Memorial Day: America's Most Expensive Vacation

As I was looking for a picture to describe my prayers for our Nation this one captured it the best...reunion.

There have been several "AWE" moments in my life time where it becomes very apparent to me how costly freedom is. The first was September 11th. I will never forget where I was when I heard the news. My country under attack. Do you remember how it felt to feel so completely vulnerable? So unsure of the future? I remember laying in bed that night wondering what if something terrible happened to our country while I slept. How different Sept. 12 was going to be. A fear pierced tender places in my soul that I didn't even know existed.

The day after 9-11, my cousin signed up to defend and protect his country. Growing up, I remember playing war with him, all his childhood camo gear, his "hide outs" from the enemy (me). He told me, "All I ever wanted to be was a soldier". He served 2 tours of duty in Iraq. He has earned 2 purple hearts. His future is forever changed because he rose to the occasion. I went to sleep 9-11 wondering if I would wake to another attack and he went to sleep preparing to attack. Do you remember 9-11? For his sake I wish you would.

Several years ago, I came across an article in Texas Monthly featuring a friend from high school. He was a paratrooper. I'd never heard of that branch of service before. They are the guys that jump from airplanes in the middle of the night and rescue our soldiers, his brothers. In his article, he reflected on the places his boots had taken him and how serene it was when his service time was up. How strange it must have been to pack those boots away. How does one return? How does one man or woman survive war even if they come away without a scrape? Reading that article, moved me. It moved me from being a safe, self absorbed and oblivious stay at home mom to being ever conscious of the gift freedom is.

Several "AWE" moments of freedom I have encountered have to do with the wives here at home. On Mother's Day, a few years ago, I was having breakfast at Jim's with my family. Sitting at a table not too far from us was a young mom of three little girls. They were all dressed lovely and eating so nicely together. My husband picked up the tap for her breakfast. She came to us in tears. Her husband had been deployed and she was here in San Antonio alone. There was no one to pat her on the back. No one to observe her daily sacrifices on the behalf of her husband, children and her country. There is a cost for freedom.

Laying in bed one night, I was reflecting on this cost. I was deeply moved over the war. How many days went by with out even acknowledging that our country was even at war? I was overwhelmed and deeply grieved at the thought of the soldiers returning home with war so intimately ingrained in them. Their return home from seeing and experiencing the gruesome, heart breaking victories and defeats. Was it possible to sit down at the dinner table and freely converse? Was it possible for them to sleep in their own beds and not feel like aliens in their own country? How do these soldiers return to work, pay their mortgage and deal with the everyday? I remember begging God for miracles. Not just that God would save physically but that He would restore them spiritually.

For my cousin, high school friend, soldiers now and soldiers then-

They have all paid dearly for a holiday we celebrate only yearly.

Our politians may take a vacation

But tonight I shed tears for our nation.

Mothers who's sons have not returned

Children who's father they yearn.

Heal us Lord. Ignite passion in our land.

We beg you Lord, for without You our Nation will not stand.

Thanks we give You. Let Freedom Ring.

It will be a miracle for a Soldier's return without war's sting.

It is for Freedom, the Soldier's have stood up and fought.

Forgive us of our selfishness when we have thanked their families not.

Let us extend our hand, offer to babysit at least.

Only You can slay this war's beast.

With a sling and stone You've brought giants down.

Keep our enemies far don't let our Nation drown.

We call out to You in our time of need.

Let our leaders run to You at brake neck speed.

Allow us as a country, one household to another

Stand in the gap - strengthen our brothers.

May we stand firm as citizens of the best Nation united.

INDIVISIBLE - Yet EASILY DIVIDED?

Show us how to mark out a strait path.

Let us grow Godly and divert Your wrath.

One Nation under God...the simplicity is true

Our Nation doesn't have a prayer if we don't walk with You.

This Memorial Day, in honor of Soldiers lost

We close our eyes tonight, safely do we sleep at Freedom's cost.

No payment here on earth can say thank you enough

But let us unite as the going gets tough.

Wasted their lives - let this never be

For it was for freedom-for you and for me.

May the Lord be close to the broken hearted and faithful to deliver those crushed in spirit. To the wives here in America holding down the fort - I say thank you. May you have peace that surpasses all understanding, may your burden be miraculously light and may time pass quickly. To the parents of soldiers past and present - I hope I never know the weight each of you carry. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

God Bless America!

Stacy

Grief

Dear Readers, please listen to the advise given to me by a special woman who knows more grief than anyone should in this life time.

"There is never any thing your child can do that can't be forgiven. Don't give up on them!"

Lord, words I do not have
Prayers I know not how to pray
Answers to hard questions I don't know what to say
Heaven is a long time to wait
To see the one's we love at Heaven's gate.
In the mean time, until that glorious day comes
Renew. Revive. Reveal. Relieve.
Give this woman strength and courage to face another day
To ask for your guidance along the way
Show her what healing looks like
She longs to encourage others but isn't ready for the mike
Send her chosen people who will walk her to You
Only you know how to see her through
Free her from sorrow, deliver her from strife
You are her God, she is your girl
I know your hand is extended
May she take it and twirl
Dance over her. Sing her a new song.
When compared to eternity, time on earth isn't forever
Reunion won't be long....

Positive Parents Polka

Positive Parents Polka to the Rythem of Praise

If moma ain't happy ain't nobody happy! We as women are the thermometers in our home. If we are comfortable and inviting than the home is comfortable and inviting. If we are fussy, grumpy and bossy then our children will be the same. If we were are irritable at work we are likely to be irritable at home. If we are angry on the highway then we are likely to be angry at home. The black cloud will not go away on it's own.

This is the day the Lord has made and I WILL rejoice and be glad in it. Rejoice and be glad is a decision, an act of your will.

We have to make an exchange in our thoughts – the prescription for the grumpies is praise. We have to make and exchange.

Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice, in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident in all you do. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, what ever is true, whatever, is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -think about such things.
We have to take our thoughts captive and replace them. We can't allow the dumpster of our mind to fill with negative, destructive thoughts and not expect the stink to fill the nostrils of those we love.

Recently, I have had the opportunity to build a relationship with a sweet physician. She has two older girls and I pick her brain all the time regarding being the mom of two very different girls. As she was reflecting, she told me to use the video camera often because they grow up so quickly. As a side comment, almost to herself, she said,”looking back, I wasn't smiling in any of the videos”.

It is so easy to drown in the drudgery of everyday. There will always be messes, the toilet will always need to be cleaned, laundry will always be your enemy...but your children are only children once.

One of our favorite books is, My Moma Had a Dancing Heart by Libba Moore Gray. Following is a quick preview,

"My moma had a dancing heart and she shared that heart with me. With a grin and a giggle, a hug and a whistle, we'd slap our knees and Mama would say: "Bless the world it feels like a tip-tapping song-singing finger-snapping kind of day. Let's celebrate!" And so we did."

Do you know what happens when a positive parent dances? The people in their lives can't help but to dance too.

Jeremiah 31:12-13 Their life will be like a watered garden and all their sorrows will be gone. The young women will dance for joy and the men -old and young- will join in the celebration.

God has purpose for our polka...
Psalm 145 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your might acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
One generation will commend your works to another.

It is possible, Masie, will tuck her daughter in one night and say “God taught my moma to dance. She taught me to dance. And now my darling, I will teach you to dance".

You are what you think. You reap what you sow. If you plant an apple seed you will not produce oranges. If you plant bitterness you will reap bitterness. We have to take our negative, poisonous thoughts and replace them with thoughts of things pure, lovely and worthy of praise.

This video is a great example of practicing Philippians 4:8 (dance lessons)

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

Many Blessings as you begin your week - may you fill your mind with things worthy of praise!

I love my God! I love my life! I love my husband! My Masie! My Katie! My Gunner! I love my job! I love the people I get to work with and for! I love my parents! I love their parents! I love my garden! I love my paid for car! I love my dogs! I love my Innocence Preserve! I love my Crossfit crew! I love my church! I love my Monday - my start fresh day! I love my health! I love my laugh! I love my bed head in the mornings! I love my Starbucks! I love my...you get the picture:)

Date Night

Date Night - a highly coveted, often talked about, rarely scheduled and crucial to any relationship.

Last night, Ryan and I joined several other couples for a fantastic dinner at Fralo's in Leon Springs. We ordered the Pesto Chicken for an appetizer - we loved it! We ordered the Mediterranean Pizza (you can get the crust gluten free but we forgot to ask for that:). Since we were feeling a little spunky we ordered our pizza it with anchovies. I loved it but Ryan thought them to be too salty. The atmosphere was casual, the weather wasn't too hot, the music was current and not too loud. The overall feel of the place was "hip"...you felt cool no matter your age. The oak trees provided breeze and shade. We were a rowdy bunch and had the freedom to be.

Laughter is a powerful gift. Often, I find myself too serious, too deep and missing out on opportunities to laugh. Well, last night, I laughed until my abs were sore. I think I was just finally relaxed enough from a stressful week to let go a little. It helps that the crew we were with last night exude happiness in their own lives and each have such solid marriages.

Ryan and I have been really growing in the area of communication. I don't know about you but this is a really tricky area to master. I am so a talker and he is so a processor. This week, Ryan was intentional to sit on the couch with me and allow me to go through the details of my day, voice my frustrations and road blocks that are in the way of my personal goals. He allowed me the opportunity to be real, vulnerable and completely a woman. I can't tell you how much lighter and loved I felt after just a few minutes of having his undivided attention. God totally knew what He was doing hand picking this man for me. I do need a listener and a fixer. Ryan can make decisions easily because he sees things so black and white. I on the other hand have way too many emotions to process through before I can remotely see light at the end of the tunnel. So, when I need a short cut, I always go to him. He gets to the point and has a way of bringing me along in a gentle way.

It is so on our radar to make "date night" a regular part of our week. We do have 3 small children and just getting away is never easy. We want our marriage to continue to grow, flourish, thrive. We can't count on the blast we had together on our date last night to sustain us for the long haul. We have to keep adding wood to the fire to keep the flames of our relationship burning. We will make "couch time" precious, sunrise coffee on the front porch regular and wine by the creek often.

Date Night is an idea that is lovely and true

With out it, we find our self burned out and blue.

Show us how to find time to play

Flirt and be crazy in love with each passing day.

In our old age, with decades in the past

Date Night will surely make our love last.

Teach me to plan, to pursue this godly man

To laugh out loud and have him catch me if he can.

I am his beloved and he is my dude

May I speak gently, not so often and never rude.

Teach us to love, to dance each dance

To sit the next season out - not a chance.

Fan the flames, get the fire hot

For no other, we are not.

Share with me your favorite spots around town.

Stacy

Feathers From My Nest

Several years ago, at a local bookstore, I found myself curled up in a corner with tears streaming down my face. I stumbled upon the book, Feather's From My Nest, by Beth Moore. At the time, Masie Kate (pictured) was three and my only child.

This book was Beth's (like I know her:) way of documenting the childhood of her daughters, feathers each of them left behind as they flew from one season to the next. This was one of the first books God used to paint a picture of how quickly time would pass and how fleeting childhood would be for this precious girl.

Now, Masie is 7 and the big sister of Katelyn and Gunner. I just wonder what feathers I will collect from their childhood when childhood has come and gone. I choose to post this picture of Masie in her "Magic Skates" because in this season they are the love of her life (plus I crack up everytime I look at it:). We call them "Magic Skates" due to the fact that when Masie slips her dirty country feet into them she becomes the ultimate servant. She unloads the dishwasher quicker, is eager to assit in cooking and setting the table. We have wood floors downstairs and she zips, zags and figure-eights in a noisy enthusiastic childish parade. However, noisy and sometimes annoying these skates are, how long will they be called her beloved? She no longer needs my hand to hold skating from one object to the next. She no longer falls every few feet. I am just curious how much longer before I pack these skates away because her childhood love has been replaced with adolescent interests. Until then, skate on Masie. One day my prayer is that she reflects fondly of the days when her mother allowed her Magic Skates to participate in the day to day.

Feathers from my nest

Which moments will I treasure the best?

Masie is almost eight

No longer needing my hand to roller skate

Help me Lord to be patient and kind

Enduring the ruckus, help me not to mind.

Show me how to collect and keep

The feathers of her childhood nice and neat.

Memories are made with each passing day

Help me to love more deeply and not be too busy to play.

Feathers from my nest

I choose to treasure this day amongst the rest.

Show me to train, to patiently pursue

This precious child,

Who holds onto me but one day will cling to You.

Blessings!

Stacy

Shining as Stars

It has been said, "You can not give what you do not have". Tonight I have a few moments to write, I have much in my heart to pass along but I can't. I have not had time with the Lord in a few days. So if it is okay with you, I am going to share what God confirmed and inspired me with tonight.

Earlier this week, I had the privilege of starting my work week in prayer with two of my coworkers. We asked God to encourage and strengthen our staff, continue to fan the flames of passion for the hospice services we provide and represent and that we would SHINE in each of our accounts. When I prayed the word SHINE, I was asking that God would some how use us to bring His light into the "everyday" world of the people we come across. That our attitudes, smiles and love for life would somehow bless the hospitals we walk into, the doctor's offices we stop by and all the people in between.

Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you SHINE like the stars in the universe...

These two Scriptures I just happened to come across. I just love how God confirmed the word "SHINE". He really does have a plan for us (me and you) to stand out, to draw attention to Him by our attitudes and actions.

So it is my prayer for tomorrow as I will be out in the field with work and as I begin my day with my children that I would stand out, choose a happy heart and pass along the deep joy I have in the Lord. May you also be encouraged to SHINE for Him where ever He takes you.

S - Spend time with Him
H - Help others do the same
I - I WILL rejoice and be glad in Him (it is a choice)
N- Notice the faces of people and speak a blessing
E- Engage in the interests of others

Blessings!

To all the mom's who attended the "Positive Parenting" talk today I want to tell you that I am praying for you! It was not by chance that our path crossed this morning. God has called You out in the most loving, non-condemning way. He wants to free you from guilt, shame and bring great sources of encouragement to your lives.

Lord,

As these precious moms tuck their children in tonight and for the mother who wants to but can't, I ask that You would bless them with hope for tomorrow. I praise You that You are a God of second chances - You are so free and willing for us to have a "do over". Father, I ask that as these women lay their heads on their pillows tonight, they would rest well knowing that You came along side them today. Stir hope into their hearts. When they rise and greet their families in the morning, may You put a new song in their hearts. I ask Father, that You would allow the seeds of truth that were planted today take root. I ask that the cares of their world would not snatch the hope that You loving sowed into our lives today. Though, I didn't get to hug or meet each woman in that room today, I treasure that they are intimately known by You. Continue to light their step as they attempt to reach the hearts of their children.

Blessings to each of you!

Stacy