Reflecting on 2013 and Growth in God - Somewhere in the Process

This is the last day of 2013. I think this year will not be remembered by me very much. It seems that not much has happened in my life. The Lord is always at work, even when we don't feel like he is. This is one of those seasons for me. I just feel kind of numb.

Distance separates me from many of my loved ones. Family lives far away and it is really hard to maintain closeness. How are we supposed to help each other with all of the distance? One son is going through a divorce. If only we were there to help? Grandchildren growing up not even knowing us. There are phones, but no one seems to use them to keep in touch. We just use them to play games.

My mother is elderly and suffers from Parkinson's disease. The best I can do is to call her everyday to let her know that she is thought of and loved. I am very thankful that my sister takes care of her, but miss them very much.

There is even distance with loved ones who live close. The society we live in is very much disconnected. People live very busy lives.

God sows his seed in our lives. It lays under the soil for a season while it is watered and receives sunshine. Then when the circumstances are just right, the seed sprouts. Still a balance of sunshine and water is needed to maintain growth. I have no clue where I am in the process. Most of the time I feel like I am in the soil receiving sunshine and moisture, but have not yet sprouted.

Anyway 2013 came and went, and I think I am happy to see it go. I pray that the Lord will give me direction and revelation in 2014 and that he will give it to you also. Without him in my life, I don't know where I would be.

Clean Clothes, Fresh Air, Sunshine, and Memories

This week my dryer stopped heating the clothes. This could cause a little bit of a setback for most of us. We all have grown accustomed to the conveniences of modern day appliances. A couple of years ago I asked my husband to put up a clothesline in the back yard. I bought the clothespins, but the clothesline never happened. I'm sure he thought we didn't need it, as we had a perfectly good working dryer. Well this week, it was a different story.

With Christmas in just a couple of days, fixing the dryer had to be put on hold. So, I took the opportunity to ask again about the clothesline. We have a dog kennel in the backyard that hasn't been used to cage dogs in a few years. That seemed to be the perfect place to put up a clothesline. So we went to Lowe's and bought the line.

Today I washed three loads. It was an absolutely gorgeous day in Southern California (mid 70's) and warm and sunny. We are extremely blessed to live in a place where winters are warm. They can get very cold also as we live in the desert. But today was warm and sunny.

Memories of former days of hanging clothes were brought to mind as I hung the clothes. My grandmom and my mom would hang clothes when I was a child. The fresh scent of sheets that had been hung outside was so nice. And hanging the clothes is a little bit of physical activity also.

It also brought back memories of when my own children were small. At one time, we lived in a two bedroom apartment (and there were seven of us). We didn't have much money and sometimes could not even afford to go to the laundrymat. So I would wash clothes by hand in my bathtub and hang them outside (between two buildings) to dry. Life was really hard back them, but the Lord brought us through.

So with that being said, I am very thankful. I'm sure we will get the dryer fixed, but today was full of sunshine, fresh air, clean clothes, and memories.

His Gift

With all of the people in this world
Why is there loneliness?
Just have to find purpose
in the small things that I do.

People will let you down
   but Yahuwah never will
Trust in Him alone and
    get out of the slump.

Holiday times are hard for many -
money is short and debt is plenty.
Why can't we focus on what
    is important?
Society tells us that gifts
    are the answer.

Gifts that we purchase
Will not bring the happiness
    that we are looking for.
Only Yahuwah can give
    what we need.
It can't be found in this earthly realm.

Look for happiness and shalom only in Him!

Pizzelle Making with My Daughter

Last night, my daughter and I made pizzelles (Italian waffle cookies). My grandparents were Italian and while I was growing up, they made pizzelles on a regular basis. My grandfather, Peter Melchiorre was an Italian immigrant. My grandmom, Rose, was born in the US. I have very fond memories of both of them.

I loved spending time at their home in the country in Malvern, PA. They lived just down the road from Valley Forge. I especially loved to eat the things that they cooked. Everything was homemade including spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, and apple pies (from the trees in their yard). I remember watching them make pizzelles with a long handled iron over the gas stove.

My Aunt Rita gave me the recipe from pizzelles. Last night as my 16 year old daughter and I were making them, it brought back so many memories. Hopefully for many years to come my family will continue the tradition of pizzelle making.

Remember that life is about making memories for your family, so that when you are gone, they will smile when they think of you as I smile when I think of my grandparents.

Fitting in With the Culture

The Culture
We hear so much about people trying to fit in
Why do they feel that they have to
Everyone is unique
Given personality traits and abilities

Children being molded to fit in with the culture
Not given the truth from the Good Book
Not given the opportunity to know Christ
Just being told to fit in to the culture

Sitting in classrooms on medication
because they have issues and need to adjust
Adjust to what? - I say
The messed up culture.

Melaleuca

Tonight we signed up with a company that sells health and wellness products. Who doesn't want to be healthy and well? The products are eco-friendly - no bleach and no harsh chemicals. They are so friendly that they do not need to be in childproof containers. There is no selling involved in this business and that is real good. All you do is buy your products from the company at discounted prices and tell your friends. So far the only product that I have tried is a minty antibacterial handsoap. This is an absolutely wonderful soap. Your skin feels great and the scent reminds me of a spa experience.

The products replace many products you would buy at Walmart etc. Soaps, laundry soap, vitamins, shampoo etc. You are already buying the products somewhere. They are delivered right to your door. And within the first 6 months, you receive $100 worth of free product. Wow! Who doesn't want that?

If you would like more info, just let me know.  We can learn together as I am new, but I will be happy to help!

A Mother's Heart

Frustration is sometimes so real.
You try to help, but they can't see
that you also feel.
Children get older but seem to not learn,
As a parent, was I too lenient or firm?

I'm not sure which is worse these days
The distance between us
or the part that it plays.
To know that, as a mom, I have done all that I could
To help you stay grounded
and yet you misunderstood.

You thought I was trying to control
your whole life.
"I'm an adult" you would say
and yet sometimes full of strife.
I honestly tried to give it my very best shot
and someday you'll realize when your
head is not quite so hot.

The love of a mother is there before you are born
It carries you through even when your life
 is broken and torn.
No matter where you go, my prayers are with you
and the love that I have will always be true.

Opportunity Knocks

Every day there are new opportunities
New doors to walk through
New faces to smile at
New places to go
New people to meet
and someone to bless.

Make the most of each day
Look for opportunities
Keep your eyes open
Do you see someone in need?
Perhaps with no coat
or no food?
You are the answer

God has given you his heart
His Spirit lives inside of you
Trust him today
to show you His Way