Vision...

When I was 10 years old I had a vision of how I thought I wanted my life to be and what my purpose was. I didn't of course understand the vision at the time but in hindsight we all have a vision as a child, a calling of sorts. But we rarely follow it as life just gets in the way of our dreams and visions.

I was 12 years old when I joined Rainbow Girls an organization that taught the importance of God and an even greater importance as to what service was all about. I remember the feeling of peace and the feeling of being useful when holding a sick child in a hospital or having conversations with the elderly who had been put aside like an old shoe, or wheeling veterans in wheelchairs to church on a Sunday morning.These acts of service humbled me. This is what life is suppose to be about, caring for one another. This was my vision of what I wanted my life to be. At the end of high school I wanted to join the Peace Corps and serve overseas.

Life of course changed as it always does, I got married raised three beautiful children, and have 3 wonderful grandsons. But do I still have a vision and a dream? At 64 years old, yes I do. The vision has not changed, only time and circumstances have paved a different path.

My message I want to share today is that it is never to late to follow a dream and realize your vision. Without a vision it is difficult to stay excited about life and about your purpose. So keep your vision in front of you and when the time is right for it to manifest itself it will. My promise to God is to follow His word, do His work and set a foundation for all the good things that He promises will come to be.

It is in the working of your plan that your will realize your dream. It is the faith you have in your plan, and the promise of my dream that keeps me moving forward. So keep moving forward and reach up and receive that which God has provided for you.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1

Ray of Life

Photo by: Hollye Schumacher

"The meaning behind the doorway are many. For one, it is an optimistic symbol for the life benefiting opportunities that organ and tissue donation can afford. The ray of light ready to take over the dark corners of the room implies an abundant amount of hope and altruistic goodness that pours through the hearts of organ recipients and donors.

This image also alludes to the idea of the unknown. The long waiting lists and unknown outcomes of surgery often leave organ recipients in a fragile balance between untimely death and a healthier prolonged life. This precious balance between light and dark is so intensely related to the emotional life or death experiances that organ donors and recipients face. It was my goal in this image to show that highly contrasted struggle between the good and the bad as well as share an image of hope for the outcomes of that uncertainty." Hollye Schumacher

Happy 8th birthday to me. Eight years ago today I was receiving the gift of life from my 21 year old son Eric. Even though I am older in years my heart has begun anew and I look forward to the promises of tomorrow. I say thank you to him today and acknowledge the most generous gift of all, giving a part of yourself to save another.

The eight years have been filled with some obstacles, tears,and much needed laughter, but most of all I have learned about trusting God, standing strong in my beliefs, and realizing that it is only myself that can bring about my own peace and joy. And I have been blessed to discover that. No one can live your life for you, no one can fill you up and no one can make you happy.

What is happiness? Many think it is a feeling of giddiness, euphoria, always smiling, etc. But happiness for me is a feeling of quiet thankfulness and a sense of peace that only comes when you can trust yourself to allow life to unfold the way God has intended. I have learned to be patient,(even though it doesn't always feel good) and endurance and steadfastness have become part of my vocabulary.

You can't rush your life ahead of itself. So wait with anticipation and a knowing that God will bring all you desire and dream of. Today I am thankful most of all for the health he has blessed me with. Illness confines you so. but wellness leaves your spirit free to invite all the goodness that awaits you. So remain open and learn to receive and wait on the timing of God.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it: because it will surely come, if will not tarry.
Habakkuk 2:3

Ushering in 2010...

Photo By: Sherri Webb

Talking to a friend today I was re mined how very short life is and sometimes an early unexpected death of a friend reminds us to use our time wisely.

I am also saddened by the earthquake in Haiti and the trauma of lost lives and families that are forever changed. It's only the third week of the year and yet tragedy and grief don't seem to have a time frame. There are tragedies everyday. Somewhere in the world someone is born, someone dies, someone looses their faith, hopes or dreams. But it is faith and the promise of God that we need stayed focused on.

So I will usher in the new year in God's presence,and be embraced by His love as the big sister in the above picture ever so gently embraces her brand new sister. Allow God to cup His hand around you and carry you into a new day.

May your new year be blessed with the presence of God, your dreams, visions, and desires come to pass, and may we all grow in wisdom, strength and be re mined that time (if we could package it) is a free gift to those who choose to give and an even better gift to those who receive.

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has conceived what God has prepared for me who loves Him. (1 Cor. 2:9)

God's Hand...2010

I just returned home on the 3rd of January from a wonderful visit with family and friends. I had a wonderful time bringing in the new year and pondering what the new year would bring.

The phone rang early this am and my daughter on the other end was telling me that Colton my 5 year old grandson was going to need emergency surgery, his appendix was ready to burst. Immediately my faith was put to the test. As I rushed to dress and get to the hospital before his surgery a sense of calm came over me as I remembered that within the past year I learned to cast all my worries on God and trust he would answer.

It was only a few weeks ago that I was sitting in church with both of my grandsons, when Colton asked "Why do you go to church grandma?" I was taken aback and answered as best I could. But the answer came to me as I kissed him gently on his warm forehead right before they wheeled him into surgery and whispered. "This is why I go to church, and this is why we pray to God, he will keep you safe, heal you and all of the angels will be at your side when you go to sleep." He seemed pleased, and gave me a hug that brought me to my knees. You need not look far to seize the opportunity to teach who and what God is all about. His 2 year old brother Collin gently reached down to kiss his brother and the wonderment of brotherly love touched me so I had to leave the room. You know children know without saying a word what is going on. He brought his big brother comfort and a pure genuine love that goes beyond words. They both captured my heart this day. Pure love is all around us, we need only to see.

I had placed calls to my prayer warriors as he was taken to surgery and thank them for their prayers and support and to Jen for keeping the candle burning. We need only ask and we shall receive.

The doctor came out and shared the good news that his appendix had not burst and he would be able to go home in a few days. I watched the quiet strength of God wrap around Colton, his father, mother and grandparents as we all ushered in the new year with an answered prayer. And Collin, well he just wanted to know when brother was coming home. God touched this family today.


May the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in Him...(Rom. 15:13a)

Christmas Present...

Although Christmas is over for the rest of the world, in Russia it is celebrated on January 7th. This tree sits in the center of Moscow and softly glows over the city.

Many years ago I was blessed as a child to have two very special Christmas days. So I leave my tree up in honor of that day. December 25th seemed to be about presents and Santa, while January 7th was a day of church, loving God, worshipping, prayer and thankfulness. If I got a present from my Baba or Dido (grandmother and grandfather), it was a homemade gift I enjoyed as much or more than the traditional presents. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were days of quiet reflection and worship.

Presents come in all forms. Some of my favorite things: A phone call from a loved one, a phone call from someone you touched and they touched you. Returning from a trip to California I was surprised and was reminded we each impact each other with a kind word or a touch. Noah from North Carolina had called to just wish me a Happy New Year. We became acquainted at the University of North Carolina each visiting a family member that was quite ill. I was reminded as was he that special connections never go away. It started my New Year out with a reminder that we all have difficult times in our lives, and that being there for one another is the best gift of all. A long hug from someone you love and you can love back, a renewing of friendships and a beginning of a new one all welcomed in the year.

The physical gifts are just that, they are physical things we can hold, touch, or see, but the ones from the heart are the ones that stay with you and will wrap around you like a warm blanket on a cold night. The memory of someone loving you is one of my favorite treasures. To bring joy to those who are sad, comfort to those who are hurting and a shoulder for one to rest their head are presents that go beyond words.

So I will celebrate both Christmas days in honor of both of my parents. They each taught me something different. I thank them both for their love, the courage I now recognize and try to share with my family and a very special thank you to my Baba for introducing me to God.

Merry Christams to all who celebrate January 7th. And if you don't celebrate it pray and worship anyway. Another day of prayer will only bring another blessing.