Disneyland

Disneyland was amazing this year. I can't remember when I had been there with my own kids. It has been so long. David's youth group was going, along with his girlfriend and my sister's family. Vanessa and I decided to go the same weekend, and although massively crowded, we had an amazing time. I think it was my best time ever in the "Happiest Place on Earth." That place and I share History....we are the same age and it has always fascinated me. My Grandma used to train children in that area to learn folk dances, and they would perform them in Disneyland. I have a picture of her, my Grandma Jean, talking to Walt himself. I think the first time I was there was close to fifty years ago. Going with Vanessa was a treat. She acted just like a three year-old....squealing and jumping around excitedly every time a new adventure presented itself. She was no longer nearing thirty, but closer to age three and I was loving every minute of it. She ran around the first few hours, trying to make it on all the special rides, before the crowds were overwhelming. At the time we made it to the Small World ride, there was a film crew and a celebrity in the boat a few ahead of us, filming a Christmas Special. In the middle of the afternoon, we were blessed to share a few hours with David and we all experienced Pirates, the Tom Sawyer Boat, the Haunted Mansion and the Jungle Cruise. We passed my nieces several times and ran into Paige, holding the famous Dole Whip. I'm close to sixty and it was the first time I had ever tasted one.....after Vanessa told me you can only find them in Hawaii and Disneyland. We continued on experiencing old and new adventures, tasting all the unbelievable treats we usually don't have at home, including carmel corn. Upon arriving at the Hotel after ten, Vanessa checked her step counter and we realized we had walked close to eight miles. Such a fun day. I didn't even feel tired, but was still hoping for a good night's sleep.....as the drive home loomed. All in all, I was very thankful to spend this amazing single day with my kids and Mickey......Minnie as well, as Vanessa received her first pair of  "Minnie Ears."

My Worst Nightmare

One of my worst nightmares is that my child would be home sick and in pain and I would not know it and be out doing a play. That happened this summer. My son David was ill. I thought he had stomach flu, but he was actually having an attack of his appendix. I asked him questions, thinking it could be his appendix, but he didn't seem to have the symptoms. By the next morning, he had a fever and I suspected that was it. We spoke to the doctor and left for the emergency room. I wrote something on my facebook just before I left. It was "David needs prayer." I knew my friends would pray for David and I knew he needed it. He was in the surgery within two house and we are thankful.

Christmas The week after Thanksgiving, I dropped my son David off at school and was driving home, thinking of all the housework I needed to do. All of a sudden a thought came to me......"What if today was Christmas?" I thought of how excited and joyful I would be.....walking with a spring in my step and a big smile on my face. Then I realized the age old truth.......My Lord and Savior Jesus gives me joy every day......so everyday can be Christmas!! I know there are people in extremely difficult circumstances. There are people with no family at all.....yet we can all be united in Christ......in knowing that He is always there for us, no matter what day it is and how difficult things are. I always pray for those in difficult circumstances and I love to see people with no family united into a God-loving group of people. Lord, let me be used of you this season to bless You, my family and others. You are so good. In Jesus Name.

I taught with a young teacher named Claire. The students were more than challenging. Your nerves are greatly affected when you know a student will run away the moment your back is turned. I went through the day doing what I was told. I prayed for the kids, enjoyed the rain, the sunshine and my beautiful surroundings. When the teacher broke down in tears at the end of the day, I encouraged her and was thankful I was a mom who understood these things. I prayed for her, the students and that her hope would not fade. She has a great and difficult calling.

An Inspired Painting

The two people who inspired my daughter to paint a lighthouse have passed away. On was her cousin Elijah David and the other was Thomas Kincaid. When she was seventeen, she wanted to make a painting for my husband Kevin and my 23rd Anniversary but she didn't have the funds. She would need to pay a painting teacher and as I recall, money was really tight for us at the time. Her cousin offered to pay for the lessons. At first she turned him down, then she agreed. What we now have is an amazing replica of one of Thomas Kincaid's lighthouses. He passed away about two months ago. Every time I look at the beautiful work of art gracing my living room, I think of all three of them. I am so grateful my daughter was inspired by others to use her talent. The beauty is not only in the amazing artwork, but in the sacrifice of those who inspired it.

The Blind will See

Every time I see my four blind friends at the school where I work, they talk about seeing the productions I have been in at my church. I have invited them to many of these shows and they have been able to come. They used words like, "See, Watch, Saw." It is amazing how freely they use those words when they can't see at all. I think those words represent the whole experience. The joy that someone befriended them, invited them, took them to a production that is so beautiful and glorifying to God. They are moved and touched by the music, the message and the love that is shown. These friends have certainly brought a lot of joy into my life and I want to do the same for them. Even though life is difficult, they are my very special friends.They have overcome much and are thankful for the little they have. They rejoice in the daily trials and enjoy the shows more than just about anyone. I thank God I am honored to know them.

A Coincidence

Every time something happens that makes me think, Wow, that's amazing, I am always sure God is behind it. Last night in choir, a young 19 year-old girl sat next to me. I began to ask her questions about herself as I always do. I am interested in people and I want to know a little about them. I found out that she not only lived in the same apartment building I had lived in 36 years ago, but she actually lived in the same apartment I had lived in. Wow. That was incredible. It took me back to those days of college poverty. I had met my husband Kevin while I lived there. He was my downstairs neighbor, a confident musician with long flowing hair who didn't think he needed God is his life. Boy, was he wrong. My roommates would sit around our kitchen table in the evenings and pray for the boys downstairs. He did come to know the Lord and a few years later, in another apartment building, we became engaged. I began to think of this young girl as needing prayer and guidance from the Lord in her journey and I began to pray for her more earnestly. L love it when God shows us on an ordinary day and assures us He is still there leading us on His path.