God's Doesn't Need Us, He Chooses Us.

I had the extraordinary experience/privilege of working with children in Sierra Leone, Africa, this past spring.   Traveling with some of the most amazing people I could have ever dreamt of.  Hard working, fun, dedicated, lovers of God.  All called or sent to do His work in a much forgotten place.  A place of beautiful people, all just trying to survive this life, care for their families, make a difference.  Just like us.  I know that we often question God and wonder why things are the way they are.  It's hard not to when you see some of the deplorable living conditions of these sweet faces.   We KNOW God can do all things, we KNOW He is a God of love & mercy.  Then why?  Why do they have so little?  Why do their babies die from malaria or water-born illnesses?   We KNOW that with flick of His finger, He CAN heal, bring clean water, eradicate disease.  If He is the God who created all the universe, this doesn't seem like a large task.  Then I wonder, why does He need me to go to this remote place?  Why were any of us there?  Truth is, He doesn't NEED me.  That is when I remember that He is a God of relationship, as was evidenced by Jesus' time on this earth.  Jesus could have floated on a cloud & healed the lepers, but He chose to walk among them, touch them.  He could have lazed under a shady tree & healed the sick, the blind, the barren, raised the dead, without breaking a sweat.  But He lived among them, loved them, became their friend.   I begin to see that He loves through our human touch.  He loves through our relationships with others.  He loves through our caring, our selflessness, our willingness to love those that others may have forgotten.  Just like Jesus.   Let's be honest, God doesn't NEED us to bring them clean water, but He chose His people to go love....His people.  God doesn't need ME to show love to these sweet children, but He chose me to go anyway.  How incredibly humbling.  These families....moms, dads, kids, grandmothers, grandfathers, have all been cared for by the ministry of Let Them LOL.  They are getting clean water, children are going to school, receiving meals, getting medical attention, being taught farming so they can self-sustain.  God didn't NEED LOL to do this.  He could have done it all Himself.  But, how much sweeter to connect His children in the U.S. to His children in Sierra Leone?  Bringing people together because there is a need.  Teaching us to love & to be loved.  Believe me, I left that place feeling like I received way more than I gave.  People often say, "well, if God is so great, why is there still poverty, heartbreak, disease, etc?  Can't He end all that?  Does He hear our cries?"  I think the answer is, absolutely.  And when disaster hits & you see people rush in to help, that's how He is choosing to answer those needs.  When a team of people travel from Buffalo, NY (& Nashville, TN!) to Sierra Leone, Africa, to drill wells & build schools, hug & laugh with children, encourage parents, that's how He's choosing to answer.  When people in my new home town are living in poverty, hungry & can't afford school supplies for their children, our local church sets up a Mobile Food Pantry to supply shopping carts full of food & backpacks full of supplies for their children & 100 volunteers show up in 100 degree heat to serve 150 local families.  That's how He's choosing to answer.   I'm sure He could miraculously heal, and I believe He does, but how beautiful to have groups of strangers donate to Go-Fund Me accounts to help raise money for families with sick loved ones; to see God work through the hands of talented, compassionate medical teams; to have those same strangers praying & sending words of encouragement to help lift up families during crisis.  That's how they feel not only His provision, but His love.  He uses each one of us to fulfill His purpose.  He's a God of relationship, what a beautiful sight it must be to our Heavenly Father to see his children care for one another.   And in God's beautiful economy, somehow, when we give to others, care for others, put others' needs above your own, that is when He takes care for us.  We are also reminded that when we care for His children, we are caring for Him, "Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40).  He desires a relationship with each one of us as well.   God certainly doesn't NEED ME to do anything to care for His children, but I am SO grateful that He asks me to anyway.  And He's asking you too. We just need to be willing to say "yes".

His Abundance...My Cup Runneth Over!

As I sat & read over my last post, which admittedly was written far too long ago, I hear my own words of anticipation of what the year ahead would bring. It has been an amazing year & I am quick to praise & thank God for every bit of it!

We did indeed find a new home, well to be truthful, GOD found us a new home! It most assuredly fell into our laps & is perfect. We have used every inch of it over the last few months celebrating family events, welcoming friends & family & taking stock of just how awesome our God truly is. Norm & have to pinch ourselves when we see what He has provided to us! I uttered these words to Norm as summer was winding down that this truly has been the best summer I have had in more years than I can count. To have a place that is our own, to be able to welcome all those we love into it, to have a place of privacy & peace of mind is such a beautiful gift. Words cannot express our gratitude!


This year brought my son Alex's engagement to his beautiful girlfriend Jen! Hence, one of the family events we were privileged to celebrate in our new home. We could not be happier for them! They are a sweet, loving & fun couple & I pray that God would bless them both as they clasp hands & head down this road together. I pray that they always remember that they have so many people who love them & that no matter what life brings, they are not along this journey alone.

My daughter has just entered her senior year of college. That completely blows my mind! Alex turned 24 this week & Sam will be 21 the next. How is this possible? As I said in my last post, life marches on! We are so excited for Sam as she makes plans for what's next, but are grateful that she views this year as something special, something she doesn't want to just "get through". She is embracing this time in her life & is looking with anticipation & a certain amount of anxiety at what comes next. She has many ideas about what she'd like to "do with her life" & I pray she explores them all. I also pray that she would lean on God & HIS direction for her life. We make our plans, but He directs our paths! She is smart, beautiful & I have no doubt that she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to & truly wants. I am pulling for you sweet girl!

This year I lost a dear friend to cancer. She fought a good fight & lived 2 courageous years with the disease. I am grateful for the time we had together, having been reunited about a year and a half ago. Val was sweet, funny, stylish, loving mother, wife & friend. She was my childhood friend & I will miss her terribly. I am grateful for the hope of the life after this where we will once again share hugs, laughter & tears of joy together! Until that day, I pray for God's comfort & healing on her beautiful family.

I realize that I may be sounding like a broken record, but despite some of the tough stuff this year, we are eternally grateful to our heavenly Father for lavishing such blessings on us. For those of our friends & family who are struggling right now, we offer our support, prayer & love. Please know that He promises to "never leave you nor forsake you"...and neither will we.

We are grateful for our beautiful family, for the love we share, the health in our bodies, the life we are blessed with. We are grateful for our jobs which allow us to continue to move past the struggles of our past & move forward to more promising times. We are grateful for the friends God has seen fit to bring into our lives, those who love us (no matter what) & who continue to pray for us. We promise to do likewise.

But above it all, we are grateful for the love of our Father - our provider, our strength, our courage, our future. All we have is His & we hold onto it all loosely, knowing that we need to be generous with what has been given. We are ultimately & supremely grateful that Heaven is our home & that when we pass through this moment in time, we will spend all of eternity in the presence of our King. And for as much as we love our new home...it pales in comparison to the HOME He is preparing for us!

Life Marches On...

January, 2011. Hard to believe. Also hard to believe I haven't sat & put thoughts down here since May! A new year. Once again. What will we make of it? What lies ahead? What changes do we want to make? What changes will be made for us?

These types of questions always plague me as a new year rolls around. I'm sure I'm not alone. I'm not necessarily talking about "resolutions", although those are pretty popular this time of year. All you need do is walk into your local gym to see that's true. I'm talking about anticipation. Some will be good. Some, possibly, not so good. We can make choices for our lives, but how much is not really in our control? It's a time to take stock, to reassess, to evaluate. A time to make decisions about our future. Or at least the next few months. Norm & I have been looking for a house. We're really excited about this & have approached it with a sense of adventure. But as the months have rolled by with no luck in finding the "right place", our excitement is slowly being replaced with discouragement. We made a decision about our future, but circumstances have not complied! And that...is....life. Don't get me wrong, we're not hanging our heads, by no means. We are pushing forward, making our plans. But I have to wonder how much of it is really in our hands? We like to think we can plan our future, decide where we'll live, work, how many kids we'll have, etc. But how much is really in our control?

Our kids were home for the holidays & it was a wonderful time! So fabulous to have us all under the same roof for a time again! We had family in town & got closer to extended family as my son's girlfriend & family spent time with us as well. It was impossible to imagine a time like this when they were children. In that time, its hard to fathom things like children living away from you, moving to different parts of the country, going to college, graduating from college, having girlfriends/boyfriends who are potential spouses! No matter what stage of life we find ourselves in, its hard to not feel like "it will always be this way". Reality is, life marches on. It grows, it changes, it adds & detracts from our circle. It brings joy, it brings pain. It brings successes, it brings failures. It brings gain, it brings loss. Who can really know what is around the corner?

It's in understanding that, that I must come to faith. I must wholeheartedly believe that the God of this universe, my Abba Father, has my life in His hands. No matter what life brings, no matter where I find myself, I am His. He gives me all I need to live this life. He provides my intellect, my strength, my ability to work, to find joy. If I'm smart, I'll remember to also ask Him for wisdom in order to handle the things that life brings my way. Most importantly though, He gives me love. Because He IS love and I am HIS, I therefore have His love in me. He gives me the ability to love all those around me. Because He first loved me. (1 John 4:19) It's truly believing that He loves me & walks with me at all times, during the good, the bad & the ugly, that my faith allows me to move forward each & every day.

And let us not forget to celebrate this life that we have been given! It is a gift! It will be short, so enjoy the moments, put pettiness aside, don't waste time. Laugh often, love always. Because life marches on...

There's No Place Like Home...

What is this urge we parents/women have to make all around us comfortable? I can look back at countless times in my life where making a "home" cozy & welcoming was my #1 priority. Norm & I have moved 7 times (yikes!) since we're married & worked hard on each every one of them to make them feel like home. No matter the size of the space, we had that need/urge to make it inviting, welcoming...home. The most vivid memory of creating coziness, of course, happened while preparing for the birth of my 2 children. Little creatures that knew nothing of this world or their surroundings, we were convinced needed a lovely & safe space of their own. I can remember being 6-7 months pregnant with my first and painting & papering the nursery. Back then we didn't realize that painting was a big "no-no" for a pregnant mom! Nonetheless, we brought that little bundle of joy into its carefully prepared nest, and all was right with the world! With my second, it was exactly the same. Living in a different home, we worked diligently on preparing a safe, cozy & quiet place for her to exist. I'm sure she would not have been upset by walls whose colors weren't "baby appropriate" or if she had to use a comforter set that belonged to her older brother. But as her dutiful & loving parents, we worked at creating what we deemed to be just the right space for her.

And on & on it goes.... Even now, as my children, both of whom go to school away from home, made plans to come home for the summer, we got to work preparing places of comfort & privacy for them. Since they're young adults used to living away from mom & dad, we wanted to be sure to give them each a space to unwind after work, or just settle in for a long phone conversation uninterrupted by the rest of the family. We love our children & are blessed beyond measure to have them both here for 2 whole precious months! We cleaned, reorganized, built closet shelving, new bedding, etc. all in anticipation of their arrival. After all, they are my children & I want to be able to give them the best I can offer. I want them to feel "at home", welcome.

I heard an amazing sermon this weekend about eternity. The gist of it was the idea of "coming home". It was expressed like this, "life here on earth is like living in a hotel, eternity is being home". It really struck me. The point was, the hotel offered shelter, comfort, food, etc. Why, then does it not feel like home? That longing that is inside all of us for home, is described as not just a destination, but a desire to be where we belong. In our small way, we prepared for the homecoming of our children. Would God do anything less? I can only imagine the homecoming that awaits us with Christ. I envision our Heavenly Father waiting with open arms to welcome us, just as I do each time my son's plane lands or I pull up in front of my daughter's dorm. What's so amazing is that it is me who is eager with anticipation! We think of eternity with our Lord & with each other, but do we actually consider that He is eagerly awaiting our arrival? That he is excited to see us, to put His arms around us, show us the lovely place that has been prepared for us? Its hard to imagine the God of the Universe being that intimate with each of us, but that is His desire.

My time with my children will be wonderful this summer, but I already know it will go way too fast. Someday, we won't have to say good-bye to each other. Someday we will be home. For all eternity. And in the immortal words of the ever-wise Dorothy, "there's no place like home".

Haves or Have Nots??

There are times in my life when I'm not sure which of these I am. Once upon a time, Norm & I worked, saved & purchased the beautiful house in the suburbs, complete with in-ground pool & fireplace, essentially equating to the "American Dream". I guess at that point we would be viewed as the "haves". Through a series of work changes & job losses...all that is gone. We moved from the 4 bedroom house to the 3 bedroom apartment & then the next 3 bedroom apartment. I guess at this point we would be considered the "have nots".

Funny thing about "having" & "not having"....its all a matter of perspective. I heard a minister preach an amazing message once & it really has stuck with me. He said that only 8% of the world's population owns a car (we have 2). He said that about a billion people do not have access to clean water & about 800 million people won't eat today. Every day I can turn on a faucet & effortlessly fill a glass, a teapot, wash a dish or bathe. I have never gone a day without a meal, unless I had decided to do so. He said that roughly a billion people live on less than $1 a day and that experts say it would take roughly $20 billion to provide water, food & healthcare to the entire world - about what the US spends in one year on ice cream. These are staggering statistics! Compared to the world around me, I don't have much. There is a great concentration of "wealth" in the area I live in. But "the world around me" is NOT the world. He said that we run into danger when we perceive "our world" to be "the world". We as Americans can easily fall into the trap of needing bigger, better, more. We are constantly bombarded with messages that teach us that this is what we need, that this will make us happy, that this will give us a "life".

Everything I have is a gift from God. Even the ability to work, to be healthy & strong enough to earn the money to provide for our family. No matter if I'm living in the big 4 bedroom house or the small 3 bedroom apartment, I am warm, I am safe, I am fed. Sadly, how many people in the world can say that?

Jesus teaches us in 1 Timothy 6:17-18 - "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share." I don't think God has a problem with our "having", I think the problem lies in our willingness to share what we have with the those in need. It's understanding that the gifts that He's seen fit to give us, are not just for our enjoyment. And its not just about money, its about giving of ourselves, giving of our time & our energy. Its learning to put others first, it requires sacrifice. Its true generosity. Not always an easy task, I know. The minister described this as having "life that is truly a life".

I see it as being content too. We are taught in Phil. 4:12 - "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Its funny again that word "perspective". Compared to the life I had, I am living in want. But compared to 92% of the world's population...I am rich. I can honestly say that losing our house was a difficult time in our lives. Amazingly, I can remember being at total peace when it became time to move on. God had provided a lovely, safe place for our family to live. We may not always have everything we want, but He always makes sure we have what we need. The fact that God has taken care of every need we have had since then is an awesome testimony to how He loves & cares for His children. He only asks that we then turn & do the same.

Our church has been raising money for Sierra Leone, one of the poorest countries in the world. We have been working at digging wells, providing sanitation systems, farming, providing medical care, schools, churches, etc. They are doing a benefit concert on March 12th at the church & all the proceeds are going to help the people of Sierra Leone. It doesn't get easier than that! We enjoy a great concert & the people of Sierra Leone get fresh water. You can go to http://www.thechapel.com/ to find out more. Also check out http://www.ltlol.com/ - another amazing ministry started by one of the youth worship leaders in the church that has some pretty creative ideas on how to raise money for clean drinking water for Sierra Leone.

And we don't have to cross an ocean, continent or country to find those in need. God has placed each one of us right where He wants us. Our city is in need, our neighbors are in need. Take a look around....we can all do something because He provides everything. That's a life worth living...

Oh Christmas Tree....and Gratitude

It's amazing to me that I haven't taken "key in hand" to update this blog in over a year! Guess its been a heck of a year... During that time, I went from losing my dream job of working with youth/college students, to a series of part time jobs - including house cleaning & home organization projects. After that, I took the wrong job for the right reason, working in a law firm that paid well, had great benefits & was something my family needed at the time since my husband was unemployed. While I loved the people that I worked with, I honestly don't think there was one day that I actually enjoyed being there. I'm sure in today's economy, many people are working jobs they need over jobs they love. In other words, you do what you have to do for your family. I remember praying every day on my way to work that God would allow me to do my job with excellence, with a spirit of joy & with a grateful heart. I also prayed that He would show me His ultimate purpose for placing me in a place where I not only did not enjoy the job I did, but was opposed to the very core of the law they practiced. Not a great motivator to get out of bed each morning. I would pray that God would let me know when it was time to move on & that He would provide what would come next. And after a year of loving on the people I worked with & doing my very best to be a blessing in a tough place, He brought along another wonderful & unexpected opportunity.

That was 6 months ago. I have been happily working for friends of mine & I still pray every day on my way to work. Only now not to get me through the day, but to continue to be a blessing to those I work for & do my job with excellence. I pray that each day I accomplish this. That would be a successful job in my estimation!

One of the most beautiful things about this new job is the amazing people I work for. They are kind, hard working, fun to be around, men of integrity & treat me very well. They understand that no matter how dedicated I am to my job, my first priority will always be my family. Being good Christian men, they get this. I was allowed much flexibility in my work schedule in order to spend time with my son & daughter while they were home for Christmas. We packed alot into a short time & I'm so grateful to God that I was afforded the time to do it. And they didn't release me to my family grudgingly, making me feel guilt-ridden. They lavished the spirit of Christmas on me AND my family, and graciously encouraged us to go spend time together. I am grateful or these men that God has seen fit to place me with. I am grateful to God.

Up top is a dorky photo of me & my family as we hunted for the perfect Christmas tree. Yeah, we know we're dorky... But oh so much fun to be together! The other picture is of my son & his girlfriend Jen, another gift God has brought into our family & we love her. I am grateful to God for my family. I am grateful to God. All in all, I faced my Christmas this year with a spirit of anticipation, of joy, of peace.

I pray yours was the same... <3

Merry Christmas (slightly late) & may God richly bless your 2010!!!

God's Early Christmas Gifts...

Who would have thought that a snow storm would turn out to be one of the best gifts I've been given in a long time??!! Last night, under clear skies, my son flew in from Southern Florida. Yeah, it was cold, but he arrived safely, on time & with no weather issues. Today...a different story. So, gratefulness #1, "thank you Lord for bringing my son home before the storm." (These are just some pictures from around Buffalo, found on the wgrz.com website.)

We had planned on picking Sam up from school today (snow day) after I got out of work. But because the snow was coming down fast & furious, Norm & Alex decided to get an early start and so they set out around 10:00 am. They made it there & back in about 4 hours. Gratefulness #2, "thank you Lord for their safe travel through a snow storm and for bringing them home to me safe & sound".

But the best part, well maybe not the BEST part because NOTHING is better than having both my kids home, is that my office actually closed at 12:30 because of the storm! That NEVER happens, apparently! I was so sad that I couldn't join Norm & Alex picking up Sam because I had to work. Then, they let us out early, I bummed a ride off a friend, got home before the family, cooked a pot of nice hot soup & waited for their arrival. So, gratefulness #3, "thank you Lord for letting me be a part of the homecoming and for doing the thing I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE MOST....be Mom."














Hahaha...only in Buffalo!!

"Thank you Lord for my early Christmas gifts...." And as if all this isn't enough, the ultimate gift was His Son being born, so that I could have a life with Him. It simply does not get better than all that. When people say "God is Good", it doesn't even come close to how amazing & awe inspiring He is, and for the way He loves & cares for us. Thank you Lord...I love you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL......may you feel His blessings as I do today.