All because two people fell in love....

Today was the funeral for my cousin Tina. It was one of the most touching, hopeful, beautiful funerals I have ever attended. Because that is who Tina was. Hopeful. Faith filled. Beautiful.

The Baptist church was filled, so many came to say good bye. There aren't any words that can describe my feelings so I won't try. But I don't know what non believers do - where do they get their hope and strength? I cannot imagine not being able to look forward to the promise God gives to us all.

Our family is scattered now - we used to be quite close. But today offered one of those rare moments for the cousins to see one another - to catch up, remember, and be thankful that our family had been blessed by Tina. It's odd - I haven't seen some of my cousins in a long long time. Weddings and funerals - mostly funerals lately. It's nobody's fault really - but I am more guilty than not. Life got complicated by "stuff." I forget what that stuff was - just the stuff of life. But I am determined to keep the ties connected now. And I am thankful that I have another chance. We look at each other, and we see that as we have gotten older, we have come to resemble our moms or our dads more and more. Tina's dad and my mom were brother and sister. Uncle Dean - he was one of the most fun loving guys you could know. Mom and Uncle Dean were two of nine children my grandma and grandpa raised. You can only imagine the number of kids and the grandkids and great grandkids (great great grandkids too) produced from those 9 brothers and sisters.
All because two people fell in love and from those roots, God just kept us growing.

Thank you Lord for the blessings of today - and the hope we have for every tomorrow.

Out of the valley...

At 1 pm this afternoon, it pleased our Lord to take the hand of my sweet and gentle cousin Tina Marie and lead her out of the darkness of the valley, and into His marvelous light as He took her home to be with Him.
She is survived by her husband Jeff, three beautiful daughters - Katie (husband Chris), Becky and Jill; her mom, her three brothers and their families.
May God be with them and with all of us who loved her.
Thank you for your prayers these past several weeks.
Sue

Spring recess!

Finally, Western NY is experiencing SPRING! The sun is out, it's warm and beautiful, and the grass is losing it's winter dullness. I think what I love the most about the change of seasons is the difference in the scent of the fresh air with each transition. Spring smells so wonderful - the air is saying "everything is new." It's the season of promise and rebirth. I remember the first spring we lived in this house - Laurie was only a year old and after Scott left for school every morning, Laurie and I would do our morning routine of breakfast and getting dressed. And then, about 10 am, I would begin opening all the windows to let the spring air into the winter weary house. I'd pick Laurie up in my arms and take her to the front window in the living room and she and I would just drink in the morning air. So fresh, we would breathe it in and smile at each other. Laurie would laugh that beautiful little giggle of hers and it was a wonderful mom and baby moment. As the days grew warmer toward summer, we were doing that ritual earlier and earlier in the day. I'd put her highchair near the open kitchen window and she would eat her nummies with a soft breeze wafting it's way through the room.
For those of us who experience winter in all Mother Nature's glory - snow, ice, wind - you name it - Spring is a wonderful and welcome sight.
This past winter has been a little more unusual than most with my Christmastime stay in the hospital and then my knee injury and surgery. But God teaches us in all things. When I was home and listening to the weather outside the window, I was thankful for a warm home and for Ron sitting here beside me. It's been a time of prayer for my cousin Tina - of hope for her recovery, and thanks for the doctors and nurses and her family who care for her. She is still in critical condition but with each day that passes we look for the promise of new strength. She has been in the hospital for months now - how I pray that someday soon she will experience the scent of spring air.
All seasons have their beauty - and Spring is merely one of them. We learn lessons through them all.
And in ALL of these seasons - as each year passes into the next, there are brave, courageous and strong soldiers serving (meaning ALL members of the military). They work in the heat and the sand of the desert, in the cold of the Alaskan winters, in the seasons of life God plans for them. At all times, as we give thanks for the newness of spring, or the warmth and fun of summer, the crisp and colorful autumn and the cold and icy winters - may we drink in all of the blessings and pray that those who serve will be doubly blessed with the knowledge that God is with them.
God bless all those who serve and those of us who wait.

The mourning after.

The news of the shooting incident at Virginia Tech went through our office yesterday afternoon - when lunch hours were nearly over and we had begun settling in to our scheduled tasks that remained. I had to leave work early yesterday for physical therapy, but just before I left, one of our staff members said that 22 people had been killed at VT. I got in my car and turned on the radio news, and heard worse - that it was 32 people killed by a single man. As I rode the stationary bike at pt, I watched FOX news reporting on the tragedy and it began to sink in. How does a day turn that tragic - and how could anyone have enough anger living in him to do this to so many innocent people?
The mourning in my blog title is not misspelled for truly we are mourning. It's not simply the morning after, but a time of deep sorrow and a time for grieving.
On my way home last night, I listened to the callers who were on the talk radio show. All of their opinions, their thoughts about gun control, etcetera, etcetera. But in the end, the bottom line said one thing - 31 innocent students and teachers were gone and many others survived but will never be the same.
Today, may God be with their families. May He be with those injured - and their families as well. And for those who are mourning - which would be all of us - we may never understand, but we will always be comforted by the love God has for His children. Surely He must be grieving as well.
In memory of those who died at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007.

I think I'm using the wrong calendar!

Ok, the calendar I've been using for the last 14 days says APRIL 2007 but the weather forecast says January. We are under a winter storm warning as a storm system heads up the East coast. Rain, snow, wind, cold temps. Well, at least we had good weather for Christmas shopping in November and December. But seriously, all across the country, people are digging out from April storms and will continue to do so here in the East until at least Monday. I don't mind snow as long as my family is home safe and not out driving in it. I can actually enjoy a good storm if we're on the inside looking out. Cathy - I think you are in the path of the same storm as we are. Stay safe.

Today is date day - I love date day. It's been a long week - the knee has been quite painful because of my physical therapy - only four more weeks to go with that but I really am walking so much better. The cold, damp weather has been bothering it, too.

The news this week of the 3 month extensions for troops in the Middle East has hit close to home. One of my dearest friends got the news just a day or two ago that her son is included in that extension. She was looking forward to a July homecoming - it will not happen now until October. The time passes so quickly for most of us - but for those affected by deployments - the soldiers and those who wait for them - each moment of every day is long and difficult. I remember well. I only hope they all know that they are not spending those moments alone - that God is with them and many people are in prayer for them all. May He comfort their anxiety and keep them all in His care. There are no words to express how deeply we care.

It seems that God is walking my cousin Tina out of the valley. Her skin is healing and she is gradually being taken off the ventilator. She has had specialists from at least 3 or 4 hospitals working on her and they have been honest about each step of the way. Her daughters have been caring and loving and so helpful in her care each day at the hospital. God has blessed them with a tiny bit of improvement in their mom's condition each day. We are certain that God is working in all of this and are grateful for His tender mercies as the days go by. Thank you so much for your prayers.

Tomorrow I will begin teaching my Sunday School class again. I think I have my work cut out for me since I've learned from the substitutes that the class has not been picking up on what I've been teaching them. Sigh.

God bless your weekend and if you are in a place experiencing bad weather - be safe and stay warm and dry.

Blessings.

Sue

HE SHOOTS - HE SCORES!!!

Well friends, it's Stanley Cup playoff time. We here in the Western New York area - and across the country and in Canada - are getting ready for our Buffalo Sabres to get started. It's the second season now - the first season started in October and, 82 games later, it ended last night. The second season begins this week - The regular season slate is wiped clean and everybody has the same chance as the other 15 teams who are playing.
Now you may have heard (drum roll please) that the Sabres had the best record in the league when the season ended on Sunday night. Hard fought, the wins not always pretty - but they got the job done. And for this they won home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. If you've ever been at HSBC arena during a Sabres hockey game, you'd know that home ice for the Sabres is a sweet thing.
Anyway, I am excited - and anybody here in WNY who ISN'T excited - or at least a little bit happy - is a rare bird. Even Ron - NOT a sports fan ( I think he is a closet sports fan) - is looking forward to watching the games on TV.
So who is your favorite team? Cathy, I would bet the Penguins are at the top of your list. Cat - hmmm - the Hurricanes? Kbug - ummm, the Dallas Stars?
Whoever your favorite team may be, I think hockey is one of the most exciting sports there is. It 's a blue collar sport - the players are paid well, but somehow, they are "touchable." And things can change so quickly in a hockey game. Not to mention these guys do such awesome stuff while on ice skates. THAT to me is incredible. HA!! If Ron reads this he is going to laugh out loud at the thought of seeing the likes of me (or himself) on ice skates. Now that is funny.
So if it's your thing, enjoy the playoffs. Nothing is a given - the Sabres might have the President's cup, but they better have the stamina too. And the playbook better have room for lots of spontaneity. (I'm sure that I spelled that wrong). May the best team win...but I'll just end by saying GO SABRES!!

HE LIVES!!

Oh to have been in Mary Magdalene's sandals on that first Easter morning so long ago. The fear and sadness at seeing Jesus' tomb empty.
The joy at hearing Jesus' voice call her name ..."Mary!" And being chosen to be the messenger to the disciples..."I have seen the Lord."
Each Easter morning it's all new to me - the joy, the knowledge that Jesus died, was raised from the dead...and HE LIVES! And WE LIVE! Our Pastor indeed has the Holy Spirit living in him as he did such a wonderful job with the service. From the beginning to the benediction and closing hymn, the entire service reaching out and sending a message of faith and promise and proof that Jesus is alive.
And so on this Easter Sunday, I pray you will be blessed with the joy of the risen Savior. That you will know He died for you, and lives - that you will live as well.
God's promise fulfilled through His Son.
HE IS RISEN ~ HE IS RISEN INDEED.

The day in between.

Today is the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. It doesn't have the solemnity of Good Friday (although it should) and there is always so much to do to get ready for Easter. But I always think about the fact that Jesus, on the day after Good Friday, was still in a tomb on this day...waiting for the miracle of Resurrection. Lent isn't quite over until we open our eyes on Easter morning and realize HE IS RISEN. So, to me, the Saturday before Easter is still a day to be in thought about what Jesus did for the world, about what He did for me. (yet there is the knowledge of the rejoicing to come tomorrow).
My cousin Tina has been walking through the valley these last few days. But the doctors are cautiously optimistic. What was originally thought to be a grave problem with her lungs has turned out to be treatable and the Drs. are hopeful they can treat this successfully too. She is fighting with all of her might; heavily sedated, but still fighting.
Today - true to tradition, will be a busy one. I have a funeral to go to this morning, a wake to go to this afternoon and some shopping. We'll stop by the kids house to visit for a little bit and maybe I'll get to SEARS to get a new Easter suit - but since it's in the 20's and snowing, I think I can probably wear a winter suit and still be ok. I remember when the kids were little, Laurie would get a new outfit for Easter and it would never fail that Easter morning would be cold...but she would wear that cute little spring dress no matter what. I guess we are all that way; my mom used to buy my sisters and I matching coats for Easter and no matter how cold it was, we were in church on Easter morning with our new coats and new hats. Funny.
The knee is a lot better these days - it's easier to walk on it and the brace is a thing of the past. I still use my cane occasionally and stairs aren't easy yet - but my physical therapy is going well.
I'm hoping to be online tomorrow morning to wish you all a blessed Easter but if you aren't able to stop in, I wish you a joyous Easter and many blessings.
Yup - today is the day in between...almost time for rejoicing. May we all do so with all of our hearts.
Blessings.
Sue

Going Home.

This morning, as I got ready for church, I thought about the last time I was there. It had been such a busy morning - the choir sang that morning so I needed to be there early to rehearse; then after worship service there was a special meeting with Pastor before I went down to teach my class. After Sunday School was over, I was rushing because Ron and I were supposed to go to a wake for one of our friends after I got home from church. Until I fell - and all of the plans we had for that day, and for many days to come, were wiped out. Why hadn't I slowed down a bit?

So this morning, as I entered the church, I was a little bit cautious. Over the course of the past 5 weeks, I had received many cards and notes - and I knew that Pastor had been praying for me. But the one phone call I had expected to receive had not come and I was hurting a little - and confused.
As I greeted my Pastor this morning, I said "hi stranger!" And he turned and greeted me and gave me a hug. He has not been feeling well so both of us have been healing, but not in touch. I've missed him - we've been in ministry together for six years...before he was our Pastor, he came to our church during the summer of 2001 to fill in as worship leader when we were without a Pastor. We led the service together and became good friends. On the Sunday after 9/11 happened, he supported me as more than just a worship leader. He knew I had a daughter in the military and what that tragic day for our nation could mean for her...and for our family. When he became our Pastor 4 1/2 years ago, it was because we knew he could help heal our congregation from a great heartache. Our hearts had been broken by our full time Pastor and calling Garry back to be our worship leader was a step which was pre-ordained by God. Had he not come to our church, we would surely have been lost. Many, in fact, have found their way back to our church home because of his ministry and his enthusiasm.
It's been 5 weeks since Pastor and I have been in touch. The road back seemed so long during those weeks away. But this morning, I went home again...and it was like I've been there all along. His hug told me that. He is our Shepherd...but still my friend and my brother. God is good.
May He bless your week as He has already blessed mine.

Daddy, I missed you so much.

Happy weekend everyone. I can't believe this week went so fast - waaay too fast. But it's good to have a weekend in front of me.

First, I'd like to wish my good friend Erik best wishes. His blog - A Long Strange Trip took so many of us to the sands of Iraq, and then back to Minnesota as he finally came home to his beautiful family. He always spoke his mind, and we always knew that his words were honest. He's a great young man and I wish him and his family many blessings as he leaves his blog behind. Cathy (Call me Grandma) first "introduced" Erik to me through a link on her blog and I enjoyed meeting him and got to know his family a bit as well. You know what they say about friendships - God brings them into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. However God planned it, it has been a blessing to know Erik and his family.

There was a report on the local news tonight that was absolutely wonderful. A young man - who had just done a tour of duty with the Navy in Iraq - walked quietly into his young son's classroom.

He stood there and said "Hi buddy." The camera focused on the little boy's face as he teared up, ran to his daddy's arms and said, "Daddy, I missed you so much." I sat in front of the tv and cried my eyes out. Cried, and cried, and cried. Not for sadness, but just to see this little boy's joy, and the love he and his dad have for each other. Each day, this scene is repeated time after time...dear Lord may you continue to bring these men and women home safely to their families. The joy is beyond measure.

My cousin Tina is improving slightly - still in critical condition though and in need of many prayers.

The knee is a bit sore tonight - I've not been wearing a brace most of this week - dr. said I could start doing that, but I think I overdid it a bit. Tonight it's an early night for pjs, a movie, or the Sabres game on tv. It was a good week at work and now I am definitely looking forward to the weekend. Tomorrow Ron and I will do some shopping and Scott and Tina have invited us for dinner. I'm looking forward to it and to spending time with the kids and grandkids.

On Sunday morning, I'll be back in a pew for worship as I go to church for the first time since the accident. Sure has been strange not being there on Sunday mornings.

Praying for our troops and for our President. May God bless them and put His hedge of protection all around them and keep their hearts filled with courage for He does not give us a Spirit of fear.

Have a great weekend friends...

Blessings,

Sue

Walking in the shadow...

Today I am going to ask for your prayers for my cousin Tina. I've posted about her before...she recently underwent her second bone marrow transplant because the first one didn't take. She is a woman with a strong, wonderful, tender and faith filled heart who is fighting the hardest battle of her life right now. On paper, the results of the BMT looks good - her blood counts are going up and getting better each day. But she has developed a terrible complication of the transplant - it's a disease called Graft versus Host Disease - her body has broken out in a terrible rash which is a result of her body trying to fight the donor's bone marrow. There have been experts from two hospitals working on her and they all agree that if she develops an infection it could very well prove fatal.
At times like this, the words of my prayers feel so awkward and so inadequate.... and repetitive. I know that God's divine will is already in place - Lord please help me to trust in that will.
Where God allows us to go is sometimes very frightening - but I guess the heart of the matter is this: He IS with her in this journey, walking beside her. No, more likely, He is carrying her.
Dear God, if it is your will, lead her out of this valley, and into the green pastures.

First week nearly over...

Well, for this week, it's three days down, two to go. It sure has been a good one though, getting back to work and all. And while all the cards and baskets and notes made me feel missed while I was home, my friends and co-workers (one and the same) sure have made the return a great and welcoming experience. Monday I hardly got any work done as people stopped by my desk to ask how I am doing and to say welcome back. I was a little nervous about going back - kind of wondering how I would navigate with the brace and all. It's working out fine - and I am really getting around very well and everyone is so willing to help.
The kindness of others - a balm for healing if ever there was one.
It was a little bit sad kissing Ron goodbye on Monday morning when he left me at my desk. I had shown him around the office, introduced him to one of my co-workers, and then kissed him goodbye and told him to be careful driving home (those are usually his words to me when I leave for work in the morning, but with his driving me this week, the tables are turned). If I could spend each day with Ron it would be great, but our finances are not ready for me to retire yet, and I think God still has some things planned for me in my job yet, still...it would be kind of nice to have each day in front of us to spend together as we choose.
There are a lot of things to do this spring - at work, at church, at home. Plans to make for our trip with the kids and grand kids this summer, a prayer retreat at church in May, and the daily busy-ness at work. Everybody (especially my family) tells me that I need to slow down, and I want to. But this is always easier said than done and how does a person begin doing that?
So I guess it's time to start listening for that still small voice that God uses when He wants to get our attention. We have a tendency not to hear Him when we are rolling along our own merry little way. Hmmm.
Nope - can't retire yet. Not ready to do that anyway. But it's a nice thing to look forward to. Meanwhile, it sure is a nice feeling to be able to look forward to going to my job each day. Not everyone can say that.
Thank you, God.
May He bless you all as you look forward to the weekend.
God bless our troops and those who wait.
Sue

Luck of the Irish?

On this St. Patrick's Day, the time is winding down on my days spent at home - Monday morning I will be back at my desk at work, my leg propped up on a box. I have mastered using a cane instead of the walker, so that will make walking around a little bit easier and a lot less cumbersome. The past three weeks have passed quickly - though not without pain. I know that 6-12 months will pass before my knee is healed completely, but it's good to be well enough to return to work. There will be many tasks to greet me in my inbox but that's ok. I am fortunate to be returning so soon.

When I think of how painful this journey was when it began, I am so thankful for answered prayers for God's healing love. And for the care that Ron has given me. God sure has blessed me in that man.

I love you, honey.

So today and tomorrow, I will be doing a few simple chores around the house - dusting, picking up, getting rid of some of the clutter. Ron and I will make a pot of homemade sauce today and I will make a pan of lasagna too. It will help with dinner during the week next week. We are getting blasted with some more snow as the entire Eastern coast is experiencing a Noreaster. We always have snow on St. Patty's Day so this is just winter's last hurrah, right on schedule.

This morning's online news headlines ask: Did St. Patrick really drive snakes from Ireland?

Huh?

A long time ago, I was asked to do a short devotions for a gathering of our Ladies Guild at church. It was St. Patrick's Day so I decided to use that as the theme. Scott and Laurie were little then - but with both of them in tow, I went to the town library to get some information on St. Patrick (an experience if ever there was one as two year old Laurie kept finding books for me to read to her and Scott asking a million questions as he found dozens of dinosaur books-more up Ron's alley than mine).

St. Patrick is remembered best as bringing Christianity to Ireland by preaching the doctrine of the Trinity. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. That's what the Shamrock represents - the Triune God. Wearing a shamrock is not just an indicator of a day set aside in March to honor an Irish saint, but rather a sign of another heritage - Christianity. My mom was Irish - and proud of it. But more than Irish, she was Christian - dad was too. So today, when I put that Shamrock on, it's because I am grateful that I know how great it can be to be in an Irish family, but also the BLESSING it is to be a child of God.

Hope you have a great day wearin' the green.

Sue

Sixty Big Ones.

So this is what "beware the ides of March" means.
Today is my birthday and I am 60 years old. I'm not used to saying 60 yet. It's not a bad thing - really, I mean what is the alternative? Last night Laurie was telling me that her schedule is kind of hectic today and so she would call me this afternoon. I told her not to mess up her schedule and she said, "Mom! This is a big one - I'm not going to miss calling you."
Big as in old? Well, she did point out the benefit of the senior citizen part of the menu and we'd be able to save money for dinner now that both Ron and I are in our 60s. Smartie pants.
Seriously, God has blessed me. I have spent nearly 38 of these 60 years with Ron, have 2 wonderful birth children and their spouses - 4 children in all and we have 3 grandchildren (one more would round things out nicely, :). I have wonderful friends, a great job, am part of a great church family...
what more is there to life?
Well, my hope for the next however many years God gives me is to give back; to pass some of these blessings on to many others. I've always tried to practice "do unto others" but sometimes those best intentions get mixed up in a busy schedule and they remain intentions.
And I'd like to slow down. Just a little bit so that I can smell the roses a little longer and drink in the goodness God has bestowed on my life.
Oh and I would like to always be thankful~to always remember that without my faith and family and friends, these 60 years would be empty.
The truth of the matter is, each day for as far back as I can remember, my cup has been overflowing. Thank you, God.
Sue

My new laptop.

Well, I've been awake since 0430 this morning and after trying to go back to sleep but being unable to turn the brain off, I decided at 6 am that it was time to start the day. With Ron and Lilly still asleep, I didn't want to make a lot of noise - but I did manage to make the coffee. It's at times like this that I realize the challenges that come with having a broken knee cap. The coffee smells great - it was just a bit difficult getting it from the kitchen to the family room while still maneuvering my walker. But hey - when it comes to coffee, where there's a will, there's a way.
Being able to sit at the computer has been great, but I am not able to do so without putting my feet on a chair, and (because I am not double jointed or a circus performer) I have to put the keyboard on my lap to be able to type. I am also getting really good with using my left hand for the mouse so that I don't need to reach as far. To say I have a laptop is a far stretch of the imagination but it works. :)
This morning I wanted to ask y0u for some prayers for a group of soldiers who were killed in Iraq last week. They are buddies and comrades of a soldier who is the son of a dear friend of mine. So sad. I wish all of our troops could come home and yet, listening to some TV interviews of some Officers and enlisted men and women, THEY think their mission is valuable and important. You can hear their belief in doing whatever needs to be done. They know first hand the sacrifices, and also know where their duty lies...their honor as well. God bless them for their courage.
Well, guess it's time to start my day. Hmmm - what kind of challenge can I find today? Holding on to my trusty walker, you just never know where it's gonna take me. Maybe back to the coffee pot.
God bless your day and thanks for stopping in.
Sue

"Foxy Lilly"

Keeping Warm!

It's been pretty cold in our neck of the woods the past week or so. Of course I haven't had the benefit of the actual cold air since I've not left the house since Ron brought me home from surgery last Wednesday. Looks like Wednesday will be my official day out since I have a Dr. appt this afternoon. The fresh air will feel so good.

Last night was not a good one - hardly slept. My knee was really acting up and I just had a lot on my mind. All it takes is going to bed at 11, falling asleep right away and then waking up at 2:11 in the morning because my leg is cramped or in pain. If I am in pain, and if Ron wakes up, I will take some medication...but generally I just lie there until I fall back to sleep.

The other night when we went to bed, I was feeling kind of bad because we were missing Kasey's birthday. Our little man was two years old yesterday.

(HAPPY BIRTHDAY KASEY!!!). Sometimes it's not hard to start feeling sorry for myself, as I was the other night. But God always finds a way to get us out of our funk. Monday night, as Ron tucked me in, I was just really hurting and missing the kids. Lilly always knows when mommy needs her to be close by. She jumped up on the bed (barely missing the sore knee :) and laid down right next to me and put her head on my shoulder. She licked my ear as if to say "it's ok mom." It sounded like a wind tunnel outside as the cold winter winds blew around the corners of the house...but inside, there was Lilly. The above picture of her was taken just a day or so ago as she was sitting on a snowy perch in the back yard. She is a cold weather doggie who warms our hearts with her silly, loving ways. Yup...God keeps us warm with His love...and with the furry creatures He blesses us with.

Hoping to get back to work in a week or less. The Dr. will tell me the prospects of that today, and although I am anxious to get back, I am also a bit worried how it will all work out. My walker, my stabilizer and my wonderful co-ordination - that's an oxymoron if I ever heard one. But I sure am enjoying the time at home with Ron. We play Rummikub for hours on end in the afternoon while his wonderful dinner preparations simmer in the crockpot. I think I will have about 10 lbs to lose when this is over. Goody - more salad.

Today I would like to ask for your prayers for the troops...I know they probably always are in your prayers, but many families have been receiving the most dreaded news lately. Please pray that they will find comfort in their faith and in the promise of a reunion in Heaven one day. It may seem like a lifetime away...but it is an assurance for those who trust in Jesus.

Keeping warm? Yes, we do have that comfort if we trust in Him. The comfort of a warm hearth, a simple afternoon spent with someone you love, or a furry creature saying "it's ok, mom" as they nuzzle your ear with a cold, wet nose.

Thanks and praise to God - who helps us find the good in all things, no matter what the situation is.

May He bless you.

Sue

Bumps in the road...errr....sidewalk.

Hi friends,

Well some of you from militarymoms.net may know that this week has been anything but boring. Last Sunday morning as I was coming out of church, having locked all the doors, turned off the lights, etc., I was walking down the bare, dry sidewalk when I decided to turn and see if I had turned out the entranceway lights. Yup, I noticed, it's all good; whereby I turned around and started walking again. I didn't even get to take my first complete step before I found myself falling...and falling hard...on the sidewalk. I landed on my left knee. Well, I thought, how bad could it be? Feeling my knee, and the several pieces under the skin. And so the answer to my question? Bad...very bad.

So I thought well I will get up, get to the car and have Ron take a look at it when we get home. NOT!! Could not stand on it. Reached for my cell phone to call Ron when I heard a car in the church parking lot. My friend Betty, (now guardian angel Betty) had been looking in her rear view mirror as she left the church parking lot and she saw me on the sidewalk.

Betty helped me to her car, we called Ron to come and meet us at the church, and then I would go to the emergency care clinic. By the time Ron got to the church I couldn't move it enough to go from one car to the next so Ron followed Betty and I to the clinic.

Three hours and a few xrays later, the prognosis: badly broken kneecap.

Having had surgery this past Wednesday, I am now (supposedly) on the mend.

I have the best nurse in the world - Ron. A bunch of wonderful friends praying for me, and some angels unaware.

Remember in my last post I said that God puts us where He wants us to be? Point in case, my friend Betty. He put her exactly where He needed her, and thank you Lord, where I needed her to be.

One place I won't be for awhile is work - at least another week or two at home. He is giving me patience. And teaching me love, oh yes, so much about love. In the gentle care Ron gives me, the flowers, fruit baskets, phone calls and cards that are being received every day, and in the prayers which I know are being spoken on my behalf.

Yes - there can be bumps in the road. But God knows exactly where He is putting them so that we will know He is picking us up and setting us gently down in the care He gives us through others.

I won't be on too often because Ron allows me 30 minutes tops each day until I get stronger.

Funny how I've been teaching my Sunday School class about Faith. It makes us whole - even when we feel broken. It makes us whole again.

God loves us so...

God bless our troops and those of us who wait.

Love,

Sue

Where God wants us....

Haven't posted in a week...lots to do and many things on my mind and heart. It's been a week of disappointments and discoveries, and learning to listen.
Did you ever want to do something so badly...know you probably can't have it..yet there's that glimmer of hope that there's still a chance? This is what happened to Ron and I over the weekend - I can't tell you what it is because it involves someone who reads this blog from time to time. Let me just say that I think God sometimes has to take things away from us because we need to give to someone else.
I have a staff member at work - one of my girls - who just found out that her dad has stage 4 cancer and has very little time to live. For this young woman, the sun rises and sets in her dad...she is married and loves her husband very much...but she is still very close to her dad. She came into the office yesterday to ask about the family medical leave act...she wants to take care of her dad which is a wonderful thing. It will be a blessing for them both but it will be hard and will take everything that is in her. And then some. But when it's over, she will know that her dad had the best care possible because it was the care of someone who loved him. I guess my role as her supervisor hasn't changed...being there to help with the business/personnel side of things...and being her friend as well. I think God needed me to be disappointed. After all, I've been where Katie is. And I remember how much I needed a support system. Ron's mom moved in with us the day after Laurie left for basic training. She had terminal cancer as well...couldn't live on her own, and we wanted her to stay here so that we could care for her. As natural as it seemed to be having mom here though, it wasn't exactly the same situation Katie has.
Ill as mom was, the 6 months she was here was a healing process because she had never understood that I wasn't her rival...that I loved her...how often I would agonize over the fact that she didn't see my love for her.
And then God stepped in and showed her. It took 29 years and yet His timing was perfect. During her illness she could see that I truly cared. The sitting beside the bed, holding her hand in the dark hours of the night when we both were afraid...God was speaking through all of this - to BOTH of us - and telling us how our hearts and feelings had healed. I lost mom but she and I gained a total understanding of the love and respect that we had for one another. God has His perfect plan - and that plan is a blessing if we are willing to accept it. No matter how long it takes to unfold.
Katie will see a lot in these days and weeks to come - the pain and suffering of her dad, but she will also hear his stories. They will share many memories...realize the blessings they have.
So now, I think I will listen a little more carefully. We can't always have what we want...it can be within arm's reach, but then we find out that our arms are needed for other things. Like giving hugs, or reaching up to our Father in prayer ~ or praise. Speaking of prayer, I would ask that you pray for my cousin Tina who is about to undergo her second bone marrow transplant. She has the most gentle, loving, faith filled heart, and she needs that miracle she is trusting God will provide. It's been a long road for her...but she would like to journey down that road for awhile longer.
Like I've said before...this military mom roller coaster goes up and down...but the world keeps turning. And we are needed ~ by family, friends, employees. And God needs us too...right where we are.
May He bless you.
Sue

That's Amore!

Some funny, lovely, wonderful things happened to me today. To explain the first, I need to give you a little history. Ron and I always have this competition going on holidays - who can be the first to give their holiday cards to the other. Last night I baked some cupcakes for Ron and also some to take to work for my co-workers for Valentine's Day. Before I went to bed, I signed Ron's card and put it on top of the plate of cupcakes so he would see it first thing in the morning. AH HA! Victory would be mine.

Fast forward to this morning when I went out to the kitchen to pour my coffee at 0530. I turned on the light and lo and behold, there was a bright pink envelope on the counter by my coffee pot. The flap side of the envelope was facing up and Ron had written in huge letters: I WON!!

Which of course he didn't because I put mine on top of the cupcakes at 11:30 last night before I went to bed. When I called Ron this morning after I had gotten to work, I asked him what time he had put the envelope on the counter...he said that it was sometime during the night when he woke up...12:30 or 1 am. It started my day with a laugh - and a good hearty one at that. Romantic fool that he is. :)

The roads were really bad this morning - all day really, yet again. But my friend was taking me to lunch at one of the restaurants on campus. Instead of driving over, I decided to get one of the campus shuttle buses ( never did that before except to ride to the other campus). So another friend of mine was also going to the same restaurant with a couple of other ladies...she told her friends that she would meet them there and accompanied me on the bus ride because it was my "first time" on the bus.

How kind that was and so appreciatedm and we had such a nice chat on the way over. I think I can do it on my own the next time. Thanks Shirley!

Lunch with my other friend was delicious - she treated me to lunch and I brought her flowers. It was a lovely 90 minutes. Thanks to Shirley, I was also able to find my way back to my office as she had told me where to wait for the return bus.

On my way home (doing the white knuckle thing again on a rural expressway I have to drive each day to and from work), I was listening to talk radio when all of a sudden the host played an old Dean Martin song:

That's Amore. I turned up the radio and sang every word with good old Dino. Loudly and with gusto.

Another lovely thought I had today was the mental picture of Kasey at his daycare - making valentines for mommy and daddy. And when I spoke to Laurie on the phone tonight, I asked if Kasey had made a valentine for them...yes, indeed he had. This grandma has ESP - don't you think so?

Dinner was ready when I got home and it was delicious...the best leftovers ever. Comfort food.

Happy Valentine's Day....hope you had some lovely moments too. It doesn't need to be receiving flowers or candy...just a good belly laugh, a random act of kindness, and a wonderful lunch shared by friends.
That's Amore.

Love to you all,

Sue

Long weekends are good.

It's been a long week - SNOW! SNOW! SNOW! and my car and I have spent entirely too much time together...and it seems to be protesting about the conditions of the roads we've traveled together this week. This morning, as I made the very first turn on my commute to work, it rebelled and ended up head on into a snow bank. Lovely way to start the day. Then, of course, other drivers think that l CHOSE this snow bank deliberately and am blocking part of the gas station driveway to be ornery. I figure it was either a snow bank or another car and why ruin someone else's day? Later, as I got out of the "sticks" and closer to civilization and the office, the roads improved so that I could go faster. Hmmm, I thought, why is my trusty all wheel vehicle starting to shake if I go over 50 mph?

Tomorrow we will find out. A wheel? Something out of alignment? Who knows, but I decided taking a vacation day tomorrow would be ok. Work will start to get crazy soon as we begin processing for two financial aid years at the same time. Current year, next year, and reconciling last year. Yup...it gets hectic but I love every minute of it. But a day off now is ok.

I am excited because we are planning a trip this summer with all the kids and grandkids when Laurie, Stephen and Kasey come home for a visit. A four or five day vacation home rental on a lake somewhere with all 9 of us. Six adults, a 9 year old, a 3 year old and a 2 year old. Mass bedlam - and I CAN'T WAIT!!

So, while the days are cold and the busy-ness at work gets busier, this grandma is gonna be planning. And the extra day this weekend will help.

Yup...long weekends are good...really good.

Blessings for your weekend.

God bless our troops wherever they are serving. And those of us who wait.

Hugs,

Sue

LOVE IS....

Hi everyone. This past weekend was quite a weekend here in Western NY. Snow - LOTS of it - blanketed our area...from the lake effect snow machine of course. We got about 3 feet of the stuff and we are in the minus double digit wind chills. It's not Valentine's Day yet, but I can tell you some things of what love is....

• A dad driving through blinding snow to try to pick up his son and get him to work only to have to turn around and come home because he couldn't make it. The love was also in seeing how badly this dad felt when he wasn't able to accomplish his mission.
• A son calling to make sure his dad got home safely and to let us know that his supervisor told him it was ok if he couldn't work yesterday.
• A soldier/wife/mom returning from military training and being able to wrap her arms around her husband and 22 month old son for the first time in a month. Not an eternity to most but for them it was a long, long time.
• A two year old grand daughter shouting "NANA - I FOUND YOU!!" as she walked into SEARS with her "papa." And her face lighting up to let her Nana know just how important it was to this little girl that she had found her.
• A grandma hearing her grand daughter shouting "NANA - I FOUND YOU!!" as she was shopping in SEARS. And a grandma's face lighting up just as brightly as her granddaughter's.
• A soldier/daughter calling her parents when she landed safely after arriving home from her training so that her mom and dad would know she was back where she belonged - with her husband and son. It didn't make them miss her any less, but it sure did make them happy that she was home safe.
• A 22 month old grandson saying, Hi mam ma" on the phone from far away...and his mommy saying in the background..."he's blowing you kisses grandma."
• A young woman who has already served her country for 7 years, loving the job of soldier enough to re-join the military reserves after she was out. And being excited about the beginning of her mobilization today.
• Our military. What more needs to be added to this one?
• A husband who would get up at 5:45 in the morning to clear the snow in the driveway so his wife could get to work - this in -23 degree wind chill and in the pitch dark. (thanks honey).

Not a whole lot different than any other family perhaps, but on a weekend when the temperatures were frigid and the snow was falling all around, it sure did warm the heart.

Thanks for stopping by - many blessings. Stay warm, ok?

Sue

Phil – you messed up!

Ok, I realize that poor chubby little guy has to wait a whole year between each moment in the spotlight...but this year, I think he must have overlooked his shadow or else his prediction was misunderstood. My reasoning? We are going to experience the coldest temps of the season this weekend, plenty of good old lake effect snow for everyone, and even though our winter WAS a mild one until mid January, we are certainly paying dearly for it now. It's 7:30 here and the flannel pjs are waiting. Looking out the sliding glass doors of the family room to the backyard, well, the word tundra comes to mind. Phil needs to re-evaluate things I think.
I had a very unsettling day - Kasey was sick last night when I called Stephen - fever and upset stomach...he was sick a couple of weeks ago as well because it's going around his day care. So I was worried about our little buddy and this has a tendency to distract a grandma. Tomorrow Laurie will be home from her training and Kasey will have his mommy back. Stephen is such a good daddy and Kasey is blessed. But it was just a tough day wondering about Kasey. He's such a sweetie pie. Let's face it: I don't do long distance grand mothering very well. Not well at all. Some of you know exactly what I mean.

Ron is watching the History channel - World War II stuff. It’s about Panzers and bridges and the like. Wars haven't changed much - there are the good guys (always the US and our allies) and the bad guys. The bad guys show no mercy and continually make us shake our heads at their brutality. The snow and cold our guys battled makes today's weather woes seem like a cake walk. As we watch Fox news these days, we continue to shake our heads because nothing has changed.More than half a century has passed since WW II ended. I guess moms and dads and all the loved ones of soldiers serving then felt pretty much the same as we do today about Iraq and Afghanistan; going through the days because we have to, and with prayers without ceasing. It seems endless, yet we know that God - in His wisdom and grace - will bring it to an end in His appointed time. I am praying that will be soon and that those who are fighting will know that He is with them. May all of our military know that He goes with them wherever they go. Especially into battle.
Laurie will be activated on Monday - "mobilized" as the Army calls it. She will once again be a full time soldier and the plan is that she will be working stateside right where they've been for several years. That's the plan - let's hope it stays that way. The military mom roller coaster is going up that hill again – and I hope it’s not a steep one ‘cause that means it’s a long drop on the other side.
Well, I should publish this before our power goes off. Stay warm, and dry.
And pray for our troops please.
Blessings and love,
Sue

A bit of Western NY History.

You've probably all heard about it - January 28th, 1977. The great blizzard of '77. Several feet of snow, winds of nearly 70 mph, and wind chills to 60 below. It was quite a sight to look out the front window of our little cape style home and see nothing but, well, snow. It sounded like a wind tunnel as the gusts blew around the corners of our house outside. Scott wasn't even 2 yet but he was fine. He kept pointing to all the snow outside - "thnow, mommy?" Thnow, Scotty. I'm smiling right now, just remembering the little voice and the inquisitive little face as he looked at me - trusting that whatever was going on outside wouldn't be a problem 'cause mommy and daddy and Tiger were home. Tiger, our buff cocker spaniel...I'm still smiling here.
Anyway, lots of good things came out of that week of snowy weather - including many babies. A regular baby boom hit our city in late fall of that year. And - as so often happens when Mother Nature's fury wreaks havoc on a city - we learned a lot about the good will of perfect strangers. It was a time of total dependency on God's goodness - and His ability to provide.
Appropriately, as I type this, the crawlers are going across the bottom of the TV screen, trailing a message about the snow storm we are experiencing tonight. We could get a foot or two - maybe our university will close - not likely, but I can dream. It's not going to be an easy commute in the morning, but I can do this. I've got a good heater in my car, the gas tank is full and all wheel drive - if it takes me extra time, that's ok. I have a high respect for snow on the roads.
I love a good snow storm. The wind is howling and it's time to crawl into bed. It's a one dog night - Lilly will be sleeping between us tonight - just as Tiger did 30 years ago.
Yup - still smiling. God is good.
Blessings my friends.
Sue

Wrinkle Resistant?


I hardly think so!! This morning I had a Church Council meeting and as I was getting ready - hair, makeup, etc., (you know the drill), I noticed that it seems my face is beginning to resemble my mom and grandma. Well, people do tell me that I look like my mom, but there is also another trait showing up.
Wrinkles.
It's ok - I'm not a vain person. BUT, with a major birthday just around the corner, I guess they stood out a little more this morning. I'm not an Oil of Olay type of gal - soap and water and a good foundation is good enough for me. It's funny - we see old movies with women who coated their faces with cream before they went to bed. Must have been tough on the sheets and pillow cases. :) My mom never did that although Grandma did use something on her face that smelled wonderful and she would put little pieces of cloth in her hair to hold the curls in at night and wrapped a scarf around her head. When Grandma would come and stay the night with us, my sisters and I would double over in laughter at the stories she would tell us. The stories were always funny and and we would try to listen intently but it it was hard to take her seriously with the little pieces of white rags in her hair and the cream stuff on her face. Ahhh, as the saying goes, those were the days. Well, not really. I like to think of the here and now as the days we will speak of in the future as "the days."
Now, I am the grandma. And while my grandkids are too young to notice the lines in my face (well, Luke notices them - he's 9), the day is coming when they will probably sit by my side with me in my flannel nightgown as I tell them funny stories about their mommies and daddies. By the time this happens, I may have given in to the sweet smelling cream and the little pieces of white cloth... and I sure do look forward to the giggles of my grandchildren.

Blessings my friends,
Sue

I think I'm in trouble.

Well, tonight I decided that every day after dinner I will tackle a little job of some sort around here - just so that I can continue with my pitching and tossing routine. I am up at 0530 and out the door by 7 to get to work on time by 8 am so the day is long. But a little 30 minute project isn't too bad, right? Oh my gosh - tonight's project was my kitchen desk - my nook, as Ron calls it. It's one of those flat surfaces that holds a LOT! And so tonight, I thought it would be a good idea to tackle the nook. As I said, big trouble.
Are you a "saver" of things? Greeting cards from the kids, envelopes saved because they have return addresses on them and I don't have an organized address book (that's going to change this weekend as the information goes onto pages in the perfectly good address book I have-it's alphabetized too - what a novel idea).
But I am in serious trouble as I realize that over the years I have saved entirely too much. You name it, I saved it. Not good - where the heck am I going to put that stuff in an RV? And I'm not going to part with it.
Yup, I'm in trouble. Maybe I could do a couple of scrapbooks? Or five. Stephen is right - Laurie gets her pack rat traits from me. One time - as Stephen looked in a small cupboard above my "nook" for a set of salt and pepper shakers (I keep my cookbooks in the same cupboard) - he said to me, "remind me never to help you pack or move..." And he was sincere. I didn't take it personally. :)
So, I think I'll go to bed now and not worry about any of this tonight. Hmmm, what should I clean tomorrow? MY COMPUTER DESK!!
I think I'm in trouble.
Blessings my friends,
Sue

TGIF - and the dream lives on...

Well, today is the day most of us look forward to all week. Now I admit that I truly love my job - but more than that, I do love my weekends with Ron. We have a snow storm moving in as we speak (or as I type) - it's early in the evening and Ron has his pjs on already and I am giving into that shortly. This has already been a good night. We spoke to Laurie who is on the other side of the country right now for some training and I am really lonely for her this week - and for Kasey and Stephen too of course. I think I am missing them more because they are not together as a family right now with Laurie out of town. I guess they are used to this - the military life you know. (I will NEVER be used to it). But it made my day to be able to talk to Laurie.
Tomorrow we will go to the RV show and look (yet again) for the Fifth Wheel Trailer that we will be traveling in when I retire. We have been looking for two years now - retirement is still more than two years away, but you can't do these things too quickly. :) Seriously, it is such a nice thing to do - to dream about and make plans for our life together after I retire. The mailman brought my social security statement today, a projected statement of what I will receive if I retire at 62 and although the picture they paint is much better if I waited til I am 66 or 70, I don't want to lose that time with Ron and the kids. It's ok if I leave when I am 62 - it's been our dream for awhile now - dreams are good as long as they are realistic AND that we make sure we are prepared to accept God's plan if it's different than ours.
I hope your weekend is a good one - a safe one if you are out and about in stormy, snowy weather. Build a snowman, do some snow angels, (did you know that you can find detailed instructions online how to make a snow angel?), or enjoy some hot cocoa (don't forget the marshmallows). I will be watching some football on Sunday, that's for sure!
There was a report out this week about how cancer is claiming fewer lives. Right now I can think of at least 7 people I care about who are suffering from cancer...some are not doing well, but God fills us with hope just the same. He does marvelous things and they are resting in His care, trusting in His healing love. And we are trusting in that love as well.
To my friends with loved ones serving, may prayer and trust be your constant companions - and may the Lord watch over your soldiers in whichever branch they serve ~ and wherever their boots may journey.
May you be blessed, my friends.
Sue

At the risk of repeating myself....

I've been home from work the last couple of days - have some sort of a virus going on that I am hoping will be gone by tomorrow so that I can go back to work. The Spring semester started yesterday so I am sure the work is piling up. Saw the dr. yesterday and will see him again today - and I also had an x-ray done yesterday to make sure the problem which put me in the hospital last month hasn't returned. Will get those results today. Since I am not a good patient, I am hoping tomorrow morning will see me back to work.
So, since I had a little extra time on my hands, I went back and read some of my earlier blogs this morning. I lost count of how many times it was mentioned that I am trying to post links on this site. I read the blogger help thingy over and over and have tried to do what it tells me (or at least what I understand it to say), but am not having much luck.
And so to Call Me Grandma, Erik, Cat, Heather, Kbug...and several others, I apologize. You comment on my site, some of you havc Two Star Mom in your links, and yet here I sit with Google news and edit me under my links on the sidebar. EGADS!!
So at the risk of repeating myself, this afternoon when I get home from the Dr.'s office...guess what I will try to do (yet again)? Keep looking for the links...someday they will be there.
God bless and love,
Sue

Military friends.

A lot of what we experience in life can't be understood if we don't actually "walk in the shoes." We can sympathize and support, listen and pray - but we can't truly understand. For all of us who have - or have had - a loved one serving in the military, we know that it can't be truly understood except by another military family. You get upset during a war that your child or loved one is serving in, and you see someone nodding their heads as though they are understanding your anxiety. They try...they really try...but they don't. And sometimes we are told, "well that's their job." A week before Laurie left for basic training, Ron took Laurie canoeing - just a father/daughter outing - to a state park not too far away. It was a time for them to say the stuff dad needed to say to his daughter before she left. They discussed the fact that in the next five years, she quite possibly could be serving in a time of war. She knew that, and was willing to serve despite the dangers. When 9/11 happened - not just the twin towers but especially the Pentagon - we knew that time had come...no longer would Laurie be serving in a time of peace. The day after 9/11 I had an appointment at the eye dr. - an outspoken man with whom I didn't always agree, but I never argued my point with him. We had often discussed the fact that I have a daughter in the military so he knew that at times I was a little lonely for her - and worried sometimes too. What I was NOT prepared for on that day after 9/11 was his reaction to my statement, "this is not a good time to be a military mom." He answered very bluntly, "Why not? It's about time they earn their pay." I could not say a word - could not cry, or react in any way. My shock was too great.
Therefore, I allowed him to examine my eyes, tell me when I should return and let him make all the small talk he wanted to. (I wonder if he noticed that it was a one way conversation?). And I walked out of that office, never to return. I cried all the way to work - finally allowing myself to let his words sink in. And once I got to work and I told a friend what had happened, she did not understand.
She said, "Oh Susie - don't take it so personally." DON'T TAKE IT SO PERSONALLY??? Helloooo!
And it was then that I realized that Ron and I are different from many other parents. Our daughter is in the military and nobody understood how it felt.
A few weeks after that the local newspaper carried a story about a local woman who had started a website for military families. Called www.militarymoms.net, it offers support and encouragement for people who were walking in my shoes. Immediately (and still) I felt a connection to these other military families. Through the years since, so many of my friendships have been a gift of God through that website. We have gained many members - and lost a few as well. But in the loss of the memberships I have not lost friendships - our hearts are still connected because we share a common bond - we love a soldier (or veteran).
For all of you who are in a military family, please know that it is NOT just my daughter and son in law of whom I am proud and for whom I pray. I treasure our connection and wish that we could all meet someday just to discuss our soldiers and this roller coaster ride we've been asked us to share.
Until then, and even if that never happens, know that I value the kindred spirit that we have. And for all of you who read this and are not part of a military family - THANK YOU for your prayers for our loved ones.
We know that God is working - and will answer them all.
It's Sunday and Veronica is here while Tina enjoys some free time. The house is alive with her little voice and her laughter. The closet cleaning can wait for tomorrow.
God bless your week - thanks for stopping by.
Sue

The main topic of the day...

Well, during my morning and evening commute today,
all I heard was the buzz about President Bush speaking tonight.
I heard what the Republicans thought, the Democrats opinion, the talk show host's feelings, the web poll results...etc., etc., etc.
I am one of those people who is weary of the war, but support our troops... and still believe in our President. I am part of the minority.
But I am afraid. Two of our children serve and there doesn't seem to be any direction for this war and while their deployment is not imminent (so they tell me), this mom's heart is tired of worrying. I know many of the soldiers who are in the sand...love them all ~ and their moms as well.
God hears my prayers every single day for our troops - some I can call by name, and the rest He knows...in fact He knows exactly how many hairs are covered by their Kevlar helmets. If we THINK we know the number of men's and women's and children's hearts who are affected by this war...well we could think again, because they are countless. Countless to us...yet God knows each and every one.
And He also knows the heart of our President. Dear God, guide him...give him your wisdom..give him the answers we all need to hear about this war.
We are weary, Lord...and we put all of our trust in you. May our President and all who lead our men and women of the military put their trust in you as well.

It's time, Lord. It's time.

God bless our great nation and those who serve and protect her. And those of us who wait, and pray and listen for His answers.

Cleaning house!!

Well, now that the holidays are over, and I am feeling quite a bit better, and the winter weather is finally moving in, the time is right for pitching and tossing...otherwise known as cleaning house. Because I wasn't feeling well for several weeks, the stuff just kind of kept accumulating and I have a ton of papers and magazines and books that I want to ditch. But I need to check them out first, so tonight I will take one or two groups of these things and sift through them. I will show no mercy - anything that doesn't look important will go. That's what I did when I cleaned my closet in the fall - haven't worn it in a year? TOSS IT!! Of course the real reason behind the project is to get rid of stuff that we can't take with us when I retire in a couple of years and we buy our RV and go traveling for a year or two. I have been told that we are having a garage sale in the spring, the first of many no doubt - everything that isn't needed will be sold by the time we move. Yikes!! Scary thought.
I also need to write a sort of post holiday letter to my friends and family who are out of town cause I didn't get cards mailed this year. Time is going quickly - in another month or so our busy time will be upon us at work and it won't lighten up until at least July. Four or five months of nonstop processing and busy-ness. I thrive on it but it is stressful as heck.
Sounds like we are starting to kick some behind over in the sand - may God protect our men and women. My soldiers are both stateside and our family feels blessed for that - but those who are serving over there are my soldiers too - and they are not forgotten.
May God's peace be with you - and thanks for stopping.
Sue

Home again...

It's always such a wonderful trip when we go to visit Laurie, Stephen and Kasey...and also a very short trip no matter how long we are there. The time passes so quickly and then the trip home seems so long. You know what that's like.
But we really did have a wonderful time - Kasey knew who we were and was happy to see us and we enjoyed him so much. He is so busy and so much fun...and so lovable. Laurie and Stephen had a great New Year's Eve party catered by me....spreads and dips and shrimp, deviled eggs and a cheese and sausage platter. I LOVED doing that - felt like I was "earning my keep" and helping a little bit. We went out for lunch and dinner quite a few times - even breakfast a couple of times. Thankfully I did not gain any weight - managed to burn the calories playing with Kasey and following him up and down the stairs. But all good things must come to an end. Yesterday we needed to be at the airport early since Laurie was also leaving to go to school for her Reserve job. As we turned down the road leading to the airport, Kasey - in his most forlorn little voice - looked at me and said "bye bye?" That wasn't good for this grandma but I kept my act together til we got to the airport and he started crying. Now, it was hard enough to say good bye, but then to see Laurie saying goodbye to Stephen and Kasey...THAT was even harder. Yes, they are military, Laurie and Stephen are used to separations, but it's hard for a 21 month old little boy to understand. So, we got through the goodbyes to Stephen and Kasey and then checked in. Ron and I kept our confirmed tickets but were put on standby for earlier flights - our luggage was tagged likewise so that it would travel with us no matter which flight we ended up on. Right.
After Laurie's flight left, we went to the gate for the flight we were on standby for. In the very last moments of boarding, we were able to get seats...likewise for the earlier connecting flight to Buffalo. We got back a couple of hours early...our luggage did not. Surprise, surprise.
They delivered it this morning. When we opened our suitcases, everything was thrown all over the place. They had inspected it and neglected to put the straps back on the contents inside - everything was all crumpled together and wrinkled. But all in one piece so I guess we are grateful for that. The one thing that upset me more than OUR luggage not arriving was the fact that when I called Stephen to let him know we were home, he told me that LAURIE'S luggage did not arrive with her either. THAT upset me more than anything. They had put her luggage on the flight to the same destination which left after hers did - and it didn't make the connecting flight. Hopefully it got to her last night.
So, after 3 weeks of being out from work due to illness and travel, I will return to the rat race tomorrow. Lots waiting for me I'm sure but it will all get done in a day or two.
While we've been gone, a former President has died and his State funeral viewed by millions (me amongst them) and a former dictator has been executed. I have heard some people find fault with the undeserving (??)expense of President Ford's funeral, others found it terrible that Saddam was put to death on a Muslim holiday. Maybe I can explain my feelings about both men in this manner...I cried with the Ford family - Gerald Ford was a kind and decent man whose gentle and forgiving ways lost him an election....and I cried during Saddam's execution - NOT for him, but for the people who were not given a solitary thought before he killed them. And for the military we have lost during and since his tyranny was toppled.
And of course, a new year has arrived as well. 2006 was - for our family - probably no different than it was for yours. Triumphs. troubles, times of change. But always our cup overflowed with blessings. Praying that yours did as well.
I've missed Scott and Tina and the kids - it was time for us to come home.
But it will be awhile before we can go back to visit Laurie and her family, so for now I'll have to be content with the memories, the pictures, and the sound of a little voice running through a house far away saying "Mam ma !!" (Grandma) and "I ou." (I love you) in Kasey talk. It echoes in my heart as well.
Blessings to you all in 2007 - may it be a year of good health, of much happiness - and of peace.
Sue

Christmas - part 2.

Tomorrow we leave to spend some time with Laurie, Stephen and Kasey. It's been nearly 5 months since we've seen them and I just know that Kasey is a big boy now...after all, he's nearly two. :) Bags are all packed and we'll be ready to roll in the morning, dropping Lilly off at the kennel on the way to the airport. I still have some "battle scars" from the hospital but all in all I feel pretty good. Thankfully, we sent all their gifts out about 10 days ago to save some luggage space. I can't tell you exactly what this trip means to Ron and I - only that we are so thankful that we can make it there. Next year, we just might spend Christmas with Laurie and Stephen and Kasey if they can't make it home. Scott and Tina and the kids count on us to be here, yet we are needed by our other kids too - and sometimes we want to be there with them. It will be a good decision I think.
So, I may not be around for a week or so. Laurie has a computer but we will be doing a lot of day trips and ~ as so many of my other blogger friends do, it's ok to take a leave, right?
In the meantime, please keep praying for our troops. They have so much responsibility and are spread pretty thin. May God keep them strong and with a spirit of courage...for He does not give us a spirit of fear.
WOOO HOOOO....gonna see my soldiers...and our little man.
May God bless your New Year with His peace and grace.
Love,
Sue

Tidings of Comfort and Joy!!

Merry Christmas everyone!!
It's difficult to put into words what happened last night when I went to church. Though Ron is not a churchgoer (but is not without faith), I don't usually attend church by myself on Christmas eve - usually Scott and Tina and the kids attend with me. Last year - for the first time ever - all of us were there since Laurie, Stephen and Kasey were also home for the holidays. It was an awesome experience to have Laurie bring Kasey up to the choir loft in the balcony so that he could meet my fellow choir members. I joined my family in the pew after the choir's anthem and before long, Kasey was crawling across laps to get to Grandma.
Tina now attends a non denominational church - which is good too because her sister attends that same church and it's good for them to worship together. Tina's family situation isn't too good since she has no communication with her parents and oldest sister.
On Friday when I got home from the hospital, I left our Pastor a message that I was home, but that I would probably miss Christmas eve services. He prayed for me in church yesterday morning. But last night, busy as the day had been (well, for me it seemed a bit busy because I did a few things around the house and went on an outing to the drugstore with Ron) I needed to attend worship. Alone was ok - Christmas eve and Silent Night by candlelight...cannot have one with out the other.
So when I walked into the church narthex last night, so many people asked me how I was feeling...and it was so comforting. And when Pastor Garry and his wife Joanne walked out of his office, their hugs of true Christian love and affection were like a balm to my soul. Not that I haven't felt that warmth before, but with the events of this past week, it's good to feel that Christian love in a hug after knowing their prayers had done so much as well.
The sanctuary was beautiful, the service uplifting and full of the promise of the Christ child, and the love that God rained down on earth so long ago. As I looked around, I began to realize that "Christmas and Easter" worshippers are nearly a thing of the past in our church home. There were lots of new faces as the families and friends of our regular members joined in for worship. I saw two ladies who are ill with cancer and who heard the same message of hope. Ill as they are, their faces reflected the serenity of God's love at work in their lives.
Alone? How could I have thought that I would be alone?
Amidst the greenery, in the sharing of the holy supper, the sharing of the peace....and in the singing of Silent Night as we held our lit votives I was surrounded by family.
And the tidings of comfort and joy that I received last night is what I wish for you today. For those with loved ones far away, and for our military wherever they serve...God bless you for your sacrifice for it is our Armed Forces who help to give us our freedom to worship as we choose.
May the peace of the Christ child be with them - and with you.
Blessed holidays to you all, and love...
Sue

Listen - and then let Him do the rest.

When I wrote my last post on Monday night, I had no idea that 5 hours later I would be on a gurney in the ER, writhing in pain that had begun to bother me early Monday afternoon. How awesome God works - how He just tells you what you need to know and WHEN you need to know it. The pain was with me when I went to bed, and I had already decided that if it was still with me in the morning, I would call in sick and get myself to the Dr. The symptoms had been bothering me for a few weeks but like most people would, I chalked it up to stress.
I was able to sleep about an hour and a half Monday night but, when I woke up at 2 am - less than three hours after I went to bed, I asked Ron to take me to the hospital. After a series of tests and a CT scan, a very nice Dr. told me that I needed to be admitted - and while I won't go into detail, let me just say that all the surgeries and the c section I had over the years had left waaaay too much scar tissue and it very nicely decided to take over my small intestine and give me some terrific (NOT!!) complications. I am so seldom ill though, that I knew the pain was more than just a tummy ache. So, I had recognized the need to go to the hospital.
Thankfully, I was able to dodge surgery this time but it will happen again, and likely again. This was a most inconvenient time to be ill - haven't I been going on about the busy-ness of Christmas? And yet, as I laid in the hospital bed for four days, listening to the sounds of the hospital and being poked and pricked and having all sorts of tubes and things as company, the things of Christmas did not matter. The cookies that didn't get baked, the cards that didn't get sent, the last minute "stuff" just didn't matter. What matters most? Yet again, and as always, the Christ child. The One who was born so long ago to bring us everlasting life. And the One who brings us peace. It's not an easy thing to find peace in the sights and sounds of a hospital - unless that Peace has been your friend for a long. long time. There were many patients there who were far more ill than I - who don't have a prayer of being home for Christmas. Who may not be able to return home ever. On Wednesday, the staff had to move me from one room to another because they had brought a lady in who was what they called " a screamer." She was 87, in great misery and not able to be coherent or quiet. As I lay there listening to her moans, and to the sometimes rather rude comments to her by the staff (they thought she couldn't understand them), it didn't really matter whether I was moved or not - the sadness was in the situation this lady was in. From my new room that night - unable to sleep - the cries of that lady could be heard all around the floor. As well as far into the evening last night and into this morning. I pray that she once knew that Peace in her life - and that she will feel it again.
And when I left that place of healing today, I knew that the real healing had been done by God. The excellent medical staff were the vessel, He had done the healing.
Christians aren't supposed to be fearful - but He lets us use that fear for good sometimes in the middle of the night when you know something is wrong. It's then that He gives us the nudge to do what should be done~ and then He does the rest.
May He bless you.
Sue

Preparing for Jesus.

One week from now the gift wrapping will be history, and the kids gifts and toys will be scattered around the family room waiting for the inevitible moans about being too full from dinner but needing to get the kids home to bed. We'll make a thousand trips to Scott and Tina's car, stuff everything in around Veronica and Luke and send them on their way. This year, I will not have to go to work the day after Christmas so I will probably hit the pillow shortly after they leave and worry about the rest of the picking up in the morning. :)
Last night, we had our Christmas play at church - Too Too Busy - and it was about finding the real meaning of Christmas amidst all the preparation. It was a quick little play but the kids loved being part of it. The songs, the forgotten lines remembered just at the right moment with maybe a little bit of prompting, and the brief closing message from Pastor afterwards. It was a peaceful half hour that I was thankful to be part of as a Sunday School teacher - and I remembered all the Christmas plays my own children used to take part in.
The Gospel lesson yesterday was about John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus. How do we prepare for a King? How did Mary prepare for Him? Mary was ready - she had put it all into God's hands.
I guess it's all a matter of the heart - we are either ready, or we aren't.
Some of us invite him by saying "Come Lord Jesus" or ask for more time by saying "oh not yet, there's too much to do!"
Wait a second - are we still talking about Christmas? I know several people who are very ill. Two of them are sisters in Christ - a few others are loved ones of friends or co-workers. My two sisters in Christ are faith filled and know that God has never left their side...and "Come Lord Jesus" are not frightening words for them to say. They are difficult words for those of us who love them, but words which hold hope as well.
Preparing for Jesus...wrapping gifts, planning a holiday meal, being "too too busy?"
Or just simply saying, "Come Lord Jesus" with a faith filled heart.
Yes, I like that greeting the best.
Blessings to you, my friends.
Sue