A Wonderful Life

Wow, it has been awhile since I have gotten to sit down and write a blog. I apologize for that, but life has been so busy for my family lately. I understand that that is really no excuse because we tend to make time for the things we really want to do. I guess I have chosen to just be with my men when ever a moment has opened up because lately, with the thrift shop, the craft shows and the activities at church, not many moments have. 

Life with my family is wonderful and being away from my men so much has made me a little frustrated and I'm sure left them feeling neglected, somewhat too.

Rodney, my husband, has started a sermon series about the sayings from Clarence, the second class angel, in "It's a Wonderful Life:, with Jimmy Stuart.

As a side note, it amazes me how Rodney can let God use him to take words that are spoken from an old movie and make them into a sermon in which God's words from the scripture become more real and really speak into our lives. But don't mind me, I just love the boy.

Anyway, last night we had movie night at church, with popcorn and everything, and instead of just seeing a few clips on Sunday mornings, we watched the whole movie. 

Throughout the movie George kept fighting the life he had been given. He wanted to travel and get out of the small town he had grown up in. But that was not the plan for him.
He ended up taking over his father's business and marrying a hometown girl. He felt sorry for himself and kept wishing for things to change.

When trouble really came he just wasn't equipped to handle it and was contemplating taking his own life when God stepped in and rescued him. In the end George realized that his life had been wonderful after all.

Everyone came out from the movie thinking and talking about the same thing. We all have wonderful lives even if things aren't going exactly the way we want them too. Our living is a gift from God and should be delighted in, as this scripture from Ecclesiastes points out....


Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-19
The Message (MSG)

We can pout and fuss and wish for a different life or we can find joy in the one we have been given. If we realize that God is there through all of it we can feel supported and strong whenever this world really takes a whack at us and sets us back a bit.

My wish for you through this Christmas season, and through out the year, is that you love the life that has been given to you and feel the comfort and strength that comes from the one who has given everything to give it to you.


Blessings!

Memories of you

 

 

 

But Timothy has come to us just now. He has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have happy memories of us. He has also said they you long to see us, just as we long to see you.

II Timothy 3:6

 

 

As I was reading this verse today it reminded me of my past week in Israel. All of us that toured over there are having happy memories, this day, of all that we saw, felt and learned. I know that I am counting the days until Rodney and I can go again. I am sure the others are feeling the same.  

 

As much as I loved being where Jesus walked I kept thinking of our family and friends we left at home. I kept wishing that all of you could be there with us. I would see things that would remind me of you. For instance, Rodney's sister's family and some wonderful friends from Minnesota are very devout, loving Catholics. When we were in the Church of the Annunciation and saw this beautiful statue of Mary. All I could think of was "I wish Amy and Anne could see this". I especially thought of Anne when we were in St. Anne's Church. (This is the church home of Mary's mother.)

 

When I saw how the women of Israel dressed, worked, loved their children and worshipped our God, I kept thinking of the ladies of our Bible Studies. I wished that you all could be there to see for yourselves how much we are alike in living our lives.

 

Our group loved to sing hymns whenever we were in the different churches. The accoustics in these buildings was amazing. Everytime we sang I knew Rick and all of our choir members would haved wanted to be there to sing with us.

 

And of course we thought of our boys all the time. Whenever we saw the Israeli soilders we thought of our Phillip. How he loves and protects our country like these military people do theirs. We thought of Riley as we walked past music stores. The words were different but the beat was exactly what Riley loved. We brought some of it home for him and we were right, he really does enjoy the music. We also thought of Riley whenever we ate. We kept catching ourselves saying "Riley would want to eat this!"  

 

So as much as we relished walking in the footsteps of Jesus we loved how the thoughts and memories of  our family and friends kept coming with us, reminding us of how lucky we are to have you in our lives.!!

 

Blessings!!

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