My Bucket List is Complete .... or is it?

When I went to Israel a few years ago, my Bucket List was complete. Sure I'll take on more adventures, but I don't have to. I am good to GO! No longer have a need for a bucket!

According to the 2007 movie “The Bucket List” where Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson (both of whose characters are dying of cancer) create a bucket list of things to do before they die – and then they actually do them. But, historians say that it dates to the Middle Ages when a method of execution involved the victim standing on a bucket with a noose tied around their necks. The bucket would then be kicked away, and good-bye to the victim. It is easy to see how the term could have been adapted to do those things that you would want to do today if you thought it possible that you might die tomorrow.

Another way to look at "bucket lists", is making a list of goals that we hope to accomplish before "heaven" calls our names. My husband was a relentless goal setter -- not just those he hoped to accomplish before he "went home", but before the year ended. So much so, that he made a Vision Board each year, casting the vision for what we were believing to accomplish in that year. Habakkuk 2:2 says "Write the vision, make it plain so that he who reads it can run with it." I still have a Vision Board that Ron not only wrote out the vision, but he made it plain by attaching photos of what he was believing for.

Alexia, my granddaughter and I had already been on a shopping spree before her birthday yesterday. I bought her birthday gift then, but since her parents are out of town, yesterday morning, I took a Chick-fil-A breakfast to her and a couple other gifts. She had told me that, when she moves out on her own, she wants to get a cat. So, to drive that vision home for her, I bought a 2021 calendar full of pictures of cats. AND, I bought her a furry little electronic, meowing cat. “Write the vision and make it plain – OR, show up with visuals that define it.

Another way to look at "bucket lists", is making a list of goals that we hope to accomplish before "heaven" calls our names. My husband was a relentless goal setter -- not just those he hoped to accomplish before he "went home", but before the year ended. So much so, that he made a Vision Board each year, casting the vision for what we were believing to accomplish in that year. Habakkuk 2:2 says "Write the vision, make it plain so that he who reads it can run with it." I still have a Vision Board that Ron not only wrote out the vision, but he made it plain by attaching photos of what he was believing for.

Alexia, my granddaughter and I had already been on a shopping spree before her birthday yesterday. I bought her birthday gifts then, but since her parents are out of town, yesterday morning, I took a Chick-fil-A breakfast to her and a couple other gifts. She had told me that, when she moves out on her own, she wants to get a cat. So, to drive that vision home for her, I bought a 2021 calendar full of pictures of cats. AND, I bought her a furry little electronic, meowing cat. “Write the vision and make it plain – OR, show up with visuals that define it.

Though my husband made plans and goals, not everything came to pass. But that's when, those of us who trust in God and His best "bucket list" for our lives, defer to "His ways that are higher than our ways." (Isaiah 55:9)

Think about Mary, Jesus' Mother. She must have had a detailed “bucket list” for her upcoming marriage to Joseph. She probably dreamed one day she would have a baby – maybe even calling him Joseph Junior. But all those dreams still had to make way for God's "bucket list". Mary's greatest accomplishment happened when she put aside her own goals and said "YES" to whatever God's bucket list had on it. Mary shows us that saying "yes" to God's plan for our lives can be far more rewarding than any list we could ever come up with.

We should continue to set goals, cast vision, dream big dreams, live with audacious and unwavering faith, but, let's stay open to God's Master Plan for our lives and be willing to trade in our bucket list for His. The best news is....His list comes with great rewards -- peace, joy, happiness AND life everlasting, as well as GREAT adventures and excitement of having a really awesome relationship with Almighty God.

Was the Innkeeper Really So Unwelcoming?

I've been "gifting" in my blogs the last few days AND gifting is what I’m doing at my dining room table. No food allowed on that table right now because it's loaded with wrapping paper, ribbon, scissors, tape, gift cards and gift items to wrap. I’m getting my Christmas gift list checked off, one-by-one.

Speaking of lists, this time of year stirs up memories from my Holy Lands bucket list trip in 2017. Celebrating Christmas in June in Bethlehem at the Church of the Nativity was awe-inspiring. Singing "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem", receiving Holy Communion and worshipping the King in the actual cave of His birth and the opportunity to go down to the grotto where a star is embedded in the floor that recognizes the actual birthplace of our Savior. We bent low to touch or kiss the star. It was a profoundly emotional and spiritual experience. Our guide said, "Say thank You, Jesus, for my salvation!" We did.

So what about that innkeeper? I've always thought he must have lived with regrets for turning down the “royal” family to stay in his inn. He appears to be cold-hearted. After all, he's the guy that shut the door on Joseph and Mary, right? I read this beautiful contradiction to that mindset by Jeff Taylor.

"I had never thought much about the innkeeper. He is depicted in Christmas stories and pageants generally in one of two ways. Either he closes his door in the faces of the couple, or he shows them around back to the stables with the animals. What is the truth about the innkeeper?

None of the biblical accounts of the birth of Jesus even mentions the innkeeper. In fact, the only reference to a manger or an inn is in the Book of Luke. “And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke.2:7). On the basis of that single sentence, we convict the innkeeper of shutting Jesus out. Perhaps we have been too hard on him.

I think the innkeeper is an improbable hero. He had no reason to know that the strangers at his door were about to bring the Messiah into the world. Had he known, perhaps he would have made room for them, but that would have meant that some other weary travelers would need to be displaced. Yet, rather than making excuses, the innkeeper was resourceful, and gave what he could give -- not a room or even a corner in his already crowded inn, but the stable (or cave) that demonstrates that the King of the world is at home with the humblest of the humble.

The arrival of the long-expected Messiah stood out in contrast to peoples’ expectations. He did not come in a manner befitting of a king. No pomp and circumstance, no great earthquake, no thunder and lightning, no burning bush, but anonymously and humbly. Jesus born in those surroundings would grow up to teach us to believe the unbelievable, to be prepared for the unexpected, and that the poor and meek will occupy a prominent place in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Less prominent than even the lowly shepherds and animals, the innkeeper is neither mentioned by the writers of the Gospel nor placed in the crèches that adorn our mantels and tables during Christmastime. Rather, he was and is behind the scenes, humbly and anonymously playing a major part in God’s great plan. He serves as a reminder to us that God uses what we have. Perhaps we should be more like the innkeeper.

Dear God, please give me the compassion of the innkeeper. Even when circumstances indicate that I have used up everything I have to give, give me the courage to stand out in contrast to the status quo, and the awareness and the resourcefulness to make room for Christ. Amen."

Our Rich Family Heritage

My friend posted this beautiful photo on her timeline a few days ago. She was in Pocahontas, Illinois. I commented: “I have family roots that go back to John Rolfe and Pocahontas. They were our 10th generation grandparents. Yay! I'm multi-racial! There's a tiny percentage of Native American in me! And I thought I had no famous folks in my family lineage."

That lineage is on my Mom's side of the family. When she was up in years, I realized I knew little of her family history -- stories about her 10 siblings, what it was like living in a large family, how their parents made ends meet, how she met my Dad, their first kiss, their wedding, and what it was like to have us kids. What a shame I waited so long to find out. I realized that I was so "me" focused that I didn't treasure and appreciate where I came from. So, I did something about it. I took my camcorder, set it on a tripod and spent many hours and days (but a few minutes at a time) interviewing her. Her stories were so precious. Fortunately, I stopped to spend quality time with her that resulted in VHS tapes that I gave out to my siblings and their kids when Mom passed away at age 94 in 2004. I was able to pass on our rich (not in money, but in faith and fortitude) family history.

As I type this today, my Holy Lands “bucket list” pilgrimage three years ago comes to my mind. The more we delved into the rich history of Christianity in the tours that explained so many of our “Family of God’s” history, the more I realized how much I need to be living everyday with great appreciation and gratitude for what our fore-fathers and mothers gave us. How can I do that unless I make the effort to know that heritage? Thankfully, I have a dear cousin, just a few years older than me, that kept up so much better than I did with our family. She accentuates all the positives – the blessings – of our rich family history of faith.

Imagine the wisdom that’s stored up in our elderly family members that could give us so much insight to how rich we are today because of the price they paid to get us here. My children are getting the best of me as I archive so many of my personal life experiences as well as all that rich family heritage that I recall to them. Now, take that even further in realizing the rich family history that goes back to our first “mother and father” (Adam and Eve), studying the scriptures to see where they went right…and where they went wrong – lessons they learned that we sure don’t want to repeat. So much wisdom to learn all throughout the Bible that can keep us pointed in the direction of peace, comfort and joy in our lifelong faith journeys.

I assure you that my Christian walk has been so faith-filled because of what I’ve learned in scripture from our “family heritage”. There have been times in my life where I’ve experienced the pain of my poor choices or actions. In those moments, it can be easy to entertain a notion that I have blown it, that God can’t use me and there’s no hope for restoration. I think we all face those feelings when we fail. During these times, I draw strength from God’s Word, where He tells the stories of heroes of the faith who blew it, like King David, Moses, Peter, Saul (Paul), Abraham and even more. In some cases, their failures were so extreme, it would be natural to say that God would have a right to turn His back on them. But that isn’t God’s nature. He is all about redemption. So when we fail, we can be thankful that God loves a good comeback story.

Paul reminds us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28) This should give us hope that no matter what we may have done, our adventure isn’t over. God’s at work reclaiming our story. Failure doesn’t disqualify us, even if we’ve been following Jesus for some time. Our story is still being written. The only way that failure can get the last word in our life is if we choose to let it. We serve a God who is able to take our defeats and missteps and still use us to bring glory to his name. Whether we’re walking with Him faithfully or we’ve had a few stumbles along the way, God continues to encourage us to get up, brush ourselves off and build His kingdom.

I started this post with talking about my own family history and how it has affected my life for so much good. But our rich family history of faith is the yesterday, today and forevermore news and if we continue to review it, rehearse it, and make it known to our children and our children's children, we will carry on our rich family history until we all join together in one big, rich family reunion in heaven. What a day of rejoicing that will be!

What Does Your List Look Like?

No doubt, my list is very different from yours.
For my Frisco grandson and granddaughter, their list probably includes:
~ Pack for Guatemala missions trip (they leave Monday for 7 days with 55 other students);
~ Buy items needed for the trip;
~ Get household chores completed;
~ Get some extra zzz’s before leaving, because they'll need it!

For young moms, your list may look like this:
~ Buy kids’ clothes for the new school year;
~ Buy school supplies;
~ Get kids’ medical and dental appointments made;
~ Do the laundry, make dinner, take kids to swimming lessons, and on and on.

For married couples, your list may look like this:
~ Plan date night for this weekend;
~ Buy anniversary gift;
~ Help each other with household chores;
~ Set aside time to discuss goals for our future.

For business people, your list may look like this:
~ Finish the business plan
~ Set up a staff meeting
~ Pack for business trip

For seniors and retirees, your list may be a "bucket" list. I just completed one of my bucket list items -- go to Holy Lands. Check. We all have lists of some kind – from grocery lists to goals and objectives lists.

While away last week on a family vacation, I had no lists at all – except to show up for family fun, meals and activities. But now that I’m back home and settled into my routine again, I’ve started some daily lists. In reality, I still need to make lists because if I don’t – then I’m wondering “What was that that I needed at the store? Or “When was that appointment?” I keep a little note pad with me most all the time to ensure I make a note of things I need to get or do. Lord knows that I’ve made the mistake of NOT writing it down and wished I had. LOL!

Maybe it’s this season where I don’t have the usual daily activities that I once had with raising my children and being a wife to a very busy man and working at an outside-the-home job, but I sure do remember the need for lists. Now I have new lists – beyond the tangible things I need to do and accomplish, and some things that will outlast me.

While flying back home from Mexico, a lovely lady and I conversed about our children and grandchildren, as well as other “loves” we have in our lives. She inspired me so much with one of her daily “to-do’s”, that I’ve added it to my daily to-do list. Every morning, she calls her three children just to visit with them for a few moments. She said she never misses a day. In fact, if she doesn’t call by 10 am, she gets a call from them to see if she’s okay. Usually it’s because she’s gotten so busy with something. I took that little inspiration personally. While I know my children lead very busy lives and have so many responsibilities, I know they will always welcome a call from Mom just to say “Good Morning. I love you so much!” Yes, I should have started this long before now, but I don’t want any “would-a, should-a, could-a” actions to be a part of my vocabulary, so I’ve started my daily calls. And, since my kids are out of pocket or out of town (like Ryan and Shawntel still being in Mexico), I’m then leaving a text message for them.

Oftentimes, lists can overwhelm us with so much to do and with so little time to do it all. But here’s what I’ve come to know and do. Nothing is more important than right now, and right now with those we love and hold dearest to us. Nothing is more important than picking up the phone to call a friend to give a quick word of encouragement, or even to send a quick text message of encouragement. Nothing is more important than reaching out and hugging a little one when they pass by. Nothing is more important than saying “I love you” to those in our sphere of influence. Lists are extremely important, but “in the moment” moments, are what makes for an end-of-the-day deep sigh of “I finished this day strong and finished those things that money can’t buy. I was a lover and a lover doesn’t need a list to love. I loved.” Check.

I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked and Felt His Presence There

I was up at 4:30 am to watch the sun rise over the Sea of Galilee. It didn't disappoint. When the breakfast buffet opened, I got my plate and took it outside to hover in God's presence. I shut my eyes to think about Jesus calming the winds & waves & walking on the waters. Is this for real that I'm in this place I've only read and heard others talk about?

I read my morning Gospel reading that brings together all the reasons for this faith journey: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life."

Soon, one my fellow travelers came and sat by me with a chair between us. Our conversation included who I knew on this pilgrimage, and why now? I told him this was my sweetheart and my "bucket list" trip and because he gave this to me at his passing, and I'm here with our dearest friends. He said, "I'm so sorry about your husband", and I said, "Oh, don't be. He earned his trip to heaven and besides that, we celebrated 44 years of marriage before he left, in addition to being together since we were 12 & 13 years old. He replied in the sweetest and tenderest way, "I'm going to go now and let you and your husband enjoy yourselves together. He's sitting right here beside you (in the empty seat between us). Then he gave me the biggest "daddy hug I could possibly take. Of course, my heart was tugged and my eyes were filled with tears at this "heaven-to-earth" moment.

Just a little later when we were on our large boat, riding the waves on the Sea of Galilee (I can hardly believe I just put those words in a sentence), and after we had heard scriptures that spoke of the miracles and works Christ did in this region, the sailors of the boat mentioned they were selling laminated maps of the region as well as stones necklaces with momentos of this experience.

A short while later, my friend from this morning, came over to me and said, "My wife and I looked for one of those stones that was the closest resemblance to a heart for you and this is it. It's from your husband." Oh my. This precious couple tugged at my heart strings that created "transcends earth" moments.

Nothing could be said that can compare to this day. Riding in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, hearing God's words to us from scripture that resonated in our hearts as we witnessed the sights and sounds. Our guide brings all this to life for us as he covers it all and explains it all with such wisdom and finesse. I sure didn't realize that the Sea of Galilee is so small. You can be in the boat in the middle of it and see land all around: It's only 8 miles wide and 13 miles long.

This post is longer because I have a good wifi connection and I could add more thoughts and photos!! YAY! The photos will best explain but cannot possibly provide adequate explanation of this experience. Highlights are:

1) On the Sea of Galilee (in John 6) we know that Jesus was above the waves as He walked on water. Seems remarkable as you look at the size of this sea, however our guide told us the waves have gone as high as 8 stories. No wonder the disciples were afraid when they were about to be overtaken by them. Our guide emphasized, "Since our Lord is higher than the waves, He can sure take care of any problems we may have. Peter, in his quest to walk on water with our Lord, took his eyes off the Lord, panicked and began to sink, but as he cried out to the Lord, "Save me!", the Lord did save him.. And that same Lord responds to our call when we cry out "Save me!" How beautiful it was when the boat stopped and we were told "Now, take in the peace of God that Peter must have felt when he gave up his will for Christ's will".

2) After this wonderful boat ride around the Sea of Galilee, the motorcoach took us to the Mountain of the Beatitudes where Christ gave His Sermon on the Mount. Our guide said the hills were the perfect spot for the sermon.

The mountain is so beautiful with lush plants, trees and birds chirping as the backdrop for our morning celebration of mass and communion.

4) We had lunch at a lovely restaurant at Magdala (the home of Mary Magdalene) and were served pita bread, hummus and so many veggies, PLUS a whole fish -- head and all (talapia). So delicious!

Of course that's what we ate. How could you just go see the mountain where Jesus gave His famous sermon and feed over 5,000 men, plus women and children with just 2 loaves of bread and 5 fish? At Magdala is where the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes is located.

5) Then we went to Tabgha where we saw a primitive olive press (of course you need an olive press because of all these olive trees that grow here). Here is the Church of St. Peter's Call to Ministry. Remember after Peter completely "blew it" when he denied even knowing our Lord? We can only imagine the regret Peter had after that. How could he have rejected Christ so easily after he had a front row seat to every miracle and every outreach to others that Christ performed? So he was living in anquish, I'm sure, BUT, Christ forgave him -- so much so that He asked him "Do you love me" over and over and Peter's response was "Yes, Lord, you know I do!" And Christ's reply was "Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep." Once again, the beloved St. Peter went on to build God's church. The rock that Peter was standing on when Christ called him is here at this shrine.

6) Capernaum was our next stop -- Jesus' home town. Jesus' fame spread everywhere when He cast out the unclean spirits from the man. Mark 1:21-34 "Jesus and His companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, He went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at His teaching, for He taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law. Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” He ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.a Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey His orders!” The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee." Capernaum is where the remains of Peter's house, are located. The remains of the oldest synagogue that Jesus taught in is in Capernaum. Capernaum, at the Sea of Galilee, is the place Jesus called Peter, James and John to follow Him.

That was a power-packed day that leaves me overwhelmed at the end of this day. The finale of this day was stepping into the Sea of Galilee -- those waters aren't the same waters, but that place and that sea were once Jesus' place of ministry. In the coolness of the breeze at times, the sea and waters, the hillside, the restaurant, the motorcoach and the holy places......taking in the wonder..... this same Jesus lives in ME and YOU. I didn't need to come here to know that, but coming here has increased my faith in the Son of God, the saints and martyrs, Blessed Mary, Joseph, the apostles and my brothers and sisters on this pilgrimage -- everything and everyone has had a profound effect on my life. Yes, Il'll never be the same!

This morning we leave Tiberius for JERUSALEM! Shalom!

What's on Your Bucket List?

Finish High School - Check
Get a good job -- Check (Nope, college wasn't on the list.)
Get married - Check
Have babies - Check
Lose 10 pounds - Check
Learn to fly an airplane - Check
Go on a cruise - Check (15, in fact)
Take a trip to the Holy Lands -- (still on my list)

Another way to look at "bucket lists", is making a list of goals that we hope to accomplish before "heaven" calls our names. My husband was a relentless, annual goal setter -- not just those he hoped to accomplish before he "went home", but before the year ended. So much so, that he made a Vision Board each year, casting the vision for what we were believing to accomplish in that year. Habakkuk 2:2 says "Write the vision, make it plain so that he who reads it can run with it." While cleaning out my office closet, I found this old Vision Board that Ron not only wrote the vision but he made it plain by clipping out photos of what he was believing for.

Here are some of his Vision 2008 specifics:
Home on a lake -- bought that home in Sapulpa. Check.
TEAM 2008 -- His sister and bro-in-law in business with us. Check. Our family altogether on a family vacation. (Took a cruise) Check
Becoming proficient at fly fishing. Check.
New laptop computer. Check.
Missions trip and teaching pastors in Belize. Check
Working with the Joshua Child Development Center. Check.

But, several things on that Vision Board DIDN'T come about. Sometimes, our best laid plans and goals don't come to pass. But that's when, those of us who trust in God and His best "bucket list" for our lives, defer to "His ways are higher than our ways." (Isaiah 55:9)

Think about Mary, Jesus' Mother, and what her bucket list might have looked like. We know she had a goal to get married to Joseph because they were engaged, and she probably was already getting her beautiful wedding gown made and maybe she was already practicing writing her new name -- Mrs. Joseph -- and she probably dreamed of the day when she would have a baby -- probably thinking about calling him Joseph Junior. But all those dreams still had to make way for God's "bucket list". Mary's greatest accomplishment happened when she put aside her own goals and said "YES" to whatever God's bucket list had on it.

Mary shows us that saying "yes" to God's plan for our lives can be far more rewarding -- and surprising -- than any list we could ever come up with. We hope that we don't have the challenges and hardships that Mary had, but then again, who else could say that "a simple 'yes' made her the Mother of our Creator, our Savior and our Lord?

Let's continue to set goals, cast vision, dream big dreams, live with audacious and unwavering faith......BUT -- let's stay open to God's Master Plan for our lives and be willing to trade in our bucket list for His. The best news is....His list comes with great rewards -- peace, joy, happiness AND life everlasting, as well as GREAT adventures and excitement of having a really awesome relationship with Almighty God.

The Show Must Go On....Here & Up There

Day 314 of Photo Inspirations -- The Show Must Go On....Here & Up There
Of course this precious man's photo is my inspiration for today.  Heaven is a wonderful place and every time I hear about someone's loved one getting to go there, it seems to get sweeter and sweeter. At least it sure does for me.

My Sweetheart went there ahead of me...5 years ago today. His Bucket List was completed, and he got his ticket for the ride he'd waited for, earned, deserved and awarded.  On the other hand, he was always ahead of me -- leading and guiding me, and always my cheerleader.  I like to think that's part of his assignment in heaven -- to keep pushing me to be the best I can be, like he did during those 44 years we were together on this side of heaven.  

What would it be like if I just sat and pined away for wanting to "go home" too?  What if I didn't celebrate my life on this side of heaven because I'm still here?

Growing up, I heard a lot of songs and sermons about heaven:  "Won't It Be Wonderful There", "When We All Get to Heaven", "Heaven is a Wonderful Place", "In the Sweet By and By", "Shall We Gather at the River?"  And I agree with those songs and sermons.  It will be beyond our wildest dreams and imaginations.   But if we're not doing what we are supposed to be doing in the right here and now, we'll be most miserable.  Why be dreaming about the future, when God has called us to pick up our assignments and DO THEM today?   There's people to love, encourage, and strengthen. There's young people that need mentors.  There's more lessons to learn.  There's widows and widowers that need to know how to continue living strong.  There's prayers to pray and seeds to plant.  THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

I keep remembering so many of my Sweetheart's quotes.  "You can do this.  Your best days are ahead.  Have faith -- it's gonna' be alright. Throw your hands up in the air, and enjoy the ride.  Finish strong.  The show must go on."   And during those times when I am challenged with life and the situations and circumstances that sometime seem overwhelming….. like having to handle business affairs and financial challenges, home and car repairs, fire alarm batteries that go off in the middle of the night, drainage issues in my yard, the refrigerator and the photocopier and the computer breaking down, counseling friends and family members, and making so many life decisions on my own, and when I really would love to hear his sweet voice to tell me what to do, I compose myself and I sense the voice of my Heavenly Father saying, “Trust ME!”   We have a resource that we can go to for the answers, and Who gives us the strength, understanding, wisdom, and comfort we need……to keep this SHOW GOING ON and keep it going strong for a long run!!!

Happy Homegoing Day, PRECIOUS MAN!