My Rambling Thoughts

Time Marches On   <----Click Me Today, well tomorrow actually, my life will make some changes once again.  9 months ago I accepted a part time job at my church and while I LOVE working there I just don't feel it's where God wants me right now.  It was not without much prayer, thought and discussion with my husband that I came to this decision.  Some of the things that helped me come to this: 1.  The look on Kaitlin's face when I said "I can't pick you up today after school.  Can you get a ride".  While I'm sure it was no big hardship for her boyfriend to bring her home, it wasn't her mommy.  I have always enjoyed taking my daughters to and from school.  That's quality time for us to talk without any disruptions. 2.  Saying to Julie "call me when you get home and are in the house".  Why should she call me.  I should be there!  Not that I think she minded, but I did.  That's not what I saw for my children - coming home to an em

Does Any One Know What Christmas is All About   <----Click Me I say Merry Christmas.  I do not apologize for saying Merry Christmas. If someone celebrates another holiday at this time of year or simply does not believe in the holiday at all, that is well within their rights and privileges.  However, I do celebrate Christmas as the holiday to recognize the birth of  Jesus.  Why is it that people who tend to not follow the main stream, conventional ideals of a holiday or tradition are the ones who think change needs to be made.  Why can we not all celebrate and believe what we choose?  America is the land of the free and we should ALL be free to feel how we wish and be "allowed" to express that how we want.  Many people are obvious in their beliefs by their dress and appearance.  Other than the few radicals I hear no complaining about that.  Why should my simple statement "Merry Christmas" be viewed as prejudicial, racist  and offensive? It is my Christmas wi

All I Want for Christmas Is You I've shared this story so many times.....When I was pregnant with Julie I was on bed rest due to some complications.  I spent some time on the computer in the AOL All My Children chat room.  I met so many friends in that chat, many of whom I still am friends with.  At that time you could play songs and sound clips while you were chatting.  My friends would play this for me every day for Julie.  Still today, every time I hear this song I am reminded of that time of waiting for my child to be born. I wonder if Mary had a special memory of her time of being pregnant.  Do you think she would say "Jesus, I went through 12 hours of labor with you and you just run off to the temple"!  Sometimes it's easy to forget that even though she gave birth to the promised Son of God she was still a woman and went through the same trials, pains, cravings and fears that we did. As we prepare for this holiday season let us remember a special song that

Day #1 The Greatest Gift of All   <-----  (CLICK ME) Today the local news stories are about someone stealing $20,000 worth of toys from St. Joseph's medical center.  These toys had been collected especially for the children who would be spending time in the hospital during Christmas.  The local news stations are putting on a toy drives to help replace these items and I applaud them for taking this on.  The general population always comes through in situations like this and I feel this gives us an opportunity to show our genuine giving, loving nature. I like to think that everyone takes a little time during this festive season to stop and think about others.  Not everyone acts out in an unacceptable way - like we've heard about over and over during Black Friday shopping.  Something tugs at our hearts during Christmas and no matter what our beliefs we realize there are people who are not as blessed as we.  We don't judge.  We don't lecture.  We just love others.

This morning at church Pastor Bill Meiter spoke on knowing when you hear the voice of God.  If you would like to hear the sermon, you may find it at  http://azcc.org/mediaministry/video/83 .  While listening to Pastor Bill preach, I was reminded of an incident that followed the scripture exactly. I Samuel 3:3  The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was.  4  Then the LORD called Samuel.    Samuel answered, “Here I am.”  5  And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”    But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.   6  Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”    “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”   7  Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.   8  A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “

Sixteen years ago today at 1:16 am I was awakened by a 7 pound 11 ounce little girl who had decided that it was time to join us and this world has not been the same since.  I would like to take this opportunity to write a letter to that little girl. Dear Kaitlin: I cannot believe that today you are turning 16 years old.  The time since that first day when I held you has flown by at a speed faster than sound.  I am so proud of you and for the beautiful young lady that you have become.  I have watched you grow from a timid 3 year old who screamed and cried when left in Sunday School class to a young  teen who traveled without her family across the globe on a mission trip to Thailand.  I remember your first day of school and your not wanting to let go of my hand and today we are talking about colleges.  I remember you scooting around the house in your Evenflo walker to today watching you back a car out of the driveway. Most everyone who meets you is surprised when you say your age be

From the womb, both my daughters Kaitlin and Julie have loved music.  As toddlers they would both sit at the piano and pick out songs.  As soon as they could read we enrolled them in piano lessons.  The first time they played together - I was in seventh heaven.  As 5th grade came around and band was an opportunity they both jumped at the chance to play. We've been through painful 5th grade first concerts through state final competitions that held your breath with the ending notes.  I've loved every moment of it.  Even when Julie switched in 7th grade to the oboe, I enjoyed hearing the duck quacks for the first couple of weeks. I admire them both for taking the extra effort and time to play a musical instrument.  They still both play the piano also and along the lines we have inherited an organ that they have self taught themselves.  Between those, the French horn, flute and oboe, there is usually music in this house. When Kaitlin began 9th grade and joined the marching band

Respect  denotes both a positive feeling of  esteem  for a  person  or other  entity   and also specific actions and  conduct  representative of that esteem. Those of you at the Basha vs Chandler football game last night saw a perfect example of what respect is NOT. Basha Band and Band Boosters - you were super last night.  The meal was a wonderful welcome and the homemade cookies, well, let's just say, my diet suffered a bit.  The band kids - super nice and polite and our Chandler band kids were made to feel welcome. However, the student section in the stands exhibited the worse case of respect, maturity and politeness that I have ever seen.  When our band took the field they student section stood and yelled "Chandler Sucks".  What a nice thing that was to do to a fellow Chandler school.  It was so great of you to make the band feel good about performing for you.  When the Chandler band played the Star Spangled Banner, student section, yelled the words, off time

Like many Americans, I once again find myself attached to the television watching news and documentaries about the attack on America 10 years ago.  There are few things in my life that have happened that I can remember exactly what I was doing and this is one of those times.  Living in Arizona and 3 hours earlier than the east coast, I was still sleeping until the phone rang.  I woke, looked at the Caller ID and saw that it was our daughter Suzanne.  Suzanne has a bit of a challenge with time zones so I was ready to remind her what time it was here but when I hit the talk button - I heard crying.  I immediately turned on the television and sat in my bed in unbelief at what I was watching.  I am sitting here watching a documentary right now on Flight 93 - still in unbelief at what I am watching. So much in life changed that day.  The terrorists may not have carried out their plans the way they wanted but they have changed life the way we all knew it.  I resent their evil plan because