There Is Hope!!!

The fighting. Oh, the constant, unending fighting between siblings.

I remember from growing up how normal this is.

But it still drives.me.nuts.

I try and deal with the typical bickering, but degrading words? I will not stand for it.

The other morning Riley was picking on Rhianna.  And I finally had it.

We had a long talk.  Probably according to the child-raising 'experts', too long of a chat for a nine year old.

But I was mad.

Oh, was I mad.

Anyhow.

Shortly after the sermon, I went downstairs to look at my 'to do' list. 

This is what I found written off to the side:

"Hi Mom  I am glad we had that chat I will try to be nice to Rhianna." Your Son, ~Riley~

I think he got it. 

Maybe there is hope.

Perfect Gifts

I love Christmas.  I love everything about it. 

Even the feeling of busy-ness.

But most of all, I love to give gifts.  Not get them,but give them. 

I spend almost a full year thinking up the perfect gifts to give the people I love the most.

I investigate.  I research. I dig into details.  'Cause I want the gift to have meaning. Not just a bow on top.

I am one that truly believes that it should be the thought that counts.

Not in a "here's a generic gift...I thought about you" kind of way. 

But says "I really, really know you and your heart" 

Being a single mom, finances are often tight.  I can't always give the gift I want to give.

So my friend and I came up with a plan.

We both agreed that we want to always get each other something for Christmas.

But neither of us swim in money.  So we decided to get each other whatever we wanted.  No limit on amounts.  The trick is we only take a picture of it.  We don't actually purchase it.

The best gift I have gotten for Christmas in the past ten years was a Willow Tree Nativity Scene.  And I don't even have the actual thing.  It was given to me via a cell phone picture.  But I insist that it is my favorite gift. 

Here's why:

I had told Diane months before Christmas that someday I wanted the nativity set.  I don't even remember telling her.  But, being the friend she is, she remembered.  She was listening.  She knows my heart.  {Better yet, the set was on sale, so she included the sale price sticker in the picture...after all doesn't a good deal make the gift even better??  (haha)} 

I wish I still had the picture on my cell phone...but that phone has long been retired.  But it is still etched in my memory.

And honestly?  I'm not sure I even want the set in an actual physical sense.  It wouldn't be the 'one' Diane got me, plus I would acutally have to dust it.  The one in my mind is never out of place and my kiddos can't break it.

That summer she had repainted her living room and mentioned in passing she wished she could get a new couch.  I was working at a furniture store that year and I found the perfect couch.  Perfect color for her new room.  It was elegant, but not too elegant that her grandkids couldn't sit on it.  It was perfect. 

When I opened my cell phone to show her 'the gift' she almost cried.  "A sofa?  You really got me a sofa?"  Even though she knew she wasn't going to really get the sofa; she was still in tears that I would have gotten her a sofa if I could.

Funny thing was that year we quick did it in the cloak room at church.  And someone overheard.  They gasped and said "You got her a new couch for Christmas??'  We explained our gift 'exchange' but I'm not sure they actually got the concept.

Isn't that what Christmas is all about?

Giving the perfect gift.

Isn't that what God did for us? 

He knew what we needed.  He knew we couldn't purchase the price of salvation.  So He gave it to us.

This year again we did our picture gift exchange. 

I gave her a private jet with a personal pilot so that when I am moved she can fly anytime she wants.

It hangs on her fridge.  And she is frequently questioned what it means.  She just smiles and says "Julie got it for me...it's my private plane".

Me?  She found me a job. (And here I was worried about finding a job.) The job she found me was flying around the world to different spas and staying in the resort (at the company's expense) and I would rate the spa and report in.  How great is that? 

Best part is she gave me a(n actual) calendar with pictures of  different islands.  She knows when I am mentally stressed I 'go' to an island.  So, she slightly broke the rules and actually purchased me something. 

I'm sure some people think this is weird, or odd, or even simple minded. But in reality it is only weird and odd.  And we love it. I had so much fun planning her gift. And I know she had fun planning mine. 

This tradition is my favorite part of Christmas.

Even though I don't walk away with something tangible in my hands, I know that someone loves me enough and cares about me enough to know my heart and know who I am. 

That is the greatest gift I could ask for.

 


  



 

One Clear Day

This fall I started working at an orchard here in town. 

During the first two months I gave school/group tours through the orchard.   It was such an awesome experience.  I learned more about apples than I ever thought possible.  I searched online for crazy fun apple facts that the school children would enjoy.  Ask me anything about apples...I just might know it. 

What made it extra special to work there and to teach the children, along with the crazy apple facts, was about the history of the orchard.  My great-grandfather started the orchard and my grandpa grew up on that land, running through the trees and playing in the grass.  Taking the cows to pasture through the large trees. He had shared some of his childhood memories in the past, but now I had the excuse to pick his brain for more stories so I could share with the school children.  Hearing stories of growing up with five brothers in an orchard during the depression was interesting!  I am so thankful I had the opportunity to sit and listen to stories he had of his childhood. 
On nice days I would take a walk through the trees on my lunch hour.  It was quiet and peaceful and serene. Exactly what I needed during those months.  One particular day, it was warm, sunny, and breath taking.  I decided to take some pictures. (I used my cell, so the pictures may not be top-quality...if there was a day I wished for a nice camera...that day was it)  I realize these are from months ago...but maybe with the cold and bleak of winter, now is when I really need to see them again.  With the chilly rain out today, I thought this is the day to open my pictures from that clear autumn day.

Enjoy!

As I would walk through the orchard, I thought it would be the perfect place for our annual family pictures. 

I had a photographer friend take the pictures.  We picked the second Saturday in October.  I held my breath, not sure what the weather would be like. 

I think it was perfect...



Update

I'm still here.

I have had so much to write about.

Many times I would say to myself or have others say to me "Wow. That's a hippo" (Word meaning must blog about that!)

As we can see I haven't written about any of them.  I have some excuses.  Only one, maybe two, are legit.  Then again, I only have two excuses...so you be the judge. 

Number One.  My Internet.  Lately my internet has been acting up.  Sometimes out of the blue it kicks me off and I can't log on.  There have been a few times that I was in the middle of blogging and it kicked me off and wouldn't let me back on.  But that only happened a few times in the past two months...so that excuse isn't really legit.

Number Two.  If you don't have something nice to say~don't say anything.  Especially online :o)  Which is a good thought to follow.  The past few months have been stressful and discouraging.  But not all of it...I had some really funny things to write about.  And many wonderful things to write about.  So that excuse isn't really legit.

Now that I am left with no excuse I can only say this "I was tired, stressed, overwhelmed, depressed, negative, grouchy, but mostly just tired. 

I would still like to write about those funny and wonderful things.  So there may be a story from a walk through an orchard in the fall, a freak snowstorm adventure, my car story and of course tales from Christmas.  They may be mixed up in order or possibly I'll do them in chronological order...backwards. Either way, I hope you enjoy hearing of my adventures from the past two months. 

I've missed blogging... I've missed venting and sharing and laughing through it.  Tonight (after a very discouraging weekend) I read through all of my previous posts.  I could see in my own stories how God has carried me through so many storms in the past year.  It reminded me that He is good and faithful.  So even if no one else ever reads this.  No one else ever is encouraged. No one else ever laughs at my adventures, my hippos can at least come back as a reminder to myself that God is good.

My update is that I am still here.  Literally. Still stuck here in Ohio.  I have not yet been released by God to move, yet.  But I feel in my heart...and I could be wrong...that the time is coming near.  Events have taken place that are telling me my time is coming.  Or at least I hope.  I still have a few loose ends that need tied up by God before I can go.  I need to figure out if I am to wait. Or if I am to leap. Trusting that He will provide every step of the way. 

A Mustard Seed Is All You Need

"A mustard seed said Jesus is the least of all the seeds. A mighty tree will grow...if a mustard seed you sow. Plant a mustard seed of faith, in the garden of your heart.

Plant a mustard seed of faith and it will grow."

This is my favorite song out of the Children's Harp. (The songbook for Sunday School).  I love the simple melody...the simple words...and yet the deep meaning behind those words. 

They are so encouraging to me.  A reminder that God really does not need me and my ideas and my opinions and my thoughts.  All He needs is my simple faith.  So simple that it is comparable to a mustard seed.  All He requires is a mustard seed of faith and He, alone, can give the increase.

How small is a mustard seed, you ask?

I too was curious so I Googled it. (I Google absolutely everything).

And this is what I found out:

• There are many different kinds of mustard seeds
• They are typically 1-2 mm in diameter
• Only takes 3-10 days to germinate, if placed in a cold, moist soil.  (Sound familiar?  Cold and hard hearts???)
• Grows into the largest of all garden plants

As most of my readers know, I am struggling with many things right now.  The number one question is "Why am I being asked to wait to move?  You told me almost 2 years ago to move...why am I still waiting?" 

I just have to remember that with God there is a purpose.  There is a reason.  I will someday understand, either on earth or in heaven.  But someday I will understand why I have been asked to wait.  And an answer to the reasons behind my many, many questions. 

When I Googled 'mustard seed' for pictures and information for this post, I came across this picture:

And it made me smile.

'Cause that's a pretty big tree.  A beautiful tree.  A strong tree.

And I realized that God can take a tiny seed of faith, one that is only 1mm in diameter, and create a large, strong, tree of faith for His children to rest under.  How amazing is that?

My dear readers, I understand that I am not the only one who has struggles.  Or stresses, or anxiety, or unanswered prayers.  But I do know that God will provide all our needs according to HIS riches in HIS time.  So keep on praying...keep on trusting...and keep having faith. Even if it is only the size of a mustard seed.





Creamy Pear Pie

I love autumn.  I love the idea of being in the house baking all day.  I love baking foods that can only be made after harvest.  Apples, pears and pumpkin pies...spiced cookies...jellies and jams...pumpkin rolls.   I love the anticipation of baking for the holidays.  I just love this time of year.

My favorite pie to make is Creamy Pear Pie.  A recipe my aunt passed on to me a few years back.  It is such a wonderfully delicious pie.  One that is unique and tasty. 

Today I made two.  One for Riley's birthday dinner tomorrow night. And one for work on Monday.

Creamy Pear Pie
(Recipe for one 9" pie)

4 cups of cored, peeled and sliced pears

In a separate bowl, combine:

1/3 cup sugar
2 Tbsp flour

Toss the sliced pears with sugar mixture

In a smaller bowl, mix:
1 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp lemon extract
1/2 tsp almond extract

Scrape into pear mixture and mix well.  Pour into 9" pie shell.

In a small bowl, mix:

1/4 cup flour

2 Tbsp melted butter

2 Tbsp brown sugar



Crumble topping mixture on top of pies

Bake at 400* for 10 minutes, then turn down the heat to 350* and bake for another 45 minutes, or until the pears are tender.  Remove from oven and let cool.  Enjoy!





Life Isn't Fair

Life isn't fair.

And I'm glad.

Because if it were fair then things would be even worse than what they can sometimes be.

I have to admit that sometimes I complain, whine and grumble about my circumstances.  I am tired from being a single mom.  I am weary from writing essay after essay and doing power point after power point.  I am exhausted from working all day to come home to fussy kids.  The list could go on and on...

But time after time I must stop and remember how good I really do have it.

I recently started working at an orchard and some things were eye openers. 

I work with some people who are very hard workers.

One day while bagging apples, a young migrant girl who hardly speaks any English, stands up and says "America. America!!" with her hands raised in the air.  She was so excited to have made it to America that she could not contain her joy.

When was the last time I was thankful for living in this land?  The land of freedoms and opportunities.  When was the last time I was truly thankful that I can practice my religion in freedom without fear from authorities?  Oh we talk about it. But do we really, really appreciate it?  When was the last time I was thankful for the opportunity to choose my career and then have the ability to go on to further education to obtain my goals?  When was the last time I was thankful that my children are receiving an excellent education...for free?  When was the last time you were thankful to be living in America?

There is another migrant worker who works very hard. Day in and day out.  Always with a smile on his face. Always polite. Always kind.  Always willing to lend a hand.  One of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of working with.  The other day I found out that his wife and two children are left in his home country.  He is trying to get them work permits to come here but can't.  Instead he sends home almost his entire check to support them and lives on very little here.  He gets to see them once a year. If he is lucky.  And I complain because my kids are noisy and they fight? And I complain because I have to do this alone?  I'm sure he would love to hear his children's noisy clatter everyday.  Instead he sacrifices himself for them. 

Who am I to be complaining about my circumstances.  It is easy to look around and see those who have it much easier than I do, but where does that get me?  I should look around and see all of those who have it much harder than I do and count my blessings that I am the one who in truth has it so easy.

Who am I that God should have put me in this free nation, born into a Christian home?  Who am I that God should have given me the brain and intelligence to be able to go on to college and someday have a decent job?  Who am I that God should have blessed me with three amazing children?  Who am I that God should have blessed me with amazing friends and a helpful family?  Who am I that God should have provided good health for me and my children, when so many are suffering from horrible illnesses?  Who am I that God should have protected me through the abuse my ex-husband put me through?  Who am I that God called me as His own?  Who am I that Jesus Christ thought of me while He hung on the cross?  Who am I? 

In reality, I am nothing.  I am no more deserving of any good thing than the next person.  And yet God still gave me so many blessings.  And then I complain because my life isn't what I think it should be?  Wow. Have I got some nerve...

Next time you get in the depths of despair and can only see what you don't have...look around... and see how much worse others have it and then be thankful that life isn't fair.