Make a list!

OK. I am a little ADHD. No, some days, allot! The more I have on my plate, the more scattered I become.

My brain just works that way.

I have to make lists. And stick to them like warts on a frog.

This Tuesday, I have much to do. So, hence, a very long list. It keeps me focused on the task at hand.

I can tackle jobs and have great follow through, with minimal distractions, when I am accountable to even this slip of paper with writing on it.

Since extended blogging is NOT on the list, I have to say "goodbye".

But before I do, check out the fabulous site on http://www.5minutesformom.com Wonderful prizes and lots of fun!!

Tell your husband what it is you want.

After 25 years of marriage, you would think I would "get it".

Have it figured out.

Know the drill.

Nope, I am still learning. sigh.

Last night, I returned home after working two, 12-hour shifts at the hospital. (I work in Labor and Delivery, 4 days a month)

I was exhausted, my back ached, my legs felt like they were on fire.

I took a bath. What I wanted, was a massage.

So, I put the massage lotion on the counter. Then a little thought came into my head. "Sue, it said, you know better. Curt is NOT going to "see" the massage lotion and get the hint. He is not going to come into the room and say to himself, 'Oh, Sue, put the lotion out, she must be in need of a massage....I will go ask her if she would like one!'"

NOPE. That is not going to happen. In a perfect world, maybe. But not in my world.

I knew that if I pursued my plan (put said lotion on the counter, and hoped for follow through, by prince charming) I was in for a big disappointment, I would probably take on a "poor me" he just doesn't care attitude. No, not probably, I would. I am all mature like that.

Maybe, I HAVE learned a few things about men and marriage over the years, so, I just asked him. "Curt, would you give me a massage?". Just like that. I just blurted it out.

He is a man who says to me, "Sue, just give me the bottom line. I do not need to know all the whys, hows, whens or every detail or justification. Just tell me what you want!"

I did! And I got a fantastic massage!

I am needing some serious prayer power over here!!

Life is just hard sometimes. Really hard. I am distracted and hanging by a thread of being "overwhelmed".

Strange words, coming from a gal who is usually all "zippity do-da" about life. Here is a snapshot of the past 10 days.

Hubby in Coronary ICU, because of his heart. Home now. (If you were not aware, Curt, had a heart attack and 5 by-passes in 2007)

Curt's step-dad, Rod Moser, went to be with his LORD last Sunday. We will deeply miss him!! Traveled to IOWA for visitation and funeral. Wonderful tribute to a Godly man.

Computer crashed last week. Total wipe out. Took a 2 hour road trip yesterday to get new one from our "computer guy" Did not really WANT to spend money for said new computer. Spent 6 hours yesterday and 3 today, setting up and trying to transfer information from old one.

Email issues for the past week!

My car is dead this morning!

YOU GET THE PICTURE....UGG!

I ask myself, "Why is all of this happening?"

It may be, because in 10 days, I leave for a European speaking tour. The women there need encouragement. And Satan would love to send a worn-out, stressed-out, overwhelmed gal to minister to them. Especially one who has been majorly distracted by the past events in her life, that she cannot focus and prepare!!!

Or, maybe, it is because I am a mother and wife. And Satan knows that if he can defeat me, help me fall into a pit of strangling circumstances, he will have a devastating effect on my family and myself!

So, what is a girl to do?

First, I have fallen to my knees countless times asking the LORD to sustain me. I have read HIS word for strenth and encouragement.

Next, I have asked for prayers of family and friends.

And thirdly, I have sought council from others (thank you MEGAN) on what I can eliminate in my schedule and commitments to help me through this jungle of events in my life.

Would you pray for me, dear friend?

Oh, by the way, I will be in Europe, April 18th-29th, Lord willing.

Daily Devotions vs. Guilt

At a recent speaking event, a young vivacious women, approached me. In a hushed tone, she shared, the same quilt ridden dilemma, that I have heard countless times. "I rarely read my bible." And she went on to explain, that when she does take time to read it, she forgets what she read or has a hard time applying the teaching to everyday life.



Boy, can I relate. Been there. Many times.



There have been situations where, when it is time to leave for church, I would find my bible were I set it down, LAST SUNDAY. Oh, the guilt.



I used to say, "When my children get older, I will have time." Well, they got older....and...still the same, sad, song!



I shared with her, through my own mistakes, what works for me.



One day, I went to the local Christian bookstore, plopped right down in the aisle between the devotional bookcase section, and started leafing through the pages of "daily devotionals".



I started with well known authors, whom I had developed a trust, for speaking the truth.



I searched until I found one that suited me.



It had a short daily reading assignment, in the Bible, along with a few paragraphs, by the author, on making the scripture relevant.



The DAILY reading assignment was important, that helped keep me accountable each day of the week.



It was relevant and meaningful. And I started to look forward to reading everyday. Then I would even expand my reading further as I looked up "bonus" scriptures that went with the text.



I also made a promise to myself, that I would not read the newspaper, or any other publication, until I read God's word.



Do I miss days? Yes, I have. But, it is a rare occurrence now that I have my "accountability partner", my daily devotional.

My Shelter-It works for me!

Several weeks ago I talked about having a "shelter", a hiding place.

Often, a "little" shelter will suffice. A hot bath, back rub, getting my nails done, curling up with a good book, coffee with a friend...you get the idea.

But a few weeks ago, I told my man, Curt, that I felt a "need" for some serious hiding to happen!

So, Sunday afternoon, we were off to northern Missouri, to a beautiful cabin tucked away among hundreds of peaceful acres. A gift of respite, through the gracious,generous hands, of our brother and sister-in-law who let us stay there.

48 glorious hours. No Internet, no cell phone, no TV. NO PROBLEM!!

The GIFT of a NAP!

A Nap. Sometimes, I just NEED one.

Not always, WANT one. There is just to much to do! But sometimes, somebody, just needs to send me to my room for a NAP.

Last week, my 22 year old son, Levi, was home with me. I was dragging and cranky. Really out-of-sorts. I have no idea why. I just WAS.

About 1:00, he took one look at me, and said, "Mom, you need a nap". Just like that. No disrespect in his voice or authoritative tone.

I came up with all kind of excuses for not taking a "time out" nap. Levi listened, looked at me again, and repeated himself. "Mom, you really need a nap".

So, I did nap. Two whole hours of blissful sleep.

How long can one lay prone, in slumber, and still call it a nap?

I felt so much better when I awoke. Ready to forge ahead with a better attitude.

I even thanked Levi for suggesting it.

The Nap, it is a wonderful gift!

Tennis shoes, teens and time

The pile of shoes, in the bottom pictue, collects on my sun room floor every Wednesday evening.

These shoes belong to teens. Teens who struggle, wonder, question, debate and search for firm ground, to stand upon, in their beliefs.

The slippers in the top picture, wait in the living room, on Wednesday evening, for their owners. Parents who have struggled, wondered, questioned, and searched for firm ground, to stand upon, in their beliefs, and have FOUND IT!

Many Wednesday evenings, as parents, we long for our slippers. To wind down and start to bid "farewell" to the day. It takes all the energy we can summon to "welcome" 20, high-energy adolescents into our home.

I am just being honest. I do not always see it as the privilege I should. And it IS a honor. That these young people, with all the choices of activities offered to them, CHOOSE to be here. At my house, learning on WHOM they can stand upon.