BOUND TO COME SOME TROUBLE

Hi Guys,

Hope the day has treated you well. I have survived a few adventures of late, so I for one am glad to be here. Reminded me of the Rich Mullins song I'm using for my title today, off his Never Picture Perfect CD. I have the whole song at the end. If you want, you can call me up and I'll sing it for you.

So we made it to Saturday night, when last we spoke. What has befallen me since? Well, Jere blogged about me. Whenever Jere mentions my name, there's bound to come some trouble. This kind of trouble needed to be covered in kitty litter is all I'll say about it. But, I guess I have embarrassed him more than once in his life, too. One thing you cannot say about Jere, is that he is boring. I love that boy.

So what else is new...

Steve took me to lunch Sunday with Sarah and Bryce Cunningham. We went to Two Brothers in Adams. We ate like kings. Unfortunately it took a long long time to get the food. Don't go there too hungry, and don't forget they're closing early on Halloween. We didn't care, we just wondered why.

Tom's been a little quiet, or busy lately. Almost done with his trimester, I reckon. Thanksgiving is his break, so he coming up on finals in a few weeks. His last message said Tom 1 E Coli 2. I sure hope he wins this round.

Sarah's Sectional playoff game was postponed tonight until tomorrow at 3. She'll be down in Canastota playing Madison. Should be a great game. Sa is excited.

Rose is playing tomorrow too, but not soccer, and not in Central NY. Her Potsdam Lady Bears are headed down our way for their first basketball scrimmage of the season against the JCC Lady Cannoneers. We'll let you know how that turns out. Her leg was better yesterday in practice, thanks for the prayers.

Libby the pigdog got a bath this weekend. Even Stephen noticed. Unfortunately, her doggie shampoo got left in the shower where my usual Suave goes. I wear glasses, but not in the shower. Thanks, John. You know John's hair has been a little wilder lately too, come to think of it.

Sonny my goat mascot that I won in a bar bet, has been noticeably absent from our post lately while his father and I worked out some custody issues. I'll get him on weekends. Rest assured, less will be more. With only a couple of days a week afforded to him, he should be able to come up with some pretty good stuff, don't you think? Only time will tell.

Tomorrow my friend Bryce is coming back to the Internet. You know what, we should all throw him a party here. Leave him a comment if you have time. Something short and sweet, or clever or useless. Welcome back Bryce, we missed you.

I'm waiting for Tejla to come back. She was in hiding from H. Wilma, and was relocated to safety somewhere. I hope she's back soon. I used to miss her because she went to college in FL. Now I miss her because she's not there anymore either!

We also received word last week that one of our own - our friend - Chad Safranski, was wounded in Iraq and received a purple heart. Please continue to lift up our soldiers and president. Please continue to lift up my friend Katherine for healing as well. We're joining her in believing for a complete healing.


Blessings,

Love, Mom


Bound to Come Some Trouble
Rich Mullins
John 16:33

There's bound to come some trouble to your life
But that ain't nothing to be afraid of
There's bound to come some trouble to your life
But that ain't no reason to fear
I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life
But reach out to Jesus, hold on tight
He's been there before and He knows what it's like
You'll find He's there

There's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
That ain't nothing to be ashamed of
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
That ain't no reason to fear
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
Reach out to Jesus, hold on tight
He's been there before and He knows what it's like
You'll find He's there Now,

People say maybe things will get better
People say maybe it won't be long
And people say maybe you'll wake up tomorrow
And it'll all be gone
Well I only know that maybes just ain't enough
When you need something to hold on
There's only one thing that's clear

I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life
But that ain't nothing to be afraid of
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
That ain't no reason to fear
I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life
Reach out to Jesus, hold on tight
He's been there before and He knows what it's like
You'll find He's there
AMEN

Weekend Updates: Saturday

Too much for one post...so...

anyway...we didn't cause nearly the same amount of trouble in Oswego the next day. Oh wait, Steve wasn't there, was he? Hmmm. Oswego was wet, and cold. We woke Jere up at noon and went to Brunch after our Seneca tour. That's Jere's building where he reigns supreme as the RA with the highest evaluation EVER!!! except for someone who was compared to Mary Poppins and hey, who needs that baggage, eh? After lunch, we met up with Katherine Widrick and Alicia Cronk and attended a reception for RA's and higher-ups that was fun. It was Alicia's big 2-0! Welcome to your twenties, girlfriend. Welcome to the next exciting phase of your life. You'll never want to go back. Leave the zits and angst for good; they're not what they're cracked up to be anyway.

Then we zipped off to WalMart to end our afternoon and had a grand old time stocking Jere back up on essentials - beginning with Peanut M & M's and ending with track pants. There were other things in between, but that gives you a good cross section, no? It was nice to spend time with Jere and Karen and break bread and broccoli with them. And drink tiny little cans of Diet Coke. We'll see them again this weekend at the SFS. I even remembered to take them bracelets to share with other BASIC members. My most expensive purchase was body armor for Sarah, that JERE talked me into getting for her. Hmmm... She plays tomorrow in the NY Soccer Sectionals in Madison. She needed it. Say thank you to your brother Jere, Sarah.

So back we zipped. The Presbytery service was a great time indeed. We had Sylvia Evans and Brother Paul Cannon up for the festivities, and God was so...Present. No smoke, no clouds, no fire, just sweet Presence. He spoke lots of things to all of us, and we were encouraged. I was compared to Martha of the Martha/Mary sisters fame, although someone thought Sister Sylvia was referring to Martha Stewart, the convict. She encouraged me to release my timing issues to God at the end of every day and say Enough. Rest Time. Tomorrow comes soon enough.

Brother Paul said there was a powerful joy coming our way. Look out everyone! He also spoke to me about boldness in personal ministry especially one on one. No more walking on egg shells, but that the fact that I do that causes me to take care with people to not offend them. My one on one ministry will be that much more effective therefore. He spoke of God giving me the tongue of the learned and boldness and power. Sylvia mentioned David's tendency to dance on tables, while he was setting them up. Joy in the Journey! He finds joy in practicality of doing. Nice quality.

Steve's word was equally good. Sylvia mentioned that he was young man a couple of times, while encouraging him in the areas of integrity and character. She said he would be watched like as if he were in a display case. People would be watching him. Then she kind of twisted his head around to see if he was "49". She said he was a messenger and that sometimes the messenger's message could be distorted without proper timing and delivery. God would make him wise to the ways of men and a student of character, and give him a discerning spirit. Then Brother Paul Cannon gets up and mentions that Steve's a law school student (Sylvia: "Awww, that explains the integrity thing!") and really encouraged him that his career would be one of integrity and honor. He would never take a case that would cause him to compromise. He would be a Person of Significance, Sought Out, Inquired Of. Giftings would be poured in: A Discerning Spirit, Words of Knowledge and Wisdom, Leader of Worship, Man of God. Full speed ahead. Get done as quickly as he can. And as added bonus Sylvia threw in "Give him a wife that will bring out the best in him! Woot. Wife talk is always fun at presbytery! Cheryl talked about his tendency to overdo. Stay focused!

Wow what a thrill packed weekend! Sunday was equally good, as Sylvia stayed around to preach to us from Luke. She's a great teacher. I will try to send out copies of her sermon to anyone who asks...

I'm shutting up now.

Love, Mom

P.S. Rose's game is this Thursday at JCC at 6PM. Please pray for her healing so she doesn't make her leg injury worse. Come see her if you can.

I'm really shutting up now...no really.

Weekend Updates: Friday

Why, Hello:

I came on yesterday to update and catch everyone else up on our busy weekend, but it seemed God had other plans. We'll see how far I get today. As I mentioned last week, last weekend was Family Fun Weekend at Oswego. Dave and I had a trip planned to go spend some time with Senior Dos Dooter, but the Friday night part got cancelled when both Dave and Jere had to work. So we planned on taking off early Saturday and wreaking havoc on Campus through the early afternoon. A Presybytery Service back here in Dexter was scheduled for early Saturday evening, so our hockey game plans had to be abandoned.

Before we could get to Saturday however, Steve called and asked if I wanted to ride up to Potsdam Friday night with him, while Dave was at work. Since Sarah had made plans to spend the night in Sackets, John and I said "Yes, thanks", and off we went. We found Rose in Canton (with Mii-iikkke), where we experienced a few stalls trying to decide where to eat. Potsdam isn't NYC, but it does have it's share of dining choices, if you define the word loosely. Then if you factor in Canton's choices - woo - you may need to keep your angina pillcase open. That would be ohm-pen to those of us on the dark side. So Pizza Hut won the dining designation crown and our waiter won the slightly stiffed tip award from Steve later that evening. Hey, here's a hint. Act like we all matter, but keep his drink filled up whatever else you neglect in the room.

Back in Rose's room later, Steve (and I watched...) played around on her computer a bit, while Rose was out of the room. Never a good combination. Rose had taken John across the hall to the Computer Lab and was helping him find something to do over there. Mike wandered back and forth to check on our high levels of laughter, bestowing a new motto onto Steve ("Classy, But Shameless") when he saw what Steve was up to. I merely held coats, but I did enjoy it. We had Tom online at the same time and he was instrumental in instigating these hijinks as well. Anyway a good time was had by all. What was it you had Rose call her own hair compared to yours on "her" post to your friend, Steve, a hag-haired something-shaved chiwauwau? Ah, good times.

Speaking of laughing until you can't breathe you should really check out Job's list of Fantasy Responses. Oh my goodness. You will not be disappointed. Do yourself a favor and read it to someone so you can enjoy it twice as much...

More later, campers.

Sitting here, loving you - but not as much as God does!

Mom

Contentment Explored

Spiritual Freedom Countdown: 5 days

I love Fall, I really do. That's a change for me. There was a time I didn't, because Winter never brought me much joy. Don't ski, can't skate, and for me, sledding is just another opportunity for snow to get into places it doesn't belong. Places that are hard to warm up again. And I'm hardly ever warm as it is! Being financially challenged, it's not like we have trips to South Florida planned every February to break up the doldrums. And we lost Dave's Dad in the Fall of 1990, and I lost my Dad in February of 75, so reflections, generally accompanied by regrets, came calling pretty regularly around these times.

Spiritual Freedom brought about a change in me that has affected my outlook on Fall. Once I got rid of the Regrets within my Reflections (through issuing forgiveness of all things!), I could enjoy this season without my usual mental baggage. The colors are beautiful and the weather has been amazing this year, at least up here... and this winter's dire forecasts will not be fodder for my mind's tendency to "be realistic". It's going to be sooo cold. We'll never see any of our kids. We'll be flat broke trying to pay for fuel! Ahhhh! Enough! The truth is, God has always provided everything we needed, anyway. "All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided..." we sang it yesterday in church (we hit the hymns pretty regularly for a Pentecostal church, I must say). So why would this winter be any different?

As if the weather and fuel price predictions weren't bad enough, four of my children left for college this fall. Now I only have two kids at home. A lot of my identity is wrapped up in that number 6. Yes, I'm working on that issue next. But it's not like they really left. Truth be known, they come and they go, but they also take us with them by letting us interact in their new exciting adventures daily (see the blogs lists on the right), and they act like what waits back here for them is valuable to them. Go Figure! All this time I thought our treasure was coming sometime in the future, but really it was always right here. And still is. And I am truly blessed.

Know you are loved,

Mom

Every Minute
by Sara Groves
Album: All Right Here
[Buy " All Right Here " CD]

I am long on staying. I am slow to leave,
Especially when it comes to you my friend.
You have taught me to slow down, and to prop up my feet.
It's the fine art of being who I am.
And I can't figure out why you want me around.
I'm not the smartest person I have ever met.
But somehow that doesn't matter, no it really never mattered to you at all.

And at the risk of wearing out my welcome,at the risk of self-discovery,
I'll take every moment, and every minute that you give me.

And I can think of a time when families all lived together,
Four generations in one house.
And the table was filled with good food, and friends and neighbors.
That's not how we like it now.
'Cause if you sit at home you're a loser,
Couldn't you find anything better to do?
Well, no, I couldn't think of one thing
I would rather waste my time on than sitting here with you.

And at the risk of wearing out my welcome.
At the risk of self-discovery,
I'll take every moment, And every minute that you give me.

And I wish all the people I love the most could gather in one place,
And know each other and love each other well.
And I wish we could all go camping, and lay beneath the stars,
And have nothing to do and stories to tell.
We'd sit around the campfire and we'd make each other laugh,
Remembering when...
And you're the first one I'm inviting.
Always know that you're invited, my friend.

And at the risk of wearing out my welcome.
At the risk of self-discovery,
I'll take every moment, and every minute that you give me.
Every moment, and every minute that you give me.
Every moment, and every minute that you give me. Every minute...