ALMOST HOME

3/16/13 From the rising of the sun at Port Orleans Riverside---which was 2 hours earlier than we were used to in Central Standard Time coupled with Daylight Saving Time---to the setting of the sun in the parks, each day was a treasure trove of memories.

Sunrise over the lake at Port Orleans Riverside in Alligator Bayou.

Sunset at Epcot

I am so-o-o grateful of all the blessings and memories that were bestowed upon us! We had fun even in the snafus, wet rides, spilt milk, delayed flights and cat lurking on the balcony!
Great trip for all!

LAST DAY URGENCY

3/14/13 THE COUNTDOWN IS ON----& IT'S IN HOURS NOW........
Though the goal of the trip has been to enjoy the moments and the rides and shows we see rather than trying to do it all, today the "push" seems great to catch the ones we missed earlier in the week---Indiana Jones, Lights! Motors! Action! car stunts show. Re-do for favorites like Rock"n" Roller coaster for the big guys and Toy Story for everyone also became part of "our" plan.
It was a good thing that we remembered our original goal because as we grandmothers rushed thru the gate with little ones in the stroller and another tagging alongside, to Toy Story, we got there in time to be told that the ride was broken. The verse that came to my mind was Proverbs 16:9. A reminder of who is in charge.

”A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” 

Disappointing and difficult to explain to little ones. Life lessons can be hard but can also offer great opportunities for modeling. So, we got fast passes---just in case the ride was fixed before our time at the park was over.  Then, we got our faces painted bright red on our last day! 

"Mouse Moments" Meditation

3/11/13 Disney World is good at teaching you to savor each moment. Scripture also teaches us to savor our moments because life is fleeting. As Ecclesiastes 6:12 reminds us---we pass through life "like a shadow." So....make the most of those moments that God gives.

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart. (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)

My "Mouse Moments"this week---reflecting on the week with family as a gift from God---and enjoying each of those moments to the fullest. 

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: FLORIDA FUN

3/10/13 Magical memories began yesterday in Mount Dora, FL as we had lunch yesterday with the Henize family---great friends and Sam and JoLynn's relatives. The Disney "magic" began today with a character breakfast and a full day in "Hollywood." From Toy Story to Rock "N" Roller Coaster and tower of Terror, all who were willing and able, did it all.

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children. (Proverbs 17:6) We certainly experienced that as we captured the "magic" of building family memories!

"Delish" alfresco lunch at Henize's home

Fast Passes helped us bypass waiting in long lines. Andrew  has best view--in Daddy's arms.

Owen discovers his "Murphy bed."

Character breakfast had Mickey Mouse-shaped waffles & any thing else you could ever eat! 

Phineas & Ferb lined up the cousins and then jockeyed for their own position as the tallest of the line. Andrew was asleep in the stroller

MOUSE EARS MENTALITY

3/8/13 All packed! 4-Runner LOADED!

Reservations made. Atlas in pouch. GPS loaded. WDW apps downloaded. SNACKS!!

We leave today for the "magical" world of Disney. Joyfully expectant to watch 6 boys, ages 2-11 experience the "magic" themselves.

Even our Kleenex for the car has on its "ears"

Figuratively my "mouse ears" are on! I am ready to live moment by moment. Going with the flow. Savoring each tidbit of joy along the way. Releasing expectations of doing it all. Instead, celebrating ALL that we do. That for me would be "magical." Such thinking, my friends, is the "mouse ears" mentality!

Purposeful Pursuit continues....

3/7/13.......for His purpose and my purpose.

My Purpose® moisturizer has sat in my "beauty basket" for many years. It's my "go to" moisturizer. I know it's simple purpose in my life and it serves me well.  Daily usage leaves my leaves my skin feeling refreshed and moisturized----plus, it has added benefit of SPF 15 sunscreen. 

Purpose's® purpose is clearly spelled out by its maker----right there on the label. I would like my "purpose" shown that clearly by my Maker.  I do desire His purpose for my life but maybe I want too many specifics, like one would find on a printed label. 

Pondering this all week, I have reread Psalm 117 (shortest of the psalms) and concur with David Ginn that God's purpose seems to be that He should be praised by all the nations. 

Praise the Lord, all you nations;
    extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
    and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord.

His purpose is shown in scripture and the same can be said for His desired purpose for all Christians who desire godly, purposeful living.

As I continue in my purposeful pursuit, I will keep the Westminster Catechism at the forefront of my scripture search realizing that chief end and purpose are synonymous .

Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. 

The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q 1, Q 2)

Life Stories: worthy of an eternal sequel

3/6/13 Everyone loves a good story---young and old alike.

A good book captivates the very young.....

....and books continue to captivate us as we age (gracefully)

Solomon warns readers that the "writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body." (Ecclesiastes 12:12)

As my 20 year old sweatshirt says, "So Many Books, So Little Time."
I take that to mean that with so many books "out there" in print, that quality selection becomes very important.  I have just finished reading a good one, one worthy of my precious limited time. And glory of glories, there's a sequel, which, so far, is proving to be even better than that first---because it's a continuation of what was already a good story. For avid readers, a sequel to a good book is an added bonus. 

Thanks to Holly, a fellow booklover, for sharing Swan House, and Beth who shared her copy of it's sequel, The Dwelling Place.  

Our own lives have one story in two locations. Our spiritual stories---one this side of heaven---our "here and now" moments to savor and our "sequel" will be that added bonus. When our earthly life has been lived according to God's purpose, our "sequel" will include eternity with Him.

Purpose of Friendship

3/5/13 What is the purpose of establishing friendships on an international spectrum?

Bridges built. Language barriers broken down. Kindnesses given and reciprocated. Fascinating backgrounds shared. Unique experiences of those from another culture but with a like-minded approach to the gospel of God.

All these aspects of friendship I witnessed yesterday at a playground.

Five year old Owen honestly asked, "Why do they talk weird?" I acknowledged that they were speaking Russian and Ukrainian but they had also learned to speak English so they could speak to him as well. Owen replied, "Then I"ll learn to speak English too!"

In the providence of God, it is no accident when our paths cross with internationals. All such meetings bring opportunity for acceptance of new and fresh cultural perspectives. We are so-o-o much more alike than we are different..........For God  pours out His Spirit upon all mankind (Acts 2:17)

Maybe more world leaders should participate in dialogue on a playground rather than in a conference center. The perspectives are certainly fresher there and the prospects of friendship probably much greater!

Purposeful Meditation

3/4/13 Part of my morning was spent in prayer and meditation of Psalm 30 with my "prayer for revival" group. The purpose this morning was also to pray over and encourage one of our own missionaries, who is the daughter of Sharon, one of our long time faithful prayer warriors. 

What a special time of prayer with a purpose---following a time of purposeful meditation. That's the purpose of our meditation on scripture---to lead us into rich times of prayer.

Psalm 30, shares praise as David declares what God had done on his behalf. David cried out. God heard him. God drew him out. Such declaration leads to much praise. Much praise leads to a grateful heart.

Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me;
O Lord, be my helper.” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.                                                        O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.  (Psalm 30:10-12)

These final verses reflect that praise but the entire psalm is worthy of meditation, purposeful meditation, that is.

SABBATH SNAPSHOTS: "IN LIKE A LION"

3/3/13 "In like a lion" certainly described these first few days of March throughout our nation. What a week of crazy temps and other weather  phenomenon---from sun to snow we've had it all here in the mid-south. "So Memphis." I, for one, tend to enjoy diversity of weather though walking in sleet and snow was a little difficult as I struggled to reach my "40 days of walking" goal.

Snow falling (lightly) on redbuds, just down the street.....

Sleet falling on the hawthorn berries....during my "brisk walk"

 In like..."the Lion of Judah" also describes the variety of churches and missionaries who came to our church to share "worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24) of the One who is the Lion of Judah. (Revelation 5:5)

Missionary children of friends from "my" beloved Ukraine

Hymns sung in Swahili by kids in our GodSong choir