What's on YOUR plate?

Tony Snow

Tony Snow's Testimony
'Blessings arrive in unexpected packages,
- in my case, cancer.
Those of us with potentially fatal diseases
- and there are millions in America today -
find ourselves in the odd position of coping with our mortality
while trying to fathom God's will.
Although it would be the height of presumption
to declare with confidence 'What It All Means,'
Scripture provides powerful hints and consolations.
The first is that we shouldn't spend too much time
trying to answer the 'why' questions:
Why me?
Why must people suffer?
Why can't someone else get sick?
We can't answer such things,
and the questions themselves
often are designed more to express our anguish
than to solicit an answer.
I don't know why I have cancer, and I don't much care.
It is what it is, a plain and indisputable fact.
Yet even while staring into a mirror darkly,
great and stunning truths began to take shape.
Our maladies define a central feature of our existence:
We are fallen.
We are imperfect.
Our bodies give out.
But, despite this, - or because of it, -
God offers the possibility of salvation and grace.
We don't know how the narrative of our lives will end,
but we get to choose how to use the interval
between now
and the moment we meet our Creator face-to-face.
Second, we need to get past the anxiety.
The mere thought of dying
can send adrenaline flooding through your system.
A dizzy, unfocused panic seizes you.
Your heart thumps; your head swims.
You think of nothingness and swoon.
You fear partings;
you worry about the impact on family and friends.
You fidget and get nowhere.
To regain footing, remember that we were born not into death,
but into life - and that the journey continues
after we have finished our days on this earth.
We accept this on faith,
but that faith is nourished by a conviction
that stirs even within many non-believing hearts
- an institution that the gift of life, once given,
cannot be taken away.
Those who have been stricken
enjoy the special privilege of being able to fight
with their might, main, and faith
to live fully, richly, exuberantly
- no matter how their days may be numbered.
Third, we can open our eyes and hearts.
God relishes surprise.
We want lives of simple, predictable ease,
- smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see, -
but God likes to go off-road.
He provokes us with twists and turns.
He places us in predicaments
that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension
- and yet don't.
By His love and grace, we persevere.
The challenges that make our hearts leap
and stomachs churn
invariably strengthen our faith
and grant measures of wisdom and joy
we would not experience otherwise.
'You Have Been Called'.
Picture yourself in a hospital bed.
The fog of anesthesia has begun to wear away.
A doctor stands at your feet,
a loved one holds your hand at the side.
'It's cancer,' the healer announces.
The natural reaction is to turn to God
and ask him to serve as a cosmic Santa.
'Dear God, make it all go away.
Make everything simpler.'
But another voice whispers: 'You have been called.'
Your quandary has drawn you closer to God,
closer to those you love,
closer to the issues that matter,
- and has dragged into insignificance
the banal concerns
that occupy our 'normal time.'
There's another kind of response,
although usually short-lived,
an inexplicable shudder of excitement
as if a clarifying moment of calamity
has swept away everything trivial and tiny,
and placed before us
the challenge of important questions.
The moment you enter the Valley of the Shadow of Death,
things change.
You discover that Christianity
is not something doughy, passive, pious, and soft.
Faith may be the substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not seen.
But it also draws you into a world shorn of fearful caution.
The life of belief teems with thrills, boldness, danger, shocks,
reversals, triumphs, and epiphanies.
Think of Paul, traipsing through the known world
and comtemplating trips
to what must have seemed the antipodes (Spain),
shaking the dust from his sandals,
worrying not about the morrow,
but only about the moment.
There's nothing wilder than a life of humble virtue,
- for it is through selflessness and service
that God wrings from our bodies and spirits
the most we ever could give,
the most we ever could offer,
and the most we ever could do.
Finally, we can let love change everything.
When Jesus was faced with the prospect of cruicifixion,
he grieved not for himself,
but for us.
He cried for Jerusalem before entering the Holy City.
From the Cross, he took on the cumulative burden of human sin and
weakness,
and begged for forgiveness on our behalf.
We get repeated chances
to learn that life is not about us,
that we acquired purpose and satisfaction
by sharing in God's love for others.
Sickness gets us part way there.
It reminds us of our limitations and dependence.
But it also gives us a chance to serve the healthy.
A minister friend of mine observes
that people suffering grave afflictions
often acquire the faith of two people,
while loved ones accept the burden
of two peoples' worries and fears.
'Learning How to Live'.
Most of us have watched friends as they drifted toward God's arms,
not with resignation, but with peace and hope.
In so doing, they have taught us not how to die,
but how to live.
They have emulated Christ
by transmitting the power and authority of life.
I sat by my best friend's bedside a few years ago
as a wasting cancer took him away.
He kept at his table a worn Bible
and a 1928 edition of the Book of Common Prayer.
A shattering grief disabled his family,
many of his old friends, and at least one priest.
Here was an humble and very good guy,
someone who apologized when he winced with pain
because he thought it made his guest uncomfortable.
He restrained his equanimity and good humor
literally until his last conscious moment.
'I'm going to try to beat [this cancer],'
he told me several months before he died.
'But if I don't, I'll see you on the other side.'
His gift was to remind everyone around him
that even though God doesn't promise us tomorrow,
he does promise us eternity
- filled with life and love we cannot comprehend, -
and that one can, in the throes of sickness,
point the rest of us toward timeless truths
that will help us weather future storms.
Through such trials, God bids us to choose:
Do we believe, or do we not?
Will we be bold enough to love,
daring enough to serve,
humble enough to submit,
and strong enough
to acknowledge our limitations?
Can we surrender our concern
in things that don't matter
so that we might devote our remaining days
to things that do?
When our faith flags, He throws reminders in our way.
Think of the prayer warriors in our midst.
They change things,
and those of us
who have been on the receiving end
of their petitions and intercessions
know it.
It is hard to describe,
but there are times
when suddenly the hairs on the back of your neck stand up,
and you feel a surge of the Spirit.
Somehow you just know:
Others have chosen,
when talking to the Author of all creation,
to lift us up,
- to speak of us!
This is love of a very special order.
But so is the ability to sit back
and appreciate the wonder of every created thing.
The mere thought of death somehow makes every blessing vivid,
every happiness more luminious and intense.
We may not know how our contest with sickness will end,
but we have felt the ineluctable touch of God.
What is man that Thou are mindful of him?
We don't know much, but we know this:
No matter where we are,
no matter what we do,
no matter how bleak or frightening our prospects,
each and every one of us who believe each and every day,
lies in the same safe and impregnable place,
in the hollow of God's hand.'
T. Snow

1980 Silver Oak Cabernet, Napa Valley

Great Steak dinner...and more
FAB thick steak....
1980 yes 1980 Bottle of Silver Oak Cabernet....slightly tangy...then WOW Opened up....









Ok it's been a day since I posted the above so I'm coming back to try and make more sense for "tasting" notes.
Upon opening, wine was sort of vinergary, but had a FABULOUS nose. I SHOULD have decanted it to let it get some air..but...well...the Steak was already getting cold.
The more into the bottle, the better it was. Would HIGHLY suggest letting it stand for an hour or more before pouring. The tartness wore off and it was a very nice wine...full of fruit. I don't think in my storing it would have lasted much longer, so I'm happy it wasn't over the hill. BUY:? YES. Still has life in it.
It's just weird that....in 1980, I..well (blush) was still the BIG V if you know what I mean, had no kids, hadn't graduated from College yet..and LOTS of other stuff. I mean...this wine is 28 years old!!! WOW. I bought it in about 1989. Probably then it was around 30 bucks a bottle.

Man, son, Iron Man contest

A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?' The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'. They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.'

To which, his father said 'Yes' .

For those who didn't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island

Father and son went on to complete the race together. View this

Graititude, Say Thanks

Got my first check from my new job!
Actually was able to FILL two vehicles, gas here is 3.05 gallon
I FILLED the car I"m DRIVING@@!!!!
Got to see my friend Kevin, He was getting his taxes done, then came over to talk.

Michigan economy just SUCKS. ....but I'm GRATEFUL for what I have right now, and I LOVE it.
I'm teaching parenting classes two nights this week also, for the next 3 weeks!
We had GREAT Ribs for Super Bowl Sunday
Everyone is healthy at the moment

Mothers.... a little read...

I usually try not to just "re post" stuff, but I got this in an email from one of my foster/adoptive moms, and tears started welling in my eyes. May each of us remember the various cathedrals we are building.



Invisible Mothers...

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this ? Can you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription:

'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'
In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, MOM!
Share this with all the Invisible Moms you know... I just did.
The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.

WIRELESS BABY!!!

WOWOWWOWOWOW!!!!! A buddy gave me a wireless router yesterday!! WHOO HOOOO, Got it connected, had trouble with the laptop from work that I get to use. WHOO HOO! Took laptop back, it was a bad card, it got fixed.!! THEN tonight..Son was able to connect his Wii to the wireless network!! WHO HOOO. Nintendo just released versions so YOU CAN SERF THE WEB WITH THE Wii!!!! HOw Frekin cool is that!!!
This is amazing!!!

AND..I'm not happy for the reason WHY...but I picked up Five classes to teach tomorrow. The Other teacher is in hospital with baby complications, so BE GRATEFUL for me, and pray for her and baby.

WIRELESS BABY....WHOO HOOOOOOOOOO, INTERNET ON THE TV??? WHAT IS UP WITH THAT????

Graititude, Say Thanks

This was especially timely as I just opened it, and watched it..and I start my new job as ASL I instructor tomorrow. How very nice.

1989 Chateauneuf du Pape ...Don't hate me

I'm drinking a bottle of wine that I bought before I had children...
1989 Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine Du Pegau, Cuvee Reserve

Don't hate me...I drank it over 3 days....and the hub doesn't drink...and I had no one to share it with.










Domaine du Pégau Chateauneuf du Pape 1989: Rubbery note on the nose mars the overall impression of this wine, but it is still superb. Loads of fruit on the palate, with a soft, silky textured that is so appealing. Less aggressive alcohol than the other wines, impeccable balance, finishes just beautifully. 18/20

besides, the glass of wine is hiding 3 huge zits..

My big news

So do you ever get afraid of speaking of something because you are afraid you will jinx yourself, and lose what you so desperately desire?

I've been substitute teaching. I don't have a "TEACHERS" degree, although I taught at local Davenport University for 7 years. I taught Criminal Justice courses, then morphed into Interpersonal Communications, Speech, and Psychology.

I AM a teacher, mentor, counselor, life coach in addition to doing Massages, being a School Board Member, Foster Home advisor etc. Some I get paid for, some not.

I filled in for a Sign Language class for a week in October. I loved it.
I was offered a chance to teach an entire semester, which starts on Monday. I said yes. It wasn't great money, but I'd earn in 2 hours what I do when I substitute all day. Then I was asked if I wanted to be a classroom aide for the Sign Language II instructor for like 30 more a day. I said yes. That would work as I could still "learn as I go".
THEN...by the grace of GOD, There were too many classes for Sign Language One, and I got offered TWO more classes. This will be through the Local Regional School District, and on TV. This allows you to be in one location, while teaching in another.
They Pay PER CLASS. yes. a very. Big. Deal.
THEN....
The SL II instructor, again PURE GRACE, offered up all of her files for me to copy, so that I can utilize her handouts, worksheets etc. THIS IS A GOLD MINE. Instead of spending HOURS and HOURS seaching for stuff to use, I can start with what She has, and add to it. Do you understand how amazing this is? A foundation to start with ?
I am very grateful.
I'm trying to be more cognizant of my blessings, and frankly, I'm a little overwhelmed. SO for THIS semester at least, we'll have food, and groceries.
Bless God.

YES.