CHOOSE: UNWINDING

So grateful to have found my "just laugh cup" picture this morning since yesterday that very special cup shattered.  I'm still finding stray pieces. I'm not laughing yet but I am thankful to have this image reminder of a favorite mug with an oft needed message from my dear Saturday prayer warrior, Wynellen. She knows my temperament and I can trust her to pray for my needs. This week I need to "chill" a bit. Hubby says just "unlax" so that all my self-imposed strain and tension will ebb away! Easier said that done for me.

To relax and unwind.

For sure choosing to unwind after a non-stop vacation with adult kids and 7 grands has been a must. As Jim Newman reminded me, "Keeping up with folks (16 for us) at Disney is like herding squirrels."

I think I'm better at herding than I am at unwinding and resting. 

O, that I had the wings of a dove. I would fly away and be at rest. (Psalms 55:6)

Many grandma friends seem to have the same propensity---to keep on feeling responsible for all their herd. Sweet friend, Angie, who gave me the My One Word book chose "Ease" as her one word. 

Her verse is Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me....and I will give you rest."

As we are "wired" similarly, I certainly understand her choices.

Also, we both understand the need for divine intervention.  It takes His power in order for some of us to slowdown.

For the tightly wound up, it's hard to choose unwinding but it's a must, especially as we age!

CHOOSE: SQUARE ONE

In order not to choose shattered as my word, with my recent calamity, I had to return to the basics of truth. 

Relationships are more important than things. Yet....when the "thing" reminds you of a very special relationship, sometimes it's hard not to "feel shattered."

But God.....reminded me that when the pieces are swept up, the friendship remains, sometimes stronger than ever.

A man who has friends must himself be friendly,But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24, NKJV)

This friendship has never failed because we are bound in fellowship by the One who is the ultimate Friend.

That's why I can choose to get back to square one. 

CHOOSE: TO RIDE

I don't do BIG "rides" well! (Think Dragon Challenge (below) Hulk, Popeye, Dudley Do Right's Ripsaw Falls flume ride)

So, I stuck with my 5 year old granddaughter on our recent trip to Universal's Island of Adventure.

The first day found us on some spinning rides (Caro-seuss-el) and wet rides (One fish, Two Fish)  & slides (Camp Jurassic)

But then......"Swing gliding" with our feet dangling below us as we went through the trees on Pteranodon Flyers in Jurassic Park & roller coaster rides came next....

---though labeled family friendly they did some jerking and swerving after uphill and down hill speedy runs. Flight of the Hippogriff. Woody Woodpecker . A little unnerving for both a youngster & an "oldster."

When I felt Lucy's small hand grab my right hand, I so understood the need to "hold on to another for security" as the verse from Psalm 73:23 came to mind! (I had no idea of the citation at the time---I just now looked it up.)

Nevertheless I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.

That's the ONLY way I can Enjoy the Roller Coaster Ride of Life holding on to the Lord!

CHOOSE: MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Memorable moments---choose to think on these things.

Prepping to be a Princess is hard work.

BIG BAD Roller Coasters. Harry Potter. Safaris. Character Breakfasts.

Tea Time. T-Cup Rides.Dinners with Princesses. Painted Faces. Cat in the Hat. Dinner in a 50s convertible while watching 50s movies at a drive-in.

How good and pleasant it is when  the brethren dwell together in unity!!! 

Bountiful blessings of memories----an easy choice!

 (Will try to tweak later!)

CHOOSE: SADNESS

Sometimes one cannot help but to choose sadness. Sometimes sadness chooses you.

That's what happened with me when the "New Yorkers" had to leave Disney World a day early.

            

Impending SNOW in New York---a real nor'easter. It even has a name. Winter snow storm "Reggie."

"....a time to weep, a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance" (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

That's life---"unto everything there is a season." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

All week we have had laughter and dancing and I need to focus on that. Great family memories.

But.....I also don't need to repress the sadness. I didn't.

The tears flowed as last year we only saw them once. Even this time "Mommy" had to stay home and teach. So, I cried for all of that. I don't even know when we'll see them again so I added that to the tears as well.

But God and other family members reminded me the importance of remembering the recent "season" of family celebrations.

What a "privilege" to be with Lucy as she met her favorite Elsa and Anna....... 

and had dinner in Cinderella's palace with her 6 male cousins and met lots of other princesses.

That helps me to smile through the sadness, though my heart still aches. 

CHOOSE: DANCING IN DISNEY # 2

Fun! Fun!! & more fun to come. 

CHOOSE: Dancing in Disney

There's LOTS of dancing in Disney.
In Epcot, at the International Flower and Garden Festival, even the flowers danced in the wind.

Epcot's World Showcase of 11 countries had music and dance at every turn.
Music is the international language and dance just interprets each countries culture in a unique way.

From the Mariachi bands, not to mention the Three Caballeros, "stepping out" in Mexico and the flag throwing dancers in Italy to the exquisite Japanese dancers accompanied by the matsuriza, taiko drummers,  added to the international experience.

Even our Japanese chef at Teppan Edo brought a form of dancing to the hibachi.

She had the onion volcano smoking and all the chicken dancing with the chopsticks drumming.

What an experience!

A "dancing" good time was had by all!

CHOOSE: "GRAND" DANCING

Words in books can be as lyrical as the words of a song. Toe tapping.

Riding through "Cat in the Hat" storybook tunnel listening to those rhythmic words and on the "High in the Sky Trolley Train" ride had us all rocking and rolling and dancing our way above, around and thru the Island of Adventure.

One of the advantages of having been an elementary school librarian for 20+ years is familiarity of many picture books.
"That Sam I am---that Sam I am!" can have one's toes tapping right along with her "grands" and the "Grinch.".

Even the One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish ride had Lucy and me dancing in our seats to avoid the water spouting at us!
Ending up at the bookstore with all the "Cat in the Hat" characters had us all dancing around those books---

until the characters corralled us all for a picture!

God has "made known to me the path of life;" and I know that "in His presence is fulness of joy; and at His right hand are pleasures ever more." (Psalm 16:11) 

How grateful I am for that truth----which I experienced as I "danced" throughout the day with my seven grandchildren....and shared with Lucy in our "Thank you, God" nighttime prayer, as we recounted our day. Praises that after the a-men, she wanted to "pray" again!

CHOOSE: TO BE A DANCING GRANNY

Choosing to dance---as dance is a "positive" metaphor for fully living the life the Lord has chosen for one, regardless of the "happenings" which come one's way.
Most people assume the "dancing choice" is easier the younger on is. 
However, experience is important as well. The experience one receives as she ages can bring an awareness of the importance of staying on the dance floor. Showing up counts. Being present in the midst of all circumstances. Trusting the One who leads you to keep you

Used by permission of the author/illustrator.

Choosing, always requires intentionality. For the "elder" set it can requires fitness, both physical and spiritual. It also requires energy. ENERGY to keep up with the younger set.

Let them praise His name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre (Psalm 149:3)

A "Dancing Granny" cannot be a wallflower. A true "Dancing Granny" needs to keep in step with the One who is her perfect partner so that her grandchildren can see and learn from her as she focuses on Him (not her feet/circumstances) and depends on His lead.

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.(Jeremiah 31:13)

Maybe that verse could be an answer to the prayers of a grandmother who chooses to be a "Dancing Granny!"

CHOOSE: TO DANCE ONCE MORE

Many times, especially those of hardship, loss or health struggles, one wants to choose anything but dancing.
Choosing to dance is a metaphor for choosing to live life to the fullest in spite of the "falls" on life's dance floor .
For Christians it requires the right dance partner. Jesus Christ.

When we stumble our Partner is there to catch us. (His hand hold keeps us from going headlong)

When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. (Psalm 37:24)

Trust ensues and grows with every recovered struggle/slip.

Step adjustments are made and once again we can see what seemed like utter trial/pain, or devastation---take your pick) God can use for good.

Thanks be...."to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to make you stand in the glory, blameless with great joy." (Jude 1:24)

Choose to dance looking up into the face of the Ultimate Dance Partner who leads you in His chosen dance of love for you.