Home Alone

I had a beautiful Saturday in Amsterdam. Right now Alice and her daughters are attending a birthday party, so I am home alone. Yikes! I don't speak a word of Dutch, so even logging in to my blog account is tricky for me without Alice here. I had to guess what my "Gebruikersnaam" was, then my "Wachtwoord" and then what do do when it said "Aanmelden". Somehow, I landed here!

Here are some of my first impressions of Amsterdam: It is a city alive with the colors of Spring! Blooms are everywhere and people take great pride in their lawns and gardens. These are just a few of the sights that I see as I walk throughout the neighborhood. These flowers were just along the sidewalk. Sorry they are so blurry!

This one is for Laura. Here are the tulips you requested. Aren't they gorgeous!?! I took this picture at a flower market in the city. You can buy a huge bouquet of tulips for about $5.00.

Wisteria for Karen and Harv. Does this remind you of your wedding?

This couple is planning for their wedding. We met them on Thursday and their wedding is today (Saturday). They were purchasing these tulips for their big day. The tulips they selected were a very delicate, soft pink. The funny thing is, the couple isn't even Dutch!

Alice and I take long walks every day. Here is Alice beside one of the many trees that are in bloom this week.

Here I am, next to one of the many canals.

Today we were in the city of Doorn and I took my first pictures of windmills. I will post those later and share all the fascinating new historical facts that I learned.

Amsterdam

I'm here! I arrived safely on Wednesday morning. When I got off the plane, I searched and searched for Alice. She is the friend that I am visiting here in Holland. We were college room mates in 1974 and haven't seen each other since then. I waited and waited, sat on a bench, paniced, wondered if I should call Bill...then I retraced my steps. I saw a woman talking to a camera crew...she sort of looked like Alice from the back, but I couldn't see her face. I called, "Alice?" It was her! She was being interviewed for a TV show called Hello/Goodbye. They hang around at the airport looking for interesting stories. They caught our first encounter on film, so now we may be on TV in the Fall!

It was wonderful to see her again after so many years! We have been have so many long walks down memory lane, and now we are making new memories.

Yesterday, she took me on a LONG walk through the city, pointing out areas of interest. I see many tour groups on the streets, and I'm so thankful I get to see the city of Amsterdam through the eyes of my friend.

Today is Friday and I woke up very late. I think the jet lag kicked in big time! The weather is much cooler today, but I think I will walk to the Van Goegh museum and take in some more sights. I've taken many pictures, but need to figure out how to unload them. When I do, I can post some of them here. More to come....Hugs to all!

Great Singer!

I just watched an inspiring video. The "powers that be" will not allow it to be embedded, but you should be able to access it through You Tube if you click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-KiGva9dV4 I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Lima Beans In Paper Cups

How many of you have ever done this project...or have had kids that have had this project? I was reminded of planting seeds when I taught this week. My student, Valeria, proudly came home with her little paper cup which housed a developing lima bean. It reminded me of a favorite story of mine...a story that seems particularly good to remember as we celebrate our Savior's resurrection.

Someone once said, "The only difference between burying and planting is the expectation." When Valeria planted her lima bean, I'm sure she fully expected it to sprout. I remember planting a seed in a paper cup with one of our children and encouraging the little seed on a daily basis. We would faithfully stand over the paper cup and shout, "Come on little seed! You can do it!" (What we don't do for our kids!) We fully expected that seed to grow when we planted it.

We have also buried things with our kids. When our cat, Max, that we had forever, finally breathed his last, we had quite an elaborate ceremony in our backyard when we buried our beloved pet. When we buried Max, none of us expected him to come back. None of us (that I know of) stood over the burial spot and said, "Come on, Max. You can do it! Come back!" Nope, we knew he was gone and that we would never see him again.

That is what's meant by the difference between burying something and planting something...it's the expectation.

And that's why the resurrection gives hope to the believer. Because of Christ, we have the expectation - no, the certainty! - that we will rise again. And so will our loved ones, if they are believers. Death can't keep us in the ground.

My daughter, Laura took a test on Facebook. It was meant to find out what theologian she was...she turned out to be Martin Luther! She was soooo disappointed! She wanted to be John Calvin (like her mother!). But I like Martin Luther. I especially like what he said about the resurrection. He said that everyday is a resurrection day...to the believer, everyday is Easter. I like that. That gives me hope!

He Is Risen! He Is Risen, Indeed!

Tomorrow is Easter. My life has hope because of what was accomplished on Easter! What wonder, what awe! What a joy to be able to say, with certainty, "I know that my Redeemer liveth!"

God Is Great, God Is Good

I just got an email five minutes ago. It was from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. They were informing me that they were unable to cover me for an insurance plan. No reason given - "details will follow", they said. (It must be they found out about my chocolate addiction) Normally, I would be freaking out at this point. It was bad enough having pneumonia and not being covered. So why am I not freaking out, you ask? Today Bill was asked if he would be willing to join the company. That speaks very highly of his work. They like his drawings and his work ethics and want to keep him on. That means that I will have insurance again! That means that I won't have to search for my own policy again! That means that when there are holidays, Bill will get paid. I know that God is good ALL the time, but things like this just melt my heart...God, once again, graciously met my needs before I even knew I had a need.

Another thing I am thankful for is my precious husband. He is 69 years old! 69 and he still faithfully gets up every morning and goes to work. He doesn't want to. He's tired. He's 69. But he does it because that's what it takes to meet the needs of his family. Katrina wiped us out. We have no retirement anymore. And Social Security isn't looking so secure these days. So he faithfully goes to work everyday. Somedays it makes me so mad. Somedays I want to shout, "This is unfair!!! Why can't Bill just retire? Why can't he just relax and take trips like other 69 year old men??!!!" Until that day happens, I get to witness a man of character; a man that faithfully provides without complaining. Thank you, God, for insurance, and thank you, God, for Bill.

Autism

Today is Autism Awareness Day. Many families struggle with this diasabilty on a daily basis. Please take a moment and pray for those of us that live with Autism and please ask God to give researchers wisdom to find a cure.

This video sheds such joy and hope into a world that can be very ugly and dark and discriminating. Enjoy!

Unbelievable!

Our oldest daughter was worried about me. She said I hadn't written on my blog or on Facebook for a while. Well, now you know why! Quite honestly, Bill and I are in a state of shock and we are still trying to process this unexpected news. We hope you will understand now, why you haven't heard from us and why we are laughing so hard because....... it is April Fool's Day!!!!

Sorry, I couldn't resist! Here's two cute April Fool's Day pranks that were played on tv. The first one is a classic. It was first shown on tv in 1957. This has always been one of my favorites.


And here's a newer prank that appeared on tv.



Happy April Fool's Day everyone!

Have you ever seen this program? It is a delightful family overcoming everyday obstacles. The parents are both "little people" as is one of their sons. I encourage you all to watch the new episode that will air on Monday, March 23. Amy, the mother, takes the children to Biloxi, Mississippi. Together, she and the children help people that are STILL recovering from Katrina. I am so thankful that this program will cast much needed light on the plight of my friends that are still fighting daily against the horrible devastation that Katrina left behind. Life will never be the same for these people. They are forced to find a new "normal".

Anyway, I hope you will look for this program. It airs on Monday around 8:00 pm and is on TLC. Thanks! Hugs!

It's Spring!!!!

Yeah! We made it! Can you feel Spring in the air? Here in Houston the azaleas are in bloom and the weather is beautiful. I love this time of year in the South...perfect temperatures, no humidity, and all the flowers are in bloom.

And speaking of Spring, this is the day of year that my 5th grade science teacher showed us how we could balance an egg because of the "vernal equinox" or something like that. Turns out, it's an urban legend. You can balance an egg any day of the year. All it takes is a steady hand and some patience...who knew?

I'm feeling so much better today! I am in awe of the way God designed our bodies and the way they recover...it was like everyday I could feel myself getting a little healthier, a little stronger...and finally I'm a giant step towards being back to "normal". The 2 ton elephant that was sitting on my chest has finally left the building!!! Health is such a treasure.

Enjoy your health! Enjoy Spring! Hugs!

I'm Back!

Ewww! This is bad....very bad!!!! I have once again neglected my poor little blog. But I do have a good reason. The last time I made an entry, I was in Mobile. I flew back on Monday, March 9, and on Tuesday, March 10 I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with every "-itis" known to mankind! Bronchitis, sinusitis, and conjunctivitis to be exact. So I started a round of antibiotics, didn't feel better - in fact, felt worse! So I returned yesterday, convinced I had strep throat, but I may have pneumonia. They are loading me up with drugs - enough to perhaps single-handedly increase the value of pharmaceutical stocks!!! Anyway, if I don't improve, I am to report for a chest x-ray on Thursday and possibly be admitted to the hospital so I can get breathing treatments. I feel certain, however, that I will soon feel much better. I have to admit, though, the last few days (and especially nights!) have not been fun - kind of like a 2 ton elephant is sitting on my chest at all times. This is the first day that I have felt remotely close to sitting at the computer, so I know I'm improving! But I can also tell it's time to get back in bed, so I'll leave you with this interesting bit of kitchen wisdom...who knew peeling potatoes could be so easy!?!

Mobile

Isn't Mobile beautiful? I'm here right now. Yesterday our youngest daughter, Elise, called us from urgent care. She had just seen the Dr., had a chest x-ray, and was told she has pneumonia. Of course, all I wanted to do was be with her as soon as possible! Bill found a cheap flight, and I flew in last night. I leave on Monday evening, It's a quick trip, but a joy to be with Elise...even if she's sick!

Back Home

City of Biloxi

The New Ocean Springs - Biloxi Bridge

The Bridge After Katrina
Beautiful Biloxi Lighthouse

Ewww! I've really neglected my little blog! Sorry, people...let me catch you up on my recent "happenings".

First of all, one week ago I drove, all by myself (!), to Biloxi, MS. For you "Yankees", make sure you say "Bil - uhx - eee", not Bil- ox-ee. There is nothing that grates on a Southerners ears worse than saying the name of this beloved city incorrectly! Anywho, I had a wonderful trip and stayed with my friend, Charlotte Rhett. On Saturday morning, I spoke at our former church. We met at 9 am for breakfast (man, those ladies can cook!), I spoke from 9:30 - 10:30, we took a little break, and then I spoke again from 11:00 to noon. The ladies prepared a WONDERFUL salad luncheon, and then I spoke again from 1 - 2. We had such a great time together, laughing and crying and sharing our hearts! Elise was able to drive over from Mobile, and it was just plain wonderful to spend time with her! She reminds me WAY too much of myself when I was her age!

After the meeting, Elise and I headed back to her place - Mobile, Alabama is about an hour east of Biloxi. We relaxed and went out to dinner with some of her friends. On Sunday, we met up with Tony and went out for brunch. I left for home on Monday morning at 6 am. I was hoping to teach in the afternoon, but I was pretty wiped out from the long drive, so I went home and crawled in bed!

Here are a few pictures of Biloxi - past and present. It was great to return and catch up with "Sisters on the Coast"! God richly blessed our time together, and I now have the speaking bug! I will be preparing a brochure to send to churches, letting them know about me, my topics that I speak on, etc. So many people prayed for me over the weekend and God showed His faithfulness in many ways. Thanks for all of your encouragement and prayers! Hugs.

Lamanin

Still working on my talk for Saturday! Yikes! I wonder if other speakers have this much difficulty. Anyway, tonight I'm busy writing the session that will be about Yahweh - the Great I AM. I ran across the title of a book that captured my attention, I Am Not, But I Know I AM. When I Googled the author's name, this video came on. I think I received an email a long time ago about this, but this video made more of an impact on me. It is well worth the eight minutes it takes to watch it. It gives a fresh perspective Colossions 1:6...and in Him all things hold together.

Fear

Do any of you struggle with fear? I sure do! Have all my life. And Satan is on to me. He knows exactly where to attack me. It's happening again. One week from today I have my first official "Wow! I'm getting paid for this" speaking engagement. Don't get me wrong - I love to speak. I have done it for years and I find no greater thrill than getting up in front of people and sharing my heart. That's one of the things that drew me to teaching - that, and realizing I couldn't make a living from shopping or eating chocolate. I digress.

I haven't been sleeping well, I've been sick, I've had writer's block. And now I'm afraid. I'm afraid because I keep telling myself things like, "I don't have anything great to share with those women next week". I even asked my husband if I should just call the whole thing off. Maybe the retreat could be rescheduled for...Oh, I don't know...maybe 2017?!?!

But then I started working on my outline, looking again at Psalm 23, reminding myself that the LORD is my Shepherd. One of the first sessions I have with the women will be about the meaning of the name LORD. And as I studied the character of our Shepherd, it was as if someone applied balm to my heart...I calmed right down. He restored my fearful heart once again. And as I studied, I started humming a song that I haven't heard in forever, In the Presence of Jehovah. I looked it up on You Tube, and sure enough, it was on there. I'll post it here for ya'll to see and I trust the words and the music will be a blessing.

And one more thing...I was watching an interview of Robin Roberts last night. She is a co-host on Good Morning America. She also grew up just down the Coast from us in Mississippi and did A lot to focus on the plight of our state after Hurricane Katrina. She has written a book and now it's in paperback so she's on the interview circuit. Something she said struck a chord with me...Let your mess be the message. That, in essence, is what I hope to do next Saturday. I'll share my mess and share how God was able to turn it all into something for my good and His glory. If you have a moment, I sure would appreciate your prayers. Thanks and Hugs

No! Say It Isn't So!

Okay, so I'm having this perfect little "Pollyanna" type day, when suddenly I am slapped in the face with this dose of reality...scientists think we may soon run out of chocolate!!!! If you don't believe me, here's a brief quote from ABC News: Scientists say that now it is chocolate's sustainability that needs to be monitored. The Ghana-based Nature Conservation Research Center warns that chocolate may become as rare and expensive as caviar within 20 years.
A number of factors, including climate change, are affecting the farming and production of cacao, or the cocoa plant.
Be still my heart! I feel like I need to stop this blog writing nonsense right now and run to the corner Walgreen's so I can stockpile the Valentine Day leftovers! I mean, if this is true, just think of the ramifications. The dessert menus would totally lose their appeal. I don't know about you, but "Death by Carrot Cake" just doesn't excite me. Neither does "Hot Molten Key Lime Pie" or "Peanut Butter Covered Strawberries".

Chocolate lovers, unite! Pardon me while I grab a Snickers and ponder a solution to this horrible dilemma...

Weekend Recap

As I reported yesterday, I'm sick. Don't know what it is exactly, but I have a sore, sore throat, a cough, and am basically pretty tired. I'm thankful the headache is finally gone. Bill just left for church and I've been up since forever and have reached my fill of worship services on TV. Today will be a quiet day, and I think I'll be in bed for most of it.

Despite not feeling well, I had a wonderful Valentine's Day weekend. On Friday, my friend and English student, Ligia, invited me to a genuine Mexican meal. She fixed Pollo con mole and it was delicious. (No, Nancy, that's NOT mole as in the rodent!) She then presented me with a gift. Ligia made me a beautiful cross-stitch of my name. She told me that someday soon she will return to Mexico, so she wanted something special that would remind me of our special times together! I cried! When she greeted me at the door, she had a sparkle in her eye when I told her she smelled good. She used to always comment on how much she liked my perfume, so I gave her some for Christmas and she was wearing it. But that perfume has a story of its own...I bought her the perfume in November...it was wrapped and ready to give to her way before Christmas. One day, however, when we were shopping, I took her to the counter for her to smell some of the other fragrances, and there was one that she absolutely LOVED. It reminded her of her grandmother, whom she dearly loves. It smelled like the orange blossoms in her grandmother's yard and the smell conjured up many good childhood memories. Well, you already know what I did next...I returned to the store and exchanged what I bought earlier for the other scent. Ok, that being explained, it brings us up to Ligia and the sparkle in her eye. With broken English she told me how much she liked the perfume I gave her, but she returned it(!!!!) and exchanged it for what I bought her. She said she wanted something that would remind her of her teacher. Isn't that just so sweet! I'm telling you, I have the greatest job in the world.

Then, I came home and baked a cake for a get-together with friends from church. I made something that I hadn't made in years...Texas sheet cake. Now that I actually live in Texas, I thought it would be a good idea to resurrect that recipe.

When we arrived and I placed the cake on the table, one guy asked, "Is that Mississippi Mud?" The two cakes do look a lot alike...I just thought it was funny that I would make Texas Sheet cake in MS. and MS Mud cake in Texas. Is there a recipe that starts with "Michigan" that I can start baking?

Later that evening my husband presented me with a beautiful bouquet of roses and the most lovely card he has ever given me. Thank you, honey! I know everyone thinks their husband is the best, but mine really is the greatest!

And speaking of Bill, he went to the dealer to have them check out his breaks and they are totally destroyed...THE WHOLE BREAK SYSTEM!!! I'm so very thankful this wasn't discovered in some catastrophic way as he was traveling to work! The mechanic said someone put in something other than break fluid. A month ago, during an oil change, he was told he needed break fluid, so he told them to go ahead. Apparently, it wasn't the right stuff and now we are faced with a HUGE bill.

That's it...time to get back in bed...HUGS!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! I had BIG plans...but, unfortunately, I got sick. I'm hoping it's only a 24 hour kind of bug, but I'm still feeling pretty "pewny" (as they say in the South!). I'll write more when I feel better, but I wanted to share this beautiful email that was sent to me today. This is from Sandra, a lady I met at the airport one week ago. My ordinary heart overflows with the extraordinary ways God appears and shows His love!!!




Lin and Gary,
Last weekend I went to Chicago to visit Dan and Annie. On the return trip my flight was scheduled to have a layover in Houston. While waiting to board the plane in Chicago, I began talking to a lovely woman sitting next to me.While we waited in line to board we continued our conversation and she told me that she had lived in Biloxi before Katrina and that she and her husband were now in Houston. She explained that they had lost everything in Katrina and after a few months her husband had gone on to Houston to find work and she had remained in the Biloxi area for her daughter to finish her senior year of high school with her friends. I mentioned that I was from Vicksburg and she immediately asked did I by chance know a dentist named Gary . . . and before she could say the last name I finished with Cheslek. The connection was so very special to both of us. It was plain to both of us that the two of you have touched so any lives. Joyce said that she had been a grade school friend of yours and that all three of you went to high school together. She asked that I give you her new email address - that ya'll had lost contact after her family had moved.
Thanks to both of you for all of the love you have shared with so many.
Love in Christ,
Sandy Berry

Lin and I grew up together in Grand Rapids. She and her husband are the only people that I know that live in Vicksburg, MS. So there I was, standing in line next to a woman from MS., in an airport in Chicago! And she knows Lin and her husband! Lin and Gary moved down there to work with Dr. Boelens. Dr. Boelens worked for years in the Delta of Mississippi and served the poorest of the poor. He opened several clinics in order for these people to receive necessary medical as well as spiritual and emotional care. It's quite a moving story.

That was my early Valentine's Day gift from God!

Blog Borrowing

I saw this on another blog and thought it was so cute. As a teacher and as a parent, I can relate to how easily communication can become misunderstood!

Dear Mrs. Jones,

I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot.From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Smith

Home, Sweet Home

I agree with with my ruby-slippered friend Dorothy - there's no place like home! I made blunder after blunder the whole weekend. Today when I checked in, once again I was asked for my ID and once again I could not find it! Not for the life of me! Finally I checked some obscure place in my purse, and there it was. Why it was there, I haven't a clue. I'm just thankful I found it and could head home. But not before going through security. I kept beeping. Took off my belt - I beeped. Took off my watch - I beeped. Took off my ear rings - I beeped. Finally, they pulled me off to the side and I had a friendly "scan" with a wand. URG! The whole time this little girl gawked at me with open mouth as if she was seeing her very first evil type person! I felt so humiliated! It turned out to be my underwire! My husband's comment when I told him? "Well, at least no you know what not to wear next time you travel!" Yeah, right! Like that's ever going to happen!! And the grand finale? I stood at the conveyor belt for 20 minutes and never saw my luggage, only to realize I was standing in the area for Jet Blue - I flew Southwest! Oh man, am I getting too old to travel?

One little story to tell you. I stayed in this great little hotel that I've never heard of - City Quarters. It's really a private hotel for business execs, but I got it through Priceline. It was an old building from the 1920's and had some beautiful architectural features. The little guy at the front desk took a liking to me and gave me a free upgrade, so I had a really nice little suite. It was within walking distance of all the fun things, and Chicago had unseasonably mild weather over the weekend, so I did a lot of walking. Yesterday I was having breakfast in a little cafe, and did some intent people-watching. I just LOVE to do that! Anyway, I saw a lady with a group of about 8 high school girls. Before they ate, I noticed that she said quite a lengthy prayer. It warmed my heart! Before I left, I walked over to their table and told them how they had been a blessing to me as I observed their time of prayer. They were in town from Iowa and were visiting Moody Bible College. They had just come back from hearing Franklin Graham speak. Ok, time to put away my stuff and get ready for the week ahead.