It Ain't No Climb for a Climber

This Nana's got some game! In many ways, I'm not just a spectator, but I'm in the game! Seems I still have enough tread on these tires -- to keep going! I know it is God Who gives me the strength and drive to keep playing!

This brings me to my week in Austin with my highly active family here. I shared about helping 15-year-old Brennan with his school project. Little did I realize that he wasn’t planning on standing in one set location. It was in multiple, precarious locations with downward paths about 300 feet to a creek that runs behind their home. It is not for the faint-of-heart as the steps can be narrow and steep. And, about that creek – uneven huge rocks were where his mom and I (the video crew) were recording. I laughed to myself that no one considered my young age in many awkward, precarious positions. My grandson said, “We just figure you’ll tell us if you can’t do it!” He's right. I don't plan to utter "can't" any time soon. The project was a huge success.

Then there's my 13-year-old Bryson, the rock wall climber, who wanted me to see Reimer’s Park (over 2,400 acres of wildlife refuge, mountain bike trails, hiking canyon and epic descending and ascending caverns trails, that run alongside the Pedernales River.) I assure you, the primitive and beyond-magnificent, rocky canyons and climbing walls, waterfalls, mammoth trees, and foliage are a sight to behold. That is, IF – you’re not so focused trying to stay upright and not falling, breaking something important. The sheer drop-offs have handhold chains bolted to the cliff help in the most treacherous area. Bryson was beyond patient with me, helping me manage the rough terrain. But, then, AHA! I had an epiphany! All I needed was a walking stick to help me maneuver. Bryson was up to the task to find me one. What confidence a walking stick can bring!

And if that day wasn’t excitement enough, we went again the next day with lunch in our backpack. Maneuvering the canyons and caverns came with more confidence with my walking stick. We enjoyed our PB&J’s on a huge boulder overlooking the river. Bryson dove from the boulders into the beautiful, clear river and swam to his heart’s content. I confess I am proud of myself that I ventured out beyond my comfort zone that resulted in memories that will last a lifetime.

Thank you for letting me document my “games” with my Austin grands. My phone in hand helps me "capture moments". I don’t want to have regrets about once-in-a-lifetime photo ops! I rarely miss opportunities to take up my grandchildren’s invitations to go somewhere or do something with them. They are my treasures. They hold places in my heart that are reserved just for them. But, also there are places in my heart that are reserved for God's voice to interrupt anything I'm doing. Not missing out on an opportunity to drop the God-word. Like when we came upon a "drifter" with his guitar and backpack. He said he lives everywhere. I said, “You must love to be here in God’s creation. Do you sense Him here with you?” And his response: “Oh, yes, Mam – that’s why I’m here.” After we bid him a good day, ahead was a slippery, uneven boulder that we needed to traverse. He quickly ran to me, reaching out his hand: “Can I please help you down?” His ever-so-gentle hand was welcomed. I like to think just maybe he was representing Jesus to me – reaching out to me as He does so often.

This life is too short not to be embracing places, people and moments that give us a breath of fresh air in giving and receiving. We are here at this moment of time, for a specific purpose that God gives for only us to fulfill. Let's be done with just going with the flow, and start living ALL-IN -- looking for over-the-top outrageous, once-in-a-lifetime moments. Then tomorrow, we'll look back and say, "I not only lived with game -- I conquered some mountains!"

No Place I Would Rather Be

I’m here in my sweet spot – with my two youngest grandsons while their dad and mom are away for a few days. The oldest here -- the handsome dude -- Monday chapel requires ties and jackets. Be still my heart! The youngest is home schooled so I get to step up and be his mama’s eyes and ears. I love it. I actually learn right along with him. I was never a lover of history but with this guy, I can get quite excited about how far we’ve come AND how far we still have to go!

As most know, I’m a daily blogger – so I have to find my quiet spots when I can to wrap my mind around what God would have me say for the next day. Quite often, it’s in those “hiding times” to be with God, my sweet little man interrupts my train of thought to ask me to come watch him climb (seen here – he can’t seem to help himself), or to help him clean out the chicken coop, or feed the other animals, or to watch him play a video game.

To be perfectly honest, sometimes, instead of being glad he popped into my quiet zone, I get a tad annoyed my time with God was interrupted. Then, as he pulls me away, my Heavenly Father whispers in my “spiritual” ears and reminds me “My dear daughter, this is not an interruption, but an illustration of My love, care and affection for you.”

Peace, joy, confidence, hope, faith and love all at once erupt in my heart, moving me closer to Christ. My Heavenly Father illustrated through an interruption what I was seeking all along: His loving presence. And along with it, came this blog.

Our lives are full of interruptions, from a phone call from a needy neighbor, bottle-necked traffice, a sick child, a flat tire, or an illness. These all look, sound and feel like interruptions, but with eyes of faith we have the ability to look beyond life’s interruptions and instead see illustrations of God’s love.

Interruptions can be appointments for compassion. Life may feel unfair, but in our everyday routine, we can recognize the Lord in the little things and love like Jesus. Interruptions represent people to love and be loved! Loving people is the business of Jesus’ followers. It may be a person in our immediate presence, or it could be someone in our peripheral vision, such as a restaurant server who needs to be included in our mealtime prayer. A doctor or nurse who cares for us, a loved one who needs to be encouraged, or a critic who doesn’t have the full story — they too need the gifts of our patience and grace.

Guess what I’m doing – I’m getting us ready for the holidays that are fast approaching. We’ll have many opportunities to look for illustrations of God’s hand in our work, our families and especially during the holidays. Maybe God's intent with interruptions ARE to slow us down, so we can better focus on receiving and giving God's love.

Mountain Top Experience

Seems I’m on a roll, rather a climb. A couple of weeks ago I shared my “cross” mountain top experience in Mexico that led to a great header for my website. Now, two days in a row, I’m still climbing and talking about mountains.

My granddaughter and I started at the bottom of the steep Cascade mountain from where we had ridden down in a truck to a beautiful creek for family photos and water fun. We could have opted for the ride back up the mountain in the truck, but, it was Alexia's idea for us to take the climb. Me, being the “all in” Nana for as long as I can, boarded her idea instead of the truck! It was steep in many places, and I lost my footing a couple of times, still, we kept anchoring our feet in as we made our way upward. We finally reached the top unscathed. It was by no means a major feat, but we still knew the thrill of accomplishing our goal to arrive at the top and see the panoramic view.

My 12-year-old grandson doesn't play competitive sports. He's more of a free-spirit, loves his many animals and hanging out with them AND climbing – anything! I’ll be honest, when I see him climbing some tall trees or the steep, rocky hills from their creek, I hold my breath, but he always conquers. He often goes to the rock-climbing gym and can spend hours there. He beats mature climbers to the top. He sets his climbing goal, scales the wall, and enjoys the reward of self-accomplishment.

There are so many bonuses and benefits at the top of a mountain. My husband and I were downhill snow skiers with our two children. A ski trip was a part of most of our winters. Oh, how I loved the ski lodges at the base of the mountain where we could warm up and enjoy hot drinks and a meal. But the real bonus was conquering the mountain – going up on the ski lifts and making it down without injury. His were the black diamond slopes with our kids and mine was z-ing down the green, easy-peasy slopes. I was quite proud of myself and it didn’t matter how long it took me – my goal was to arrive in one piece.

Mountains. Hills. Rock-Climbing Walls. We can go around them, dig a tunnel through them, fly over them, ride a ski lift up them, blow them up, turn around and go back the way we came, just sit and cry about them, OR, as hard as it may be, we can climb them, and feel the thrill of accomplishment when we reach the top and back at the bottom. My takeaway from all climbs is setting a goal, having a strong belief in who we are and what we are capable of, and we start climbing with gusto. And when we make it to the top, we have new confidence in just about everything else that’s going on in our lives.

There must be mountains to appreciate the valleys. Perhaps, God, in all His wisdom, is wanting us to scale those mountains and hike up those mountains for a “mountain-top experience” where we are refreshed, restored, nourished, and where we receive divine revelation. He is wanting to equip us to take on any mountain that may be standing in our way. Mountains are not some magic place where we will automatically experience God. It’s not about the place it’s about the heart. Let's create our own spiritual mountain today right where we are and have a mountain top experience!

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains; where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

Throw Your Hands in the Air and Enjoy the Ride!

I've always loved the craziest, wildest rides at amusement parks. Maybe that's why becoming a private pilot was no big deal for me. I think wild rides are part of my DNA, because God's plans for us sure did include some like that.

For over 43 years, my Honey and I encouraged many people to trust God for anything -- "nothing too big or too small for God, who loves us so much". When they were facing some really difficult situations, we told many to "just get on the roller coaster -- throw your hands up in the air, take the ups and downs and twists and turns.....and enjoy the ride!"

That's my healthy and strong husband in the photo. He was demonstrating this concept to our precious friend who was battling cancer at the time. I took that photo of them with their hands raised in the air, and I superimposed it into this roller coaster ride. Little did we realize that his ride would take him to heaven before our friend's did. And, we sure didn't expect that when we were encouraging others, that we'd be getting on the "Big Kahuna" Roller Coaster, ourselves. In fact, it was in our own season of enormous challenges, that those precious people encouraged us. We knew it was harvest time for the seeds we had planted in their lives. This scripture says it well: 2 Corinthians 1:4 "He comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God".

We’ve all had those times of climb, climb, climbing to the top of the track -- not knowing what was up ahead. But, then we take a deep breath, and hang in there for the twists and turns, and ups and downs. Yes, we get sweaty palms and white knuckles while holding on so tight, but then we remind ourselves, God is in charge of the start and finish of this ride, so we can throw our hands up in the air and enjoy the trip! Let’s trust this ride's Conductor -- we’re sure to get the adventure of a lifetime! And it will be exactly.....as He planned it!

What's Your Excuse?

"All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming." -- Helen Keller

Those excuses..... "Just too tired", "Bad hair day", "Couldn't find a thing to wear", "It's just too hard", "I've tried that and it just doesn't work for me", "It's just too far to go", "I can't", "I'm too old", -- just don't seem too relevant now, do they? I can't think of one excuse that would keep me from digging deeper, running farther, climbing higher, or giving greater. How about you?