I Can See Clearly Now

...the blur is gone!

Several weeks ago when Brian and Matthew were in the car, Brian noticed something interesting on a license plate. He pointed it out, but Matthew couldn't see it.
That's when we decided to have Matthew's vision tested and, sure enough, he needed glasses.

This past Saturday, I took Matthew to the store to pick up his glasses and was both shocked and delighted by his response. As we walked out of the building he exclaimed, "I can read that sign over there!" And proceeded to read the name and telephone number listed.
"And I can read that sign!"
"Holy cow! Dad was right! I had no idea how good glasses would make me feel."
I smiled a lot as we drove home, and particularly enjoyed this repeated statement: "This is awesome! I can see so much!" Even as we pulled into the driveway, Matthew marveled at the trees - admitting he had never seen the individual leaves before.
I had no idea his distance vision was so poor!

The cutest part of the whole thing, though, was not Matthew's comments. The part I like best is that he chose glasses just like his dad's. Now I have two guys with four eyes. Aren't they handsome???

BTW, I am convinced it is physically and mentally impossible for Matthew to be in front of the camera without making silly faces. It's just who he is. *wink*

Do You Know Who's Helping You?

Looking Ahead

Have I mentioned before how much I am looking forward to speaking for the Fall Women's Conference at Cran-Hill Ranch in September?

Silly question. I know I've plugged mentioned the retreat before. *grin*
If you'd like to join me there, just follow the above link for details and registration!

Anyway...
Tomorrow and Friday I am holing up all by myself (Well, of course my Father will be with me!) at a local retreat center to spend concentrated time preparing my talks for said women's event.
And when I get home I am going to be helping my kids get ready for a week of camp - at Cran-Hill! (Yes, all three of them are going to be gone next week.)

I know what you're thinking. If Karen is going to be gone on the day she usually does the majority of her blogging, and then she's going to be playing 'Home Alone' with her husband for a week, how is she ever going to have time to blog???
That's exactly what I was thinking, too!
So, I'm calling for a blog break. LORD willing, I'll be back July 30.
In the meantime, I would appreciate your prayers as I prepare for the Cran-Hill conference.

See you when I get back!

That's What I Call a Backseat Driver

I was driving a group of residents to the grocery store in Edgewood's bus.

I came upon a stop sign and *might* have not come to a complete stop.

Then, from the back of the bus I heard L ask, "Is that what you call a rolling stop?"

Uh, yeah. I guess. *ahem*

As Long as it Takes

Lessons From the Edge

One person can leave a big hole.

B has been moping all week because he misses her.
H can barely talk about anything besides why she left.
The dining room doesn't look the same without her scurrying around wiping tables.
I missed her at exercise class.
And our Walmart trip.
And bowling.
And she would have been at Pizza Night, too.
But she wasn't.

Last Friday, C moved away from Edgewood. She is closer to her family now and in a memory care facility where she can get the kind of attention she really needs. This move is a good thing for her. I know God is with her and taking care of her. But I'm still sad.
Just like half the people at Edgewood.
C is such a dear, dear woman and we all miss her greatly. It's like a piece of our hearts has been taken away.

Indeed, one person can leave a big hole.

How Thoughtful

Picture this:

It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon. I had my 'chores' done and decided to go out and lay on the swing. As I rested with my eyes shut (Not sleeping, mind you. Because, how can I really sleep when every few minutes I need to push myself again to keep the swing rocking? I sooooo wish someone made automatic swings for grown-ups like they do for babies!) Joshua walked out onto the deck and called, "Matthew, where are you?"
"Over here," came the reply.
Joshua walked over to him and they began talking about something. The only thing I heard was Matthew saying, "I'm not going to do it on the deck because Mom is sleeping." Silly kid didn't know my dilemma with choosing between napping and swinging.
But that's when I figured out what they were doing.

The day before, Brian had purchased firecrackers and the boys were now planning to use up the rest of them. The first time they played with those extremely LOUD uh, things, they had been on the deck. About six feet away from where I was presently laying.
Matthew's words made sense to me now. Since he thought I was sleeping, he considered it a better idea to shoot the firecrackers in the driveway, so as not to disturb my slumber.

Yeah. Because firecrackers at a distance of 20 feet are so much more quiet than those at a distance of six. haha!

HE speaks

I don't like to be a nag.

I really don't.

But sometimes, my son simply doesn't give me an option.
When he ignores me, pretends not to hear me, or goes directly against what I'm saying, well...
I repeat myself nag.
And Joshua says I'm annoying.

I can't say I blame him for calling me annoying. I mean, if I kept saying the same thing to myself over and over (and over!) again, I suppose I would call me annoying, too! *wink*

So, the other day when I was dealing with Joshua and his attitude, I braced myself for the label again. But something else happened. Oh, Joshua called me 'annoying'. I knew I could count on him for that. But I heard Someone else speak, too.
When Joshua finally agreed to what I was asking of him (Can you say 'Lip service'?) I felt the need to keep speaking. I said, "Joshua, you need to know I love you. I realize you don't like what I'm saying, and you don't want to do it. But I'm trying to help you grow up to be a responsible, respectful man. I'm trying to help you learn."

And that's when my heart heard Someone else speaking.
It went something like this: Karen, do you hear what you're saying to your son? Do you realize those are much like My words to you? I know sometimes you don't like what I'm asking you to do. I know sometimes you think you have a better way of doing things. But, My darling, you need to know I love you. I'm trying to help you learn.

Ahhhhh. Love it when HE speaks!

Big Liars

I know grown-ups try to do what's right. I realize we're doing our best to protect kids from the dangers they don't see or understand.
But sometimes I observe things which make me wonder...

Sunday afternoon I was in the check-out lane at the grocery store and an adorable little girl in the next lane caught my eye. As I stood watching her, she became interested in the carousel holding the groceries. She reached up to touch the carousel as the cashier was getting ready to turn it and the little girl's grandmother (At least I'm guessing it was her grandmother. She looked too old to be her mom. IMHO) let out a howl-of-sorts and said, "Don't touch that! You'll go to the hospital. REALLY! You'll cut off your finger and go right to the hospital!"

I contained my laughter, but thought to myself, REALLY??? Do you want that little girl to believe anything you tell her? 'Cause what you just said is way overboard, ma'am. I'm just sayin.'

Our Eyes are Upon You

OK, so I went a little longer than usual with this devotion.
I hope you'll stick with me through the end!

If you'd like to start reading through the Bible, here's a link for you. You may set it up to begin on the first or fifteenth day of any month.

Lessons From the Edge

Sometimes you just need a nap.

I chuckle occasionally when someone at Edgewood tells me about their busy, busy day. How they washed a load of clothes, made their bed, AND walked to the dining room for lunch. They insist they must take a nap if they're going to make it to Euchre that evening.

But right now I'm facing that same feeling. I have this post to write, but I'm so tired I feel I must take a nap if I'm going to make it through dinner prep in an hour. No creative thoughts are flowing here, anyway. So I'm just going to lay down now.

Because sometimes you just need a nap.

I Didn't Get Paint on my Clothes

So, how did you spend your Fourth of July???

Besides celebrating my dependence, I spent several hours working on a rental house with Brian and one of our friends. Yes. We know how to have a good time! Though, our anniversary at a rental beats this most recent episode.
Anyway, we went to this house to get work done, and get it done - we did! In spite of the fact that it was nearly 100 degrees outside, the house is not air conditioned, and we only had one working fan. Oh, was it ever HOT in there!
Even so, I wiped down walls and cabinets in the kitchen in preparation for painting. Only stopped wiping the walls long enough to wipe the sweat off my head and arms and neck and...you get the picture.

About mid-afternoon, our friend had to leave. After his departure, I was able to get more comfortable and Brian and I went to town with the painting. We're quite a team, you know, and the kitchen is finished. *Yea!*
And the really good news is, I didn't get paint on my clothes. Granted, there was paint on my arm and shoulder and legs and feet. But my clothes got off scot-free!
Er, that is, they just got off.
Once Royce left the house, I stripped down to the bare minimum. It was that hot! *wink*

Celebrating My Dependence

It's the Fourth of July! And while we spend the day celebrating our country's independence by enjoying cookouts and fireworks, I am taking time to celebrate my personal dependence.

That is, today I am going to spend time thanking God for rescuing me from my independent, self-centered life and bringing me to a place of utter dependence on HIM. Through a variety of circumstances and situations, God pursued me and brought me into a relationship with Himself. And over the years He has shown me I cannot do this life without Him.
I am completely and desperately dependent on Him.
God is my eternal hope, my everlasting joy, my perfect peace. And today I am celebrating my dependence on the One who is my everything.

Are you with me???

This Is Love

So last week I had a terrible headache and felt sick to my stomach. I went to bed feeling miserable.
Brian came to bed shortly after I had lay down. I must have been making pathetic little whimpering noises, or something, because he asked, "Is there anything I can do for you?" I really didn't think there was, so I said, "No."
After a little more tossing and whimpering, Brian said, "Do you want me to clean the toilet for you?" What a guy! And what could I say, except, "Yes, please."

So, he did.

And I used it.

Ah, yes. Cleaning the toilet so your wife can have a fresh place to vomit.

This is love! *wink*

Yes, You Can. Again.

I spent Thursday at Lake Michigan with my husband and kids, and we went up north to spend the weekend with my parents. That....left no time for me to do a video devotion. So I'm going back into my archives and picking one of my favorites from a couple years ago to share again.

Enjoy!

Lessons From the Edge

It's OK to repeat yourself.

I had a wonderful visit with D at rehab this week.
Poor guy has been in and out of the hospital and rehab facility for nearly two months now. Seriously. He hasn't been at Edgewood since early May. Maybe even late April.
Anyway, I went to see him Tuesday evening and while I was there I asked what he thinks about all day laying in that bed. I asked if he ever thinks about God, and he said he does. Then he got real honest and said he often wonders if he's going to make it to heaven. He said he wonders if he's going to be judged "good enough" to get in.

I accepted that invitation!

In the next moments, I reminded D that none of us will ever be "good enough." I reminded him it's only by the blood of Jesus we can be forgiven and made right with God. And I asked if he remembered when we prayed together at Edgewood to ask Jesus to forgive D, and to make a place for him in heaven.
D said he didn't remember, and he asked if we could pray again. I told him I was sure God had not forgotten, but if it made D feel better - we could pray again. He liked that idea. So I shared the gospel with him once more and we prayed again, asking God to forgive D and make him new.
Then I reminded him - it's a done deal. Our new phrase is, "No worries!" The smile on his face and the peace in his eyes was priceless.

And even though God hadn't forgotten the first time D prayed, I am confident He didn't mind hearing it again. In fact, I think I could almost hear Him whisper, It's OK to repeat yourself.

I Thought He'd Understand

Matthew is quite ticklish, and few things make me happier than surprising him with a tickle-attack.
There's just something so satisfying about sneaking up behind him and getting his armpits or a particular spot in the middle of his back.

I know, I'm twisted.

Anyway, sometimes I see him sitting quietly, completely unsuspecting, and I am overcome by the urge to tickle him. So I do what any other reasonable adult would do. I approach him stealthily and tickle him!
When I tickled him this way Tuesday, he screamed and said, "Stop it, Mom!" I stopped and apologized. I said, "Sometimes I just get this urge, and I can't control myself." Then I thought of a brilliant way to explain my behavior to Matthew. I started, "You know how you get urges to yell and run around all crazy?" He nodded, so I continued. "Well, I get urges, too. But mine are to tickle you." For as many times as this boy falls victim to his ADHD urges, I thought surely he'd understand.
Instead, Matthew came back with, "That isn't the same thing." And I asked, "Why? Because your outbursts don't involve your armpits?"
Exactly.

*hmph!*

I tried explaining. I guess I'll just have to tickle him until he understands.

*wink*

My Guard Dog

Sunday morning I decided to sit on the deck while I read my Bible. And, as is her habit, Mindy joined me outside.
I was happy for her company. Figured it's good for her to get the fresh air. But I didn't anticipate the way God would use her to illustrate something for me.

I just read about Solomon, and the sad ending to his legacy. And now I'm reading about the down-hill run of the Israelites. Watching them turn from God and not follow Him with all their heart, like David did. It makes me sad.
So as I finished my reading Sunday I began to pray, asking God to protect me. I asked him to help me be alert so I don't fall away from Him like Solomon and the Israelites did. And right about then, Mindy started growling.
I opened my eyes to look at my dog and spoke calmly, "What's wrong, girl?" I looked in the direction of her attention but didn't see anyone or anything out of the ordinary, so I asked her again, "What's wrong? I don't see anything." But she kept growling. Even barked a few times. And the hair on her neck and back was raised up like it always is when she's after something. Yet, no matter how I searched, I couldn't see what was concerning her. So I just chuckled and thanked her for protecting me from scary, un-seen things.

With Mindy's growl at the scary, un-seen things in mind, I began to pray again. This time asking God to protect me like Mindy was protecting me. I was fully aware that God sees what I can't, He knows what I don't, and I need Him to protect me from all the scary, un-seens which might threaten to lead me astray.
My heart's desire is that my heart's desire would always be to follow God. I want to be faithful to Him all the days of my life. So I'm going to keep praying, Please protect me like Mindy!

I Am Helping

...You just don't understand it yet.

The other day I dropped Joshua off at the sporting goods store so he could get fishing gear he wanted, and for which he's been saving his money. On my way to pick him up, Joshua called and asked me if he could borrow six dollars when I got to the store. Apparently he discovered something else he "needed" with this new gear. (He went on to explain that he didn't really NEED it. But it sure would be nice to have.)
My first question was, "Do you have six dollars at home so you can pay me back immediately?" Joshua said he did not, so I said, "Then the answer is, 'No.'"
He didn't say anything.
Just hung up on me.
Oh, well, I thought. And I drove on.

A moment later, my phone rang again. An apology, perhaps? Oh, silly me! He was making another attempt to get the six dollars.
He insisted it wasn't that much money, and he said he hardly ever borrows money.
*ahem!* I think we may have very different perceptions of reality.
He said something about thinking I would help him (The kid knows what motivates guilts me into doing things.) and reiterated the fact that he didn't know about this extra expense beforehand. He really thought I should help him get past this travesty by loaning him six dollars.
I listened to him bargain a little longer and then said, "I'm here now. Why don't you buy whatever you're going to buy and then come out to the van." *click* He hung up on me again.

As I waited for Joshua to make his purchase and come outside, I replayed his words in my mind. And I became convinced, I am helping.
This is the way real life goes.
When I am surprised by something costing more than I thought it would, and it isn't a necessity, and I don't have the money to get it - I don't get it. May not be the most "fun" game plan in the world, but it's helped me stay out of debt. And it's a valuable lesson I'm trying to teach Joshua.

So, you see son, by making you wait to get that fishing gear until you have the money to pay for it - I am helping. You just don't understand it yet.

Don't Make Decisions While You're Running Uphill

I am going to be speaking about this topic in depth at the Fall Women's Conference September 28-30 at Cran-Hill Ranch in Rodney, MI.
Click here to register if you'd like to join me!