Thursday, September 29, 2011

Crazy stuff

Almost two weeks ago, I got a bbm from a cousin overseas saying that our other cousin, who is 15, was beaten up quite badly.  He was beaten so badly that doctors are keeping him in a coma so his brain injuries can heal.  That means the last two weeks has been a study in how to give your cares to God and let Him take care of them.  At the same time there has been pressure at work over the lack of jobs coming in, and whether I will have to find an alternate source of income/employment.  My brothers who live in town have both suddenly decided to move out west. :(   I am happy for them that they will have income, but I don't look forward to them leaving town.  They both have issues (don't we all), and I am concerned how they will cope away from their family. As I already stated, my son has been trying to be his own personal liquor control board.   My middle daughter is getting married and there are dramas already, which combined with budget pressure is pretty intense.

I have to face facts: I can't do anything about any of the above issues except pray.  My only hope of strength, mercy, healing, and joy is in God.  Because of what Jesus has done at the cross, God is delighted to do everything for us, to be all we need Him to be, to fulfill all our needs.

The last few weeks all I have been able to say is, 'Thank God for God!'   It has been wonderful.  I actually fell asleep smiling last night, knowing that God is in control.  This morning I woke up and discovered that when they brought him out of the coma to check on him, my cousin had moved his toes and looked around for his dad.  They are keeping him in the coma for a while longer, but that is a good sign.   We also got word that we will be awarded a small job. (Cash is cash, I always say.)   I also (while giving all my problems to God) decided to thank God for every little thing I had.  This serves two purposes: It gives credit where credit is due (God is responsible for all the wonderful things in my life like a roof and food and clothing), and it takes my focus off my problems, and places it on the wonderful provision of God.  He hasn't let me down before, why would He start now? (Hint: He wouldn't.)

Blessing follows thanksgiving. So if thanksgiving follows blessing, then blessing follows thanksgiving.  And if thanksgiving again follows blessing, blessing will again follow thanksgiving! What a great cycle! Let's get on this!  Peace & love!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

No Wonder People Elope and other wedding woes

If I actually list all the stupid micro-drama incidents that have happened in the last two weeks, you would cry. You would, because it's ludicrous the kinds of weird things that wind us up. Apparently being a complex individual leaves us wide open for emotional pitfalls etc. Who knew? I got married 29 years ago and had forgotten.

Hopefully I will find a tactful, gentle way to tell my bestest buddy since we were 10 years old that she isn't invited even though she volunteered to do hair and makeup. *sad face*

Hopefully the groom's family will not all stop speaking to each other.

Hopefully any tactless blunders I have made/ continue to make will be forgiven.

*LE SIGH*

Thank God that He forgives us, not because we deserve it, but because of what Jesus has done at the Cross.
*trying to remember that patience is a virtue*

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Boyo is 19 (or LCBO stock rises by 20%)

Boyo decided that to celebrate being 19, he should drink 19 shots... and a lot of beer.  His stomach did not agree.  Silly Boyo is going to try similar stunts this weekend with his cousin.
*commence banging head on desk here [  bang head here ] as folly of youth and inability of parent to influence stupid teenaged decisions becomes obvious*  On top of this, he has just started college, and I am concerned about his work suffering.  Also he has not landed a job yet (Walmart was supposed to effect a transfer. They may or may not have, because last I heard they were offering cashier positions which my son won't take.)


So I ask God to continue to protect him and lead him to wiser decisions (because I can do nothing, and God can move hearts).


My two girls (young ladies now) both navigated this dangerous strait and made it out the other side relatively unscathed.  The older one was nearly waylaid a few years later for different reasons, but we survived that as well.


Rule No 1 in parenting: Keep them alive.
Rule No 2: Don't kill them out of frustration what you hear they have survived in stupidity.
Rule No 3: Remember that OH Yes you were young once.
Rule No 4: They are adults now, so treat them as adults, whether they 'deserve' it or not.
Rule No 5: Love them and their friends.



Monday, September 19, 2011

Breathe on me Breath of God

Watching a sail-surfer out on the lake,
and thinking how the breath of Your inspiration
lifts us out of the mundane, out of ourselves
Giving us new perspective
And invigoration

Friday, September 9, 2011

The engagement

Last night, after 6.75 yrs of dating, my middle daughter's boyfriend officially asked her to marry him.

He went and bought the ring, called her father and me while our daughter was still at work, and then we all tensely waited for her to get home.

He made her put the cat down, got down on one knee, and his mother videotaped the whole thing.

My daughter called me after, still shaking from excitement.

Isn't it amazing that after almost 7 years together, it's still hard to believe he has now asked her to marry him?

I was almost as excited as she was (I had one of those face stretching grins), but now I'm starting to think of the practicalities.  When a couple 'lives together', they have different expectations of each other than when they are 'married'.  I worry that the transition may break them.  On the other hand, they always planned to get married before they moved in together.

I hope that they know how to 'fight fair'.  Not throwing old hurts into new fights, not name calling, avoiding the other person's 'hot buttons' whenever possible.  Not waiting to discuss things until the issue is so hot that they can't discuss it rationally.  Realizing when it will never be a rational decision.

It's scary!  It's wonderful.  It's exciting! It's beautiful.

I'm officially going to be related to his relatives. :D

Which brings up another point...  they are mainly Catholic.  The grandmother is refusing to attend the wedding if it's not Catholic.  I am so glad to get her married, but I really don't want a Catholic wedding as it sets them up for raising their kids Catholic.  Mind you, at least they would hear about God.  But not that He is loving, and caring and right there for us... no mediator required!  Just reach out and our heavenly Daddy is waiting to help, hear, hold, heal...

So, we leave it in God's capable hands.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Exercise your brain with poetry and sudoku

Numbers swirling round and round
Lines of numbers up and down

The few that show beg you to find
their missing mates and fill the line

Cubes in cube and side to side
Which one is missing? Hard to decide

Slowly one appears, then two
Puzzle out the tricky clues

Oh, t's a workout for your brain
if it doesn't drive you insane

Those middle numbers are the worst
They won't come clear -makes me feel cursed!

Finally! the answer's clear!
The boxes filled: Give a cheer!

A HA! You thought you had me there,
But I broke you down by determined stare.

Dust the hands, toss down the pen,
Tomorrow it will start again.

Sudoku