Maine expedition

This is Ella trying to get Rachel to hide she had not had a turn yet so Dorothy was showing her how to get her up. She entertained us all that night.

This is Ella, her dad Michael(my cousin) and Dorothy (my aunt). Ella was counting and she had grabbed this coaster and it helped her find whoever was hiding and when she hid she would hand it to whoever was looking for her. She is so cute.

This is mom and Aunt Pam. Pam is the one who introduced mom and dad. She had been mom's best friend and had married my dad's oldest brother so when mom was visiting her, my dad came over to play with my cousin Derek and they met. Mom said there were no sparks whatsoever for either of them the first time they met.

Here is me and my daddy he was afraid to have me sit in his lap because he had already broken the table that was in front of us and he did not want to break anything else. Not sure who he is staring at with that look on his face. Looks guilty to me.

Here is me on Santa's knee on Christmas Eve. Santa is my cousin Darren who is actually only a year older than me. Every year we get together on Christmas Eve and one of the Uncle's or now cousin's dresses up like Santa and our parents bring gifts for him to give us. It is a great tradition the only thing is we are all sort of old for that but I still enjoy it. My cousin Andrew is sitting beside him.

Here is the Christmas tree before, you can't really tell but those presents were stacked up behind and to the sides and smashed under there, there was just not enough room for all of them under there when there really wasn't room for the tree.

Here is me helping Grandpa with the shirt that I got for him. While we opened presents he was busy taking all the tags and stickers off of his shirts and sweaters we got him. He is such a generous man he kept offering me half of his chocolate santa but I kept showing him I had one and that was all for him.

This is the annual Christmas picture we take every year in front of the tree, not sure how many years we have been doing this but they are always wonderful. Sometimes I crawl under the tree as a present. I am obviously the cuddly one.

This was the night after Christmas that we had snowfall again. It was coming down in chunks not a flake to be found. We were ecstatic about it.

This is our Uncle Turkey. He started calling us the turkey twins when we were little, not sure why but when we were old enough we started calling him Uncle Turkey.

Here is Ginger and her husband Adam, good people.

This is Bonsai, she is actually my cat but she is old and I did not want her to die on me. She likes to sit by the radiators, if you can't find her look at all those and she really surprised us when we found her up on the desk.

This is me chasing the seagulls by the time I got even close they were off but you can still see some of them in this shot.

Me, Kelly, Ginger and Rachie at the beach. Ginger and Kelly are our long time friends.

Rock climbing, Ginger's husband was our photographer, such a nice guy.

Short Sands in York, Maine

The girls on the beach

The ocean

Down on the Farm

I'm down on bended knee, I actually ran (well as well as you can run on ice) and slide down to her like this, guess you can't really tell that.

I actually could not skate on the pond which is what we are on because there was a huge bubble in the middle taking over like the whole thing so my skate would get stuck in it. I skated on the field actually because the ground was frozen the creek overflowed into the field.

Skating superstar.

Oh girl dat's my jam.

Break break down Rachie's steady breaking it on down.

Don't worry we were not driving in a single one of these pictures. Although I did drive it when I was about 6 years old and maybe earlier.

That is me too cool for my car or uh tractor.

Beware hot momma in the seat

Mom did not tell us she was ready because we were not.

Me and My Daddy I think football is on so that is what is distracting him.

Fascination with Death

This is the burial ground on the farm. That is part of a cow's pelvis sticking up there. In September there was a calf that somehow hung itself in the fence I guess it is not a hanging when it's feet are on the ground, but she strangled herself and was found dead. A cow was put down when we were there because she could no longer get up. Then there was a stillborn calf. They just get put on top and covered with some manure.

Yes this is me holding a cow thigh bone. There was still some decomposing flesh on it and when I finally got a whiff of it I was gagging, but could stop enough to take the picture.

For My Momma

This post is for you mom here are some more pictures from Maine. On my lunch which is extended today I will get the rest of the pictures and post more but here are some others I did not post yesterday.

Here is your little drama queen posing while you kept marching on.

Here is Rachie in the same spot posing looking too cool for school.

Here is you and Rachie on the Marginal way. You look like an Eskimo in every one of the pictures so far. And you have a goofy face in each one too. Ok after 1 some thing I will have more pictures to post for you.

Maine Pictures

The first set of Maine pictures have now arrived and since I have nothing else productive to do at work I will post some of them for your pleasure.

I think this one was taken the day we got there in the afternoon. Grandpa was dressed and ready for church which he does about 4-5 times every day, sometimes on Sunday he will dress for work on the farm, he is so very confused. He is reading the paper and has fallen asleep. It amazes me how he can keep the paper up while sleeping and he was in a pretty deep sleep because he was snoring.
This next picture of my dad on the job. He absolutely loves farming and has lost a lot of weight from the labor. His pants were all baggy and saggy on him and it made me laugh. He said he was leaving room for when he has to wear diapers.
This last shot is of me on the Marginal Way in Ogunquit Maine, this is where dad proposed to mom almost 27 years ago. Mom is also in her Eskimo garb and was making a goofy face although you can't see it. I wanted a cute picture and she had to mess with it.
We miss it all so much and long to go back as soon as possible. Mostly because mom and dad. We are very lucky to have such a close relationship with our parents and who would have thought we would love the day that we could spend time with them. I think there was only one day that we really just spend with our friends and not with at least mom. Dad had to work pretty much every day so we did not get to spend much quality time with him. But the time we did was great.

Brings Tears to Your Eyes

Over Christmas I got a Nicole Nordeman's Mystery CD and found a song on the end that brings tears to my eyes about every time I hear it.

"Why"
We rode into town the other day
Just me and my daddy
He said I had finally reached that age
And I could ride next to him on a horse
That of course was not quite as wide
We heard a crowd of people shouting
And so we stopped to find out why
There was that man that my dad said he loved
But today there was fear in his eyes
So I said daddy why are they screaming
Why are the faces of some of them beaming
Why is he dressed in that bright purple robe
I bet that crown hurts him more than he shows
Daddy please can't you do something
He looks as though he is going to cry
You said he was stronger than all of those guys
Daddy please tell me why,
Why does everyone want him to die.
Later that day the sky grew cloudy
And daddy said I should go inside
Somehow he knew things would get stormy
Boy was he right
But I could not help from wondering if there was something he had to hide
So after he left I had to find out
I was not afraid of getting lost
So I followed the crowd to a hill
Where I knew men had been killed
And I heard a voice come from the cross
And it said Father why are they screaming
Why are the faces of some of them beaming
Why are they casting their lots for my robe
This crown of thorns hurts me more than it shows
Father please can't you do something
I know that you must hear my cry
I thought I could handle a cross of this size
Father remind me why
Why does everyone want me to die
When will I under stand why
My precious son I hear them screaming
I am watching the face of the enemy beaming
But soon I will clothe you in robes of my own
Jesus this hurts me more than you know
But this dark hour I must do nothing
Though I have heard your unbearable cry
The power in your blood destroys all of the lies
Soon you will see past their unmerciful eyes
Look there below see the child
Trembling by her fathers side
Now I can tell you why
She is why you must die.

It takes me back to the movie the Passion that reduces me to tears everytime I see it. I like to watch it, it seems to make my heart softer and brings a reminder of the selfless blood that was shed for me when I so many times get so caught up in myself and things that I forget why I am here. Not only was Jesus blood shed for me but by me. I am one who caused him to die. It always brings tears to my eyes when I partake of the Lord's supper. May I walk in a manner that brings Him praise continually.

Maine-The Way Life Should Be

We have now officially have been back from Maine for 4 days and are longing to return. We are even starting to make some plans to move back up there, if the Lord wills. While up there our hearts were stirred a lot by all the family and friends to move back. Grandpa's condition, which is deteriorating at a rapid pace also makes that desire even stronger. When you are in Grandpa's presence he has an idea of who you are although not your name but once you are out of sight he has no idea who you are. He has told other aunts and uncles that he does not know who is living in his house with him on occasion when they take him to have dinner.
I know mom would probably like to work part time even just on weekends and that may be possible if we were to move up there. Being a farmer pretty much controls your life so really the only opportunity for dad to see us is when we come up there and that is hard for him. Even on the farm the air smells a lot sweeter up there. I love snow and a winter where we have temperatures of 70 just is not right to me.
In the past two months I have been looking at going to get my bachelor's in Photography but there is not a single school in Arkansas that offers that as a major, UALR offers a minor but I am no good at drawing, which would have to be my major. But in New England almost every school offers Photography degrees. And as my Aunt was saying there are plenty of dentists and teeth in Maine that Rachel could work on.
One major con is the churches up there. Rachel and I remembered that the sermon's were very short at my Grandfather's church but were brutally reminded when we went to church. It seemed that I had just started taking notes when he was closing in prayer. If we moved up there we would not attend church there but rather Eliot Baptist, where they have expositional teaching and the sermons are about 40 rather than 15 minutes.
Our lease is not up until September 30 so if we do move this year that is when we would be moving.

Luke 9:23
And He was saying to them all, " If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

My Legacy

On my dad's side of the family we are greatly blessed to have a firm Christian legacy. My grandmother and grandfather greatly feared God and raised their children in that fear. And only 2 out of 9 have not followed in that legacy.

I am always reminded of the blessing it is when I come to visit. Grandma was taken to her Lord and Savior 3 years ago in March but Grandpa in his own words, "is still making it." When asked how he is doing.

Patience is necessary when talking with him and especially for living with him. He has severe dementia so every day is Sunday to him and he is so antsy to go to church. Many times we will have to send him back to change about 3 times on an especially confusing day. No matter what he forgets he is always remembers the Lord. He reads his Bible every night. Now some nights he has to be reminded. He then prays for us all. The family was even in the paper when dad was a child because they filled a whole church pew every Sunday.

He has such wit too. I was telling him at about 9:30 pm that it was past his bedtime and he said well I will just go to sleep right now and tilted his head back and started snoring. He also was saying something the other day and I answered him and then he mocked me. Mom had to point out that he was making fun of me and I told her I was very aware aware that was what he was doing.

I love how he sits with his paper open in his hands and nods off. He often sits on the couch and looks through his magazines that he has gone through a million times. Today he came in from his chores and sat down on the couch and found a piece of hay. He said what do we have here, do you want this, it is worth ten dollars and twenty seven cents. The man is still quick. I have the best Grandpa in the world and had the best Grandma in the world. He misses her a lot, he was a one woman man there was none before her and none to follow.

Vacation Time

Tomorrow we take off for Maine. YEAH!! How exciting is that? Let me tell you I am like a kid before Christmas. I have been rendered completely useless at work and keep talking about and fidgiting until the day passes. I have decided to use some of my many sick hours and leave after lunch today, I could not make it through the whole day. I have all of one faculty member here today and she has yet to give me work so once again I play my games and update my blog.

I am so ready to be in Maine and run to my mommy's arms. Yes I am a momma's girl. Then come home and find daddy and he may just cry to see us. It has been almost a year since I have seen my daddy. Mom got to come and visit in April but that was long ago too.

I learned how much of my daddy is in me last night. Mom called and she was telling me that daddy had found one of the fluffy kittens in the old heifer barn that morning and she had frozen to death, she was one of his favorites. Mom said he was quite upset when he brought her little body into the breezeway. Some how she did not get into the barn where it was warm and the temperature had been -1 the night before. That would have broke my heart too. I would probably try to warm her and bring her back to life. We are both lovers of animals. I attempted to save two robin chicks that had fallen out of a nest over our old backyard, one died and the next day when I found the second one I just took it to a vet that will care for wild animals and let them go. I could not see another one die on my time.

Back to the trip. We are taking off at 5:30 in the morning and our dear friend, Naomi is sacrificng her morning sleep to drop us off. I am not sure I will be able to sleep tonight. I have never ever been really good about sleeping the night before traveling. I just love to travel and the anticipation kills me. Now don't get me wrong I could do without the tiny plane, and want to pass out when I get on them but they are a necessary evil. Not only are we traveling but we are going to see our family. And Grandpa's dementia gets worse as the days go on, so who knows if he will even remember us next time. My cousin who comes over about once a week has to introduce himself each time as his grandson.

Promises Ring True

Isaiah 41:10
'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Last night in Bible study we talked about Luke 8:22-25, where Jesus calms the storm but not before His disciples begin to fear and can't find their faith. How this has reigned true for me in the past few weeks with the minimal trials I have gone through. I am so quick to fret and panic and wonder what I can do, but aside from God's work in my life I can do nothing but fail. Another promise that comes to mind is Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Our lives exist to please God and when our faith can't be found we are not doing that. Oh I pray that we may be found faithful and pleasing in His sight no matter what may befall us.

Today's reading was in Isaiah and Isaiah 53:4-5 came alive to me through a song I love.
Isaiah 53:4-5
Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

The song is:
Healed
by Nicole Nordeman

We stuttered and we stammered til you save us
A symphony of chaos til you play us
Phrases on the pages of unknown
Until you read us into poetry and prose
We are kept and we are captive til you free us
Vaguely unimagined til you dream us
Aimlessly unguided til you lead us home

And by your voice we speak
And by your strength no longer weak,
we are no longer weak

And by your wounds we are healed
tell me what kind of love is this
and by your wounds we are healed

Passed over and passed by until you claim us
Orphaned and abandoned until you name us
Hidden and disclosed til you expose our hearts

And by your death we live
It is by your gift we might give
We might give

And by your wounds we are healed
Tell me what kind of love is this
And by your wounds we are healed

And what kind of love
Would take your shame
And spill His blood for you
Save us by his wounds

By your wounds we are healed
Tell me what kind of love is this
And by your wounds we are healed
What kind of love
By your wounds we are oh
Tell me what kind of love is this
By your wounds we are healed, healed

Thanksgiving Fun

I just got back some pictures from Thanksgiving so I thought I would share some classics moments in the life of the Johnson girls.

This first one is of Rachel on Monster Piece Theatre. Please tell me you remember that from Sesame Street. This was on Thanksgiving day after we had stuffed ourselves with food, that Rachel decided to indulge in some classic literature. If I am not mistaken this is really an atlas. Poor girl is a little confused. Blame the tryptophan.

This would be me the day after Thanksgiving. Let's take into account I am one of those crazy people who get up at 5 to shop and did so until about 8:30 then took a short nap hence the bags and dark circles. This being our first time to have Thanksgiving without family, therefore no leftovers I decided to cook a turkey the day after Thanksgiving. I turned into Hannah-housewife and went to basting. This is me holding the turkeys heart in my hand and giving an evil laugh. I decided to live outside the box and eat the organs. They were good especially the heart.

This is me making the turkey dance. I also made it talk well gobble and I think I heard it accurately pronounce Andrew's middle name. Ok so I have a vast childlike imagination and am easily entertained, I admit it. I had a little too much fun with my dinner. Rachel was the sane one this day. We tend to balance each other out (one being sane the other insane), except on special occasions when we work off each other but that is entertaining for all.

How My Mind Works

It's the most wonderful time of the year. The air gets cold we huddle together to try to get warm. I get totally giddy as Christmas and the winter season approach. I have to admit, it is hard to take things in perspective and always keep a heavenly mind when the lust of the eyes, flesh and pride of life, try to rip us away from the Meaning of this time of year.

What a way to twist one of the most sacred holidays, if you really think about it. Let's put up the tree and then fuel greed and covetousness by giving gifts. This is the time of year when all sorts of pretty things are shown on commercials to fuel desire. How many times have I heard children see something on TV and then say I want that, I want that one, I need that, get that for me. It is hard to find someone who truly lives by, "it's the thought that counts" behind a present. If that were true, would we have a plight with the return lines the day after Christmas?

Christ has already given us the gift of Life, what more could we want, nothing more do we need. John 12:46 "I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. John 18:37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, " You say correctly that I am a king For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." This is the reason for our giving of gifts. Jesus came so we may really live, so that we could live up to all we were made for, so that we might escape eternal torment and the fires of what we really deserve. On top of that He makes sure we have everything we need. He promises we will not go without food, clothes and shelter. Our God provides but we still feel a void we think we can fill with love, toys, food or many other things.

* I Am *
by Nichole Nordeman
Pencil marks on a wall,
I wasn't always this tall
You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed.
You watched my team win, and watched my team lose
Watched when my bicycle went down again
When I was weak, unable to speak, still I could call You by name
And I said Elbow Healer, Superhero, come if you can You said, I Am

Only sixteen, life is so mean
What kind of curfew is at 10 pm?
You saw my mistakes and watched my heart break
Heard when I swore I'd never love again
When I was weak, unable to speak, still I could call You by name
And I said Heartache Healer, Secret Keeper, be my best friend
You said, I Am

You saw me wear white by pale candlelight
I said 'forever' to what lies ahead
Two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream
Too much it might seem when it is 2 am.
When I was weak, unable to speak, still I could call You by name
Oh, Shepherd Savior, Pasture Maker, hold on to my hand
You said, I Am

The winds of change and circumstance
Blow in and all around us
So we find a foothold that's familiar
And bless the moments that we feel you nearer

When life had begun I was woven and spun
You let the angels dance around the throne
Who can say when, but they'll dance again
When I am free and finally headed home
I will be weak, unable to speak, still I will call You by name
Creator, Maker, Life Sustainer
Comforter, Healer, My Redeemer
Lord and King, Beginning and the End
I Am, I Am

The Art

For some reason it is always this time of year when this song really hits home. The songs I love best speak my name the most or are encouraging to me with the certain things I am facing. God has proven Himself faithful to me time and time again and yet I keep getting in situations where I am just not trusting Him. For some reason I just keep thinking there is something I have to do, somehow put my hand in the situation, as if God hasn't kept everything going just fine thousands of years before me. The cycle has to be broken and I can only cry out to God to help me let go and watch and to see His work in me.

The Art
Rachael Lampa

This is all so beautiful
But how much of this will really be
Enough to keep me on my feet
This is how it feels, when it's for real
But how much can be invisible
Enough for me to just believe

And I'm chasing the wind
And ending up right where I began
I know that there's an art to starting over again
Knowing God will never waste the pain
You can only try so hard, to right a wrong
This song will only last so long
Life takes time, so let it live alone

I may never know why, I should just let it go
But do I really want a God that I can understand
Still I close my eyes, try to reason why
But since when do my desires, dominate the plan

And I'm chasing the wind
And ending up right where we begin
I know that there's an art to starting over again
Knowing God will never waste the pain
You can only try so hard, to right a wrong
This song will only last so long
Life is just the art of living on

And life is in slow motion
And when the silence is deafening
Hold on tight, you're gonna cry
There's always a reason why

I know that there's an art to starting over again
And I know that God will never waste my pain
You can only try so hard, to walk alone
This song will only last so long
Life is just the art of living on
It comes down to the art of living on

Early Christmas

It is an early Christmas I am having at work. My boss came by yesterday and gave me the cutest pottery angel that you can put a tea light in. She is about 10 inches tall and has stars punched out on her outfit so the candle light can shine through. Then like 2 hours before I was going to leave, one of the ladies in the purchasing department brought me my new scanner. We had both asked the dean's for one for both our offices and that was like 2 months ago, and they kept putting it off, so she made the executive decision to buy us both scanners. So I have a new scanner and wanted to share some great photos from my camera. These are from October when we went to the Little Rock Air Show.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's the Thunderbirds!

Here are all of the Thunderbirds.

Looks like they are going to crash doesn't it?

Here are they are flying practically on top of each other.

I am having all too much fun with this scanner.

Gratitude

This is like one of my favorite songs as of right now and I thought it would be very appropriate to put the lyrics in here because of recent events it hits home.

Gratitude
Nicole Nordeman

Send some rain would you send some rain
Because the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade.
Would you send a cloud thunder long and loud
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely you can see that we are thirsty and afraid.

Or maybe not, not today, maybe You'll provide another way
And if that's the case
We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain.

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies keep our children fed
Fill our cups and fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time

Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide another way and if that's the case
We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
At lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead
And if we never taste our bread

Oh the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need.

So grant us peace, Jesus grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight

Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away and if that's that case
We'll give thanks to you with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You

That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need, if you never grant us peace.
But Jesus would You please

Measure My Stress

This past week was a duzy and it brought me back to one of my weakest points, not freaking out when I am taken by surprise but trusting in God. Last week I was taken back when I got two notices from my bank that I had bounced checks. I freaked out and called to check where they came from. The first one I had written down that I had deposited some money but never did, validly my fault. Then the second I could not believe. So you can understand I will go back over a month ago. I ordered software online for a friend because I can get it cheaper working for the University, I get a educator's discount. So I ordered it and I had to send a copy of my check stub for verification. I made a copy and sent my check for payment. Well the check stub without the check attached does not bear the name UAMS and so I had made a copy of my ID but that has to have dates on it to be a veritable form of ID to them so they cancelled the order, and sent me an email. I did not understand so I called them she said it needed the school name on it or a date on my ID so I said ok I will just go online later and order it again. She did not tell me not to mail another check. I figured cancelled order cancelled check. So a few days later I order again and send a copy of my check stub with check attached and another check to pay. I get my order all is fine and dandy, that second check went through on the 7th of November, but things turn ugly on the 14th when they cash the first check. I bounced that check and the bank charges $17.43 per bounced check and from that one check I thought had been shredded made me bounce $52 some dollars worth of checks. That is the charges from the checks. I called the bank again and they said that I needed to call the company and they should cover the overdraft charges because it was no fault of my own that they cashed that check. I had to leave a message and the lady called back and left me a message that they could not cover it because they had no way to know, they checks they receive go straight to the bank, but if that were the case the first check would have been cashed in the middle of October. Not only that they had written the order number on my check so it seems they maliciously cashed that second check. I called and left a second message but she has not called back. I am very frustrated because I trusted they would not cash that check and I now have to pay $52 for their mistake. I am not going to call them anymore I have decided to let go. I know God is in control and I told myself this as the days have gone by, but it is so hard to believe when justice is really not being served. Then again if I got what I deserved I would be damned to hell eternally and worse, but I have been given grace. So I have let go and if God wants he will make these people pay for those charges he will, but if he does not I will still be thankful because I have learned to be more cautious with my money and ask more questions and not trust people so much. Not that I am never going to trust anyone but be more cautious with my trust of people I do not know. No matter what God will provide whether I have to pay or they do. By the way you don't want to mess with JourneyEd Marketing in Texas. Or if you do be very careful about it.

Look Like Rebekah

This is me and my fellow nose ringer. We are just like Rebekah. For Rebekah, soon to be Isaac's wife had a ring put in her nose when his father's servant went to find her for him. Found in Genesis 24:47 "Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder, and went down to the spring and drew, and I said to her, 'Please let me drink.' "She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder, and said, 'Drink, and I will water your camels also'; so I drank, and she watered the camels also.
Then I asked her, and said, 'Whose daughter are you?' And she said, 'The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him'; and I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her wrists. "And I bowed low and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had guided me in the right way to take the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son."
This is the answer for the many times people ask me why I have a nose ring I like it better than earrings.

Good email

One of my coworkers sent me this and it is even more important for believers.

TRAVEL LIGHTBy Dr. John C. Maxwell

One of the first international trips my wife, Margaret, and I took together was to Japan. When we were choosing luggage for our journey, we decided to get the biggest suitcases we could find. It seemed like a logical idea at the time—after all, the bigger the suitcase, the more we could pack in it.

Unfortunately, while we were packing, it never once occurred to me that we were going to have to carry those bags wherever we went. Now, if you know anything at all about Japan, you know that traveling by rail is often the best way to get around there. Needless to say, we spent a lot of time lugging our suitcases in and out of train stations. I remember going to one particular depot with two bags that were as big as me, both stuffed nearly to bursting. I was struggling to get to the train with my suitcases, Margaret was struggling down the street with hers, and neither of us was very happy about the whole situation.

Finally, I'd had enough. I stopped right where I was, put the suitcases down and said, "Margaret, anyone who can carry these suitcases can have them! I'm just going to leave them right here. I'm not carrying them anymore."

That little incident, which my sweet wife and I jokingly say is closest we ever came to getting divorced, taught us a valuable lesson: Travel light.

Margaret and I learned this lesson so well that, on subsequent trips, we've literally gone out of the country with nothing but our carry-on luggage. In addition to preserving our marital bliss, traveling light alleviates the stress of keeping track of numerous bags, saves time previously spent waiting around at airport baggage claims and keeps us from getting worn out before we ever get to our destination. On top of all that, it doesn't take us nearly as long to unpack once we get home.

As helpful as it is to travel light on a business trip or vacation, it's even more critical to travel light through life. Let me explain what I mean. Many people go through life with far too much emotional baggage. They didn't necessarily intend to fill the biggest bags they could find with their personal junk, but along the way, they've somehow managed to collect quite a stash. A chip on the shoulder here; an ugly batch of pent-up anger there. Ten years' worth of hurt feelings here; three decades of rejection there. I could go on, but I'm sure you get the picture.
Sadly, these individuals fail to realize the damage their excess baggage is inflicting on themselves and others. For example, a recent survey indicated that people with emotional problems are 144 percent more likely to have automobile accidents than those who do not have such problems. In addition, one of the study's most sobering findings was that one out of every five victims of fatal accidents had quarreled with someone in the six hours before the accident.

This is why it's so important to practice what I call "keeping short accounts." When you keep a short account, you ask for forgiveness quickly when you hurt someone. When you treat someone badly, you make it right as soon as possible. You don't hold grudges. You don't go to bed angry. You don't allow your own injured feelings to fester into bitterness or resentment.

The importance of keeping short accounts really hit home with me when I had a heart attack several years ago. As I lay there, honestly not knowing if I was going to live or die, I felt a tremendous amount of peace because I knew my relational ledger was clean. Ironically, the thought that kept coming to my mind during those first tense hours was, "I don't have to call anybody on the phone." It was true. I didn't have to make any last-ditch apologies or ninth-hour requests for forgiveness because I had made an intentional effort to travel light through life.
From a practical standpoint, traveling light means that I have to ask somebody to forgive me almost every day. It means that I often have to sit down with Margaret and say, "I'm sorry for using that tone of voice; I was wrong." It means that I have to initiate reconciliation with people who have offended me, not wait for them to make the first move.

None of this is easy. It's often humbling and hard on my ego. And yet, the alternative is much worse. Failing to travel light blurs your focus on what really matters and impairs your ability to live and lead effectively. So if you're carrying a bunch of excess baggage, get rid of it. Write a letter. Make a phone call. Do whatever you need to do.

Just do it now. You've got more important things to do than cart around unnecessary—and potentially life-threatening—luggage for the rest of your life.

Lessons Learned Today

Today's devotions tied with last night's Bible study on Romans 14. I would like to share with you the points that really speak to me from Psalms 140-143.

• Our friends reprove we should take as a friendly thing to do, bear it patiently and take it as kindness
• We are to lay our troubles before the Lord and leave them there. How easy it is to lay it all out to God but how often do we pick it right back up and worry or ponder on it more.
• We are God's servants, bound to Him, accountable to Him and solicitious to obtain His favor. But how often do we seek man's approval and totally forget our Heavenly Father, who sent His ONLY Son to die for our sakes.
• In times of trouble we should follow David's lead and look back to what God has done for His people, look around to see the magnificent works of God, and look up to God for His favor on us.
• Sometimes those that who are really concerned to walk right are in doubt, and in the dark, as to which is the right way. We are to ask God which way we should walk. Then ask Him to teach us how to walk in that way.
• We cannot find the way that will bring us to that land unless God show us, nor go in that way unless he take us by the hand and lead us, as we lead those that are weak, or lame, or timorous, or dim-sighted; so necessary is the grace of God, not only to put us into the good way, but to keep us and carry us on in it.

On another note, are we not the cutest sisters in the whole world? I love my SISTER I love my SISTER! She is the best and most crazed roomy in the world especially when football is on. We got a compliment the other day from our new neighbors that they are happy to have us there because they have not heard a thing from us and those that preceded us were pretty loud. Maybe this will be an opportunity for ministry to them. The reason why this is pertenant is because I agreed with her except when football is on, Rachie gets really loud.

This one is for Tami. I am sure you have been missing the walrus in me, and my many other eccentricities so here is one for you. Me going crazy over some breadsticks at Olive Garden for my birthday. Yes, dad I am your daughter, as exhibited here.

Lessons from the Word

As I have been pouring through the Psalms with the help of Matthew Henry's commentary I have been greatly blessed by what I am learning and convicted at the same time. Repeatedly we are called to bless God and praise His name. I was really convicted about the time I spend "bored" whether at work or home. I have always been quick to claim boredom when I am not immediately engrossed in some fun activity.
From Psalm 134 Henry points out that we should converse with God when we have nothing else to do. I have always been quick to pray as I lay in my bed waiting for sleep to befall me or when I have woke and completed my devotions but I never thought in those times when I am prone to whine and complain that I do not have anything to do to lift up my voice to the Almighty. From 135 I learned we are to take all occasions to speak well of God. How often we are quick to admit our accomplishments but even those only take place because of Him.
He also points out that the idols in biblical times were made by human hands and people still would worship them. They would worship things that could not even make themselves. This applies today too, whatever takes up most of our thoughts is an idol to us and those are things that God has blessed us with but we in turn praise the thing and not God. Maybe it is something you don't have but want, there is a reason why you don't have it. What we really NEED is God and that is it. God will never be all you need until He is all you have. This statement is so true for my life. I had to have nothing left, nothing in my control before I really came to God.
Another sobering thought from Psalm 139 is that God knows our moves, imaginations, all we say and what we think and every part of us because He made us. Even when we think we can hide in the darkness, God made that too and it is just like light to Him. There is no where we can hide from God. So why not surrender your all to God?
God knows when I got an unreasonable bill that I was sure my insurance would cover that I started freaking out and not trusting Him. He allowed that to be, if it is a mix-up and they are going to pay, His is in control, if not and I have to pay He will provide, because He is in control. As Psalm 136 repeats "His mercy endures forever". Like my verse on my desk says: Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart." Was I trusting yesterday? NO! Did I need to let go and let God? Yes. Let me tell you it still is not easy to let Him take care of me but through prayer and the Holy Spirit anything is possible.

Costume party

My hand made costume. Here I go frolicking some more.
Little Red Riding Hood goes frolicking to Grandmother's house with some goodies for her. No big bad wolves in this girl's path, she had Jason go before her and kill them all.

Also staples in the Count's diet are Chex Mix and cinnamon pita chips and pumpkin fluff, apples with caramel and other delights.

The count is out to get you. Blah blah!
Rachel with her 999th victim. Who seems frightened in a happy way, which is weird because her life has just been sucked out of her.

Here are all the people at the party. It was a great time and all the freaks and geeks came out to play and the cute ones.

Hanna's Party

Here is the Princess and her brother Armon or better known as Batman. They are such great beautiful kids and I love them to death.

This is my little Hanna's 3rd birthday party. She was the most beautiful child Princess in the whole wide world.

Hit the Heart string

I was very comforted and encouraged in a friend's post. So much so that I needed to post it myself. It is from the book Morning and Evening. It hit me right in the heart string.

“Believer…you should be satisfied with your earthly portion; for you may rest assured that it is the fittest for you. Unerring wisdom ordained your lot, and selected for you the safest and best condition…Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances…Be content with such things as you have, since the Lord has ordered all things for your good. Take up your own daily cross; it is the burden best suited for your shoulder, and will prove most effective to make you perfect in every good word and work to the glory of God.
Trials must and will befall—
But with humble faith to see
Love inscribed upon them all;
This is happiness to me.”
Psalm 16:5 (NIV) says, “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.”
I am also reminded of Psalms 23, I have heard it and memorized it but never really thought or meditated on what it means.
The LORD, the Psalmist's Shepherd.
A Psalm of David.
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
What a God we serve. May His Name be praised and may we learn to always trust Him.

Hanna and Armon again

The last post somehow got posted before I was done with it. I tend to type real fast and that leads to me hitting a lot of keys I do not mean to hit. Here is Armon. I am not sure what he is doing with his hand. I caught him unaware though. He was on the couch in his "car" watching a Ronald McDonald movie, I cringe every time they want to watch it. Let's say it is not the highest quality of video ever made. And Ronald's dog Sundae looks freaky when he is not a cartoon. Well when he is a cartoon he looks crazy too. Here is Hanna doing her monster face not looking so scary. Too busy with her sucker and wanting to get back to the movie. Here is a picture of them together and both of thier eyes look really freaky to say the least, they have worse than red eyes they are like red and glaring.

Hanna and Armon

This is my little Hanna and her brother Armon. I was her nanny when she was 7 months for the summer but started caring for her at Day care since she was about 5 months old. I have continued to babysit for her and her brother. Here are some shots from my most recent extravaganza with them. This is Hanna sitting on the coffee table eating her treat for being a good girl.