Hanging On

Like other bloggers lately, I have found that I haven't had much to write about. I have never deluded myself about being a good writer, in fact, I am very aware of my inability to write. Which is sad, because I have many good writers in my family. My daughters, my sister and brother all write extremely well. (Some even published.) Never the less, I have been journaling via this blog.

I have been wondering about my lack of items or thoughts to write about.

Could it be that I have such a boring life that I ran out of ideas? This may be it. Because of the economy, I have stopped driving. That means that I don't leave the house except for twice a week and those times are for my prayer time with friends on Wednesday mornings. Right after prayer, on my way home, I stop at the grocery store to do my shopping. The other day is Sunday, our church day. Once in a while, Kevin and I will go out on a Friday evening. This night out is usually to Barnes and Noble where we will get a coffee and browse the books. That's it, my time away from home and my lack of motivation. BUT...I am going to start a computer class tomorrow night (very close to home) and this means I will get one more night out. Wahoo!!!

Am I in a blue funk? This could very well be the answer. If you have followed my blog at all, you have read about the few rough years I have had recently. I miss my family, especially my girls who live down south. I have had some physical problems which has caused me to isolate myself from people. My son has had some major health issues which resulted in having to have tests, doctors visits, therapies, etc... I have felt sorry for myself. So there you have it.

Is it the long, long winter? I will be honest and tell you that it has affected me in a big way. I love sunshine. I think that is why I did so well down south. The sun shines much more often down there than it does here in the Great Lakes area. I need sunshine!! Even though I have never been officially diagnosed, I think I suffer from SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder. The good news is, Spring is not too far away (the season not the date) and I love Spring and Summer. During this time of year, I am out fiddling in my small garden, I sit and read on the balcony or front porch, Oliver and I walk everyday (sometimes twice a day) and we bike ride to the beach two to three times a week. I love the warm, sunny weather!!

So, I am hanging on. I have a busy summer planned with the Family Retreat, my two week visit to the Carolinas and having my niece spend a few weeks with me. That will be followed by my sister and other niece coming to visit us here up north.

In the meantime, I am praying for blogging ideas and hoping to get out of my blue funk and start cleaning and fixing up my home once again. I am also praying that I will continue to trust God with my life. He knows what He is doing, even when I don't.

End Table

I love my little table. When we moved into our house a few years ago, I was able to purchase a few pieces of furniture and I can honestly say I love these pieces. Today I wanted to showcase my little end table and the nest I found for fifty percent off yesterday.

I found this lamp a few years ago at a little shop in Charlotte, NC

Isn't this nest sweet?

I love the detail on the legs.

I will be posting more on the little things I love in my home.

Alphabet Game

Saw this on Facebook and thought is would be fun to play along here.

A is for your age: 49
B is for your burger of choice: Flame grilled with lettuce, tomato, pickles, mustard, ketchup and mayo
C is for the car that you drive: Ford 500
D is for dog's name: Oliver, our 11 pound pocket beagle
E is for an essential item you use each day: I think my computer is pretty essential!
F is for your favorite television show: 24, you gotta love that Jack Bauer
G is for favorite game: Hand and foot, but I haven't played in a very long time.
H is for hometown: Mt. Clemens
I is for instruments played: Guitar
J is for favorite juice: I am not a big juice drinker, but if I mix cranberry and orange juice with a little Sprite, I can handle it.
K is for what you'd like to kick: My frustrations
L is for last restaurant you dined at: Coney Island (didn't care for it, so we won't be going back)
M is for your favorite muppet: Janice
N is for number of piercings you have: 2 - one in each ear!
O is for overnight hospital stays: Lets see... I guess it's about 10, maybe more.
P is for people you were with today: My Husband and son
Q is for what you do in quiet times: Blog. Watch TV and Read
R is for regrets: No big regrets - I do wish I played more with my kids when they were younger instead of worrying about doing housework.
S is for status: Married???
T is for time you woke up today: 6:00 am
U is for what you consider unique: people - each one is different
V is for favorite vegetable: Tomatoes and zucchini
W is for your worst habit: procrastination
X is for x-rays you have had: dental, knee, chest/lung, bones, head...too many to mention them all.
Y is for yummy food you ate today: Special K...???
Z is for zodiac sign: I don't believe in that junk. But if you do...I am a Gemini

I love finding out more about people, so if you read this, please post one on your blog and let me know. All you have to do is copy and paste, then erase my answers and add your own.

What's On Your Wall Wednesday On Thursday

I have been so busy that I haven't taken the time to blog the last few days, but I have tried (not too successfully) to visit my blogger friends. This morning I went over to my friend Cindy's blog, at Letters From Midlife and found that she had a fun post which she posted yesterday, "What's On Your Wall Wednesday". Well, I really enjoyed looking at her wall art and decided that I would steal her idea and post it today. So here is What's On Your Wall Wednesday On Thursday.

This is a photograph my sister-in-law took, it is hanging in our foyer.

Our small bedroom wall

These were my mom's plates when she was first married. I decided to display them on my dinning room wall.

These two are the Beatles pictures that my sisters gave to Lance. As you can see his room is quite a bright green, we really wanted him to be involved in the process of decorating his room this time and this is the color he wanted. :~)

This last one is a wrought iron piece of art I found to tie in all the metal pieces I have around the house.

What We Can't Do Without

This morning I got up and knew that I would be talking with my daughter, my sister and my brother so I started to look for my cell phone. I CAN'T FIND IT!!! It is driving me nuts... I did call my sister from my land line, but it is still bothering me. It's like a piece of me is missing.

I started to laugh and thought about the things (note that this says things) that I absolutely cannot do without.

Of course my cell phone: I always have it with me, or at least close by me. I use it not only to talk with my family, all Lance's doctors, therapists, school and agencies we work with, only have this number. I also use it for a watch, mine broke and I haven't replaced it.

My Bible: It goes where ever I go.

My chapstick: I only put on lipstick when I leave the house, any other time I have my Burt's Bees on.

Music: I have to have music...all different kinds of music. I need music.

My sweats: I wear these anytime I am at home.

The car: Because of the economy, I hardly ever leave home now, but if I didn't have a car in the garage I would feel like a part of me is missing.

My computer: I turn it on first thing in the morning to check my e-mail. I also use it to store recipes, check weather, find movies for Lance, find phone numbers and of course blog and facebook.

Hand lotion: I have to have lotion on my hands continually.

My shower: If I can't shower everyday I feel nasty

Books: I cannot be without a book of some kind, even if I only read a line a day. I have at least four books going at the moment.

And last but not least:

Reality TV: I DVR all these silly shows and find myself getting upset if I miss them. The Biggest Loser, American Idol, Survivor, Jon & Kate Plus 8, Little People Big World, 18 and Counting, HGTV: Design Star and the The Next Food Network Star. (The new season for these last two haven't started yet, but I can't wait!)

So there you have it. Can I do without these things, probably, but I would walk around in circles until I got use to not having them. In the meantime, I have circled the great room eight times and checked between the cushions on the couch and riffled through my purse, I am sure I left that darn phone in the great room after I talked with Brigette. .. Rats...

Awww Detroit

Living in the Detroit area the last few years has been an adventure. This post could take me in many different directions, but I am going to concentrate on the way our area is defeating it's self.

It is true that many, many cities throughout the Nation are struggling, especially those who rely on manufacturing for it's survival. But I think Detroit is one of the worst at the moment. We now have an unemployment rate of 13 percent. Everyone everywhere knows someone who is laid off or ready to be laid off. Kevin is not getting forty hours a week and hasn't been for quite a long time.

We recently went through the whole Kwame Kilpatrick, the former Mayor of Detroit, scandal. Sex, lies, corruption and even a possible murder. The City Council has been involved in a lot of this... Just a side note; many, many people have been praying that the corruption would be exposed...it has!

All of this, the unemployment, scandal and so much more, has had a negative impact on the whole area, not only Detroit proper, but the suburbs as well.

Because of the sinking auto industry and the depression that is taking place here, Jay Leno, a huge car buff, has offered to do a free comedy show for those who are unemployed. With his help, the Palace of Auburn Hills, the arena where the Pistons play basketball, have offered to put on this show free of charge along with some other local companies who have offered to bring in refreshments. Well, you can image the excitement over this! Someone is noticing what is going on and offering to help in a small way.

So here we go...the Detroit City Council has started whining, "If this is for Detroit, why isn't Jay Leno performing in Detroit?" The Palace is a part of the Detroit area (about 30 minutes north), the Pistons play there, many other people perform there because the venue will hold a huge amount of people. Also, the Palace has offered the place free of charge!!! Not one of the other venues in Detroit has offered to host this event!!!!

We have been hosting the International Auto Show forever. Because of the shape of Cobo Hall, the IAS have threatened to move the show to another city. Again, the law makers in the city of Detroit, have not wanted to relinquish control of Cobo to an independent company so the repairs can be made and we can continue to host this huge event.

It just saddens me to see that because of power, the morale and well being of an entire area will just be thrown away.

We watch as, police and firefighters are laid off, State, City and County workers are let go, many, many businesses are closed, while the powers that be, argue over the ridiculous.

Awww Detroit...you are something else.

Weary

Some mornings are just hard... This morning is one of those mornings. I was up late last night...I watched the Red Wings game and then watched The Biggest Loser which I had DVRed. I know better, but my evenings get away from me sometimes. Add onto that, the busy, busy weekend that we had and the time change, well, need less to say, I am dragging.

I have a full day planned, a meeting with a special needs organization at a local church and grocery shopping. I then need to race home to straighten the house before Lance's speech therapists comes. After that I need to make dinner and help Kevin record and submit the love offering we received from the kick off and in between, I need to make a batch of cookies because the guys are out of them. (This is what I get for making everything from scratch) Do a couple of loads of laundry (again, that's what I get for never wanting the towels to sit longer than a day)...

The Word says in Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest.

I am not "loaded down with burdens" at the moment (Thank God!!) but I am weary for sure, (Yes, I realize I am taking this a bit out of context, but there you go...) I will come unto Him, I will spend some time with Him this morning. He will give me rest.

Tonight I will go to bed early, well, earlier than normal, well, okay I do have to watch the elimination on American Idol and I do want to read a little since it has been a few weeks. I don't think the Wings are playing...but if they are, well, okay maybe I will try to sneak in a nap, well, that won't work...Hmmmmm...

A Giant of a Man

Well, our official launch of Southeast Michigan Joni and Friends was a huge success. We had about seven churches who have a special needs ministry in our area, to a dinner for networking. Nick Vujicic addressed us, along with Larry Patton, a board member and Colleen Holmes our Chairperson. They encouraged these church leaders to continue to reach out to families and individuals with disabilities and we let them know that JAF is here to help anyway we can.

Afterward we had about 2000 people (much more than expected) join us for the JAF commission and to hear Nick speak. I can only say, WOW!! It was an amazing night and so incredible to see God move in such a mighty way. There were more than 200 people who committed their lives to the Lord. (Another 200 the next day in our church service) Nick was articulate, funny, challenging and informative. He truly is a Giant of a Man!

The response we had concerning JAF is truly humbling, there were so many people who express an interest in helping or serving in one way or another. We also have been invited to several meetings and conferences to share about the ministry.

All I can say is, we need to hold on to our hats!!!

Lance and Erin, his helper for the evening

The commissioning prayer

Kevin and I sharing about our experience with JAF

Nick Vujicic

Nick and the Board of Joni and Friends Southeast Michigan

Rejoice

Okay, I admit it, I am a creature moved by the weather!

It is in the low sixties today and could possibly break a record. I feel ecstatic, elated, I feel deliriously happy!!! Was it only a few days ago, that I was in the "depths of despair" (Anne Shirley).

Give me sunshine and a balmy day and I am yours.

It is so funny, because when I am like this I start quoting scriptures.

This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it...Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice...I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise will continually be in my mouth.

Why can't I do what I quote? Rejoice everyday, no matter what. Rejoice always, no matter what. Bless the Lord at all times, no matter what.

I am fickle and I am faithless at times, but today I am grateful.

Thank you Lord for your love and patience and for the wonderful sunshine.

Amazing Man of God

The Southeast Michigan Joni and Friends, which Kevin and I are a part of, is having it's big kick off Saturday night called "Lift Off: Life Without Limits". We are here to encourage and help equip the local churches to reach out to families and individuals affected by disabilities.

Nick Vujicic is our keynote speaker. If you have never heard Nick speak you need to take a few moments and watch this video. He is an amazing man of God and is being used by God all over the world, especially to young people. His ministry is Life Without Limbs.

Be blessed!

DBJ

In August 2005, my husband Kevin went on a Wheels for the World trip to Nairobi, Kenya with Joni and Friends. He and a handful of other people went to deliver used wheelchairs, refurbished by prisoners here in the US, to people who would never otherwise receive one. This is a little paper he wrote to send to our family and friends who supported him with finances and prayer. Kevin is not a writer, but his heart shines through each word written.

DIS BE JESUS

I went to Africa with the purpose to fit wheelchairs and walkers to Kenyans who were in great need, with the gospel of Christ in my heart.

When I arrived, I experienced DBA, “dis be Africa”. We were on Africa time. When your transportation is late, when your plans have to change, when you shower in your hotel room, which you are looking forward to after a long day, is only cold water, DBA…when the first two days are fitting adult wheelchairs and your recipients are all children, when they serve fruits and vegetables which look good but you cannot eat because of bacteria, DBA…when you go to a safari to see wild life and you notice there are no lions because they mauled two rangers and had to be removed…DBA.

As time went on, I started noticing other things. I noticed two OTs, Heidi and Michelle, who brought their skills from Nebraska, lead two teams of workers, and with compassion and expertise fitted many adults and children with wheelchairs and walkers.

I noticed a Baptist pastor, David, whose job assignment was mechanic, but as time went on grew to include social director. Looking like an offensive tackle for the Panthers, he had a natural ability to greet the recipients and their caretakers with a warm smile, demeanor, and love.

I noticed another member of our team, Doris, who says she is a retired nurse. I think she fibbed to me. I believe she simply changed her job location. At 70 years young and on her first mission trip, her life just started. She hit it off with the nurses at Kenyatta Hospital with her wit and encouragement. She also showed her nurturing talents when the infants came. She made sure the little ones were laid down in the shade while waiting for strollers, singing songs for comfort. Retired? I don’t think so.

I noticed two people with disabilities and their caretakers. In spite of their own difficulties and struggles, Byron, Scarlett, Jean and Karen went to speak to the recipients and their caretakers, armed with Bibles, the Jesus film in Swahili and their own personal stories. Byron also took on the task of leading our trip. A huge task when you take into account people in our group came from California, Nebraska, North and South Carolina, as well as planning with people from Joni and friends to get the wheelchairs all the way to Nairobi and through the red tape.

I noticed Anthony helping Byron all week with his personal needs, so Byron could minister. I watched him as he went around during the week emptying urine bags. I saw such humility.

I noticed Phyllis and her diligence and hard work; whether it was making pads out of foam rubber, cutting vinyl and stapling or anything that was needed. She just kept on working and helping everyone.

I noticed Cheri, who, for the last three years has been through an awful lot. With kidney failure and then cancer, she definitely knows about hardship. She took her experiences and hope with her, sharing her victories and strength found in Jesus Christ with those she was helping.

I noticed John, from Joni and friends, who oversaw all of our efforts. He came with his organizing experience, having distributed wheelchairs for years. He personally gave up a career to become a full time staff member with Joni and friends. What possesses people to make illogical decisions like this? It is called compassion and love.

I noticed my own daughter, Angela, the editor, interviewing recipients and their caretakers about their personal stories. I noticed her hold one of the little babies who was orphaned because of AIDS, or maybe just thrown away by his parents. She wanted to comfort the helpless.

Finally, I noticed through my teammates that who I really saw was Jesus…compassion, love, selflessness, humility, comfort, all of Christ’s attributes right before my eyes. It was an honor to be part of this great work in Christ. I could say a lot more but I think you get the picture. What I noticed was not DBA, but DBJ…dis be Jesus.