Thoughts for the New Year

I can't ever recall actually making a "New Year's Resolution." I've thought about it...but never really got into the "hype." Some people are extreme about their resolutions, and some people fail to follow through as early as January 1st.

This year...I've given it some thought. I'm not going to give up my diet coke, I'm not going to set a goal to lose five pounds, tell myself I will start exercising more, or even at all. This year, I decided to open up my Bible and look for ways that I can become a better person, a person that reflects Christ more in her daily life.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Oh how we all, at some point in time resist surrender with all our might and constantly fight to gain complete control of our lives. I catch myself almost daily, trying to figure things out. I need to carry this verse with me, every moment of every day.

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:15

I want to constantly learn. I want to keep my mind and my heart open to new things and ideas.

Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. Proverbs 19:14

I need to remain focused on the good that can come from disciplining my child, as long as it is done properly. As he grows older, I want him to be able to understand my reasoning and fully know that the decisions I've made during our journey together, were decisions I have made out of love.

Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find? Proverbs 20:6

An earnest hope accompanies every "new year." A hope that God will bring someone special into my life. I know that faithful men with unfailing love exist. I'm just trying to remain patient.

All a man's ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. Proverbs 21:2

I don't want to "judge" a person by their actions any more than I want people to judge me for things I may or may not say or for things I may or may not do.

I love Proverbs....

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2

I am notorious for spouting off at the mouth, quick to jump to conclusions and/or accusations. My desire is to seriously control this part of my life.

As these scriptures were being "handed" to me...there were two that truly stood out.

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

I love the word "hope". I believe that ultimately, it's what most of us live for.

HOPE:to cherish a desire with anticipation, to desire with expectation of obtainment, to expect with confidence.

And lastly, Romans 12:9-21

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friend, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Wow... I think that if ANY New Year's Resolution is made...it should be based on this Scripture alone. Stop for just a moment and ponder the type of world we would live in, if everyone lived according to it! For me personally, I fail miserably to follow it much at all.

I truly hope that 2009 blesses each and every one of you!!!

Day Two at Disney

I am officially resting comfortably on my couch, feet up on the coffee table not wanting to move! I never remember walking around Disney, or any other amusement park or wherever else and waking up the next day feeling like someone took a shotgun to my calf muscle. HECK! Is this part of getting old or do I need a better pair of walking shoes?!
Anyway...I'm back home and thought I'd share day two of the "Disney Experience"

The day began MUCH more promising weather-wise than Monday. Here's a shot of us entering the park:

Yesterday was Landon's 5th birthday, so as we entered the park he was given free reign of what he wanted to do. This being "his" day. He chose Thunder Mountain.

After Thunder Mountain, we revisited Space Mountain. Did I mention that Space Mountain has always been my personal favorite? After a few hours at Disneyland we headed over to California Adventures. First stop, "Soaring Over California" which was absolutely amazing! I have no idea how they do some of the things they do, but if anyone reading this ever has the opportunity, this is a definite "must-do" at this theme park. Here are a few pictures as we ventured through the park...

I hope this next one doesn't offend anyone, but I thought it was HILARIOUS!!! Ironically, that's where we ate lunch...

A few of us decided to brave the "Tower of Terror." (stay tuned for ride pictures that I'll scan and post so you can get a better "piece of the action!")

The Brooks boys (and Em and Marti) went on this ride that consisted of an 180 ft drop. I could NEVER...so I stood on the sidelines!

At dusk we watched the Disney Pixar parade.

and my favorite (for personal reasons):


We made the decision to take one last ride on the Tower of Terror, figuring it would be fun to do after dark...


And finally went back over to Disneyland to finish up our day. An old friend met up with us most of the day, and drove my niece insane. So he snuck in this shot just to capture an expression from her...(which in my opinion is pretty priceless!) I guess it's proof that he can't charm ALL the girls!!!

We ended the day with the fireworks.

...and some very sleepy kids!

It truly was a GREAT day. Even though I'm barley able to move, the memories that were made in the past few days were worth every aching muscle!!!

A Little Christmas at Disney...

D-Day (Disney Day) has finally arrived! Today was day #1, and it began with the traditional Disney shower.

Walking into the park, this was the view...

First stop was Adventureland, where we did Indiana Jones (which was AMAZING) and then the "must do" Pirates of the Caribbean. ...apparently you weren't supposed to use flash-photography, oops!

We found Tigger...

THEN...we found HATS!!!

Marti looked MUCH better in hers!
My all-time favorite at Disney, is none other than...

And now a few final shots of the day.

The day was great...even with the discomfort of wet feet and being cold.

One of the things that stands out the most with me about today, didn't even have anything to do with what we were doing, as a family. Whenever I'm out...I like to "people watch" and observe what's going on around me. Today was no different.

The last thing we did was jump on the train to take a ride around the park. As we were stopped, I noticed a couple walking up the ramp to board the train. If I had to guess...I'd say this couple was in their early 70s. The man was pushing the woman in a wheelchair, and you could tell this was a struggle for him. However...they both had a glow about them. I paused for a moment, reflecting on the day and how I was uncomfortable with being wet...and cold. And I thought about this couple...Here was this man, pushing (I'm assuming) his wife in a wheelchair, in some not-so-pleasant weather conditions. But you could see the joy in her eyes, as if today was the most special day of her life. And he looked as though there was nowhere else in the world he'd rather be...it was that testimony of true love that touches the very core of my heart when I witness it...

Looking forward to tomorrow!

Winter Memories

I can hardly believe that Christmas is literally just around the corner...

And part of me is almost feeling "child-like" when I think about the excitement that's yet to come! We're not doing gifts this year. There's nothing that I need, there's nothing that my son needs, and I'm pretty sure that there's nothing that anyone else in my family needs. I've been saying it for years...realistically, if there's something any of us "needs," there are 364 other days throughout the year that those "material" needs can be met.

SO...rather than giving a gift that no one will even remember getting this time next year, we've decided to build upon our memories instead, and take a little trip. To...DISNEYLAND!!! But you know...all of that is pretty irrelevant when it comes to the true meaning of Christmas.

Before I get into my memories...I just have to share, that yesterday morning I was able to spend some time with the kids at church, and one in particular. One of the sweetest sounds in the world, is that of a little voice singing. And yesterday, it was "Away in a Manger." She stole my heart...

Within the past few months there have been little things that have triggered certain childhood memories. Fall has always been my favorite time of year. Winter comes in a close second. Winter always carried the greatest memories.

One of the first things I think about this time of year, is being a child and being SO excited when television played my favorite (and I mean favorite) Christmas special, "Nester the Long Eared Christmas Donkey." I watch it on VHS to this day, and it still makes me cry. And I'm still waiting for the day when they decide to make John Denver and the Muppets Christmas special available on DVD. I remember being a little girl and squeaking out (I had lost my voice) the story of "Alfie the Christmas Tree" at a Christmas Eve service at church.

And then there was the fond memory of going into the "timber" (aka the pasture) to cut firewood. This was almost always a family affair, and it was extra special when we didn't quite get it chopped before the first snowfall. There is nothing better than a "real" fire...with firewood that you played a part in "fetching." And then...the snow!!! It amazes me that as a child you can play outside for hours on end, and not think twice about the bitter cold. We always knew that when we returned indoors we could thaw out by the fire, and almost always request hot chocolate (with marshmallows, of course)! Our boots would be packed with snow, our faces numb, and our little bodies would be maxed out on enjoyment! We had the best hills, accompanied by "gullies" at the bottom. We had the best sleds, plastic toboggans as well as the round disc-shaped ones which were GREAT for spinning out of control!

The older I got, my "memories" changed. I went from being oblivious to the cold, to never being warm enough. My teenage memories are of the "window walks" through downtown DeWitt. I went from enjoying the displays to becoming a display. And the Christmas caroling! Do they even do that anymore? I used to absolutely love walking around town, going door to door, and seeing the excitement on the faces of those we visited...from the nursing home to my own grandma's house. I'd like to do that again someday. This was back when "Christmas" could be called Christmas, when we could still sing about Jesus in school, and the true reason we celebrated this time of year.

I remember the tradition of sitting around the living room before we opened gifts, and read from the book of Matthew. And we were quiet while it was being read. I remember sitting in anticipation at my grandparents' as the dinner table was cleared and the kitchen organized before we could start opening presents on Christmas Eve. When it was over, we'd go to the 11:00 church service. Christmas Days were spent at my grandma's house with the hundred or so relatives that did the same.

Things seem so much more different now. Will my child grow up and have such great memories? I sure hope so. But more than that, I hope he never loses sight of the reason we celebrate...

It's the Little Things....

So today was the first day in over a week that it hasn't been foggy. Fog for a few hours I can handle. Fog on my way to work I can handle. It has been foggy non stop, 24/7 we're talking sun up to sun down...wait, I can't even say that we've seen much of the sun, period! But today...the cycle ended, and we had...

...It's the little things!

Convicted

So I had to run to the grocery store to pick up one thing...soda for work. I wanted to go in, and get right back out. Mistake numero uno. I was rushing myself for no apparent reason.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed it was rather full...it seemed that EVERYONE had to do their grocery shopping at 6pm on a Sunday night. (all I needed, was soda for work)

I drove down one isle...then a second, and I knew that I couldn't be picky with a spot. Normally, I would choose one right next to a shopping cart return...less walking!

Lo and behold, I see reverse lights coming from a car...so I waited. Patiently. A car pulled up behind me, and then I saw lights in front of me. As the car began to back out of it's spot I realized that I needed to give him (or her) some more room, so I backed up. As the "departing" car maneuvered around me I kept an eye on the other set of headlights that were in front of me. "There is no way humanly possible that they will whip into that spot." I thought. ...And wouldn't you know it. So I did what any other red-blooded American who was already impatient would do. Pulled up behind that car...and laid on the horn. I was LIVID!

After the scene that turned everyone in the parking lots heads, I found a spot in the next isle, stormed out of my car, mumbling some not so very nice words under my breath, and then noticed something that caused me to reach a deep conviction. My bright blue "Yuba City Church of the Nazarene" shirt that was on my back. I quickly zipped up my jacket and said a prayer. What was that all about anyway? And I'm not even going to use the "it's just that time of year" excuse. This shouldn't be the time of year that frustrations run wild...or that anger flares up. It should be the time of year that we reflect...and celebrate...and humble ourselves. This evening was a brutally embarrassing reminder to me.

...I left the grocery store laughing as I began to sing Blake Shelton's "Some Beach!" And now...I'm sitting on the couch with a fire going (after spending about a half hour figuring that out as well as burning two trays of cookies!), next to my little man, with "Get Smart" on the tube. We spent part of our afternoon entertaining a stray kitten, who we would have kept had she not been a "she." Here's a picture of the cute little thing...

...now, I'm going to pop some popcorn and enjoy the movie. (AND the fire!)

...Like a Child

I read someting the other day that sort of got my attention and made me really think..."Look at small children gleefully at play; do we know something they don't know, or do they perhaps know something we've forgotten?"

...last night at work I shared this with my boss as the kids were all but totally out of control. And we laughed a little. (ok, A LOT!) It is so true!!!

We all remember what it was like being a kid. Carefree...oblivious to much...worrying about nothing other than simply having fun. Loving life and loving people...

And then?

When I was a little girl...imagination was everything! When I grew up I was going to be a stay at home mom...with about four kids, married to "Bo Duke"...then it was Sean Astin, followed by Christian Slater, and the last "unrealistic" husband I can remember was Jon Knight. I was going to be the wife of a "New Kid on the Block"! Oh the places I'd go in my own little world. Life was good...life was simple...and life was anything that I could "create" it to be.

As I entered the 6th grade, I realized that I wasn't Cinderella, there was no knight in shining armor that was coming to my "rescue"...and that the world in which we lived in well, could be down right mean at times. I was called names, laughed at and sometimes even ridiculed for my so-called "imagination", not to mention my "physique". However, I was blessed to have a 6th-grader named Jennifer step up to my defense. And after I kicked her tail in an arm-wrestling championship, we became best friends. And we've been best friends ever since!

As a child, we don't have to worry about finances, true love, employment, or parenting. Holding ourselves accountable for making the "right" decisions and having to suffer consequences when we make the wrong ones. As a child, relationships were easy...our hearts were pure...and cynicism and doubt simply didn't exist...(not as far as we knew anyway.)

I miss those days, when all I had to worry about was whether or not I would get into trouble if I called my brother a name or if he gave me a black eye.

And now...I worry about whether or not I'm successful at being a mom. How I can pay my bills and sit comfortably. Will I ever find someone I can love, be loved in return and share the rest of my life with or am I destined to be single for the rest of my life? I think about those things every now and again...but on days like yesterday, God smacks me upside the head and gives me a taste of what I should be thinking about. Observing those kids, loving on each other, being obnoxious as all "get out" and loving life.

And I realized...there's nothing wrong with letting them get crazy. They're going to have to face this "other world" sooner than they should have to.

..."do they perhaps know something we've forgotten?" Absolutely. And I think that sometimes we all owe it to ourselves to take a moment and remember.

but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these children." Matthew 19:14

(and now I just want to end with some pretty cool shots that I took this week...)