snow!

Not really. This is Emily's throwback Thursday pic.

It is still August, still summer, and it's Friday!

First of all, the baseball game was fun. If I could just step out of my old achy body, with the throbbing knees and oh, my feet by the end of the night of standing on that cement floor....but I can't. I go and fund raise, and yes, suffer in my body for it, but I can't explain how much fun it is. Last evening, I really got to know Anna. I have known her since she was born, but seriously, what 49 year old is friends with a 16 year old girl? I worked with her 21 year old sister too, and when she said something really funny at the end of the night, we just about fell on the floor laughing. Yes, it was busy and crazy and at times a bit challenging to keep up, but I am thankful that my life is never lonely or boring!

We went to the drive-through on the way home for some iced coffees, and don't kill me Marg, but...oh dear, she didn't pull up close enough to the window, and had to get out to pay and to take the drinks. It was SO funny. The boy working there was trying not to laugh, but he was so nice, he reassured Margaret that it happens a lot. um, no, I don't really think so, but it was nice of him to say so.

I talked to my Army son Samuel this morning on the phone. He really likes his training. He went on a ten mile ruck yesterday. He gets to run around the capital and the memorials, and loves it. He is wise for his years, he reminded me that I am very lucky to get to go to the baseball games, and to the college football and basketball games...that that's where the fun is, and that he misses it so much. He says part of missing home is missing being a part of all that stuff. Even though we don't go to the games to sit and watch, but to prepare and serve food and run registers, and to clean up afterward. It really is in the attitude.

Today we are going camping, and I still have to get into that packing groove. I have added things to the pile, like hot cocoa mix and teabags, coffee and a jar of peanut butter, and a bag of marshmallows. I haven't decided for sure what our meals will be, and I know I need a few things from the store. Sometimes I wish the Organization Fairy would come along and wave her wand at me, causing my scattered thoughts to come together and make some sense.

This morning I was thinking about all the things that have happened in my life since I started writing this blog. I have lost two babies (miscarriages), my brother killed himself, one of my sons joined the Army,got married, deployed to Afghanistan, came home and had a rough time but survived it and now has a baby girl. Four of my kids graduated from nursing school and now all have good jobs as RN's. We replaced our swimming pool all by ourselves, said goodbye to Champ the dog and Rosie the bad dog, one stillborn puppy, got a few kitties, lost a few kitties, gall bladder surgery, Aaron's surgery for his depressed sternum, Abigail's knee surgery, a few broken arms and broken legs, Paul's travels to Ireland, India, Germany, France, and Louisiana, our trips to Jamaica and Dominican Republic, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, my trip to Seattle Washington, Paul's coronary ablation, and countless other little every day trials, dilemmas, and joys, sleepless nights, and tired days.

What is my point? Each thing seems so big when it happens. Then it passes. What do I get out of it? In each and every thing, I get to choose. I can say yes, or no, to anxiety and worry. I can choose to trust God. I can get mad, angry, bitter. I can blame others, give in to accusing thoughts toward my husband or friends. Day in, day out, I get to choose. Here are some verses that I think of often...

"If you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in the Book of the Law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your hear and with all your soul. For this commandment which I command you today is NOT too mysterious for you, nor too far off....It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who shall ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?', Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgements, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you possess. But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life,that both you and your descendants may live...that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give to them." (Deuteronomy 30, verses 10 -20)

I know, that's a lot of bible, right there. But it's so relevant! So living and true! Choose life!

Giving your life to God is not hard and heavy and full of rules and restrictions. On the contrary, it's a life of freedom!

And I am done preaching for now. I have to get packing....:)