Elevator

My husband and I were attending a General Conference for our church in Columbus, Ohio. We chose to stay in a nice older hotel a small distance from the convention center to save a little money. The lobby was small but clean and inviting. The elevator doors were right off the lobby, easy to see at first sight. As I have been taught the many years of traveling, you must make the trip from your car to your room in one trip. So, with this uncompromised teaching fresh in my mind, my husband and I were both trying to maneuver two rolling suitcases, a hanging clothes bag, a snack sack, and a cooler not to mention my purse and computer case into the elevator. My husband was a gentleman and allowed me to step into the elevator first. We were headed to the eleventh floor. The elevator ascended quite slowly so we had plenty of time to discuss our schedule for the next two years (not really, but it was very slow). It was an old elevator and we barely fit with our luggage. When I heard the “ding” letting me know we had finally approached our floor, I worked feverishly trying to get my luggage behind me so I could pull it out the door. I looked up just as I saw my husband’s "hinder parts" leaving the elevator and the doors closing with me still in it. I don’t know what came over me. I guess I panicked. I began to  scream and punch the 11 button to no avail. As I jumped up and down and said “eleven, eleven, eleven!” nothing happened except I proceeded to be thrust at a very slow speed to the lobby floor. By the time I was safely delivered to the lobby floor the door opened (which I discovered at that time was quite fast), and a lobby full of people looking at me, I waved, and waited for the doors to shut again so I could take the long journey to the eleventh floor for the second time.

            Now un-be-known to me, my husband met the maid on his way to our room. He just commented “she'll be along in a minute” and snickering went to the room, shut the door and waited. Sure enough, several minutes later, I appear on the eleventh floor at last. As I pass the maid she asked, “your husband said you’d be along. Your room is right down the hall.” As I maneuvered my 15 bags past her (exaggeration), I heard her laughing. I made her day, not to mention my ROLF (rolling on the floor laughing) husband securely snug in our room!

Happy Birthday Open Letter

When you were born, you were such a beautiful baby. Now, you are a beautiful mother, minister, and woman of great faith. I'm proud to have you in my life sweet daughter. I will love you forever and pray that this dark time in your life will pass with great victory. May this day be a hallmark for a brighter future and may God grant your greatest wish today, a well, healthy husband. Steven is blessed to have you too! We love you both, but today is yours! Love you Marenda!
Love, Mom

Family Reunion

My Granddaughter and her daddy after two weeks of chemotherapy at Mayo Clinic.

Stinkin' Thinkin'

I turned my dishwasher on the other day and, Pew! The smell was awful! I tried to run extra water through the sinks and relieve my suffering nose from the stench but to no avail. After fixing supper last night, my sweet hubby was helping clear the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. When he tried to use the garbage disposal, it backed up and filled the sink with yucky water! YUCKY YUCKY water! Well, to make a long story short, he got it unplugged and we figured out why my dishwasher was stinking...it was the garbage disposal, not the dishwasher that had a problem. From now on, I will be careful not to put cut flowers down the garbage disposal. They are pretty in the vase, but when they get old, they can really stink!

Lord, help me get rid of my stinkin' thinkin' and focus my thoughts on things that are pure, things that are lovely and things that are of a good report. These good  things will unplug my heart of the decomposing thoughts that linger in my mind for too long and make my life stink! Help me to check my "garbage disposal" frequently so anything coming out of my mouth will be fresh and sweet.

Kneed some time!

For the past few days, I've been a little out of commission because of a bum knee. I know, I'm probably just getting old, but I had no idea how important my knees were until one of them decided to go on vacation for a few days! Cripping around the house, my husband waiting on me (which I might add was a real treat in spite of the pain), and leaving the dishes in the sink for a day was glorious! Well, maybe that is a little stronger word than I planned, but now that I look back and I'm cleaning house again, doing errands and getting back into the flow, I realize the few days I was down was a blessed break. So, I've come to say that I guess I kneed--ed the time off. Next time I "Kneed" some time, I will appreciate it more and complain less. Maybe.  

Christmas Decorations before Thanksgiving?

Many people are putting up decorations this week. I'm wondering how this affects my friends. For many years it used to infuriate me. But this year I'm thinking differently. I guess I'm getting older and time is just flying by every day! I'm thinking how much I love the family time, the lights and the focus on Jesus during the Christmas season. But alas, now it seems like it comes and goes so fast. I agree that we should be Thankful all year long, and I love the focus on family and thankful hearts at Thanksgiving. I'm not saying we should "ex" out Thanksgiving and replace it with Christmas, but what about combining them? Not only should we be thankful all year long, but I believe we should also celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah all year too. So, is it such a bad thing to make the season last a little longer by decorating early for Christmas?

Lahore, Pakistan

Meet my new friend, Amanda Scott! Isn't she beautiful? I'm enjoying our visit and so excited about being here with her in Lahore Pakistan.

Mindless Driving?

"I wonder if he is serious or just mindless driving?" My husband's comment after following a vehicle for several miles with the blinker flashing on, off, on, off, on, off, on, off, on, off (you get the picture)? It was quite impossible to determine the intentions of the driver ahead of us. We were unsure if it was safe to pass or should we stay a safe distance behind him just in case he actually did turn right from the left lane...

Mindless drivers. Driving to work. Driving to school. Driving to the lake, the church, a funeral. Driving, driving, driving. Radio blarring, phones lodged between their shoulder and ear, eyes glaring at nothingness as they maneuver a large vehicular machine down the highway.

I guess we have all been guilty of mindless driving. Have you ever found yourself at a destination with no recollection of the details along the journey? Were you talking on the phone, or singing your favorite song with the radio? Now, we would be quick to say that was not mindless driving. Or would we? Our mind was elsewhere...not on the road. Shutter! I don't know about you but I would hate to be on the same highway as a mindless driver. Whatever the case or the distraction, I hope we keep our minds and eyes on the road and reach our destinations safely. With that said, excuse me while I go get my mind before I get in the car. See you later!

Healer by Michael Guglielmucci

In spite of the scandal tainted history of this song, it's raw message still ministers to me.


You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in You
I Trust in You

I believe You’re my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You’re my Portion
I believe You’re more than enough for me
Jesus, You’re all I need


Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

Gifts from God Today

I think maybe God sits up on his throne and thinks up things to do to surprise us with little special gifts from him. Today as I was working on my computer, my husband called me to look out the sliding glass door that leads to our swimming pool in the back yard. Majestically floating in large circular movements were two little ducks, enjoying the morning sun in our pool. The sun shining, the birds singing, and the small rippled waves from the movement in the water filled me wth a sense of peace. I just stood there for a while and watched them; so serene; so peaceful. Thank You, God for this special gift today. You are my Peace.

Fingerprints

Last week I spent several hours going around the house with my trusty homemade window cleaner; a bottle of rubbing alcohol with a sprayer on top. I cleaned all my windows and mirrors. Everything looked crystal clear. I even scaled the ladder and wiped the chandelier in front of the main entrance sparkling clean. When I got to the back sliding glass door, I hesitated. There unmistakably about two and a half feet from the floor were hundreds of little finger prints and hand prints made by my little granddaughter. Instantly I was transported to her past visit. I could see her standing at the door, looking out with bright inquisitive eyes, hands flared full width on either side of her face, with her nose pressed tightly against the warm glass. I smiled as the warm memories poured into my mind. If I didn’t have the hope of her coming again in a few days, I would be tempted to frame the prints rather than clean them. I thought of the fingerprints in my life.

There are memories of those who have left their residue of influence on me. With each one, I find myself thanking God for the small change it made. I am a better person since our paths have crossed. It was my choice to allow them to make a difference in my life. It is a blessing when we allow mentors and friends leave fingerprints on our lives. For each good person that comes into your life, let the fingerprints linger for a while. It not only makes for good memories, but it makes us better people.

Turn Around Slowly

I heard a song this week by David Kauffman. It was entitled, "Turn Around Slowly." I listened and cried because the chorus parroted my life right now. We (my husband and I) are in transition time. After 15 years in the beautiful state of California, we are moving.

Every day I'm experiencing things "for the last time." Just a month ago, I experienced my last Western District Ladies Conference as Secretary. This is my last semester at Christian Life College as an instructor and staff member. I am doing "last time" tasks for both jobs, Western District and Christian Life College. My last Landmark, my last TTCM Music conference, my last sectional conference, my last box to pack, my last quiz to give my students, my last order for Regalia for my last graduation ceremony. The list goes on. Every day brings a new, last.

Today it hit me again I perused through my e-mails. My wonderful friends on the Ladies Board have been including me in their fun, friendly banter with each other via e-mail. I've so enjoyed being the "mouse in the pocket" and watching the comments go back and forth, teasing, and having fun with each other. I want it to last. I'm the reluctant character moving off stage.

Oh, I'm very excited about moving close to my family, don't get me wrong. It will be wonderful to be near my beautiful daughter and granddaughter. And I will have my son close to me. How I miss his hugs. My parents will be close and my son-in-law is that second son I never had. I love them all so much. Yes, it will all be wonderful, but before I enjoy that, I have to work through some separation issues here. So I have chosen to turn around slowly.

I am trying to slow down the process in my mind because I'm leaving so many wonderful friends and experiences behind. So, my dear friends and family that read this, please be patient with me. I'm just trying to "Turn Around Slowly."

Turn around slowly.

Time is a racer.

The wink of an eye takes you from here to there.

Turn around slowly, and treasure your days here.

These precious moments may come to be rare.

Artist: David Kauffman
Album: Simple Truth

Apology from a Hero

I had admired her from the time I was a little girl. She could sing and play the piano and her life was somewhat a perfect persona to me. As I grew older, the comments of those around me were always positive. I didn’t know anyone who didn’t like her. She must have been perfect because there were no left over residue of flaws in the memories of others.

A situation came up and I was involved in a district function. In the process she must have done something that she felt would hurt me or …but after a particularly wonderful service at Ladies Conference, she came up to me and told me she had something to say. She apologized for her actions and asked me to forgive her. As far as I was concerned, there was no apology needed, but she insisted. She felt she had shown the wrong spirit and wanted to clear the air along with her heart. I quickly agreed to disperse forgiveness. As time passed, I realized that this humble rendezvous had not minimized the spirit of this woman in my heart, but it expanded my belief that she truly was a woman of God and had the heart of His kingdom in her best interests. What a privilege to be the recipient of an apology from one of my heroes. And you know what? She is taller, wiser, and more holy in my eyes today than before.

News News

Has it been four months since I posted? I'm ashamed! I have no excuses. I've been delinquent and that's that. So...to move forward...I do have news. My husband and I will be finishing out the academic year at Christian Life College and then we will begin our move to Gilbert, Arizona. We are taking the church my father has pastored for the past eight years.

It has been a bittersweet decision. Of course, we had to leave our precious church in Pleasanton. That congregation is now pastored by Stuart Young. They have partnered congregations for now, keeping the Pentecostals of Pleasanton alive technically, for how long, I do not know. But I do know that merging the churches has made a strong, larger, church in the tri-valley area. A church that has more power to reach the lost and hurting in that area. Isn't that what it's all about? Reaching the lost?

I'm experiencing many "lasts". This is my last semester to teach at Christian Life College. We had our last service in Pleasanton. This is my last Ladies Conference, my last ladies board meeting as Secretary. Bittersweet. Bitter to leave this place I've called home for the past 15 years and sweet because I will be close to my family. My parents, my brother and his family, my son, my daughter and her husband, and last but not least, my precious granddaughter. That is sweet!

Moving Forward Devotional

Last week I had an “aha” moment with God. After having the Holy Ghost for forty-seven years, I never dreamed that in this stage of my spiritual life I would grow with such a leap. I thought that was just for new converts or baby Christians. But we never stop growing in God. Each day brings fresh anointing and I’m frequently reminded that every day is “new” and exciting along this journey with God.

Moving Forward by Gayla Baughman
KYCC Devotional 11-12-08

Luke 9:62
But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

I’m not a farmer, but I’ve seen pictures of the old-fashioned plowing with an ox or horse. The one behind the animal has to concentrate on giving the animal direction to stay on course. If he stops, the horse stops, or worse heads for the barn or feeding trough. To take his mind off the rows he is plowing and look where he has come, is taking the risk of getting off course and eventually having to stop altogether to fix the mess he has made.

God is a God of the living. He is a progressional God. When Jesus walked on this earth he was post-modern. God’s ways are always going to be post-modern because he exists in eternity. His ideas and plan will be far above ours simply because of his omnipotence, all –knowing power. He sees the beginning from the end. He is alive and moving.

We must keep the course. We must constantly take inventory and see that we are moving ahead. If we are not making progress, if we are stagnated in our relationship with Him, it will seem that we are backsliding because he is moving. If he is moving and we are not, the distance between us becomes a chasm. Do you wonder why you can’t feel God? Do you wonder why you keep making the same mistakes? Could it be because you are not moving…living…allowing Him to perfect Himself in you?

Walk in the spirit. To walk is to move. It may not be flying, or running, but it is consistent and it is mobile. The Holy Bible quotes a letter Paul wrote to the Galatian church to help them outline the attributes of one who walks in the Spirit. This is what is says:

Galatians 5:16-25 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

There is a song by Free Chapel that I love. The condensed lyrics are:

But a moment you have brought me to
Such a freedom I have found in you
You’re the healer who makes all things new
You have risen With all power in your hands
You have given me A second chance
Hallelujah Hallelujah
I’m not going back, I’m moving ahead
I’m here to declare to you My past is over
In you all things are made new
Surrendered my life to Christ
I’m moving, moving forward

Dear Lord, I don’t want to stay the same. Every time I step into Your presence whether it is in a church service, or during my private time of prayer, I want to be changed. I want to forever be progressing, moving, and changing to be like You.

Determination

I woke up this morning and said
As soon as I got out of bed,
"I'm so ugly and I'm so fat,
But today I'm going to do something about that!"

I'll eat dry toast and cut my starch,
I'll up my fiber and down my carbs.
I'll drink my water and watch my weight.
I'll walk a mile from my front gate.

Tonight when I lay the fat me down
I'll have the comfort I'm smaller now.
Determined with a mischief grin
I've started another diet again.

Wait Until Christmas

I’ve always hated those words.
Wait for presents
Wait for decorations
Wait for candy and sweets.
One Christmas my sister and I wanted some “cricket” shoes. They were the most popular thing for girls our age. We couldn’t wait until Christmas. One day after school we were admiring the beautifully decorated silver tree. A color ball, discretely hidden in the corner threw a prism of different colors on the tree. The silver tree reflected a rainbow into the room. Then our eyes fell on some packages that looked about the size of a shoe box with our names on them. We carefully unwrapped them, making sure not to tear the colorful wrapping paper. Viola! There were our shoes! The smell of fresh leather, the slick new brown finish made an unforgettable memory. I was so excited. Then it dawned on me. I now know what I’m getting for Christmas. This wasn’t fun anymore. The excitement was gone and now we had to figure out how to “act like” we didn’t know when the day to open presents came along. Needless to say, we never fooled Mama one minute. When we opened the shoes, she knew we knew. The disappointment on her face will forever haunt me. I stole her happiness as well as my own. When someone wants to surprise me now, I make a decisive effort not to spoil their joy. I’ve learned that curiosity not only kills the cat, but can also leave others hurting.

Our Music Angel