"United we stand, Divided we fall"

The title of my post has been something I have been thinking about for several months, maybe longer.  It doesn't mean I have come to any answers to the things I am going to blog about, it just grieves me to realize our country has come to such a point of division.

I know there are other statements alluding to this concept, and credence given to others for it, but Patrick Henry said these words in the last speech before he died.  Henry was passionate about his belief that standing together was a strengthening strategy against the enemy.  Henry's enemy was maybe more discernible than ours, in retrospect.

If one part of the statement is true, (and I believe it is) the other is also true. The enemy in our midst today is not as recognizable as it was for Henry or his countrymen. While we would like to paint politicians and "the other side" as that enemy, I believe they only bring out our own selfish desires.

How do we, as a people living in these United States of  America, in the twenty-first century, determine who, or what has caused the divide we feel so strongly, and how do we fix it?

I believe the electricity surrounding this year's election has at least set the tone for some of the division and heightened emotions that erode relationships between neighbors, friends and even family members.  We don't consciously say it, but, if their views, concepts, feelings and at times core beliefs differ from ours, it makes them somehow wrong and less "evolved".

It seems, as a nation, we are becoming more judgmental and our ideology is that of excesses. We can't balance the idea that God created both this country and it's resources (actually the world's) and human life.  We believe we should conserve the former and, when convenient, trash the latter.  We think balance comes only by adding and subtracting.  We have become a people expecting someone else to pick up the slack, either for us or someone else.  Religion is good, no it is bad...business is good, government is bad and vice versa.  There never seems to be a common ground any more.

It seems the media thinks they are all knowing.  IF we could get clean, no spin news, we might be able to make decisions free of the practice of journalism "mind control", but that also plays into our own selfish desires of getting what we think we should have.

Who can honestly say we are getting smarter and more advanced as a nation when we rip our fellow countrymen apart because of their ideas and beliefs.  We are all allowed our own beliefs and even to express them, for that I am thankful, but to belittle, bombard and chastise others for seeing and believing differently is just wrong.  This is where our political "leaders" should come to the table (hum, another concept just presented itself to me, but for another time) and work for the people, not against them.

If somehow we, as Americans, don't get a grip on our obsessive, and belligerent actions, this nation WILL fall, just as other great nations have in the past.  When we are so inner focused and rigid about the fact that everyone should live by "my personal code", we overlook God's will for our lives.  Believe it or not, He does have a plan.  That plan may not become known to us now, but it will become known.

There are times I can't imagine that plan would differ from mine, (enter humor here) as we all do, but I pray for His Grace and Mercy to each of us and also the ability for us to show that same grace and mercy to others.

There! I just found my answer...That we grant the same Grace and Mercy to others that we feel we should receive from them.

I know there are lots of people who will read my blog and have ideas about what I have said.  I give you that freedom and I do enjoy reading yours in return.  I don't write without a lot of soul searching and self evaluation and I hope you read with the same.

I love and appreciate each of you.
Alma

Visit My Shop - Opening Soon

My new venture is in the development stage.  It is, of course a joint project between Les, who is my IT department, and me.

For several years I have been dabbling in scrap booking and having lots of fun.  I've made quite a few for gifts, and a couple for us to remember our fun times and family celebrations. We all have photos stored in boxes, each representing a memory waiting to be shared. I will be presenting different styles and ways for those memories to be "unboxed". It's fun to enjoy and share those memories with family and friends.

I will put your book together for you and you can have the enjoyment of placing your memories where they tell your story best.

The name of my shop is "YourSpecialMemories" and the address is Etsy.com.  Please be looking for the opening of my store, as well as pictures you would like to capture in a fun and attractive way.  We will be open soon and ready for your holiday gift giving.

If you don't know what to give Grandma and Papaw this year, a scrap book with family pics would be a beautiful gift.  It would provide hours of fun, laughter and "OH, I remember, that's Uncle Bob's place"... Or, maybe a shadow box frame with specialized touches.
Be watching for my blog telling everyone my store is open.

Love to all,
A.
p.s.  tell friends about...YourSpecialMemories...too. 
  

IN SEARCH OF BLUE BONNETS

Relaxing at the Woodlands Market Square

Over the weekend, Les and I went out of town for a few days. It was the first time in a very long time and can I tell you, I hope it won't be so long again.  We used to make a practice of going at least twice a year; now it has gotten to be maybe once every couple years.  We had a GREAT time.  Most of that is due, at least in part, to my husband's dedication to shopping...NO REALLY, he loves it. Old Town Spring, Michael's Arts and Crafts, Kirkland's Home, The Woodlands Market Square and yes, even Best Buy, all that was on Saturday.

Field of Blue Bonnets

On Sunday, we decided we had been to all the shopping places we couldn't find at home so we thought about going "In Search of the Blue Bonnets." What a perfect choice.  The day was beautiful and we had nothing pressing to do, so we started driving West on 290 (can you believe Les passed up the Prime Outlet Mall?)  After driving for quite a while we noticed about 10-15 cars lined up on the side of the highway. Afraid there had been an accident, we pulled into the left lane and slowed down.

People are Wild

  Lo-and-behold there were tons of people climbing fences, crawling through barbed wire and pulling kids after them.  They had found the Blue Bonnets.  I'm not from Texas, but I thought I had heard somewhere that it was against the law to deface the state flower...and that was some defacing. Babies were lying on blankets, moms were sitting on the ground, I even saw a dog go through.  We didn't feel that was the place for us to try to get our pics.  Les doesn't climb fences well and I don't climb them at all, so on we went. A few miles down the highway, another line of cars and wild people heading for the wild flowers. One group is naturally wild but I had to wonder about the others as well.  It was quickly becoming obvious we were not going to get close enough to get pictures of the beauty of nature, so we decided to ride a little further and go to Brenham, home of Blue Bell Ice Cream.  

Blue Bell

I think this is where the search became a little confused in our minds.  Was it Blue Bonnets or Blue Bell??  Maybe since we got closer to the ice cream factory than the flower patches, surely that was a sign.  But wait... the factory was closed.  Oh my, now what should we do?  Eat lunch at Casa Ole, of course, and continue on our journey.

Off the Beaten Path

We must have driven in a 30 mile crooked circle, seeing some beautiful ranches, woodlands and yes, we found our Blue Bonnets.  
They were smaller patches, but no people to trample them.  Les got some pretty pictures, although it was so bright the blue wasn't as true as I expected.  Also a lady told us at lunch we had probably come a weekend or two too soon.  But for us, our day had been a complete success, our search produced both Blue Bell and Blue Bonnets.

Texas Blue Bonnets

This was one the most relaxing days we've spent in a long time.  If you are all tied up in day-to-day crazies, I recommend taking time to Search For The Blue Bonnets and enjoy the journey on the way.

It's The Simple Things

Why do we set ourselves up with tasks that are overwhelming and in some cases next to impossible.   Maybe because by having a long "to do list" it makes us feel a sense of accomplishment.  Yes, we do need to accomplish certain things in life...as the old saying goes, "there's two things in life you HAVE to do, die and pay taxes".   Oversimplified for sure, but my thoughts tonight run more to the "small, or simple things in our lives".  The things we might do to relax or enjoy life, like stopping to smell the flowers, admire a beautiful sunset or smile at a child as we pass by.

Some of those things, for me, are spending time with family and friends, sitting outside with my coffee early in the morning, listening for the train whistle late in the evening.  I enjoy giving gifts either from my time or my abilities, and crafts are especially fun.  Another small pleasure I gain from the making and sharing of these, comes from the time spent with my daughters and my friends.



February was a very busy crafting month, a baby scrapbook, gifts for Zackary and Hunter's classmates and teachers, and getting to help two friends (and my granddaughter) make their first-ever scrapbook.  Toni and I both worked like beavers to complete the projects for the second month of 2012.



There are days when the simple things are as easy as sitting across the desk from my hubby (interrupting him with IT questions) but still hearing his voice and seeing his face. Then there is cuddling in the chair watching Hunter play Mario Cart.  That, though, gives me a sneak preview of what it might be like to ride with him when he's old enough to drive, scary thought, or listening to Zackary tell me about his last drawing (he's really very good for nine years old).



The last of the simple things in my life that I will talk a little about, is time sitting in a hotel suite with my three Diva sisters discussing everything from childhood memories to politics, our Faith (shhhhhh, that is not for the public to know), and shopping. Since we have come to the knowledge that the roses, train whistles, coffee sipping and even family don't last forever, the closer we have become.  When you've known friends for almost your entire lifetime, those activities become simpler and more precious every day.


The moral of this blog, I suppose, is enjoy the simple things in your
life, even if you  have to sit down and make a list of them first.
Oh, did I mention that blogging about people and events in my life is another simple pleasure...


Love To All,
A.

A Time To Wait On God

He says to us in Psalm 46:10
..."Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among nations, I will be exalted in the earth"
(NIV)
..."Stop your striving and recognize that I am God! I will be exalted over the nations, I will be exalted over the earth!" (NET)
..."Cease striving and know that I am God. I will be exalted in the earth." (NASB)
..."Be silent and know that I am God. I will be honored by every nation, I will be honored throughout the world." (NLT)
..."Be at peace in the knowledge that I am God. I will be lifted up among nations, I am exalted in the earth" (NRSV)
..."Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at Me, your High God. Above politics, above everything" (MSG)

This has been one of my favorite verses for many years. I guess as long as I've been old enough to recognize my limited ability to control the days of my life. Of course I grew up on the words from the NIV, but as I have been looking at, and drawing strength from this verse , especially this past year, the Message says it in a way that addresses what we, you and I, understand and need.

It seems to say, "duh, slow down, get out of the way of what's running over you and focus on Me. Just let your eyes rest long and lovingly on Me. Soak in Me as you might in a pool of water.
(My mental picture) Don't focus you eyes only on your problems. I am your High God, not the things that distress you everyday, no matter how important they seem to be. It tells me...you don't have to worry, I can not only manage it all, I will be honored and held up before all these things you fret over and let consume you, Trust Me.

Tonight we were coming home from the Y, after swimming with the boys for an hour or so. Everyone had fun. As we were leaving, Toni signed Zack and Hunter up for swimming lessons in August. Zack cried and begged to not have to be taught by someone he did not trust. He worried about lots of things and wondered why we would trust someone else to teach him to swim, he trusted us. I asked him several questions and then thought, as adults, we worry about just the opposite. We choose people we don't know, instead of trusting the One who knows all.

How many times, even in one day, do we say "I'm at my wit's end, there is just too much, I can't seem to make the right decision, and all the time we are looking everywhere but at our Father God. The Creator of all the earth. If you haven't spent much time with the above verse, and reading it in different ways, I urge you to do so. It gives me peace and even courage that the things I stress and strife to solve are not too big for the God of all the earth.

Nothing profound tonight, just sharing my favorite verse with you and telling you a little of what it means to me.
Love you all...

THE FEAR OF BELIEVING

WILL WE BE DISAPPOINTED IF WE DO

I read a blog today written by someone I don't personally know. We know some of the same people, but I had never heard of the author. There has been something nagging in the back of my mind lately, just beyond recognition. It is becoming more clear the more times I read his posts. It did not originate with his writing, but became clearer to me with the reading of it.

He was actually writing in this particular blog about the "Irksomeness of Prayer". It took me awhile to come to the conclusion that he really just felt let down and at a loss because God obviously COULD have stopped the Tsunami in Japan, but didn't. He referred to another writer's statement that, though that we pray the same prayers over and over, there is no real resolution. Or, is it just no real resolution in the way we would have chosen? To believe there is no resolution would seem to indicate God is either deaf and can't hear our prayers of repetition, or has a memory retention problem.

Neither is the case. He knows full well what is happening on His earth, and yes He could make it turn out differently. I ask, whose outcome should He choose? Would it be mine, or yours, our neighbors, or our enemy's? I say that because none of these people would have a problem with control, right? It has to be one of those categories though because God's resolution is not good enough for those He created.

That's why our country is in turmoil, as is most of the world. Some do assume they have more knowledge than other people, but trust me, it's only an assumption.

The question still remains, what do we do with a God who allows things to happen? Things that are truly bad, or wrong, or just out of character for our loving God. Here is a concept. I admit I sometimes struggle with this and in fact am struggling with it right now.

What if we try "Trust" or maybe "Faith" (could be the same thing). I realize I, myself, cannot accomplish what I'm asking of Him in our present situation, but I believe "He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world".

Is it possible we pray to the Father with a ready made wish list and only notice the biggies we don't receive? We aren't aware of the answer if it doesn't come packaged with brand name recognition.

Can I wrap my mind around why tens of thousands of people die in one disaster? NO... or why a young family aches and hurts and misses the daddy who was doing his very best to lead and take care of his wife and children, but died anyway? NO...Do I have an answer for destruction of nations by other nations? NO...Do I think God needs me to tell Him what He should do about it? NO...

What I do believe is that He wants us to talk to Him. He wants to hear something other than "gimme" or "I want" or "ARE YOU LISTENING" "HEY, DID YOU SEE THAT WALL OF WATER"? (shouting here)

It isn't for Him though that we talk , it is for us so that we might come to a trust that comes only with knowing and being familiar with someone. A best friend or brother or sister who knows us better than we know ourselves and vice versa.

Is it possible we transfer our disappointment and lack of control onto God? Sure it is. I do pray each of us will learn to trust that He knows the number of hairs on our head and also choose to believe that His ways are greater than our ways and His love is bigger than our love. That He loves the people of Japan, Chili, Iraq, Iran, even the whole of this earth with a knowledge and love we cannot even imagine.

We don't believe He hears or is big enough because we are afraid we might be disappointed. Fear is at the core of our not believing but "Perfect love casts out all fear".

There is one who would love nothing more than to convince each of us that God doesn't have a grip on what He is doing and what His plan is for His people, that one can only approach you and share his lies with you if you invite him in.

It it is my hope and yes, my prayer, that each of us invite our Friend to go for a walk, boat ride, to sit in the sunny cool breeze of spring and learn to talk and trust the one who holds you in His hands. Don't be afraid of the really big jobs because His hands are big enough to hold the jobs and to hold you too.

Love to each who reads my thoughts.

Your friend, Alma

The Love of My Life

"For Some There Is Forever Only One"

I'm not sure how many of you who read my feeble attempts at putting my thoughts, memories and blessings in print even know The Love of My Life. If you have had the good fortune to have met him, then you know what I say is true. If you haven't, my hope is that one day you will have that opportunity.

Those who know us know I have a personality that, at times is at the least, aggressive. The man I'm married to however, is a peacemaker. He tries to live his life for the purpose of being a reflection of The Father, bringing a peacefulness to those around him.

That's not to say he hasn't failed at times, but he has never put himself before me. He has been open and available to serve all whom he meets. Through out his life and especially for the past twenty-five years, he has been an example to the wisest of men and the meekest of children, church elders, pastors, employers and employees. He has served husbands and wives while sweeping the hallways in a daycare, and he has served our children and grandchildren. Many times making the hard choices and showing a tuff love, eventhough his own heart was breaking.

I've seen him cry grown man tears because of disappointments inflicted by those he loved and trusted, somehow "wept" is a more discriptive term, but I've not seen him allow his heart to harden. I do not intend to portray him as "rightous, or pious", those who know him understand what I mean. He is just a man who places value on relationships rather than judgements.

This man, Les Fenter, did not become who he is on his own. He has a very rich heratige passed down to him from his mother and father and I thank them for dedicating their lives to loving and preparing him for a life of service. During times of struggle and pain they loved him and thus taught him to love in the same way.

I'm sure, by now you get my message, and hopefully you understand why...

"For Some There Is Forever Only One" and why he's The Love if My Life.

I Love You, Les