Fall Back...

It's so interesting that we take our clocks back an hour every fall.  Suddenly, the days shrinks considerably.  It's dark when you're eating dinner, and don't even try to do yardwork after you get home from work, because it is useless.

It reminds me of the fact that we also "fall back" psychologically at this time of the year.  We begin to "roll up the sidewalk" so to speak.  We spend cozier times instead, eating warmer, comfort foods, and suddenly the furry slippers that were not seen for several months are a daily essential.

I am not amazed of seasons and the purpose of them.  God said in Ecclesiates 3: these words~

"To everything there is a season,

a time for every purpose under heaven." 

 

How true this is.   So here's to slowing down a bit, taking stock of another year, and making the most of the beautiful season and holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family and friends.  God had the right idea when he changed the seasons of the year.  However, I don't think man was very smart at turning back the clock.  This one was one that could have been left alone so we could enjoy the fall season naturally.







Four More Years

The votes are in and we will continue to have four more years of President Obama.  I hear that the election process cost billions of dollars.  This was a very expensive pause in the course that was sure to continue.  I wonder how much better the money could have been spent if we simply reverted to having an eight year presidential term with no re-election.  It's not only the money, but all the time and energy spent on campaigning that our president could have used to do his job.  I know that I'm only one person, and not a formidable advocate on a large scale.  My voice may not be heard on the national news, nor in the halls of Washington, D.C.  But, I am sure there are thousands upon thousands of those who agree with me that our nation needs to have more common sense.  It bends to the voice of the expedient, not weighing the wisdom of consideration.  I love what the bible states about conducting ourselves in such a manner that would yield long and lasting results, not only for ourselves, but for future generations~"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold."

Wisdom is a rare commodity.  Yet, it is available to those who seek God and follow Him.

Our New Little Grandson...

My husband asked me why I hadn't blogged about our new little grandson, Carter born on October 25, 2012.  I simply answered, "Oh, because I didn't have a picture of him to add."  But, later I thought about this and marveled.  It's not like me not to write about something just because I don't have it all together with all the components I need.  I am a 'piece work' type of an individual.  The real reason I hadn't written about Carter is because I was still in quiet fascination of the miracle of birth, and still taking it all in.

Carter weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. and measured 21 inches long.  A big boy, considering his mom is a hair below 5 feet tall.  I saw him just hours after he was born, and of course I thought he was a beautiful and precious baby.  I immediately saw his daddy's chin and mouth.  He had a full head of dark hair and his eyes reminded me of his mom's when she was born, although not so 'Yoda', but I think they are going to be big, like hers.  He's a strong little guy.  He favors his little fists up against his cheeks, and even breaks loose from his swaddling blanket to accomplish this pose.  I think that this determination probably will serve him well when he is an athelete.  He'll see the goal, and not let anything deter him from accomplishing it.  (You notice I'm not saying what sport?  This is because I want him to have all avenues before him as his playing field.)  Carter is going to be strong in whatever he chooses in life.

As a grandmother, I cherish the privlege to pray for my grandchildren.  And, this was no different for my littlest one.  As I held him for the first time, this was my prayer for him:

"Lord,
You see this little baby that you have given to Anicia and Brian.  Bless him with your love, guidance and strength.  Give him a good character, one that would love mercy, and walk humbly with his God.  Watch over him, protect him, and guide his steps.  Help him to glorify You in all that he does in life, and how he lives his life out before others.  Always help him to go to his mom and dad when he struggles, and above all to go to You in small and big matters.  You have fashioned him from the moment he was conceived, and know his every fiber-- his weaknesses and his strengths.

More so, help me to be a grandmother to him that would support him in prayer, in words of advice, and even the occasional chastening when needed that would help him through the rough spots in his life.  Make his heart tender to always receive correction so that he would not sway from Your perfect will.  Amen.

A Beautiful Wedding Day~

The wedding is over for our daughter Trish and husband Patrick, and I have to say it was just beautiful!  The outdoor setting among orange trees and fall flowers only added to the ambiance.  The bride was beautiful in her ivory lace dress.  Charlie, who officiated the ceremony added such calmness and soft humor, that there was no doubt it put the nervous bride and groom at ease.

The reception was such fun.  Everybody danced including the little ones with their parents.  Even the end of the evening had a flair that will long be remembered... Trisha and Patrick exited the wedding in a vintage black convertible 1963 Ford Falcon.  Bright sparklers were waved at them by the guests and their last song "Don't Stop Believin" by Journey couldn't have been more appropriate as they pulled away with sounds of laughter, yelping, and cheering.  The four mile trip to the Mission Inn gave the bride and groom a few minutes to reflect, as they were further cheered on by other motorists and guests at the hotel when they arrived.

I know this memorable day was caught on still photos and video, and more importantly, it is imbedded in all our hearts as the beautiful day our youngest daughter got married.

Happy days and years to you, Pat and Trish!

Just 3 Days to the Wedding and ? Days to New Grandson

Wow, hard to believe.  It's just 3 days to our daughter's wedding.  This is why I haven't blogged as much as I usually do.  It's been a fun time, but I admit, I hit the pillow hard every night.  I never realized how many details are involved in planning a wedding.  Even though so much was done in advance, it's the little things that are now consuming my thoughts and activities.  Being the mother of the bride means that I also try to keep my daughter's emotions on an even keel.  I don't burden her with too much, because I'm sure just being the bride has enough emotions to fill a wine vat.

I'm excited for the day.  Mostly, I look forward to seeing friends and family all in one place.  What fun to be able to visit and catch up.  Many of my friends saw our daughter as an infant and toddler.  It's amazing how fast time travels and now she is a woman beginning her own life.

As for the other great event in our lives, we're on "Baby Watch", as older daughter Anicia is in the last stage of her pregnancy.  The due date is October 24.  Who knows though, when little Carter will make his grand entrance.  Anicia is either going to be still expecting at the wedding, or tending a new little one.  Hopefully, it won't make her miss her sister's wedding.  But these things happen.  Fortunately, we all are understanding of the nature of this type of event.  We are just so blessed that God is expanding our family this month by two more~  a new son-in-law and new grandson.  This brings our grand total of family to 13!

Octoberisms

        Bride and Groom-to-be come Oct. 20, 2012

Oh, October!  Occiliating, occupying, occasional, occurrence, oceanic, ocular, octagonal, o'clock...

It's the tenth month of the year, yet, I've never figured out why it's root word means eight.  It's the beginning of fall, and yesterday, the anniversary of Occupy Wall Street, (remember that?). 

Birthdays in October-- my daughter Trisha; sisters Mary and Ceci; my dad; future son-in-law Patrick; and of course the arrival of our newest little grandson Carter ETA October 24!

On another note, we have a big occasion to look forward to this month- our daughter's wedding on October 20.  What could be more fun than enjoying an autumn evening with family and friends in the surroundings of a barn and orange groves!

So, here's to October, a great 10th month of the year and the final turn to end another year.  The following poem is written by Pearl L. Sorrels who also felt the magical feeling of this month:


It Must Be October

The harvest moon hangs round and high
It dodges clouds high in the sky
The stars wink down their love and mirth
The Autumn seasons is giving birth
Oh it must be October
The leaves of red bright gold and brown
To Mother earth come tumbling down
The breezy nights the ghostly sights
The eerie spooky far off sounds
Are signs that its October
The pumpkin yellow big and round
Are carried by costumed clumsy clowns
Its Halloween lets celebrate
Come one come all and don't be late
We know now its October
We'll roast and toast some luscious food
For apples we'll be bobbin
While tales are told around the fire
Of timely ghosts and goblins
Oh how we love October
The moon has grown pale
The stars have grown dim
Our Halloween party is over
With a hi-de-ho homeward we'll go
What a delightful month October      

90 Days Until Christmas

It’s 90 days until Christmas!  Wow… I’m just getting used to the beginning of fall, but as history serves me well, it’s really home stretch to the most encompassing, time-consuming, costly part of the year!  It is at this time that I find myself juggling household and family obligations in a mad rush to finish the perfect gift, decorations and party gathering activities.

I’m older now, and hopefully wiser.  My days are gone of having to hide gifts so my children wouldn’t find them.  Sometimes, I miss those days.  Those little ones certainly make for a fun time at Christmas.

But, in all honesty, those days were very stressful.  Especially when my children asked for things that my pocketbook could not afford.  It wasn’t as though I raised my children to be so materialistic, but let’s face it—they saw what other children received at Christmas, and it made me feel sad when they were disappointed that they could not get the same.  It was at this time that I grew to cringe at even the thought of Christmas coming. 

Now, as a grandma, I am still very sensitive about the deficiency that parents feel at this time of the year.  I have grandchildren now, and my husband and I try to be as generous with them as we possibly can be.  But, I also know that we cannot give them everything.  This is a part of the reality of life!  However, I also know that which I just referred to is of an earthly nature.  For we have all riches that are without measure that are available to us.  These are the most important in the big picture of things.  So this Christmas, I am going to be very generous.  My pocketbook may have limits, but not my spirit.  It is in this realm that I must first though fill up with God’s resources.  Galatians 5:22 speaks of gifts.  I must possess these ‘gifts’ before I can give them to others.

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, …”

What this says to me is that these are the gifts I need to possess as I am scurrying about the Christmas season.  It’s what I carry in my spiritual ‘pocketbook’, so to speak.  These gifts will guide me through the times I am tired and just can’t take waiting one more minute in a long line at the store.  It is what will keep me in check when my budget needs to be obeyed and not the temptation to buy a more expensive item even though it’s hard to resist.  Finally, it will give me the joy to be able to reach out to others who are in desperate need of kindness.  This is because above all these ‘gifts’ is One who is the mantra – Jesus Christ.  It was His birth and death that allows me to receive eternal life.  This puts the Christmas season in perspective.  The day after the holiday when the season’s merchandise is slashed by 50% and the store aisles look as though a tornado went through, God’s eternal gift remains untarnished and precious. 

So, 90 days it is.  Will I fear or stress?  Oh yes, I will have my moments—after all, I am simply a flimsy mortal.  Why else would I need a Savior?  But, having God in my life does make a difference.  If I had to have a goal for this Christmas season, which I do; it is this~  This Christmas season, I want to make it count.  Not in how many earthly, temporary gifts I can give, or how splendid my house decorating turns out… But, my measure is by how much I can give out to others that would translate into the reflection they would see of the One who’s birthday it really is after all- Jesus Christ.

Years ago, when our children were little, we always made sure that they knew who’s birthday it really was at Christmas.  I even would have a birthday cake where my kids were able to sing “Happy Birthday Jesus”.  I confess though, that I very often forget this unchanging truth, and focus on the attributes of the season that actually remove Jesus from the holiday.  So, in writing this, I renew my commitment to keep Jesus first in the holiday, others in extending love and kindness, and taking time for myself to really see the beauty of Christmas.

In essence, this is what Christmas is really about:

Jesus

Others

Yourself

 

So, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!”