Saturday, December 31, 2011

Turning a New Leaf......

I am so excited to see this year close and a new year begin. Why you ask? No you didn't ask? That's alright, it's my blog and I am going to tell you anyway. That's the beauty of writing:-)


I can list many good things that happened this year. Among them a great visit with my sister and my brother earlier in the year followed by a family Thanksgiving Feast organized by my nephew. Wonderful to see family. I get so lonely for company as I don't get away like I used to. Change number one for 2012: GET AWAY!

I started a new position in December that is delightful! While I had to leave the best roomie ever, I have found that I have pleasant office mates, an excellent boss, great employees and I am doing something I truly enjoy. Change number two: ENJOY what you do!

Cody performed in a ballet and we all had a great time. It was work, it was a little "positive" stress and I loved every minute. I LOVED IT! I realized a lost love of mine is theater and performing. I have dug out the viola and am planning for more Cody and Mom theater works. Change number three: Do MORE things I love to do!
Rich has struggled with health and in a very tedious manner we are finding things one at a time. His gallbladder removed he has seen one set of symptoms resolved. A hiatal hernia has been found that explains another set of symptoms. Tests continue in order to identify the cause of the unresolved things. Change number four: PERSISTENCE! We have spent years waiting for others to act and now we have found two WONDERFUL surgeons and a new GI doctor. We are excited to see them continue to persist in their efforts to help Rich get better. We WON'T give up until we are symptom free.

As for the less then positive news, I will move on to my final change for 2012. Change number five: I won't focus on the things in this list. Too easy to be distracted from what matters, what has been given, what has been forgiven. I will concentrate on the promise and hope that has been presented to us in a manger a long time ago.

Happy New Year my dear friends and family! You are one of the positive things I am choosing to remember and carry with me into the New Year. Look forward to many memories with you!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'" 1965











Christmas is a wonderful time of year for most! And we love the decorations, music, visits with friends and family, as well as the opportunity to express our love for others. We don't need to know them, but to show them we care and feel that no matter what, they are valuable and special. That is the best! We hope that you know how special YOU are to us too!

We are always looking for those great pictures, good stories and enjoying EVERY wonderful treat we receive. Of course, you settle for what you get, right? Ha. Sometimes those pictures will earn you a spot in the next Awkward Family Holiday Photos book. I know I hit delete a few times already and I am NOT done.















As for the stories, well, if you have my moderately warped sense of humor you might find things a bit humorous...for example...My son only wanted ONE thing badly, the rest he just wanted! It was a "NEW" movie, meaning one he had never seen, not new in the retail world. So as he tore through the packages that looked like it might contain the movie, he discovered, it was not there. His conclusion was that he Knew Santa was just pretend because if he wasn't he would have gotten the movie. He did enjoy his other gifts thoroughly however and we thought all is well......until I am approached with "Quick Mom, I have something to show you!" This usually means something is broken or there is a new character on Barney:-)
I arrive to the computer to see that our son has navigated through the Internet to find the missing Christmas prize and has found it for sale on Amazon. "We can get it right now!" THANK YOU Founders of the Internet:-) SIGH


















Rich enjoyed serving at church for the Christmas services and the church looked awesome! It is a special time when many come for the first time or come for their only time each year so we always want everything perfect to make it special for them. And it was great.













Cody was extremely tired and took a little nap here and there during the service. At the end while giving an invitation to accept Jesus into your heart I realized he was awake as when the time came for those who had said this prayer to raise their hands, his shot up in the air! WOW! On Christmas Eve! How very cool is that, and he received his little packet of information to learn more about his decision. It was a great gift. And on the way home he talked about what he had done, about saying your sorry and being forgiven. He GETS it. I hope he will be able to help others get it too.






So we are finishing up a busy and challenging year with great news and looking forward to what the new year will bring. We hope you had a great Christmas and will be blessed in the New Year as well. Lots of love to you all ..... and to all a Good Night! (I couldn't resist)



Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Lost

It is difficult to say what happens that leads to being lost. Lost in spirit, lost in energy, lost in time, lost! It is often seen with fatigue, frustration or hopelessness. It is not intentional or observed, and it happens almost without notice. It is gradual, silent, but the gravity of the void is enormous.
So here in this season of celebration, decorations, gifts and singing the chasm widens and the despair is palpable, weighing a zillion tons. There is no joy, no ability to sense or feel the spirit of hope or promise. It is here that it is impossible to hear the voice calling with compassion. It is darkness all around even in the midst of crowds and bright lights.
What is it that began the divide? What is it that is missing? What is it that caused the disappointment and loss of faith, loss of trust? What is covering the eyes and preventing a clear view of the light?
A careful assessment may reveal that the problem is internal, doubt of the very thread woven through every truth revealed. Doubt has caused many to fail, fearing the unknown and resisting the steps ahead. Choosing to listen to the voice of condemnation and accusation lends to a change in heart, a change in attitude, change in faith. It leads to a complete loss of hope in the One who promised to stand the test of time, provide the greatest need, support the weakest hand, lead the lost and provide eternal rest.
So what is the answer? Captive, take every thought captive. Weigh them and resist those that are death and hold on to those full of life. Choose to listen to a good and righteous voice rejecting the very whisper of the enemy who destroys from within. That voice belongs to one who chose to turn away and he does not stand alone. He desires to take many with him, diverting them from the truth of Eternity.
This season full of light, full of promise is the answer to the hole in he heart of man. It is the very purpose of the One who is celebrated every year around the world. It is He, Jesus, that provides the answers, gives strength to the timid, gives healing to the ill, gives patience to the tired, gives mercy to those who stumble and grace to man for all eternity.
So today, take every thought captive, choose life in Christ and gain hope in His birth and death. See the bright lights and celebrate the gift that is without price. Know that there is One who will remove the vale from your eyes so that you may find the way and who will open your ears to hear the constant voice of love He has for you. If you must be lost, be lost in Him!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Small Grain Big Mountain

Gluten, a tiny protein found in wheat, rye, barley, malt, tritichale and spelt. How big is a grain that contains this powerful element? Lets just say it can travel miles on a a summer breeze! Yet this tiny grain can cause irreversable, life altering health issues if your body can not metabolize it, attacking itself instead of the enemy. And all of this takes me to the line at Sprouts. Nothing says "special" like a ton of all gluten free food and you reach VIP status when you see the total. Talk about national debt!!! BUT it is a gift in disguise. Who knew!!
"I can not take the texture, like crunching on fried ants or a city cockroach" the cashier exclaimed to which I ponder what are the country roaches like. Hmmm! But of course knowing we are talking about bread might take your imagination down another road all together. Ha!

My son did not like me for months after I took away his gluten. He did have after all live on a pure dairy gluten diet. And the stuff I made or found those first months?? Priceless because you can't put a price on torture. Ha!

I made bread so heavy it would hold down a tarp in a tornado. And the pasta, oh the pasta! Overcook it one milli second and it is mush, under cook it and it is rocks. I calculated there is a three second window between those two. I threw away a lot of pasta those first months.

Now the fact is that most things headed for your mouth have gluten. Flour, anything with flour. And anything thickened! Gravy, dressings, sauces, everything! Who could have guessed it would be testing to diagnose a blood related cancer or celiac disease. I remember thinking I was not sure which one I would survive, let alone Cody.

Now you might say Celiac disease, but this is a kid who was a true blue "dairyterian". Never touched a none dairy product in 12 years all of which were served on bread or pasta. Pizza, mac n' cheese, cheese sandwich. I would have to remove every known food source and start from scratch. He had never touched meat, veggies.

Fortunately it was Celiac disease and it only took me a year to learn to cook food that did not out weigh us and that did not feel like shattered glass when you chew. I am proud to say I can make a mean blueberry muffin, chocolate brownies are awesome and well the gravy at Thanksgiving I was told was the best ever! I am so GRATEFUL that my son still loves me and has become happy with his food world today. It is all good.....NOW!



It is important to know that like Matthew 17:20 "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Truly, one step at a time I have told the mountain to move and in a most wonderful way it did!

MAD Unified Life

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