me. Periodically they would receive words of encouragement from our clients which they passed on to me. New friendships were being built and God's love was being shared daily. The most amazing thing was the huge blessing I was experiencing. So, what was I doing wrong? Why was I failing financially?

I've struggled with the questions and I still don't know the answer. I was reminded that God doesn't measure success by dollars and cents, but if this is furthering His kingdom then why didn't He help a little? I've always believed that I was working for the Lord and therefore must give 100% at all times. So, I worked full time during the day, ran my own business at night, went to night classes, and still tried to be the best daughter I possibly could. You may call me crazy or you may be in a similar situation. Physically, I was falling apart. I became ill 6 months ago, and have been on medication for that since then. I couldn't relax or sleep anymore and was always exhausted.

A friend of mine reminded me that if I continued to tear myself down physically by not taking time for myself, then how could I possibly be giving my best to God? At first I wanted to argue with her. Taking time for myself was being selfish. But, I knew I couldn't be all things to all people at all times which was what I was trying to do. God commanded us to reach the lost and hurting. He never said to sleep, relax with a cup of coffee, or read a book from cover to cover in 1 day.

But wait..Jesus did. After a long day of healing the sick, casting out demons, and fellowshipping, Jesus and His disciples climbed into a boat where Jesus fell asleep. Many of us remember how the wind and the waves obeyed Jesus, but I found myself focusing on the fact that Jesus was asleep. "And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He [Jesus] was asleep", Matthew 8:24(NKJV).

Jesus had to take time for himself and he was perfect.. So why did I think I was better than God and didn't need to take time for myself? I have discovered that if I don't set aside time for myself as God has commanded, "your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own", then I could be hindering God's work. Yes, it seems like a crazy idea to me too. If I'm giving of myself all the time at church, work, my business, school and become so exhausted that I become physically ill I may miss an opportunity Christ has for me to bring another soul to Christ.

So, today, as I'm writing, I'm reflecting on the beauty of the day with my cup of coffee. I've simplified my life and discovered that relationships can survive even if my business didn't. Do you find yourself struggling with being over-committed and too exhausted to sleep? I'm still dealing with all the "what ifs" but knowing that you're not alone makes the journey so much easier.

Labels: Guest Blogger

Frances Isabel Horsfall

My dear mother-in-law passed away this week. This picture was taken just months ago on her birthday. She lived ninety-six long, wonderful years. Dedicated to her Lord and Savior Jesus and to her family, she was a great example to me in raising my own children.

She taught me that "you can never spoil a child with love." (I always laughed at her story of 'punishing' my husband when he was a little boy. He had to sit in a chair - but she felt sorry for him so she always got him toys to play with!) Even in the later years that I knew her, I watched her sacrifice much of her own desires and wishes in order to make her family happy. One Easter she fell and broke her collar bone, but she never said anything about how badly she had hurt herself until after church and the huge family dinner she had prepared - because she didn't want to spoil anyone's day! That's just the way she was. Loving and giving and an incredible testimony of God's love and faithfulness.

She was a mighty prayer warrior for her family and others. I learned to pray for my children by following her example. Her Bible was well-read and deeply loved. How thankful I am that as a young bride I had her godly influence in my life. She was a wonderful mother and I learned so much watching her.

She was 'just a housewife' (don't you hate that phrase?) - but worked harder and longer than many of us who work outside the home and raise our family. When I first met her, her husband and son (now my husband) worked two different shifts. I was astounded when I saw her cooking two full course meals at two different times a day - that's two separate breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners! But nothing gave her more joy than to be serving her family and her church.

We are grateful for her life, and to know that she's in heaven with her precious Savior. She and Dad are rejoicing together! Has God blessed you with loved ones that have impacted your life? Be sure to thank Him today - and thank them!

I'll miss you, Mom. But how thankful I am for the blessing you have been in my life, and for the wonderful heritage you and Dad have left for my children.

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy

"And then our kitty got sick".a quote from a recent e-mail I needed to write, a quote that I never EVER thought would come from my keyboard. I'm still a little in shock as to the changes our household has seen this summer.

We have a kitty.anyone who knows me probably would have been willing to bet money (even if they weren't a gambler!) that our home, our front porch, our lives, would never EVER include a kitty of any shape, size, or color. I have spent the past four decades of my life shuddering when a cat comes near me. I'm not sure where the fear came from, but it's a real feeling in the pit of my stomach and up my spine (present tense is still accurate!)

But one day in June my boss said to me "Would your children like a kitty?" My response was, "Well, yes, as a matter of fact they'd LOVE a kitty - but I wouldn't!" He may have missed his calling as a salesman because I left work that day with a kitty in the car with me.

The kids were flabbergasted, amazed, stunned, overjoyed, and a little fearful that the kitty would never bond with them. She was so traumatized by the ride home in a box that she hid under our clematis bush and hissed at them for the next 6 hours. But they persevered. Megan lay on our front porch for hours talking to the kitty, calling her by her new name (Luka) and offering her tuna fish. By nightfall their patience was rewarded. They were able to hold her, for little bits of time.

Since then, we've come to enjoy the personality of this little ball of fur. Luka proceeded to wrap their hearts around and about her. While I still haven't gotten to the point of sitting down and holding and petting her I admit, it is a sweet thing to watch the kids love on this little gray and white fur ball.

And then our kitty got sick.while Megan and Clay were at Camp Buckeye I noticed the kitty was acting.different.she didn't come running when the front door opened, she seemed to be boycotting her food. I told my hubby, "I think the kitty is either mad at us or depressed," jokingly at first, but then wondering if maybe I was onto something.

The kids came home and she climbed all over them, but she still did a lot of sleeping and didn't follow them around like she use to. And then she started to walk a little funny.and the next day she started to fall when she took a couple of steps.by evening she couldn't keep her head from wobbling and bobbing. It was pitiful, even to someone whose spine still tingles at the thought of actually holding her.

So today another first occurred in our household; we made our very first trip, ever, to a veterinarian. We feared the worst (feline leukemia?) and hoped for the best (ear mites?) and the answer ended up being somewhere in between.

Somewhere along the line our kitty fell, hard, hard enough to rupture her ear drum, hard enough to make her (hopefully temporarily) deaf.and blind. How, when, where is a mystery to us. It wasn't unusual for us to see her sitting in a bird nest in any one of our trees, or to find her nosing around on our deck having navigated the 8 or 10 steps it takes to get up to it, so the fact that she climbed somewhere and then, in her nosiness, toppled down from her perch doesn't surprise us.

But the resulting head trauma has all of us surprised, and sad. The kids are sad for Luka, Brian and I are sad for the kids.

I never thought I'd cry over a kitty.

But it's not the first time, or last I suspect, that I've cried because of and for my kids.

That's how parenting goes, that's how life goes, that's how love goes. And it's worth the risk.

But I'm sure glad I have a heavenly Dad that I can talk to about all these bittersweet moments life hands us. His word says He saves our tears.

This past week He's had a lot to save at our house.

Until next time.
Beth

Labels: Beth

My husband's company took part in an episode of ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition. If you've ever seen the show you know that a family in need of housing is chosen for a 'makeover' - but in reality they go in and demolish the existing home and build them a new one - in seven days!

Companies donate materials and labor while the community volunteers to help with everything from construction to food. Hundreds of people are on site working 24/7. My husband thought it was an amazing thing to be part of and an experience he will long remember.

Here are a few 'lessons' he shared about what he observed while he was there (However, I must confess that I have extrapolated and generally paraphrased much of what he said - sorry, Honey!) So here are some life lessons from a tv show.

1. The old must be removed in order for something new and wonderful to take its place.

In the show, they remove the old house and build a new one. In our lives we have to 'clean out our closet' of old baggage to make room for all the new 'clothes' God wants to give us. Hanging onto the past keeps us from embracing the future.

2. A new foundation has to be laid for the new structure.

There's no way a house can stand without a solid foundation. The same is true of our lives. Our 'firm foundation' is Christ. Our life must be built on the Word of God in order for it to remain strong when all else is collapsing around us.

3. There was a vision for what could be built.

While God knew us before the foundation of the world, it takes us awhile to get up to speed with His plan. We need to take a step of faith and trust Him. Whatever our past or present, there is hope for the future and we need to check with the 'Architect' of our lives to capture the vision.

4. There was a detailed plan before the building began.

God has the blueprints for that plan. We need to put all our hopes and dreams in God's hands. 'A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.' Prov. 16:9

5. It takes excellent teamwork to get the job done.

"If everybody does a little, nobody has to do a lot" (This is a take-off from what my husband used to tell his youth group - 'Everybody sings a little or somebody sings a lot'. Since none of them wanted to sing a solo this generally ensured active participation!) We need the strength and support of fellow believers. We were not meant to go through on this earth alone.

6. On a project that size there was very definitive leadership; there's one man at the head of the job.

Christ is our head. All other leaders are under his direction and authority. this actually makes our life much easier!

7. There was tremendous progress made.

As we grow in grace and mature in our walk of faith the power of our testimony increases. Our faith is a journey, a progression, a reaching toward the goal of Christ-likeness.

8. Something of the old will be incorporated in the new.

Take from what you've experienced and learn from it. God's grace is active in our lives, changing us into the image of His Son. God uses everything to work together for good. He takes our mistakes and uses them for His glory.

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy

Meet Charlie...

and Lucy...

These are my "babies" (for now at least!) We got Charlie days after we got back from our honeymoon, and Lucy came less than a year later.

Lucy was an impulsive decision; she was the cutest little puppy I had ever seen. She melted my heart and we got her on the spot without too much thought of our dog at home, who was quite content being the only one around.

Charlie was intrigued by this new family member, and for the most part they got along - as long as Lucy understood who was the alpha dog. Though she has now outgrown Charlie, he still knows how to put her in her place. When we're all cuddled up on the couch, he lets out a little growl if she invades his space too much, and she complies and moves. He usually doesn't like her being too close, which is why I was completely shocked when my husband was able snap these pictures of Charlie, completely of his own volition, snuggling with Lucy.

It seems as though he's finally figured out what Solomon was saying in Ecclesiastes 4.

⁷ Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:

⁸ There was a man all alone;
he had neither son nor brother.
There was no end to his toil,
yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.
"For whom am I toiling," he asked,
"and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?"
This too is meaningless-
a miserable business!

⁹ Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

¹⁰ If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

¹¹ Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

¹² Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Emily

Labels: Emily

Not too long ago I had a conversation with a young mother. Her two-year-old is already giving her some concerns. I told her it is never too early to start praying for your kids. As a mom, you have the unique ability to know your children better than anyone. Who spends the most time with them? Who loves them, corrects them, encourages them, listens to their hearts? It is a distinct privilege of Moms to be able to pray for their children. You can't start too young, nor is the task ever finished!

I've mentioned praying for my kids before and I know that even today as young adults they count on me to continue to pray for them. I remember from the time they were young asking God to help me know them, to recognize the gifts He had given them and to be wise about how to encourage their development. I also noted the areas in their life they needed help with (and it was easy to spot because I could see myself!) I used to think, 'oh, now that came from their dad!' only to admit after some heart to heart reflection with the Lord that it was usually me they picked up their sin issues from! But what a great opportunity to pray for those areas in their life that need strengthened.

Don't know what to pray? www.praymag.com is a good place to browse and there's a great resource to get you started here. Bob Hostetler has compiled thirty-one virtues to pray for your children, complete with scripture references. The list includes integrity, self-control, love, purity, joy, generosity, and gratitude. Or start your own list as you read through God's Word.

I liked to pray for specific areas of my children's lives. When I saw my quick temper or critical spirit or struggle with self-worth in them I used the Scriptures that helped me most. I also tried to choose verses for them to memorize that would help them in those areas of their life I sensed they might struggle with. I always felt like I could have prayed harder, or prayed more specific, or...well, you moms out there get my guilt trip. However, take heart!

You might receive an email like the one my oldest son (who became a dad last year) just sent me. It's enough to make a grown woman cry. (And yes! I did.)

"to mom

this email will in no way come close to expressing what i really mean, but i'm just starting to realize how much you really impressed scripture on us as kids...all i have to say is wow.... you probably quoted prov. 15:1 alone hundreds of times...maybe easily thousands... you taught us that scripture, all scripture, is "given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" a la 2nd timothy, and then you went on to teach us as much of it as you could....

I am continually impressed by what kind of parents we had growing up. i love you dearly and cannot ever thank you enough for all that you've invested in us.

and i don't ever thank you enough for praying for my future spouse as much as you did. God has answered those prayers...may our children be a testament to your faithfulness, but especially HIS!"

I need to go get my tissues now...

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy

I'm celebrating my two year wedding anniversary today! Woohoo! Marriage honestly has been a whole lot easier than what I expected, no thanks to me or my husband but to the awesome God whose hands we place it in everyday. But I have learned a few things and made a couple of discoveries in these past two years.

-I have never had a fight over the toothpaste tube. Never. Despite what I heard before getting married, we've both been able to get toothpaste out and brush our teeth without any problems.

-There is no laundry fairy. She does not exist. One other person does not mean twice the laundry, somehow it means three times the amount I was used to doing just for myself.

-Figuring out what to make for dinner is the hardest part. Well, that and cleaning up afterwards.

-There are times when my husband actually is not thinking about anything. I don't know how this is humanly possible, but I'm trying to accept it.

-Chinese food on a blanket on the floor in a big empty house because you can't afford furniture is incredibly romantic.

-Clipping coupons can actually be exciting.

-Lazy Saturday mornings where it takes you an hour to get out of bed are the best.

-Heeding Ephesians 4:26 by not going to bed angry is one of the best things I have done in my marriage.

-The car does and will break down. Repeatedly. And it happens when your bank account is at its lowest.

-Laughing with each other is better than having all the stuff we don't have money to buy.

-Weird quirks are still endearing at two years. I'll let you know what happens when you get to three.

-He likes sports. Any and all sports, and whatever sport is on TV is suitable to watch. And somehow, to him, it is way more entertaining than the chick flicks I beg him to watch with me. My divine hatred for watching sports is equal to his hatred for my movies. (Again, I don't see how this is possible but I'm learning to accept this.)

-He really is the better driver.

-Painting marathons 'til 3am are exhausting, but are totally worth it the next day.

-I will always be cold and he will always be hot, no matter what the temperature in our house is.

-No matter how much you tell yourself you won't, you will have a junk drawer. This is some inevitable force of nature.

And most importantly:

-Sharing my life with my husband is the greatest gift outside of salvation that God has given me.

Emily

Labels: Emily

Camp Buckeye 2009 is over and done. It was time well spent according to the youngest members of the Beechy family.

Clay found his first year at camp to be lots of fun mixed with a bit of homesickness. All in all he had a great camp experience and can't wait for next year! My note-to-self for next year says "don't just send bug spray along make SURE he knows how to use it!" His favorite activity for the week was "Sponge Wars" ("Star Wars") a game involving wet sponges and hot little boys. Too much fun!

Megan was in her last year of eligibility for this particular week of camp. She was a "senior" member of the campers for the week, that's big stuff when you're 11! This was the first year her friend Bethy attended; they were in the same cabin and had a GREAT time! Nerd night, baking and decorating cakes, as well as sleeping in the new tree house were at the top of her list of favorites.

I asked the three Camp Buckeye alumni's in our household what their favorite camp memory was.

Emily is 15; it's been four years since her last Camp Buckeye experience. She couldn't pin-point any one memory but simply remembers loving the whole experience. From the "Polar Bear" swims, to the hike to the water falls. It was an adventure she looked forward to every summer.

Krista, 21, remembers falling out of her bunk (of course she chose the top bunk every year) in her sleep and having a swollen black and blue eye for the week. When it happened they asked her if she wanted to go home and she quickly answered NO! A little accident like that was not going to keep her from the Camp Buckeye adventure!

Leah, 23, has fond memories of falling in love for the very first time at Camp Buckeye. (When I said "oh yes, your first crush" she promptly corrected me "no Mom, it was LOVE!" =) I remember that year distinctly, she came home with stars in her eyes.

They would always come home with dirty laundry, mosquito bites, sleepy eyes, and exciting stories. Fun memories of campfires, nerd nights, a lot of swimming, hiking, and a few pranks mixed in for some variety. They always had new worship songs to sing, Bible verses that jumped out at them to share, and crafts made diligently for their favorite mama.

And they always talked about "next year". This year is no different.

The 2009 camp marked Camp Buckeye's 25^th anniversary! To Nate, Vi, and the rest of the Grass Roots Ministry gang: thanks for a job well done and for your faithfulness to continue to provide a Christ filled camping opportunity to our young people and future generations!

Until next time.
Beth

Labels: Beth

The day I turned ten my dad took me to the toy store and let me pick out whatever I wanted for my birthday. I picked out two things, one of which was this game by Milton Bradley:

I can't remember what else I picked out, I think it was Chutes and Ladders with Disney characters, but I definitely remember Park and Shop. We played it all the time. I still had it when I got married and when my children were old enough they fell in love with it, too. It's a simple game - drive to the parking lot, park, walk to each store you've drawn an errand card for, go back to your car, drive home. First one home, wins.

The game is worn - the box gone, the board tattered, the markers, cars, and men are a hodge podge from different games, and the cards are bent and I'm sure there are one or two missing. But we can still play the game.

It was definitely a fun way to learn time management, and cool words like 'haberdashery'. The key was to find the quickest route to get all your errands done. I still think in terms of 'shortest route, quickest way home' whenever I am out and about.

When I think about my busy life - the plans I make, meetings to attend, people to see and the errands that fill my days - I wonder sometimes if the lessons from this simple game might serve me well. In spite of the fulfillment I find in checking off the errands on my list, I find I'm not all that organized. (The nickname "Messy Missy" had to come from somewhere!) More than making lists and checking things off, I need help in determining priorities. What do I do first? What can I skip, or set aside as not important? The game had 'hazard cards' that you drew when you landed on a certain spot on the board. Just like real life, it was always a surprise and interupted whatever plans I made, the errands I needed to run.

A number of years ago, Charles E. Hummel wrote a pamphlet called 'Tyranny of the Urgent'. It's all about how we allow the 'urgent' things in our life to dominate the rest of our plans. I'm the type to get distracted by not only what seems critical right now but the totally irrevelant! I need lists to keep me on track and making sure I do what's important, not just what seems to be screaming at me the loudest.

The house needs cleaned, but should that be done before I write a note to a grieving friend, or take some time in the Word? Have I lived today to the fullest - appreciating all that God has given me and done for me - or am I in the pit of whining about what I don't have, or dreaming of what will be 'someday' and missing what's right in front of me? The apostle Paul talks a lot about contentment - I think I want that - and more! I want to be living every moment - every circumstance - for Him. It's a journey - whether I'm doing the mundane like parking and shopping and running errands - or I'm on a 'more exciting' adventure.

Each day is an opportunity to love Him, live for Him, to be going about His business, not my busy-ness.

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy

We settled in rural Michigan and there we had well water. Hard as a rock and about as tasty. You could see the minerals floating in the water. We hauled our drinking water from town in jugs and containers ('bottled water' before it became popular). Before hauling and boiling water I used to drink it straight from the tap - but it was chlorinated and while I learned to drink it because it tasted 'normal' to me, after I had other water I no longer liked it.

There are two places I've been in this world that I've actually enjoyed drinking the water. One was Nebraska (oh, the tap water there! It makes everything taste better.) and on top of a mountain in Switzerland. I was about four years old, but I can still taste that clear, sweet, cold, delicious water. It poured into a hollowed out log and when you first looked at it, it appeared empty because it was so crystal clear. I've never had anything like it since.

Here's the thing about water. It actually quenches your thirst. Aside from water with impurities, the good water is refreshing and satisfies our bodies, giving us what we need. Coke (which I still love) is another story. It tastes good, and perhaps for the moment is satisfying, but it increases thirst and desire for more. My own philosophy is that it's the sugar content because most sweetened drinks do the same thing, but pop (or soda - or as they say in the south for any carbonated beverage regardless of the flavor - 'coke') just makes you want more.

I guess that answers why it's so hard for me to drink the water I need. The taste of Coke on my tongue (and the memory of it) makes me want more. But if I would discipline myself to drink water I would not only be healthier, I'd be more satisfied!

The world and all its pleasures are like that. Not everything that's out there is necessarily bad for you, but James 4:4 tells us that whoever wants to be friends with the world makes himself an enemy of God. Let's face it, the more I drink Coke, the more I want it. That's my flesh. The more I am in the world, spend time with it, drink in its pleasures, the more I become like the world and less like God.

Every illustration has its limitations, but when I think of pure, refreshing water I think of the Living Water God offers us in John 4. Jesus said if we drink it we would never thirst again. Only a relationship with God's Son truly satisfies. I can be lured by the world's dazzle and lights - by the sugar and fizz of Coke - but it leaves me unsatisfied and wanting more every time I drink it. What I don't let myself realize is that it's destructive, not restorative. Water gives life - Jesus offers us Eternal Life. Why do we grasp for the temporary when the infinite grace, mercy, and love of Christ is being offered to us?

All for Him

Missy

Labels: Missy

Are you a Facebooker?

I'm not quite addicted.I don't update my profile a couple times a day like some of my friends, but I do like to hop on at least every other day or so. Amazing how one website connects hundreds of people together, from old friends in elementary schools to distant relatives. You can find out where people are now living, what their current job is, favorite TV shows, hobbies, and quotes, and check out whatever pictures they've chosen to post. But probably the easiest thing to do on Facebook is update your status and comment on others.

My current status:

-Emily is celebrating the 4^th and Eric's 25^th birthday. Wow my hubby's getting old!
(Okay, it may be time to update that one and get the 25 being old comment off of there before I get in too much trouble!)

After browsing through my friends, I found a few other interesting statuses:

-Danielle just made the worst eggs known to man...ick haha

-Martha: Okay, infants should not have a Facebook. That's simply awkward and dumb. What does a baby have to update?

-Brandon is excited to take his son home today.

-Krista: If I were a food I would be a cheeseburger, cuz everyone likes 'em. However, someone will inevitably respond to this saying they don't. Lame.

-Hannah thinks life is hard - but at least I know He's drawing me closer to Himself

-Renee just killed a huge spider in her apartment. Creepy!

-Mike: I have soggy shoes.

-Briana's thinking about how much money Itunes and music stores are making off of Michael Jackson's death.

-Mark won big.

-Molly: Well apparenty, I sleep like a dork!

-Matt: We're adding a little something to this month's sales contest. As you all know, first prize is a Cadillac Eldorado. Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you're fired.

It got me thinking about my spiritual status. If I had to post something online for all my friends and family to see about my spiritual status, and if I was honest with it, what would it say? Could I exclaim "Emily is madly in love with her Savior!" or "Emily's gaining victory over sin issues in her life through the awesome power of God!" Or would I have to say something like, "Emily really needs to get off the computer and into the Word" or "Emily's heart and attitude are far from pleasing to God"?

It's easy to fool anyone around me into thinking my spiritual status is something it's not, but God doesn't have to check my Facebook to know what's going on with me. I can't fool Him, and I need to be concerned with what His comments are on my status, and not my friends'. And it's not until I can admit where I'm at that I can begin to address it.

So.what's your status?

Emily

Labels: Emily

I would like to introduce you to our friend, Missy Horsfall. A spotlight on Missy is LONG overdue! She is one of the 'rocks' behind Circle of Friends ministries. Missy is multi-faceted and multi-talented. She joined the Circle of Friends board in 2008, and COF has been benefiting from her ever since. Missy is the 'brains' behind much of our website. She manages the blog which includes her personal insights and offerings as she writes about what is on her heart. She also helps to produce and to record the radio programming done by COF. Missy headed up the Circle of Friends devotional book project which resulted in publication. She has allowed God to use her giftedness throughout her years and experiences of life. I want to share more about her with you!

I first met Missy years ago when our children were small. Missy has been married to Ned for 31 years. They are the parents of three grown children, all of whom are married, and the grandparents of one adorable baby girl. Missy worked in the banking industry for 13 years and as a pastor's wife for over 20 years. She co-authored the book Double Honor (Waterbrook Press 2002), and it is a GREAT read. I had to make myself STOP reading it, or I would have gone from beginning to end in one sitting!

When Missy was little, she wanted to grow up to be an Equestrian, specifically a three-day eventer, jumping horses. She grew up with the childhood nicknames of M.E. (emy), Miss Em (which I love!), and the dreaded "Lula-Belle"! During her 6^th grade year, she attended a missionary school in Taiwan. Her dad was in the military and was stationed there. She became a Christian after hearing about Jesus at a school assembly. Missy's walk of faith has continued and grown, regardless of the amount of pain in some of her life's circumstances. Throughout her life she has been inspired by so many people. A few that I will mention are her husband, Ned; Pastor Chris Cutshall and his wife, Kathy; her friend, Debby; and a long succession of wonderful women who have befriended and mentored her in the faith.

The spiritual lesson that seems to keep recurring in her life is that "God can take the worst of circumstances and make good come from it-He is that awesome! Every trial we face is designed by His hand, with His purpose in mind." Those are words of wisdom to hang on to! When Missy needs encouragement, she digs into the Word, listens to worship music, and calls or e-mails a friend - more great advice! At this point she would describe her perfect day as a "Blue and Gold" day on the water-deep blue sky, fresh wind, and beautiful sunshine. (Missy grew up on Lake Huron.) But, if that is not possible, a day with her family together is even better!

Missy describes herself as 'caring'. She absolutely hates to see anyone be humiliated or embarrassed. I would definitely agree with her description. I will also add that she is diligent, faithful, loyal, persevering, wise, a great listener - the list goes on! Fellow COF board member, Tammy, adds this about Missy. "I had the opportunity to travel to Nepal with Missy and was amazed by her endurance and strength. She really got sick - I mean horrible, horrible dysentery where she could barely stand up; fever and just major sick - but.she truly never complained, had a smile at all times on her pale face and ministered to the Nepali people with full vigor. I love Missy; she is a beautiful, Godly woman, and I cherish her friendship!"

Missy adds incredible wisdom to our COF team with her gifts, and we are so blessed to know her and to work alongside her. I just want to thank her for saying 'yes' to Circle of Friends!

Thanks for reading,

Libby

Labels: Libby

After the busy-ness of June and the holiday weekend, this week finds our house a little quieter.mostly because our two youngest have gone off to camp.

Ahh Camp Buckeye -or Camp "Bug-eye", as Clay has referred to it ever since his first journey there to drop off a sister - a sweet little camp nestled in the corner of an adjoining county. It's only 10 minutes from our house so I'm aware of every thunderstorm they experience while they're away, but the adventures summer camp offers makes the kids feel as if home is in a distant land. Camp Buckeye gives them a new perspective on life.

This is Clay's first year at camp. For the past three or four years he has been champing at the bit, ready and waiting for his turn to come. I, on the other hand, have been watching this time approach with a bittersweet feeling in my heart. There is just something about seeing your 'baby" approach those huge milestones in life that tugs on the heartstrings.

Don't get me wrong, I know that it is crucial that we allow our children the opportunity to live life apart from us. That really is a goal in parenting! But the loosening of those heartstrings, even as gentle as it may be, has some pain attached. And that's not a bad thing! The phrase "no pain, no gain" comes to mind, and it's true. Most of the truly good stuff in life - the stuff worth working for, the stuff that leaves behind the best memories - has some pain attached.

Parenting is proof of that! And while I've never been an athlete or a soldier I believe those who have would tell you the same. "No pain, no gain". Most often the things we accomplish in the midst of pain tend to be the things we end up valuing the most. (hmmm, I think the holiday we just celebrated may give testimony to that saying too.)

And so it is today in my little corner of the world, this mama is feeling a little pain in having the chicks out of the nest, but I know they will come home having gained much. And I will have gained from it too. Separation from that which we can tend to take for granted gives us a new appreciation of how great the value of that person or thing (ever live without water or electricity for any length of time?) really is. And a new perspective is seldom a bad thing!

But.I can't wait to feel that first hug of "I missed you so much!".and hear their stories.and hear the new songs they learned while they were there.and hear what made them a little sad.'cause there's always a little bit of all of those things that come home from camp with them. (as well as a good bit of laundry =)

I can't wait to see how they've grown, physically, relationally, and spiritually. I can't wait to find out what their "favorite camp memory" is. And I can't wait for the week to be over so I know they're not homesick.and my heartstrings can relax a little bit.

Until next time.
Beth

Labels: Beth

I've spent many of my working/career years in a banking environment. Most of that time was spent in the operations and bookkeeping departments, but I've done my share of teller work. Which means you handle money. Lots of it. One of the things I did was to help count the vault. (I use to kid my co-workers that I got to be 'Queen' - you know, 'the Queen was in her counting house, counting out her money'...Okay, I guess you had to be there to appreciate my sense of humor).

Where was I going with all this? Oh, yes. Money. They tell you the best way to spot a counterfeit bill is by handling the real thing. It makes sense. In our training classes we saw and held a number of counterfeit bills. It's amazing how close to the real thing people can make fake money! But there are ways to tell if a bill is real or not.

The first thing, as I mentioned, is the feel of the bill. Our money is made from special paper - part linen and part cotton. It also has special ink and a printing process called 'intaglio' so the ink sits on top of the paper. It has a unique feel. I'm not sure I could describe its texture, but counting all those bills everyday I became accustomed to the touch of it so when we were blindfolded and asked to find the fake bill I could actually pick it out from the real ones! Being familiar with the genuine article helped to figure out when a phony bill came along. A second way to check if a bill is good is to watch for the shifting ink colors in the corner (on denominations larger than $5).

So knowing the real thing and being observant will serve you well in determining what kind of money you are dealing with. So it is in the spiritual realm. Satan is the original counterfeiter. He is very good at making something look like truth when it is mixed with lies. 'Somewhat' true is not truth at all. It's like being handed a glass of water and told to go ahead and drink it - it only has a little arsenic mixed in with it. God's Word is the original. Are you familiar enough with it and its principals to recognize Satan's counterfeit?

There are other ways to examine currency to see if it is the genuine article, but they involve holding money up to a light source to check for watermarks and security threads. What a great spiritual illustration! The Holy Spirit illuminates God's Word. 1 John 5:7 tells us that the Holy Spirit confirms the truth, Eph 3:5 that He reveals the mysteries of God, 1 Co 2:13 that He teaches us and explains spiritual truth, and John 14:26 that He will remind us of what He has taught us. Do you want to know if something is true? We have a helper in the Holy Spirit to guide us to the Real Thing.

One final thought on sorting out the authentic from the forged. There is microprinting around the portraits on our bills. Sometimes it takes a magnifying glass to see it. It certainly takes close examination and scrutiny. You have to search for it.

Are you willing to make that kind of effort with the Word of God?

All for Him,

Missy

Labels: Missy

The 4^th of July. America's Independence Day. A day commemorating and celebrating - what? I wonder if the repetitive nature of annual holidays somehow diminishes the origin of that first special event. Cloudy confusion can be the result if we are not diligent in pursuing original truth. Because of my thoughts, I would like to share with you some quotations from one of our founding fathers and the 2^nd president of these United States, Mr. John Adams. I believe within his words we will know some of his heart and passion. I also believe Mr. Adams is a fine representation of the entire core of founding fathers as he eloquently speaks words that echo their hearts and passions as well. (I would love to share quotes from all of them, but then this blog would become a book!) All quotes are taken from the book, "America's God and Country" by William J. Federer. I will type them as they originally appeared, regarding both grammar and punctuation. Much had been happening in both England and America leading up to the days of these quotes. I encourage you to dig back in time and learn about this period of our heritage once more.

On June 21, 1776, John Adams wrote:

"Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.

The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People in a greater Measure than they have it now, they may change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty."

In contemplating the effect that separation from England would mean to him personally, John Adams wrote:

"If it be the pleasure of Heaven that my country shall require the poor offering of my life, the victim shall be ready, at the appointed hour of sacrifice, come when that hour may. But while I do live, let me have a country, and that a free country!"

On July 1, 1776, John Adams profoundly spoke at the Continental Congress to the delegates from the Thirteen Colonies:

"Before God, I believe the hour has come. My judgment approves this measure, and my whole heart is in it. All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it. And I leave off as I began, that live or die, survive or perish, I am for the Declaration. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment. Independence now, and Independence for ever!"

On July 3, 1776, the day following Congress' approval of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, regarding the gravity of the decision:

"It is the will of heaven that the two countries should be sundered forever. It may be the will of heaven that America shall suffer calamities still more wasting and distresses yet more dreadful. If this is to be the case, it will have this good effect, at least: it will inspire us with many virtues which we have not, and correct many errors, follies and vices, which threaten to disturb, dishonor and destroy us.The furnace of affliction produces refinements in states, as well as individuals."

On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote again to his wife, Abigail, reflecting on what he had shared in Congress and, with prophetic insight, declaring the importance of that day:

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever.

You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even though we [may regret] it, which I trust in God we shall not."

So there you have it - simply a few quotes from a humble steward of God. During this 4^th of July and beyond, may we all be reminded of the Divine principles and purposes upon which this country was founded. God has indeed blessed America. Now America must continually choose to bless God!

Thanks for reading,

Libby

Labels: Libby

I love musicals.

You can blame my mom for that one, she got me "Meet Me in St. Louis" with Judy Garland from the library once to watch and I wore that tape out, getting it every chance I could. In fact, when I got old enough to drive and had my own library card, I rented it, kept it, and paid the cost for never returning it! And so I fell in love with Judy Garland, and eventually "The Wizard of Oz" even though I had to shut my eyes anytime that mean old witch or those crazy flying monkeys came across the screen.

So about a year ago when I found out "Wicked" was coming through town with a traveling Broadway cast, I was determined to go see it. I waited 'til tickets went on sale, bought 3^rd row seats months in advance, and was able to see with a couple of friends this past weekend. And man was it AMAZING! (By the way - the flying monkeys are even creepier in person!)

The story is of Elphaba (who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West) and Galinda (who becomes Glinda the Good Witch) and what happened in Oz before Dorothy and Toto dropped in.

Here's a clip of one of the fun songs from the play. Galinda decides to make Elphaba her project and give her a makeover, thus making Elphaba more popular.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY2_HAAoqqA

The scene also has one of my favorite lines. Galinda attempts to turn Elphaba's outfit into a ballgown, and fails (she's still learning her craft, after all!), to which Galinda concludes that Elphaba should "Just wear the frock - it's pretty!"

The premise of Wicked is that we've all assumed something to be true when it isn't.that the green lady in the pointy hat was actually wicked, when instead she was just often misunderstood. In fact, there really wasn't anything wicked about her at all.

I have gotten pretty good at the art of assuming - at any time, in any circumstance, I jump to conclusions without knowing the whole story first. In fact, I just did it a few days ago - I got upset over a situation that was quickly resolved when I learned the truth. I assume people's motives, and I even assume their responses in conversations that have yet to come to pass!

I've looked a couple times, and I can't find "Love always assumes" in 1 Corinthians 13. Nope, definitely not in there. What is in there is that love is patient, it's not proud or rude, it's not easily angered, it always trusts, and it always hopes. That's quite a bit different then what assuming brings out in me, and I definitely want to be known for my love, and not for my assuming.

And I'm pretty sure love would have seen Elphaba as a beautiful girl, who happened to have green skin, rather than an ugly, old, wicked witch.

Emily

Labels: Emily

It is with great pleasure and delight that I shine the "spotlight" on not only a friend, but a hero too! Let's look at how Webster describes the word hero: "any person, especially a man, admired for courage, nobility, etc."; hmmm, courage, and nobility, let us allow Webster to define those words also; courage: "the quality of being brave, valor"; nobility: "being noble"; noble: "having high moral qualities". Yup, that's Jim Mason!

Yes, today our spotlight shines on a friend and a hero. Remember the D-Day anniversary we recently celebrated? Jim Mason was there. He was one who jumped. He was one who fought with valor. He is one who deserves our thanks for his part in the history of our nation. Today he fights a different battle; Jim is a prayer warrior, he meets with the Walnut Hills prayer group faithfully, praying for your children and mine. His "jumps" are leaps of faith, his "battles" are fought with the Sword of the Lord, his "valor" (which Webster describes as strength, courage, bravery) is dependent upon the God he has served for the past 60 years.

Jim came home from the army in 1948 unsure of what to do with his future. He feels the best advice he ever received was at an employment office where he was applying for work in a factory. The gentleman behind the desk said "Mr. Mason, you don't want to work in a factory - go home and go to college." To this day Jim doesn't know the name of this man, but the advice set his feet toward the path that God had planned for him. Within eighteen months of his discharge from the army and entering college Jim surrendered his heart to Christ at a revival meeting, and responded to the call to enter the ministry.

Jim met his sweetheart, Marie, at school and their life together was blessed with four children, and many grand and great-grandchildren. Marie, who passed away May 29, 2008, was a God-given inspiration in Jim's life. He says of their marriage "I was the head of the family, but she was the neck that turned the head."

A recent highlight in Jim's life was celebrating his 88^th birthday with his family. While his children had grown up hearing him preach, his grandchildren never had the opportunity; Jim chose the occasion of his birthday to share his passion for preaching the Word of God with the younger generation of the Mason clan.

Jim is certain that people who know him now would be surprised to know how Christ changed his life completely, from a worldly young man to one who lives and loves in Christ. Jim describes himself as one who is joyful and has a positive attitude. Friends would agree wholeheartedly. Jim has the gift of encouragement, and he shares it freely and frequently.

Jim Mason, friend, hero, prayer warrior, and faithful servant of God.

Labels: Beth