THE BIG 6-0

¸.•°˚ˆ*♥∗¸¸.• N::I::F::T::Y •♥• N::I::F::T::Y •♥•  A::L::M::O::S::T •♥•  S::I::X::T::Y •¸¸.∗♥*ˆ˚°•.¸

I recall the funk and depression I went through on my 30th birthday. I don’t know why. Some preconceived and misguided conception on my part, I’m sure. Recently I began feeling that way again on this, the advent of my 60th birthday.

So, I started thinking, “What do I want to do, specifically, to herald this milestone?”

1. Go on a cruise?
2. Rent a Limo and take friends on a tour of the local vineyards?
3. Shop until I drop?
4. Make reservations at a fine restaurant?
5. Make a trip to Ohio to visit my beautiful daughter?

All of the above (with exception to visiting my daughter) left me rather… well, unsettled.

Although I’d love to visit my daughter - not Ohio in the dead of winter! Sorry, Baby Cakes, I just can’t do the extreme winters anymore!

So again the question – what to do? How do I want to celebrate my BIG 6-0? I began to think about mortality and how would I like to be eventually be remembered. That’s when the idea began to form. Who says birthdays have to be about us?

I recalled reading a story about a little boy’s birthday party that was a bit different. He asked all his invited guests to bring items to fill a shoebox for the Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan’s Purse. He provided plastic containers for all the guests and the party goers assembled the shoe boxes. Then he and his family delivered the items to a local distribution center.

“…and a child shall lead them”

So, for my birthday week, I created a public event on Facebook asking persons to honor my 60th birthday by donating a canned good (or similar item) to be delivered to My Neighbor’s Panty (my church’s food bank). It can be dropped off at my house or take it yourself. If you are not from the area, then your local food bank would be wonderful. Truly, I believe no child in this country should go to bed hungry.

A number of friends from Ohio are donating to their local food banks. One dear friend told me of her church’s daycare where a single mom and her daughter are just barely making it. Every Thursday she anonymously provides her with enough groceries and snacks for them for over the weekend. You know who you are, and you have touched my heart so deeply!

A former classmate and dear friend who resides in Pennsylvania is donating food to a central food bank where her son serves in their day program. Hugs to you, my friend!

So very many comments and a number have said they will be doing something similar for their birthday! How wonderful is that?

I think there maybe the potential for this type of event to catch on for others. Even those of you reading this blog, if you’re so inclined – donate to a local food bank. It is after the holidays and this is a difficult time for them after having provided for so many during the holiday season.

Again I say, no child in this country should ever have to go to bed hungry.

Matthew 25:35-40

New American Standard Bible

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;  naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

Tamara

Be Ye Glad!

The second cataract surgery was this past Tuesday and is a success!  There is still a bit of discomfort if I over-use my eyes (FB, Blogger, email…) but I am amazed at the difference.  

The colors are brighter and images at a distance so much clearer.  The right eye was done in September and I was amazed, but now with both of them completed I am stunned at the difference. 

The vision in my right eye improved to 20/25 and the ophthalmologist said I could possibly get away from prescription lenses and merely use readers!  Who knew?  I have an appointment for next Tuesday and will have the eyes checked then.  I’m anxious to know the measurable improvement.  It will be awhile down the road before the eyes are checked for prescription lenses, however. 

I still have what the doctor calls “a foggy spot” on the lens of the right eye, but he said he will laser that in three months and it should take care of the ‘issue’.  The only difficulty I’m aware of is the night vision halo but he indicated it would resolve itself with the laser treatment.  Still, all in all, I am thrilled and more than amazed with the results.   

Thanksgiving is just around the corner!  It will be a quiet one for us this year.  Our daughter lives in Ohio and just began a new (and exciting) job, so she won’t be joining us here in Arizona.  Our son is reconciling with his son’s mother after four years and they will be spending the holiday together as a family unit. That leaves the two of us this year.  That’s probably a good thing since I’ve just had the eye surgery.  

I prepared my very first Thanksgiving meal at the age of 19 and what an experience that was!  I left the packet of giblets inside the bird.  I didn’t know it was there and fortunately, it was in parchment paper and then surrounded by my dressing.  I am still surprised we didn’t get food poisoning!  I believe there were six of us for that dinner and it was a solution to ‘who would go where and leave the remainder of the family offended that we didn’t spend it with them’.   

Those choices have always been difficult in families and combined families with one set getting angry and upset over who you’re spending it with this year.  We determined quite sometime ago that would not be the case with us – we support no guilt family holidays. 

My mother recently had her own medical crisis, so they will be staying in their home and having their own dinner.  They are approximately five hours from our area so the travel is extensive.  We will be speaking by phone, I’m sure as we will with the rest of the family. 

We checked in the community and can find no community meal being served as we thought we’d like to volunteer to help with that.  So, we’re contemplating ordering a “full meal” from our local grocery / deli instead of doing it all up ourselves or we could go to a local restaurant for the meal.  I’m leaning towards the grocery / deli meal as we could have leftovers for later!  I will have to purchase fresh cranberries and make the relish!  It just isn’t Thanksgiving without the fresh cranberry relish!  I also found a recipe for cranberry relish that incorporated fresh jalapeño peppers!  I just might have to try that in addition to the standard one. This is the Southwest after all! I'll let you know the results!

Our church is having their annual Thanksgiving meal this coming Sunday, so we will not be without “family” in that sense.  Our names fall into the dessert category and Dennis is the pie maker in our family, so it’s all him this year!  I have a friend (Roxanne) who makes the most amazing pumpkin rolls!  I’d love to have that recipe – hint, hint!  

That’s all for this edition and blessings to you and yours until next time! 

Psalm 92:4

New King James Version

⁴ For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your hands.

Tamara

Post Script 11/22/2011:  I had a check up on the surgical eye today - the vision is 20/20 in it! The vision in the first eye I had surgery on is 20/25.  I am more than happy and so thankful!  I will still require readers and I can live with that!  In fact, I took all my old prescription glasses - 4 pair of them, and placed them in the donation box for someone else to use!

Free Fall...

Well, it is Autumn!  And it is free! 

There is just something about this time of year.  The chill, the scent, and the promise of winter and then the rebirth of spring. 

Many areas of the country are having their annual county fairs.  Even though I'm not the person who likes the amusement park rides, I do love a good spin on a carousel! 

Cha-cha-cha-changes!

Have you noticed how often I change the backgrounds to this blog?  I get it to a point then think perhaps I'll tweak it a bit, then end up scrapping the whole thing for something new.  I suppose it is a lot like dressing each day.  A different day, a different outfit.  For now, for this moment in time - I have selected Black & White!

In my line of work (state service) we have a number of policies and procedures.  They are to help guide us and to keep us from doing something that would cause embarrassment or even criminal charges.  There are a number of them and if placed end to end with the Bible, I'm sure it would exceed the number of words in the Word of God.  

Some people find the policies and procedures restrictive and consider them to be "suggestions" rather than what they were intended for.  I happen to like policy and procedure - everything in 'black & white' - no grey areas.  And it is available to all employees.

Like the Word of God, however, you have to read them to know them.  That is time consuming.  All too often we hear, "But I didn't know that was in policy!"  Does that excuse the infraction?  By no means.  Sometimes employees have even been dismissed due to the severity of their actions. 

The wonderful part of God's Word and work is Grace.  The marvelous Grace that that attends our soul.  That is not to say that we do not have to suffer the consequences of our actions or our non action.  It merely means that we can be forgiven and then covered with a mantel of Grace.  Grace, however, is no license for continued defiance against the Word of God.  This makes me think of the old hymn "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" which is now swirling about my head in four-part harmony!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,

Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned,
Saved to the uttermost,
Chains have been torn asunder,
Giving me liberty;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power,
Making him God’s dear child,
Purchasing peace and heaven,
For all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Refrain

This hymn was written by Haldor Lillenas in 1918.

So there it is the reason I am in Black & White today.  And maybe for tomorrow, and the next day...

May your day be blessed,

Tamara

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Stones of Remembrance

Genesis 28:17-19 New American Standard Bible

17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” 18 So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on its top. 19 He called the name of that place Bethel; however, previously the name of the city had been Luz.

In the old testament scriptures, stones were set out as a memorial for something important and as noted above, Jacob poured oil on the top of the stone.  He anointed it. 

Today, I too have anointed my stone of remembrance.  It has been two years since the heart attack and the same amount of time since I've had a cigarette.  All my recent lab work came back within good ranges. My cholesterol levels are within range and it has been one year since I've taken any 'heart' medications. I only take a low dose aspirin daily.  I'm sure I'll be seeing the cardiologist soon, I'm just waiting to see when they set it up. I'll probably need the dreaded stress test - so aptly named.

Now, before this begins to sound like 'happily ever after' I do confess to having bouts of really wanting to smoke a cigarette. But I don't, thank God. I simply think back to the quality time I spent with Jesus in the MedEvac helicopter and the first two weeks of going cold turkey. I don't want to have to do that again, ever!

The exercise has gone by the wayside and it shows. I need to begin a walking regime again. I did have an occasion where I was transported to the hospital from work - a bit of a fainting spell. Alright, two - I had two near episodes where I had to lay down on the floor before I fell down.  The verdict was dehydration and low protein levels. 

I was going great guns on trying to become vegetarian.  Too well, evidently.  So the carnivore in me has reemerged. But tempered. I'm also using a protein powder and making healthy smoothies with frozen berries, vanilla yogurt and a banana thinned out with orange juice!

On Wednesday of this week, my husband will be having a procedure to manually extract a 12 mm kidney stone. As I understand it, they will try to break it into a manageable size and then place a stent in his kidney. Eventually the stent will need to be removed.

We, the aging Baby Boomers are having health concerns! Thank God for medical insurance and the ability for me to take time off work to assist Dennis with his issues.

And so I pray:

Abba, Father ~thank You for Your provisions and for Your grace.  Thank You for allowing us the privelidge of living where we do and for the benefits provided through my employment. Be with us as we begin to experience health concerns and issues. In Jesus' name I pray ~AMEN!

because we're His,

Wordless Wednesday

Hope

Job 4:6 (New American Standard Bible)
 

6 Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?

It’s been busy here in the southwest. Last week was the Law Enforcement Torch Run or LETR. My agency participates by giving of funds or walking, riding a horse, a bike and carrying the “torch” through town for the Special Olympics. All funds raised go to that most honorable event. Then we also had appreciation week for the Corrections Officers.


Cinco de Mayo was celebrated this week and culminated with a parade today. So much of the SW is filled with the Hispanic culture in the form of architecture, art and of course - food.


The Relay for Life event was held last night beginning at 6 p.m. and ended today at 8 a.m. This annual event is held in conjunction with the American Cancer Society where the lives of cancer survivors are celebrated and those who lost the battle are honored.


Then we celebrate Mother’s Day tomorrow.


Our grandchildren spent the night with us and wore us out! We bought them roller skates, helmets and made them wear kneepads. I believe our granddaughter Abby will be training for the Roller Derby.


As I look back over this list of events, I’m struck by how in some manner that all exude hope. Hope for the continuing understanding and acceptance of those in our communities who are mentally challenged; hope that our Corrections Officers know how appreciated and honored they are, not just during this week, but all year long; hope that tolerance and understanding will be afforded to different cultures and different ‘tribes’ in our communities; hope for those who battle a most formidable foe – cancer, and finally hope for the Mothers who believe that life must continue on.

And so I pray:

Abba, Father – fill us with hope. Grant us compassion and tolerance for those who are different. Grant us empathy and understanding for those who suffer in one form or another. Grant us the energy and stamina to raise children and grandchildren. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we’re His,

I Lift Up My Eyes...

Psalm 121 (New International Version, ©2011)

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.


3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.


5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.


7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

The commute with my new position is quite substantial now. Sometimes there is a group of us who carpool together and then there are other times when I make the trek alone. It is a beautiful drive into the mountains and when I am alone the first two verses of Psalm 121 are what come to mind.

Living in the valley as we do, we are surrounded by mountains. If I’ve been away for awhile, I always feel comforted when I return and see the mountains; it is as if God is surrounding me with His love and protection.

There have been times when I’ve been at the community medical center for some rather unpleasant medical tests. During those times I look out the window and focus on the mountain and those verses that have given me so much comfort. Some of those tests have been a spinal tap and the most recent a physical cardio stress test. Not fun, but necessary at the time. Even now when I think I am facing something unbearable, I recall the spinal tap and remind myself – if I got through that, I can get through anything with God’s help!

When I am depressed and cannot pray I sometimes read the Psalms as prayers. Other times I write them out in my journal in my own words and offer them to the Lord as a sacrifice of praise.

What is it you find yourself doing when the times get rough?  Do you have a favorite scripture you cling to?  A special prayer you resort to or perhaps a devotional or meditation?

My Prayer:

Abba, Father, hear my prayer this day. Thank you for the beauty of the mountains and the comfort I feel in them. Thank you for the opportunity in this new position and for the chance to ‘stretch and grow’. Guide and direct my steps this day and may I be a blessing to those around me. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we're His,

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

~Philippians 4:6 NRSV

Thoughts on today's verse...

Ruth Bell Graham said, "Worship and worry cannot exist at the same time in the same heart. They are mutually exclusive." I need to commit this quote to memory!

When I pray, I use an acronym - ACTS, which stands for adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. When we adore or hallow God's name, we give Him the honor, the glory and the praise He deserves. When we confess, we leave nothing left between the two of us that would hinder or keep our prayers from being heard. When we express our thankfulness, our gratitude to God, we are saying we believe He will answer us and provide for our needs or the needs of those for whom we are praying. Next and final comes supplication, the "asking for" part of our prayer. For our needs, the needs of others, for corporate prayer such as for the church.

The Lord's prayer is a wonderful model for us. Not asking for what we want, but for what we need. There is a difference and God is not some cosmic Santa Clause waiting to hand us our every desire. This is a difficult lesson for us to teach our children and grandchildren. They often have a hard time knowing the difference between needs and wants. What a privilege we have to teach our children and grandchildren how to talk to God!

My prayer...

Father God, may I always give to You the glory and honor You deserve. May I always confess those things that separate me from You. May I always have an attitude of gratitude. May I always trust Your answers to my prayers. ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara