Pace Yourself

I don't know if I will be able to keep up the pace I had in November but I love being able to do all the things I've dreamt about.  Just not all in one month.

I have already shared about the Board Meeting, Fundraiser and Christmas Parade.  The next Monday evening I was asked to speak at Our Masters Men Rehabilitation Camp.  These guys are struggling with all kinds of addictions and have made the decision to get their life straightened out in many ways.   They were so attentive and kind.  Asked many questions and we discussed many things that would help them stay on track and most of all that there is hope for them to turn things around. 

The next day was truly a dream come true.  I have been wanting to visit Siskin Hospital's spinal cord injury patients for almost four years. I was so excited. I was able to visit with not only the spinal cord physical therapy session but also stroke and brain injury physical therapy.  I would go again in a heartbeat.  I tried to talk one young lady into running for Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2020 but all she wanted to do was get back to her classroom and teach.  I couldn't blame her.  You could tell she loved and missed her students. But what a sweetheart.

This sweet lady thought I was so beautiful.  I told her it was the crown.  "Here, you put it on and tell me if you don't feel more beautiful."  So I crowned her.  She said, " Wow, it works.  How does that happen?"  "It's magic", I said.  

Wednesday I was off to Laurelbrook Nursing Home.  I love people of all ages and to be able to brighten their day, brightens mine. When one lady found out she was three years younger then me, she went to her room and put on makeup.  I thought it was so cute. 

The next Monday the Elementary School was my destination so I could read to 80 first graders. I asked if anyone had any questions and 80 hands went up.  So I started at the back and worked my way up.  I still had time to read a book or two. Soon I will be going to the High School.  I'm sure there will be crickets when I ask that question.

Then I ended the month with a tour of the Permobil wheelchair factory in Lebanon.  Such nice people and a beautiful facility.  My husband was ready to move and go to work there. 

WHEW!!!!! 

The Widow's Mite

I have been lax in keeping up with my posts but sometimes I just burst with a  story I must tell, ASAP!!

I love many things about Christmas, lights, music, food, family, and giving.  

Giving brings me so much joy.  A great day for me is spoiling someone else in some way.  

Since October 1st I have been trying to raise money for my Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee expenses.  My husband along with my close friends use every opportunity to help me by getting the word out that I need support.  But let me tell you, it's not easy and asking people for money is difficult. 

This brings me to my special little Christmas story.  

My husband drives a van to transport elderly, disabled or just those with state insurance to their appointments.  One man, we'll call Joshua, has been riding with Glen for about 10 years.  Joshua and his mother don't have much at all and last year we had the great blessing of helping provide a Christmas Tree and decorations for them along with some food.  

Just before Christmas, he had a Doctor's appointment where I work.  When he came to check in, he talked about how happy he was to hear about my reward, (meaning Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee).  The nurse came to put him in a room but first, he came to my door and held out his fist.  Clearly, he had something in it.  Having raised boys, I'm always leery of a closed fist.  It could be a frog, after all. 

But I cupped my hands under his as he dropped every cent he had into it and said, "Here, I know it's not much but I want you to use it to help you get to Arkansas so you can get the big reward." (Ms. Wheelchair American). This was everything this young man had. EVERYTHING and he gave it to me.  It might as well have been a million dollars because that's how I felt.  Tears welled up in my eyes, not wanting to take it but I knew I had too.  I treated this fifty cents with all the respect, if not more than I would one from a major company.  Glen delivered a personal thank you note to him the next day along with food.  

This story reminds me so much of the story of the Widow's Mite in Mark 12.

Many people were putting in offerings at the temple. A poor widow put in a few cents.  Jesus told his disciples that this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything. 

Her heart was in the right place and so was Joshua's.  If he only knew how many lives he has now touched and will continue to touch with his fifty cents. 

 

Play Me Some Country Music

This month has been really busy.  So many exciting things happening.  First of all, I had my very first SPARC board meeting.  I was so honored, thrilled, excited and everything in between to be asked to serve on this board. 
This organization has given me so much and if serving on the board is a way to give back to them, I'm all for it. 
SPARC provides adaptive sports for people with disabilities.  Things you thought you would never do, you now can. 

Next was our Fundraiser to raise money for my registration into Ms. Wheelchair America.  It was a fantastic night.  We had a great turnout and so many volunteers to pull it off.  There was a full band that spent many hours practicing for this event and they even let me sing with them.  The ladies at my church provided the food and operated the concessions stand.  Our local community center provided the place and did all the publicity.  A girl could not have asked for more.  I literally, had to just show up.  It was a big success.

The next day Liberty, Junior Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee, and I braved a very cold morning to be in the Christmas Parade in Chattanooga at the mall.  The sun was shining so that was a big plus.  I have to say that seeing all those little kids smiling and waving at you and in anticipation of seeing Santa, who wasn't far behind us, made it all worth it.  

There were a few other titleholders in the parade so we managed to get together for a picture. 

Follow the Frog

I attended two special events last week.  The first one was the Tennessee Government School to Work Transition night at Rhea County High School.
My friend Ladonna and I were representing our employer, Rhea Medical Center.  She works in Human Resources, so she was the perfect person to attend this function with me.

This is a very informative night for students with disabilities and their families.  Several colleges and organizations were there plus the Marine and National Guard recruiters.

There was a detailed presentation on how to access the Tennessee Government website and maneuver through all the resources there to help them apply for assistance in numerous areas.  I was very honored to be a part of it and was hoping to make some Junior Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee connections.

I wish more families had shown up because it was very informative.

Friday was a great day!!!  I left the house about 7AM to be at Superior Vans in Knoxville by 9AM.  They were having an open house tailgate party.  I met so many wonderful people there, from the staff at Superior to the special people who came out for the day.  What a great turnout they had. 

I made some Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee contacts, was on the radio with the morning DJ and met their mascot who wanted to be a Princess too.  I was not kissing him, let's just be clear about that!!

A DATE WITH CITY HALL

For a long time, I have been very frustrated with the downtown area of Dayton.
The curbs are not wheelchair accessible, so for me to visit a store or restaurant on the opposite side of the road from where I'm parked, I have to get in my van and drive around the block and park on the other side.  I can not cross the street at most of the lights. 

So at the very top of my agenda was to meet with the city officials and discuss this problem.   They have made many upgrades to beautify this little town but this had not been addressed. 

The Mayor, City Manager, and their staff were more than happy to meet with me and discuss not only the curbs but anything else that might need to be changed to compensate people in wheelchairs.  Michelle Horton, the City Recorder had already attended a meeting about the specifications.  We will begin to see changes on some of the sidewalks as early as next month.  Market Street, which is our main road through town, won't be addressed till next year because of the budget. The good news is, there is a plan in action. 

If you live in Tennessee and need me to come to your town and meet with your City Officials about accessibility in your city, let me know. 

A Crown Is A Magical Thing

Week two has been very busy.  I have had many calls about possible appearances, interviews, and events.  My calendar for October is a little messy.  If every month is like this one, I will need a clone but I am excited for what lies ahead. 

The highlight of the week was my television interview on Friday with FOX GMA Chattanooga.  Greg Funderburg was a very gracious host and I can see why he was nominated for the Best of the Best Award.  I was not nervous at all and I think the interview went really well.  Of course, when I got back to the car I thought of all those things I should've said but the good news is, I don't regret any of things I did say.  That would be awful!!!  I just wish I didn't have so many wrinkles.  I think I could see every single one.  LOL

Saturday was such a fun day.  I visited a local Apple Orchard and gave out my business cards and crowned many little Princesses.  A girl can spot a sparkly crown from a block away, no matter what their age.  It was like a magnet.  I met people from literally all over the world.  People were so interested and so lovely. 
So a shout out to Wooden's Apple House for letting me hang out for the day and make some fantastic new friends.

Sunday is always my favorite day of the week.  I love worshipping in God's House.  I have a beautiful church family.  They are loving, giving, caring, and compassionate.  You don't have time for me to get started on my Pastor.  I have learned so much from him and he has such a big heart and it's so tender.  He gathered the people of the church around and they prayed for me.  He asked for safety for me as I traveled and health and strength as I carried out this mission that God has set before me.   I am so truly blessed.

Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2019 - The Journey Begins

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So the last time I entered a post in this blog, I had just competed for Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2016.  In that blog, I explained that I felt that the Lord had led me to compete, not to win but to reach out to someone.  I did reach out but more than that, people have reached out to me.  I have a whole new family of members with disabilities and the wonderful people that do everything they can to enrich our lives.

I had said I would not compete again.  In fact, this year I was so honored to be asked to judge.   As the cut off date drew nearer and nearer for women to register, my director and I began praying diligently for applicants.  One night the Lord impressed on my heart that I should compete.  So the next day I turned my application in and here I am, Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee 2019.  God indeed blesses us even more than we can imagine.

I am so excited to represent the disabled communities of Tennessee.  I will be attending Ms. Wheelchair America 2020 in July in Little Rock, Arkansas.

My platform is to be a resource to those who have found themselves in a wheelchair and the depression that can sometimes follow that.  I want to give them hope in so many ways.  Life in a wheelchair has given me many opportunities in life that I most surely would not have had.  I have met wonderful people that I would not have met.   I have experienced things I would not have experienced.   I am truly blessed.

So I will try and check in with you weekly and let you know how this journey goes.  I have my first television appearance this Friday on GMA Fox Chattanooga.  I have added a few pictures from this week.

I love you all and stay tuned.

Three Truckers in a Diner

 A week after I was in the Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee contest, Glen and I went to Gatlinburg.  On our way home we stopped at one of our favorite little restaurants.  It's called the Dinner Bell and it's right off the interstate.
We were seated in the back room by the window right in front of their old upright piano.  Close to us was a table of three men, who turned out to be truckers.  One of them immediately started talking to me.  He wanted me to play that piano.  I explained that I didn't know how to play but he wouldn't let it go.
I told Glen that if I didn't know better I would say he was hitting on me but who does that right in front of your husband.  Glen laughed and said, "He thinks I'm your dad."
We tried our best to ignore him but not be rude.  We never like to leave our table unattended when we're at a buffet so I went and got my food and then Glen went. The trucker didn't say much while we were all eating till I was coming back from getting my dessert and Glen left to get his.  He stopped me when I went by their table and said, "Aren't you the first runner up in Ms. Wheelchair Tenn?"
I was shocked. My mouth probably hit my lap.  I tried to be cool but my mind is racing. How could he know that?  I asked if he was from Knoxville, thinking sense the winner was from there it could have been in the news.  He explained they were all truckers.  He was from Virginia, one was from New York and one was from Kentucky. He said he saw it on the Internet.  WHAT???  What site could he have been looking at and why.  This just didn't make sense.  Then Mr. Virginia, the flirt, asks for my autograph.  I graciously do that and then the other two decide they had to have one too.  This is just not happening.  I am flattered but terrified all at the same time.   Glen comes back and wonders what's going on.  I tell him I will be right there.  This isn't a big restaurant so everyone in our room heard all that had transpired and were getting quite the kick out of it.
Mr. Virginia explained that they travel 75 often but had never stopped there before.  He said Mr Kentucky actually wasn't a trucker.  "He's only the escort, lights guy."  It was very condescending and I didn't like it so I shook Mr. Kentucky's hand and said, "I am so glad to meet you.  I love the escort, lights guy!"  Mr. Virginia turns to the room of people and says "And that my friends, is why SHE is Ms. Congeniality!"  Everyone laughed and I told them it was nice to meet them and went back to my table.
Glen said, "What was that all about?"
"I'll tell you on the way home.  You're not going to believe it"
The whole incident haunted me the rest of the day. How could they have know? What website were they on and why?  Where is my picture that I don't know about?
I was laying in bed that night still trying to figure it all out.  Someone had to have been in that diner that knew me and told them but didn't speak to me. That had to be it.  WAIT!  Someone in that diner DID know me and he was right across the table and was in my bathroom right now.  So this is how that conversation went.
"Glen, I am going to ask you a question and you're going to tell me the truth.  YOU told those guys when I went to get my food."
"No I didn't"
"Yes you did. That is the only way they could have  known.  You can say no you didn't till your blue in the face but I know you and I know you told them."
Silence......
"OK, here's what happened.  You went to get your food and Virginia said, "That sure is a sweet little lady you got there" and then I proceeded to tell them the news and then Virginia went on his phone and looked it up on the Internet.
So mystery solved.  My husband was so proud of himself for pulling one over on me.  I have to say, he got me good.  What a crazy day!

Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee

In September, I was confronted with the idea of running for Ms.Wheelchair Tn.  My immediate reaction was, "Are you crazy? I just turned 65 years old!"  Besides, I wasn't even aware there was such a thing.  But it was explained to me that it was not a beauty contest and there was no age limit.  You would be a spokesperson and bring awareness of the wheelchair community. With a promise to think and pray about it, I went on my merry way.

I did pray about it, only because the LORD would NOT LET IT GO! I would try and try to set it on the back burner and HE kept moving it to the front.  So I would pray.  I needed a platform.  I had no platform.  What did I ever need a platform for?  So once again I would dismiss this whole idea.  But God was drawing me to it.  It's as if He said, "I'm not sending you to win, I'm sending you for another reason."
Another reason? What other reason?
But my faith started to kick in and I found myself filling out an application 3 days before the deadline.

Now I began praying for a platform.  "Lord, if you want me to do this, you're going to need to give me a passion for something wheelchair related."  Well it wasn't hard to see where He was leading me. I have always loved helping people who have found themselves suddenly disabled.  I love giving them "tricks of the trade", so to speak.  There was my platform, to mentor and encourage young people who have found themselves suddenly put in a wheelchair, either by war, accident or illness.  I want to visit VA and rehab centers to inspire them to reach for their dreams.  By sharing my life experiences with them, I think they could see the possibilities.  Being Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee would give me the credibility to be able to do that.

So two weeks later, I found myself in Knoxville, Tn. at the Ms. Wheelchair Tn. pageant.  Friday night we met with a speech coach.  After I got back to my room I received a phone call from a very good friend in Illinois.  Although, she wasn't in Illinois, she was in Indianapolis on her way to Knoxville and she had people with her.  I figured it was a couple more girls from high school.  It turned out to be her parents who were very special to me growing up. Her dad had polio also and we had a very special bond. If you follow my blog and refer back to the piano bench story, you will know how special this couple is to me. They made my weekend!!!!

I did not win this contest but I knew I would not.  I did win Ms Congeniality, which is decided by the other contestants and I was the Peoples Choice.  This award was given by people going online and voting.  It was $1 per vote.  So both of these awards are very special to me.

So why did the Lord send me, you ask?  I may never know for sure.  But I was able to be a witness to others and I tried my best to encourage others as well. I made wonderful friends.  Lifelong friends. These women are in wheelchairs too.  I really didn't have any friends like me. One of those precious friends is the current Ms Wheelchair America.  Guess where we went 3 days after the pageant? Siskin Rehab Hospital.  It was so much fun.  I love her for doing that for me.  The new Ms. Wheelchair Tn. has told me she would go with me to some VA hospitals also. So that is exciting.

It was a great experience.  If nothing else, I want to be an example to my granddaughters and nieces that they need to spread their wings and soar like eagles.  When God says go, they need to go.  He has wonderful surprises for you.  Things that you would never imagine on your own.

NO GREATER HONOR THEN TO BE USED OF GOD

Eleven days ago, my cousin and her family set out from Bloomington, Ill. to Miami, Fl.  They had been caring for a two year old little Haitian girl, while her grandfather was gravely ill in a hospital in Miami. Unfortunately for those who knew and loved him, he passed on.  Shelly and Mike knew they were called to safely deliver this little girl to her family in time for the funeral. Driving her seemed to be the only option. Trying to get ahead of Storm Thor, they left Wednesday after work.

The plan was for them to overnight here in Tennessee Thursday evening on the way and then Monday on their way home. On the way, those plans never became a reality. You see, Thor blew in and laid snow and ice in their path, lots of it.  I received a text that they were stopping for the night in southern Illinois. The weather was getting really nasty.  Thursday morning they were greeted with the news that Interstate 24 was closed in Ky. due to 3 jackknifed tractor trailers and hundreds of stranded vehicles. At noon they were told the road would be open.  Waiting patiently, they began their journey on ice laid roads spending over nine hours on the highway in Kentucky going literally nowhere. Keeping in constant communication with them all day and night, I felt like I was trapped in the car with them.  I could feel their frustration as they tried to do what God intended for them to do yet not understanding the "roadblocks" along the way.  At 8:52 PM they crossed the Tennessee line. The road was clear.  Hallelujah.  We decided they should pull off for the night near Nashville and get an early start in the morning. But the roads in Tn. turned ugly and yet again they were inching their way to safety. At 11:21 PM they were finally able to pull off in Nashville.

Friday morning - Yet another delay.  Roads were bad to Chattanooga.  Waiting till 10:00 AM to leave, here is Shelly's text " If we left now we would only be stuck in traffic and this will give us a better chance I hope.  So frustrating that we left 2 days ago and are only 6 hours from home.lol"

THE WHY OF IT ALL.....At 12:10 PM Eastern time, this is her text. "Just got to Chattanooga and got a call from our friend who asked if we were anywhere close to Atlanta. His wife and daughter missed their flight to Miami for the same funeral and they are at the Atlanta airport. THAT IS WHY WE GOT STUCK IN THE STORM! God knew it wasn't about us!! We are on our way to the airport to pick them up.  God is so sovereign."

I can think of no greater honor then to be used to answer someones prayers.

Shelly - "Isn't it cool when God lets you see the why?"

They were trying so hard to obey God every step of the way. Just because we obey, doesn't mean it will be easy.  She says "He has rewarded our leap of faith with protection". Amen to that.

They arrived at 2:45 AM Saturday morning and the funeral was at 10:00 AM.  They had made it. 

GRANDMA MABEL'S PRAYER

GRANDMA MABEL'S PRAYER

I know you're probably shocked that I have posted on my blog.  It's been two years.  There are many reasons for that I won't go into now.   However, I heard a song the other day that so blessed my heart and reminded me so very much of my grandmother that I have re-titled the song "GRANDMA'S PRAYER" and I just couldn't wait to share what was on my heart.  The real name of the song is "I WANNA BE THERE" by The Isaacs.  You will love it.

I have shared with you before, I think, how much my grandmother was determined to see me walk before her death.  She prayed for this daily and her and my grandfather took me all over this country to faith-healers in their effort to help God out.  (As if God needs a faith-healer).  But I endured this for her till I was seventeen.  My grandmother was a Godly woman and actually led me to the Lord at age seven.  She was a woman of great faith yet could not see God's plan for me.  She wanted her plan and God said "No".  I know His plan for me is to bring glory to Him and I am happy with that.  The fact that God would allow me, a little crippled girl from Normal, Il., to help and inspire others.  To let me share my joy with them and allow them to see the light of God's love in my eyes is overwhelming.  I don't think, "Why God did you allow this to happen to me?" but "Why God do you trust me enough to be used for your Glory".  Sometimes my feelings of unworthiness are so consuming that I just burst into tears. "Why was I chosen for such an honorable task?"

Is there something you pray for everyday?  Something you want God to answer before your death because you wanna be there when it happens.  I know I do.   There is someone I pray to get right with the Lord everyday of my life.  I so want to see that happen.  God has spared his life so many times and I feel certain that God has a work for him to do if he would just turn away from his old life and be a new man in Christ Jesus.  Well my friends, keep praying.  Those prayers are not in vain.  God hears you and loves you and His will be done.

Now hear are the words to the verse that so touched me and reminded me of my grandma.

I KNOW A GIRL WITH A HEART OF AN ANGEL, 

THE PRETTIEST SMILE YOU'VE EVER SEEN.

ALL HER LIFE SHE'S ALWAYS DREAMED OF WALKING.  

FOLDING UP THAT WHEELCHAIR AND BEING FREE.

SHE LOVES TO HEAR THE STORY OF HOW JESUS HEALED THE LAME MAN

AND SHE KNOWS ONE DAY SHE'S GOING TO WALK LIKE HE CAN.

I WANNA BE THERE WHEN SHE DOES.

WHEN ALL OF HEAVEN WITNESSES THE FIRST TIME THAT SHE RUNS.

FAITH BECOMES REALITY AND SHE CAN LIVE THE LIFE SHE'S DREAMING OF.

I WANNA BE THERE WHEN SHE DOES.

Thank you Grandma for your prayers.

The Blue Lights Of Fellowship

There are so many scriptures about pride and humility.  It must be a very big problem with us humans, sort of  like the tongue.  I know I struggle with all these things.  I must confess that I am proud of my independence and of the things that I have been able to accomplish although I am very aware that all of these things were through the amazing grace of  my Lord and Savior.  Nevertheless, I can get an I don't need your help or I know what I'm doing and I'm good at it, attitude.  It's something I have to beg for help with through prayers everyday.  I love the way our Savior can knock me down a few pegs every once-in-awhile to remind me I do need help and I am not all that good at anything. He allows embarrassing situations to happen to me to try and teach me humility.
About two years ago, I was pumping my gas at our little local Jiffy gas station.  I was very proud of the fact that I pumped my own gas and didn't need anyone to help me. Most the time these gas pumps don't print you a receipt so I wasn't concerned when I didn't get a receipt this particular day. I got back in my van and headed out to the light to make my turn onto the main road.  All of a sudden, I hear some woman yelling at me from the parking lot, "Lady, come back. You didn't pay for your gas".
"Who me?"   How absurd that she would think that I would run out on paying for my gas.  So I turned around, got out of my van, wheeled into the store so I could explain that I had used my credit card to pay.
"Well, did you pick up the nozzle before it told you too because if you did, you canceled the transaction."
I did not know that and obviously that is what happened. I paid for the gas and went on my way but I have to say, I was humiliated.
Last Wednesday I was at this same gas station pumping my gas making sure I waited for the pump to tell me to lift the nozzle, as I always do now.
As I headed up the mountain, I noticed a policeman tailing me very close.  I made sure I was doing everything right but he was not backing off.  Then they came on, those embarrassing Blue Lights Of Fellowship.  As I pulled over a million things are going through my head. Then it hits me.  I had just left the Jiffy gas station.  Oh no, not again.  Well they are just going to have to go to the video tape because I paid.
"How are you today", he says all sweet and southern like.
"Well I'm not sure.  You tell me." I said as sweet and southern as I could be.  Considering batting an eyelash or two if I need to. You're a 62 year old woman in a wheelchair girl, get a grip! 
"I just wanted to let you know that your tags have been expired sense JULY."
I was shocked.  I couldn't believe it.  How could that have happened?
He let me go and I praised God all the way home.  At the same time I'm wondering how little miss independent, little miss organized, little miss on-top-of-everything, let this happen.  Someone else must have dropped the ball along the way.
As it turned out, I was never sent the registration renewal but I had to take another good look at myself and realize I wasn't all that organized or I would have noticed.  And being pulled over on the side of the road with those blue lights flashing, is the pits.
I was sharing this story with my boss because I had to take some time off to go get this straightened out. His first response was, "Didn't you tell them you worked for Dr. Horton?"
My first thought was, I don't need you to get me out of a ticket. I can do it myself.  
I guess it's back to the Word and onto my knees again.  Will I ever learn?

God Fills A Broken Heart

It grieved my heart so every time I passed my little girls room.  I soon learned to shut the door and act as if that room didn't exist.  I prayed God would help me get over this hole in my heart and fill it with something else, and of course He did just that.

I was still working second shift at Ozark so my mornings were free.  It was on such a morning that one of Glen's nieces called.  Her name was Cindy also and she was a neonatal nurse in northern Indiana where Glen's family is from.  She said that my stepson's new little baby had been brought in last night and was in the neonatal unit.  She was taking care of him.  Cindy said that Glen's son and daughter-in-law might need help in caring for the baby and was there anything we could do.  So we immediately flew Glen's son, Ed and his wife and baby down to Florida to live with us for awhile.  Glen got a job for his son where he was working and everything just fell into place.  They moved into the girls bedroom and we put Rusty's crib out in the family room.  They began attending church with us where Rusty would soon be dedicated. 

What a blessing Rusty was.  Every night when I got home from work, around eleven, he was ready to be fed.  I enjoyed that time with him so much.  He was such a good baby. 

Glen was so blessed to have this opportunity to spend this much time with his grandson.  When he was home, he was with Rusty.  Rusty was either on his lap or in the pool with him.  It was a special time.

It was during their stay with us that we lost the Challenger space shuttle and crew.  I think everyone remembers what they were doing that day but people in Florida, even more so because we watched it unfold before our very eyes and not on a TV screen.  When a shuttle went up, back then, time stopped and everyone went outside and looked to the skies.  By this time, we had witnessed many shuttle launches but for Ed and Samantha, my daughter-in-law, it was her first.  Matt was home sick that day and was watching from the couch.  Glen and Eddie were at work and had stopped to watch. Samantha and I were outside our home in the street and when I saw the two trails in the sky, I knew something had gone very wrong.  We hurried back in to hear the worst from Matt.  I will never forget that day.

Ed and Samantha would move into their own place eventually but we had Rusty often, sometimes for days at a time.  Samantha was getting homesick though so Ed sent her and Rusty home to Indiana for a visit.  She decided she didn't want to come back to Florida so naturally Ed went back to Indiana as well.  They would have two more sons and now Ed and Samantha our grandparents.  You know what that makes us don't you?  Great grandparents!!!!!  Maybe the Lord will allow us to be great, great grandparents, who knows.  But I do know this, we will love them all. 

Two Little Girls

After a few years of living in Florida, we had to find a new place to rent.  There was a sweet little community near by and the Lord led us to a nice four bedroom home there.  The boys especially enjoyed it because there was a golf course near by and they loved collecting golf balls and then selling them to our friends.  Glen use to play golf when we lived in Eureka, IL.   When he would get off work on Friday morning, we would rent a cart and I would chauffeur him around the course while he played.  It was great fun and I loved taking the hills at break-neck speeds.  So living by a golf course was a thrill for him too. That home also had a beautiful pool and hot tub and a really nice screened in porch.  It seemed our home was always full of people and we loved it that way.
We had been in our new little church a couple of years and the boys were attending the Christian School.  All was going really well and we felt so blessed that we wanted to share it in some way.  We decided to check into fostering and possibly adopting some hard-to-place children.  We began attending classes and eventually we were introduced to two little girls, ages 5 and 7.  They had been left in the back of a pick-up truck with a topper along with their dog for several days at a rest park in Florida.  A trucker had pulled in to spend the night and noticed them in the back of the truck.  Thinking the parents were probably in the restroom, he didn't think much of it but when the truck was still there in the morning and their were still no adults around, he decided to wait and watch.   No one ever came. He bought the girls something to eat and called 911. Then he waited there with them till the police came. I wonder if this trucker could have been a guardian angel.  It terrifies me to think of all the things that could have happened to them there all alone.  The State took them away from their mother and they were put in the foster care program.  When they came to us they had been in several homes already.  It was our hope to adopt these little girls so they would never have to move again.
We were assigned a case worker and a adoption mentor. Or mentor's name was Peggy and she was my go-to person for just about everything.  Peggy and her husband had one son of their own and then five children that were adopted.  Four were from one family.
I don't know if our boys really embraced this idea of adding to the family all that much.  When I look back, maybe we should have let them weigh-in more on this decision.  The oldest little girl and Clay were the same age and they seemed to be pretty good friends.   Everyone wanted to know if they were twins.
I don't think this was the best decision for Matt.  He just never seemed OK with it.  The youngest little girl was a real handful and we all were really having a hard time with it.  Negative attention was all she seemed to really know and as much as we tried to show the positive, it just didn't seem to sink in.  She disliked me a lot. This was understandable considering what her mother did.  We knew it would take time but would our family be able to survive it.
We had so many people telling us what to do and how to handle it all.  Our Pastor would show us what God's Word said, our case worker would tell us how the State of Florida would want it handled, and then I would try and pull from Peggy's experience.  One thing for sure, we weren't handling it well.
I will never forget this one experience.  She had been stealing kids lunches on the bus and then eating them right in front of them.  Children who have been really, really hungry and didn't know where their next meal would come from, have a tendency to grab food when and where they can, even if they already have some of their own.  We couldn't seem to break her of this habit so I called Peggy.  She told me to fix her favorite meal that night and then not let her have any of it, but she would need to sit and watch us eat it.  "Always make the punishment fit the crime.  It's what they understand."  So that's what we did.  I will never forget the look on her face when I told her she couldn't have any Spaghetti.  When she asked why, I told her because she stole that little boys lunch and ate it in front of him.  You need to see how that feels.  I hated doing it. It broke my heart but it worked.  She never took anything again that belonged to someone else.  School was a real challenge for her.  Negative attention does not play out well there.  Her teachers were at a loss, finally resulting in making her sit under her desk.  I was having none of that so we took them out of the public school and sent them to our little Christian School.  Not having to share the attention with twenty other students seemed to help some what.
After 18 months, Glen and I went to our case worker and told her this was not going to work out.  We would love to adopt the older child but this little one was tearing our family apart.  She asked if we would stick it out another six months and then if we wanted to adopt her sister, they would split them up.  So we did, always hoping for a break through of some sort.  We would never have made it without Peggy and Mike.  The longer we had the girls the more violent and destructive the little one became.  So after two years we gave up.  I had shared with Peggy how much I had grown to love them but we just couldn't live like this any longer. Then our case worker gave us the news that they would not split them after all.  So miracle of all miracles, Peggy and Mike adopted them.  It was bittersweet for us.  Elated that they were going to be with a great family that we knew but so very sad to see them go. We would not only be saying goodbye to the girls but to Peggy and Mike and their family.  We would no longer be able to be in touch.
I will always treasure the opportunity we had to show love to these little girls.  We introduced them to church and to Jesus.  We took them on their first airplane.  We taught them how to swim and probably gave them their first real birthday party.  I don't know if they remember us and if they do, if they're good memories.  But I will forever remember them and will love them forever.  

Tear That Fence Down

I have mentioned many times how I grazed just over the wrong side of the fence as a teen and then in my early twenties I tried to straddle it as best I could.  Mostly on the right side but clearly not making the Lord a priority in my life.  That is about to change.
Shortly after our move to Florida, we began the search for a church. We found one we liked pretty much and they had a great youth program so we began attending there regularly.
My sister and her new husband who were living in PA., where Christian school teachers and they heard of a school in our area that was looking for teachers.  She asked if we wouldn't mind visiting the church and letting them know what we thought.  So that Saturday we set out to find the church so we could see just how far away from us it was. We could also see what time their service started on Sunday evening.  Well, we could not find this church.  The town it was in was very close to ours but we couldn't find the street.  So we stopped at the fire department.  They ought to know, right?  It turned out to be Devine leading cause the Chief and two other firemen went to this church.  They told us everything we needed to know.
Sunday morning we went to our own church and when the service was over, Glen and I felt like we needed to join.  So we did. We never returned. God was having no part of it.  He had a plan for us to become members at this little church called Victory that we had spent all day looking for on Saturday. The minute we walked in the doors we were made to feel at home and after we heard the message, we were sold.  The Pastor had a great sense of humor and when we joined the church he leaned over and said, "Now you will be back tonight, right?"
My sister and her husband never came and taught there.  It was just God's way of using them to get us to the right place. Under the the teaching of Pastor Taylor, Glen and I grew and grew in the Lord.  We learned so much about God's Word. Things we had never heard before.  See, Pastor Taylor taught the whole Bible.  He didn't leave out what might offend some of his members.
Glen and I had torn the fence down. No more straddling, no more hanging on, no more running back to it. Our course has been set and we only wanted to grow stronger and stronger in our faith from this point on. Do we fall, do we make mistakes, do we sin?  Of course we do.   But we are sinners saved by grace.  We are washed in the blood of Christ.  Clean, clean, clean.  Hallelujah! Our years at Victory Baptist will never be forgotten.  We made lifelong friendships there.  It truly was a church family and we still love them all. 

Where Did 35 Years Go?

Tomorrow is our 35th wedding anniversary.  It doesn't seem possible until I start thinking about all the things we've done and the places we've been, all the trials we've weathered and all the blessings we've received. 

We have moved twelve times and lived in three states. We have owned three homes, two of them we built.

We have lived at the 9th hole of a golf course, on a crystal clear lake, out in the country, in the middle of the city and on the top of a mountain. 

We have seen all of our children marry but one and we have had one of them graduate from college debt free. 

We've been in and out of work and have lost a home to the bank because of it. 

Glen's parents are no longer with us and his only brother was buried on Glen's 50th birthday. 

Our youngest child survived a life-threatening stomach condition only to be shot 25 years later by a mugger. He survived that too, thank the Lord. 

We have seen many of our friends and family struggle with illness and several we have lost.

We prayed through the tractor accident my dad had and my mom's breast cancer.

We have traveled all over this country.  

There are lifelong friends that we have met along our journey and each one has enriched our lives more then they will ever know. 

We have seen some of our own children experience the heartache of divorce. 

We have watched what post polio can do and how much it wants to rob from me.

So how does a marriage endure all the valleys of life?  Well, as you know, I am no expert! 

What I do know is that I have had wonderful examples of marriage in my life time and so has Glen.

We know a good marriage needs the Lord.  

A quote from the preacher at our wedding was "May you always remember that love and loyalty will avail as the foundation of a happy and enduring home. No other human ties are more tender, no other vows more sacred then those you now assume.  If these solemn vows are kept unimpaired; if steadfastly you seek to do the will of your Heavenly Father, your life will be full of joy and the home which you are establishing will abide in peace.

Love is the key. Love to show your feelings and to save time for each other no matter what demands are made upon your day.  See the meaning of life through the changing prism of your love; to nurture each other to fullness and wholeness and in learning to love each other more deeply, learn to love the creation in which this mystery of your love has happened."

Glen and I are so very blessed to have each other and God has really worked in our lives as you will see as I continue to share our story with you in the up coming months. 

Up until 12 years ago, I had severe migraine headaches.  That, along with the pain in my legs and hips from the polio, I would spend many nights, bed surfing.  That's when you go from one bed to the couch to the chair to another bed, if you have one, and back to the couch.  

My husband loves to write and is very good at it, by the way.  He is forever leaving me little notes.  Here is a note he left me 30 years ago after one of those nights that I had been bed surfing.

"I had this dream about a beautiful valley that could be seen from the rim of a mountain bluff.  In the valley was a small settlement with very friendly people. There was wild game, lakes and beautiful sunsets. The air was clean and fresh.  A slight aroma of wild honeysuckle and jasmine drifted on a gentle breeze.  Everything was calling of contentment.  I reached out to you to escort you to this place with me, but my hands came back empty.  The shock of fright caused me to awaken.  You were gone.  I knew you were in the other room. I felt better because you were near and my fright went away.  I am still content because you are still near. I don't need the mountains, I don't need the valley, I don't need the sunsets but I do need you"

Did God give Glen a glimpse into the future through a dream 30 years ago.  I can't answer that but I do know He gives us the desires of our heart.  So we have that mountain looking down on that small settlement full of friendly people.  We have the aroma of honeysuckle and jasmine drifting on a gentle breeze.  We have beautiful sunsets but most of all we have each other and our Heavenly Father.  That's all we really need.

Looks Can Be Deceiving.

We were so blessed to have a sweet little 3 bedroom, 2 bath house to move into in Florida with a beautiful swimming pool.  It was the most beautiful pool I have ever seen, even to this day.  It was called a black water pool.  It actually looked like a lagoon with a flagstone deck.  We spent most of our time out there.  Clay was afraid of the water when we first moved in.  We couldn't get him off the first step but with a little coaxing from one of his kindergarten friends, he soon became a little fish.  Soon he would be standing on a boogie board, surfing the waves of New Smyrna Beach at the age of four. Now he is a very accomplished surfer with sand in his shoes.  It will be very difficult to ever get him too far from the beach.
Looks can be so deceiving, cant they? Prior to our move into this lovely rental home, three bachelors lived there.  They didn't want to pay for garbage pick up so they had a two wheel trailer next to the house where they threw all the garbage and then hauled it to the dump when it was full.  We wanted to make sure that had been done before we moved in.
I had been staying at my friends for two weeks. Glen put the boys on a plane and then he and his friend Jim drove down with our belongings.  The boys and I went over to the house to clean before they arrived.  I remember there was a little lizard in one of the bedrooms.  It freaked me out.  I gave the boys the broom and shut the door of the bedroom and told them to catch it or kill it but don't come out till you do.  They thought that was great fun.  They loved being mommy's little hero's.  After thirteen years in Florida, lizards don't bother me in the least.  They didn't change, I did.  I just got used to them.
As soon as the guys got there we began to set up housekeeping.  We had only brought our bedroom set and had planned to pick up some used furniture for the boys as soon as we could.  In the meantime they were on sleeping bags in their rooms.   It was our second night in the house and we were all asleep.  Suddenly Glen flips on the bedroom light.  "What are you doing?" I asked.  "You don't want to know", he said.  Then he proceeded to tell me.  He was right, I didn't want to know. He had felt something on his leg.  When he moved, it jumped down to the floor.  When he investigated, it turned out to be a rat. It had come through a hole behind the toilet.  Well I was up for the night.  I told him to shut the boys bedroom doors and the lights stayed on.
It seems the rats were hanging out in the trailer full of garbage and when they moved it away, they moved into the attic of our house looking for food.  They found every hole in the house.  We fought them for weeks.  Every time we thought we had all the holes blocked, they came in another.  Behind every sink, every toilet and behind the stove. We put out poison and now they where dying in the walls and we were finding them in the pool, bathtub and the hot tub looking for water.   I will never forget this time in our lives.  I use to be afraid of a little mouse but after this, I would have been relieved to have a mouse.
That reminds me of how we become so accustomed to things that go on in our world that are so very sinful and we become desensitized to it because it's in our face all the time.  Suddenly we say, "It doesn't bother me anymore" or "That's not so bad. At least they're not doing this or doing that".  We keep letting Satan have this victory.  We need to stand up against the rats of this world anyway we can.
Remember the lizard?  I thought he was an awful thing and wanted it killed or out of my house.  But then I was around them so much that they didn't bother me anymore.  I was glad to see one in the house because they ate insects. Immorality is like that.  Kill it, don't let it in the house but then because it's in the media and around every where we look, in our face constantly, we've become use to it.  Our nation is in trouble, our children are struggling.  We need to pray!

Southbound

I am sure all of you are aware of how your life can change in an instant by such things as a visitor or a phone call.  Sometimes it is tragic and sometimes it is exciting.  

A few years after I began working for Ozark they opened a new Reservation Office in Orlando, Florida on the Disney Lake Buena Vista property.  As I would make my way from the employee parking lot into the the airport in the middle of winter, I would dream of working in Orlando.  Many times I would slip in the snow or just get blown over from the wind coming off the the runway.  But the Orlando jobs were sought after and the office there was small so with my low seniority, it remained just a dream.  One of my best friends at work had transferred down there and so we took the boys to Disney and went to visit Vicki for a few days. 

I remember in the early 80's both my brothers lived in other states.  Rod was in Texas with his family, Randy was in Kansas City, Mo. with his and my little sister was about to get married and move to Pennsylvania with her new husband. We would joke around with mom and dad about us being the only ones left near by. 

It was the night of my sister Mindy's rehearsal and dinner.  I had forgotten my camera at mom and dad's so I sent Glen back to their house to get it.  While he was there the phone rang.  It was my friend Vicki and she said "Tell Cyndi to pack her bags.  She is being transferred to Orlando and has two weeks to report to work."

A few months before this, Glen had been laid off from Caterpillar along with thousands of others and no one would hire him.  Everyone in that area knew if Caterpillar called you back you would go but the chances of getting called back were slim to none.  So the timing could not have been better for that reason.  All I could think about was how I was going to tell my parents that we were leaving too.  It was hard to get too excited.  The fact that we could fly home and they could fly down helped to cushion the news a little. 

God is always in control and He had a plan for us and it involved us being in Florida.  It's amazing how He perfectly orchestrates our lives if we let Him. We wouldn't be here in this sweet little house with a million dollar view on a mountain in Tennessee if He had it not moved us to Florida first.  So my advice for you today is to let go and let God.  He has a mountain top for you too.

 

Come Fly With Me

Working for Ozark Airlines was a blessing, a joy and afforded our family many opportunities we would not have had and it would change our life forever.
An airline job was a union job, at least in the 70's and 80's.  I saw many pro's and con's about working for a union in the time I was there but they were mostly pro's: great pay, flying privileges and good insurance, just to name a few.  Your shift, your days off and your vacations were all decided by seniority in the company.  Being low woman on the totem pole, I was working 4 to midnight with Tuesday and Wednesday off.  This actually worked out rather well with our family.
On Glen's 40th birthday I had ordered him a new suit because whenever we flew he was required to wear one.  It was the morning of his birthday and he asked what we were going to do today.  I told him we were going out for lunch and he would need to wear his new suit.  "Wow, where we eating?" he asked.   "Denver", I replied, and that's exactly what we did.  We drove to the airport, boarded a plane for Denver, had breakfast on the plane, landed in Denver, rented a car, drove to lunch, drove back to the airport, boarded the same plane we were on that morning with the same crew and flew back to Peoria.  It was a memorable birthday for both of us.
Earlier that same year our reservation office had received information that United Airlines was hosting a Women's Softball Tournament for all of the airline reservation offices in the United States.  All expenses were paid and it would be for four days in Hawaii.  Well we didn't have a softball team but we were about to get one.  I began to help organize a team and became the team manager.  Glen and a few of the other husbands  started coaching.  Our practices were hilarious.  Talk about The Bad News Bears!!  Nobody could catch however we did have a couple good pitchers. Fielding a ball....forget about it!  But we worked and worked.  None of us were too concerned because we knew the sooner we lost two games, the more free time we would have to play in Hawaii.
Soon it was time to go.  We flew out of Chicago on a direct flight.  We played ball the next morning and we won.  Trust me, no one was more surprised then us and we found out, we liked winning.  That afternoon we played again and lost.  It was double elimination so we would be playing at least one more game the next day.  We won again!!!! However, we lost our afternoon game and our time was through.  But hey, we had one more day left in Hawaii so who cares!  Well we cared.  We all cared and here's why.  There was a team from New York there who was out for blood.  They were mean and rude and only wanted one thing, to win.  No one liked them.  They had worked their way into the championship game on the last day against a little bitty airline from California.  Everyone wanted this team to lose so badly that we all showed up to cheer on the California team.  So we spent our last day in Hawaii going to a softball game.  But it payed off, California won.
United was so good to us.  Our flights, hotels, pool party and luau, breakfast and lunches were all payed for and they didn't skimp.  We had the best of everything.  So with a 4th place trophy, sunburned lips and a jelly fish sting, we were headed home.
Now when we flew to Hawaii, we all arrived on different flights and at different times.  But when we left, all the airlines were on the same United flight.  Even the mean girls.  The whole 747 was full of airline employees except for one little Japanese family which they moved up to first class.  Guess what, the mean girls weren't so mean after all.  We had a ball on that flight home.  We had made so many friends from all over the country and we all had so much in common, our jobs and our love for softball or Hawaii anyway.

What Do You See?

What do you see when you look at this picture?  I know many of you will say immediately that you see me.  In a way, you would be right but for those of you who don't know her, this is my mother.  This picture was taken when she was close to the age I am now and it has always been one of my favorites.

What I want to share with you today is what I see when I look at this picture.  I see 5'2", eyes of blue and oh what that 5'2" can do!!!!
First I see a wife of  65 years, standing by her man through thick and thin, in sickness and in health.
Next I see a daughter who loved, respected and cared for her parents in anyway she could.
I see a sister who remained devoted to her own sister till death and adores her younger brother even though some of their views are very different.
She is an aunt, great-aunt and great-great aunt who is loved by all her nieces and nephews.
Her life is full of grandchildren and great grandchildren who have many stories to tell about how she has impacted their lives.  Most of them, like myself, don't get to see her much but I guarantee you they never question her love for them.
She is a mother of four children, two boys and two girls.  Raising us was no picnic, I assure you.  We each came with our separate health issues but she encouraged us to overcome the physical challenges we were dealt.  She did everything she could to help us to grow up to be independent, responsible, loving adults.
Now let me share with you some other things about this amazing woman.
She has great inner and outer strength. She can play ball, fix a toilet, repel down the side of a mountain, paint a house, drive a forklift, shoot the rapids, ride a horse, park a trailer, fix the hand-controls on my car and beat cancer, just to name a few.
She is a nurse with no degree other then care-giver.  When I was a child she gave me many hours of physical therapy.  When my daddy had his tractor accident she had to learn how to care for him at home doing things that only a nurse should have to do. She never complained, she just did what had to be done.
She is so smart and is a hard worker.  She helped my aunt and uncle get their business started and then worked as a bookkeeper for them for many years.  Not finding it easy to retire she worked for their local Mission up until last year.
I see a wonderful friend.  Mom and Dad have many wonderful friends who I am proud to say are family because they have embraced them as one of their own.
I see a child of the King who loves her Lord Jesus with all her heart and who has done her best to serve Him  as best she could over the years.
She is classy, feminine, funny, dramatic, compassionate, talented, energetic and giving.  I could go on and on.
When I was in my 20's and 30's I thought I was a good mother.  In my 40's I began to question that and in my 50's, I had to come to the realization that I wasn't so good at it.  I think all mothers wish they could go back and change some things that we did or didn't do when we were raising our kids.  Good thing we have our adult children to tell us how, when and where we went wrong.  However, on this Mother's Day week, I want my mom to know that I love her and I am thankful for her and she did an amazing job.

Happy Mother's Day to all those who have chosen life!