Hey, It's Good to be Back Home Again!

It’s almost two weeks in Austin's super-hyper-mode. I woke up this morning thinking “Yikes – my yard hasn’t been watered in two weeks! I didn't pack enough vitamins! A stack of mail and lots of projects await me at home!" But, oh, the joy in Austin that peaked over the weekend when my family was altogether for Mother’s Day! I'm so grateful! Did this soul so much good to have all this love around me! Here are a few pics of the fun! There has been no-social-distancing amongst us all – unlike my little quiet, solitude world back home! But, I'm singing with John Denver "It's good to be back home again!"

My home represents for me....my space, my bed, my pictures, my refrigerator, my pantry, my shower, my TV, my computer where I can type my next blog with peace and quiet, my cozy chair where I spend time with the Lover of my soul -- where "in His presence is fullness of joy"!

Yes.....there really is no place like home sweet home, but, wherever I am is really home -- because where He is, I'm HOME! I’ll drive into my garage later today and these words will ring loud and true for me: "You're not alone. You're coming home to Jesus." I mean that in the most literal way. Yes, I may be alone....but I am not lonely. That said, there is an important distinction to be established. There is a world of difference between solitude and loneliness, though the two terms are often used interchangeably. Loneliness is marked by a sense of isolation. We sure know that word from our quarantine, don’t we? But, it is possible to be with people and still feel lonely.

I've chosen "solitude" -- the state of being alone without being lonely. It is a positive way of appreciating ME. I have learned that my place of being alone is often where I find myself absolutely wonderful company. But, even more so, my aloneness and solitude is so incredibly heartwarming when I know that my Savior is there with me. He doesn't demand the remote control and His clothes don’t take up too much room in my closet. He doesn't care what food I'm eating and doesn't mind if I stay up late, or turn in early. He is such a gentle and loving friend that He doesn't even mind if I don't talk to Him that much, but He sure is ready to talk when I give Him my full attention.

This place of refuge with Him is so satisfying. It replenishes my soul and weary body. If I had chosen "loneliness" 9-1/2 years ago, I would have been discontented and sad, but I chose solitude that awaits me and my Best Friend. It's been a blast and a blessing to be with my family -- and I'm thanking God so much for this sweet time, but in a few hours, I’ll open the door of my home and I know it will invite me in like an old friend. Yes, there's no place like home.

Joy to the Fishes in the Deep Blue Sea

Joy to the world – all the boys and girls. Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, joy to you and me! Blast from the past. That’s a couple of lines from 1970’s, “Jeremiah was a Bull Frog” sung by the band, Three Dog Night! Has really nothing to do with Christmas but “Joy to the World” sure does.

What makes us all so much more joyful this time of year? Could it be that the angel's message to the shepherds holds true for us still today? "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of GREAT JOY!" Christ is that good news that no matter how dismal everything around us might be, there is always GOOD NEWS of great joy that can change everything for us.

I took that "good news" personally for my daughter. December 8th was her big 5-0 birthday. Thanks to so many who joined me in wishing her a “Happy Birthday”. She was in Florida at a 7-day conference on her birthday, but she got the message from so many friends via social media and the surprise party we gave her before she left. You can see in these photos it was more than a birthday celebration -- it was a restitution celebration.

A few months back, Staci’s son’s car was stolen from a Dallas parking garage. Traumatic enough, but not as painful as when the car was found, it had been devoured like some kind of monster movie. Every part of the car had been removed, along with the precious treasures that were in the trunk. Payton kept those treasures close by in case he got the urge to go fishing, he was prepared. Those treasures were my husband’s beloved fishing equipment: rods, tackle, vest, etc. All had been passed onto their family because they are the avid fisher-people who learned their skills from my husband aka dad aka papa. All of it was stolen in that fiasco. So, what’s a mother to do? Carry on. That’s the way I roll and my family rolls. We don’t give the enemy the upper hand by bemoaning his tactics. We don’t give up. We get up and get over it because we are too blessed otherwise.

In this case, I asked Larry (Staci’s husband) to make a list of all that was in that trunk. He did and I got to be a restitution maker. It’s one thing to have things returned; it’s a another thing to get restitution. Staci explained it in her tears while opening each item I had wrapped in “fishing” fabric (couldn’t find fishing wrapping paper). The items stolen could have been returned in their original state (some items were worn and tattered). I was able to help bring about restitution -- making up for damages or harm. Brand new items that made up for the loss. What a JOY to see my girl so full of JOY!

“The Bible tells us in Psalm 16:11 that ‘In His presence is fullness of joy.’ If we want joy in our life, we need to revisit the Nativity scene and realize that's where God's presence was experienced in the form of that tiny baby boy. That baby boy grew up and is our living King of Kings! Daily, we can experience His presence and know that GREAT JOY! We can experience it at a birthday party or a busy restaurant. We can experience it when facing a crisis or a disappointment. Joy isn't the same as happiness. Happiness is based on those ooey, gooey feelings when everything is going right. But JOY is based on the CONSTANT of He Who lives big within us. He is that GOOD NEWS of GREAT JOY so we can belt out singing "Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room......" That's the key....preparing room for Him inside to be our joy-giver, and peace-maker no matter the circumstances.

Sincerely, God wants us to GET IT – about why He sent His Son Jesus -- the good tidings of great joy which is for all people. “So, here -- take that good news of great joy with you today!” And, all you little fishes in the deep blue sea, better watch out, Staci and all her fishing gear are coming to town!

Allll Aboard -- for the Joy-of-Life Bandwagon!

Yesterday is gone and THIS IS THE DAY the Lord has made, so let's be JOY-full and be glad for it!

When you’ve had as many DAYS on this earth as I’ve had, you recognize each new day as a blessed day of start-overs, do-overs, rejoice-overs and be-glad-in-it overs. I live in a 55+ community and when we say to each other “Good Morning! How are you doing today?”, you'll usually hear “GREAT! I woke up. I'm still here!" LOL! So if we’re still here – whatever age we are -- that means that God has plans and purposes for us to fulfill in this new day. My favorite "life" quote is: “If I'm not dead; I'm not done!” So that means I must be the best and do the best I can at who God created me to be each and every day.

Being my best is riding daily on the joy-of-life bandwagon – not only for my good which invigorates me and gives me purpose, but to help others (those who get all caught up in the seriousness and practical demands of life) get back the joy of life, too. You know those folks that wake up on the wrong side of the bed. They get so focused on making a living, that they succumb to life by living each day in an almost robotic routine. They forget the child within them and they lose a lot of the flavor and spice of life. They don’t stop to smell the roses, to be struck with wonder anymore, like they did as children. I love this photo of the little girl chasing the chickens -- that's the closest photo I could find that defines me in my wild chicken chases!! I purpose to be the last one standing!

I never want to EVER lose that youthful pleasure and joy of life throughout the entire length of my life. Here's why I'm campaigning for a fully occupied joy-of-life bandwagon with others who want to live audaciously, free of the dismal, woe-is-me hang-ups. I love being silly with my friends, my children, and my grand-kids. I love belly laughing with them. Since I’ve been caring for all these animals, I’ve been belly laughing so much at myself and with others who are laughing with me. Last night, another two of the hens were out and this morning another of the smaller hens was out. I'm so silly that I like to think that God and my mischievous husband are the masterminds behind these little chicken culprits. They're probably belly laughing in heaven as they watch me tearing through the bushes after them.

You might ask me the secret to waking each day with being intentional with joy. It’s the same as when a friend of mine was expressing some major health concerns she was having. Not because she had issues, but her family had them, and now she was fearing the same thing would happen to her. I gave her many scriptures to take like they were a prescription daily – speaking to her body and mind with God’s promises and words. The same with me -- when I start to feel depleted of joy…I take a “God’s Word” scripture “The joy of the Lord is my strength” Nehemiah 8:10; "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy." Psalm 16:11

Here's the truth of the matter -- none of us are free from life’s challenges, tragedies, pressures, or even suffering. We have known the sorrow of loss, the fears, and challenges of illness, but we don't have to allow any of those things to crush our child-like playfulness. We can prove that true joy and happiness can even be experienced in the midst of life’s challenges.

Being more like the “little children” that Jesus encouraged us to be to enter the Kingdom of God just may be the attitude of living life fully, with great joy and gusto, too!

I've got a seat reserved for you on the joy-of-life bandwagon with me.. Come on. Get on board! The ride is oh so sweet.....and hilarious. Just maybe you'll see a frenzied, but joy-filled blonde-haired lady chasing chickens down the road!! It will be worth the ride!

Is This Christmas a FIRST For You?

My heart goes out to anyone that this is their first Christmas without their loved one(s). The memories seem more vivid and the love we had for them is even greater during this beautiful season. Pictured here is our last Christmas with Papa (my sweetheart) who always read the Christmas Story to the grandkids before opening presents on Christmas Eve. He was hilarious -- making the sounds of the animals and the innkeeper and Joseph. Such sweet memories. And, quite honestly, there's this yearning to be with them -- after all, what Christmas could compare to a Christmas in heaven?

My Sweetheart (husband of 44 years) graduated to heaven on November 16th, 2010. That “Christmas in heaven” mindset brought such comfort to me. When my daughter and I were in the mall a couple of weeks after his funeral, we were singing along with the mall’s Christmas music playlist. By then, we had heard every rendition possible of “I’ll Have a Blue Christmas Without You!” and we started to sing along with it, when we both caught the words we were singing…..and we said to each other, almost simultaneously, “Oh….no, we won’t. We’re going to have a bright, merry Christmas, because you are having a bright, merry Christmas in heaven!” We knew then, and I still know now, there’s just too many blessings, and too much to be thankful for -- to allow myself to be singing “down and out” and “woe is me” words and songs. I am just too blessed.

I know people mean well, but I have always found it amusing AND disconcerting, to hear what they would say to try to bring me comfort. Such remarks as: “I know your Christmases must be so hard on you.” or “Just go ahead and grieve – it’s okay!” That first Christmas without him, people would say "It’s so good you’ll be with your family to help you get through this tough time.” I thought ”Wow, those well-meaning friends need a class in “Bringing Hope, Cheer and Joy: 101”

Oh, yes, there are those times when I think about the sweetness of our 44-year love story, and I start to shed a few tears because I still do miss him so much. But then, almost immediately, the tears turn to rejoicing! I think, “These tears will do me no good…except for messing up my make-up”, and then, a profound sense of thanksgiving and praise begins to take over.

There’s several lessons I’ve learned about making it through the holidays: 1) Psalm 16:11 “…..in His presence is fullness of joy” – His presence will always be sensed when I take my eyes off ME, and turn them to Him; 2) Psalm 22:3 “He inhabits the praises of His people” – He is there with me when I praise Him; 3) He promised to be my Shepherd in Psalm 23, therefore, I shall not want because He leads me and He guides me. Why should I be surprised when He provides just what I need?

My Journey of Faith continues. Yes, there have been course alterations and my life-long companion is no longer holding my hand on this earth, but nevertheless, I am finding that the journey still keeps getting sweeter and sweeter. Tthe more I trust God, the more He gives me “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” Isaiah 61:3. Yes, those are the words I will give to those who are going through a crisis of any kind! It is possible to be full of joy….whenever….and, even at a funeral! Regardless of the season or time of year, God is so faithful, and instead of singing the “I’ll Be Blue Without You” songs, we can always be singing, "IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!" Might as well embrace heaven on earth while we're still here!

What Would You Request of Your Genie?

When driving my two youngest grandsons to school, the older one, Brennan, asked his younger brother, Bryson, "If you had a genie in a bottle, what would you wish for?" They certainly earned love tokens when they both replied "For Nana to live with us forever!" Of course they had some other outlandish wishes, but that one put a big smile on this Nana's face.

Now, how about you? What would YOU ask for if YOU had a genie in a bottle and he'd grant just one wish to you? What does YOUR heart long for the most? No doubt, our answers would vary. More time. A healed body. A restored relationship. A financial breakthrough. A child. A spouse. Passing the BIG test that enables a BIG promotion.

King David's wish (or ask) went like this: “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.” Psalm 27:4

When I read that scripture, I am drawn to the “one thing” David asked of God — to dwell in His house forever. How can we live in God's house while we're still here on this side of heaven? More than anything, David longed to be in God’s presence. No wonder he was called “a man after God’s own heart.” Though David experienced many highs and lows in his life, I think the one major theme in his life was a singular longing to be in God’s presence.

Psalm 16:11 speaks more to dwelling in God's presence and the greatest perk from doing so is joy! It goes like this: " In Your presence is fullness of joy." And that's my "wish" and my prayer today, that our hearts will be filled with this one thing . . . a desire to dwell in His presence. I’m pretty sure God delights in lavishing His love upon us. In fact, Jesus tells us God takes it to a level beyond anything any parent has ever done for their children. After all, He has already been more generous toward us than we will ever deserve. To live daily practicing His presence, creates plenty of opportunities for God to show up and show out. No, He's not a Genie or Fairy Godmother, but He is the God in WHOM all things are possible. What better place to be than in His presence?

Christmases in Heaven Are Beyond Compare

Day 352 of Photo Inspirations -- Christmases in Heaven Are Beyond Compare
#TBT  This is Roscoe Owen Wheat, Sr., my sweet Daddy who graduated to heaven 51 years ago today, December 17th, 1964. I was 15.  I remember that day so clearly. I came home from school and found him lying on my bed. I said, "Daddy, are you okay?" He responded, "I'm okay, Baby, I'm just resting." I knew he wasn't okay -- he NEVER took naps on MY bed. I ran quickly to a neighbor for help and by the time we got back home, he was gone. My Mom was at work -- we had to break the news to her. While rushing home, she passed the ambulance taking my Daddy to the hospital. She knew it was him. We wrapped our arms and hearts around each other -- from that day on....it would be just Mom and me.

There were pj's and house shoes already wrapped for him under the tree. I remember my precious Mom, tearfully unwrapping them. But, having had so many years of illness, we knew my Daddy was loving having Christmas in heaven.

My heart goes out to anyone that this is their first Christmas without their loved ones. The memories seem more vivid and the love we had for them is even greater during this tender season. And, quite honestly, there's this yearning to be with them -- after all, what Christmas could compare to a Christmas in heaven? We all have this sweet assurance, they aren't celebrating with Baby Jesus. They're with our King of King and Lord of Lords. So rather than feeling sad or disheartened -- let's celebrate that they get to be where joy and peace and love and comfort and healing is ETERNAL.... and one day we'll be there to celebrate with them.

I hope you are comforted and embraced with God's loving arms around you.  You are not alone --  He is with you, and He's probably sending kisses down to you from your loved ones.

Watch and listen to this beautiful video "Christmas in Heaven". I hope you are comforted and embraced with God's loving arms around you and know you're not alone -- He is with you, and He's probably sending kisses down to you from your loved ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QroAdejZD4w

"You make known to me the path of life; In Your presence there is fullness of joy;  at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  Psalm 16:11

It's Good to be Back Home Again

John Denver sang "Hey, it's good to be back home again!" And Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, said, "There's no place like home!" And, I'm singing and saying that today! Whether it's a day, a week or a month away from it -- there's just no place like home.

No matter where or what home is -- we've lived in an apartment, a condo, a 26 foot Winnibego, a house (big and small) -- there's just no place like it.
"Home" has changed many, many times over the years (way more than most) -- home once was when my sweetheart met me at the door with a sweet kiss and hug, and home was where my kids brought their friends to for comfort and FOOD, and home was where a light was always burning when one of us would be out late. And home was where the yummy smell of chocolate chip cookies were baking. And home was where we could be ourselves -- no masks -- no pretense -- just real, authentic, truth spoken in love....and even sometimes....when the truth hurt. But still, all those things were what made home...HOME!

But, for all of us.....the meaning of home changes over time -- when we become "empty nesters" as the children leave the nest and make their own homes. Or sweet loved ones leave us for their real HOME in heaven. Suddenly "home" takes on a whole new meaning.

Now, home represents for me....my space, my bed, my pictures, my refrigerator, my pantry, my shower, my computer where I can type my next FB posting with peace so I can hear what God wants me to say -- my treadmill so I can run with all out abandonment -- and my cozy chair -- where I spend time with the Lover of My Soul -- that place of peace and comfort -- where "in His presence -- is fullness of joy"! Give me that -- and I'm home -- my quiet place -- my refuge -- my Shelter in the time of storm!

Yes.....there really is no place like HOME SWEET HOME -- because where He is, I'm HOME!