Good Works

PICTURES:
Emeline 'eating' a cookie. She simply licks off all the frosting.
Ethne used large scrapbook paper and cut it into strips and taped it up to decorate in preparation for her parents Easter visit. I was all her own idea and she accomplished it without my help.

I’ve been a Christ follower for nearly 40 years. Early on, I chose a life verse. Here it is: Ephesians 2:10 (New American Standard Bible) “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
I like it that I am His workmanship, makes me think of the Lord as an artist interacting with a beloved work (one that is in progress). The original word means ‘poem,’ so maybe I am, each of us, is a masterpiece of the Lord expressing Himself (creatively and precisely) through our lives.
I also really like that the Lord has prepared (beforehand) specific works for me. Not your works, my own. And so I don’t need to come up with my purpose in life or even for today, He’s already done the ground work, I just need to listen to Him and obey. I often thought of this regarding writing and how, when and what I’m ‘supposed’ to write.
Today, I saw something new. It’s been there all along, but I never really noticed it. It’s the part of the verse that says, “so that we would walk in them.” (Emphasis added).
Like a jolt I saw that the good works prepared just for me by God Himself are to be walked in. So maybe these are not the articles I publish, or novels I strive to write, or anything at all that has to do with the public or being ‘out there.’ Because out there doesn’t really reflect the way I spend most of my time.
Maybe these good works, loving prepared for me to walk in by my Creator, are the ordinary tasks of life. Like—walking around the neighborhood or cooking a meal for my husband, or being patient and merciful to my grandchildren. Noticing the store clerk or being kind when there is traffic. Speaking in gentle tones and encouraging those I love.
Walking is so ordinary. It’s taking one step after another every single day until we reach our final destination. (See my blog “The Daily Walk” for more thoughts on this topic).
This has changed the way I think about this verse. These good works are more likely to be the way I live my life, day in and day out, then what I did or didn’t do out in the public arena. Wow.
“Lord, help me to walk faithfully in the good works you’ve prepared for me. Right now, help me to be the best Grammy ever to these two precious girls living in our home. Amen."

"It's okay, she's old"

Emeline puts a placemat down instead of the rugs.

Ethne gathers all the pillows and blankets to make a cozy place on the couch.

What’s it like being parents of preschoolers when your 50 years old? Here are two examples.
1. Craig comes home. He plops down. The overstuffed chair has more energy than he has. And, after a day of playing young mom, I’m breathing, but barely responsive.
Emeline scampers up next to me on the sofa and begins to sing, “Happy Day, To you,” over and over.
In between stanzas she laughs joyfully.
We look at her and our mouths inch upward.
“Isn’t she darling?”
Craig nods.
“This would make a great movie.”
He nods again.
“Or even a picture.”
We both glance across the room to the camera but don’t budge. It might as well be locked in a safe and buried under 50 feet of snow, on top of Mt. Everest. I can’t prove it, but boy was she cute, honest.

2. Around eight o’clock that same night, as we were headed off to bed, Craig asks, “What did you do to your hair?”
“Nothing.” And I mean nothing.
He considers this in silence born of experience of being married over 30 years.
I explain, “I did wash it this morning and put stuff in it, but then that’s all, because I got busy.” That day I had managed to take care of the girls, drive to the airport, drop donations off at GoodWill and go to the grocery store but not brush my hair.
I figure that the best part of being old with preschoolers is that my hair is gray and so, when I forget to brush it, people simply click their tongues and whisper, “It’s okay, she’s old.”

Singing (away) the blues

Our two young granddaughters are living with us while their mommy takes care of their daddy while he endures chemo treatments. They are used to us and our house but still they miss their parents.
Today, four-year-old, Ethne, had a mini meltdown over the way I styled or failed to style her hair. In the end, she sat in my lap, and cried while I rocked her. “I want to go home. I want Mommy. I want to go home.”
Poor darling. “I know. I know. I know,” I said. Then I explained, “Daddy is so sick that it would be very bad for him if we were there because we all are coughing and our sickness could make him worse.”
Meanwhile, Emeline was saying, “Radio” and found a CD to put in the CD player. She pushed the button and a song filled the air. “The B-I-B-L-E, yes that’s the book for me.” And we all joined in. By the second song, “He’s got the whole world in His hands,” Ethne was doing the hand motions.
Suddenly she got up and said, “Let’s go to the store now.” She crossed to the CD player, pushed ‘stop’ and took out the CD. “Let’s play this in the car.” So we sang songs all the way to Walmart. And I knew that praise and truth has a way of putting our feelings into perspective. I also determined to play more praise music around our house and in the car during this difficult time.

Five under Five

Five under five. That’s our household this week. Five grandchildren under the age of four. It’s fun. It’s busy. It’s exhausting.
This was going to be a week when our daughters and their children shared time here at our home. But then Robert was hospitalized so, of course, Aimee stayed with him while their two daughters came here to play with their cousins.
This morning, precious little 18-month-old Emeline was playing around my bathtub, which is a whirlpool type, surrounded by a wide area of tile with a step up to it. She tumbled in, hit her forehead and landed hard on her back. Poor little darling—plus she's cutting about 5 teeth. I hate it when anyone I love is hurting.
I think the Lord must feel like that. Why? Well, the Bible says we’re made in His image. So I believe that whatever we feel or think (that is good, true or beautiful) originates with Him. We don’t offer anything truly original. All things we come up with that are good are, in some mysterious way, a reflection of Him since we’re created in His likeness to reflect His image.
He never intended sin, suffering and pain. In fact, He is the one who rescues us from our sorrows and comforts us in our need and upholds us in our weakness. I thought of that when I lifted up little Emeline. As I held and comforted her and ached over her tears, I sensed that the Lord was also responding to Emeline’s small hurt and to the greater suffering of her parents. He is right there, close at hand, with open heart and listening ears, pouring out His compassion and mercy. I’m thankful He is such a great and personal God.

Family Matters

It's been a hard week for our family. Robert (Aimee's husband) was admitted to the hospital on Monday. He had surgery for Testicular cancer, then found it had spread to his liver and lungs. I flew to help care for the girls so Aimee could care for Robert. The Lord is upholding us and we are believing for a full recovery yet preparing to face the challenges of the battle.

The pictures show the girls visiting daddy in the hospital and him making a funny face. Emeline holding her daddy's foot and the girls painting. I flew home with the girls on Saturday. Please be praying for this situation.

Sara and her three kids flew in last night so we have five ages four and under to fill our home with noise and our hearts with joy.

I guess I've held a lot. When we got to church and began to sing and people started to hug me and say they we're praying, I broke down. It felt really good to grieve and as a wise person has said, "if you can't cry in church, then where?" When we got home I had a nice nap and afterward felt so much better.

Love to all, Sue

When I get back to El Paso late tomorrow night it will be 15 days since I've been able to sleep in my own bed. I'm looking forward to being home.
I left on Valentine's Day and arrived at The Cliff House at Pikes Peak, where I was greeted by 2 dozen roses from my sweet husband. I spent several days with 9 other writers, working hard on our novels. It was a very challenging and rewarding time.
Then, on to the 'Writing for the Soul Conference' at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. This was also a very intense time of learning about the craft of writing. Those attending were given free books, including the one pictured above (which Craig and I are both enjoying). While at the Cliff House, Jerry Jenkins gave us a lot of personal attention and has challenged each of us to excellence in our writing.
From there, I flew to Las Vegas to meet Craig for a medical conference. Our daughter, Sara, is here with her husband, Mike, and their youngest, Karissa (pictured). We've been eating really well and having a good time together.
Now, on to family news in need of prayer. Robert (our son-in-law) Aimee's husband, just had a cancerous testicular tumor removed this week. We are waiting for him to have a CAT scan to see what is required for treatment. Please be in prayer for him and for their whole family. Thanks so much.
Love to all. Sue

The daily walk

My Friends, Eric and Kellie have bought their first house. Today, my friend, Debbie and I joined Kellie and prayed in every room. Here are a few pictures. (It's a wonderful place with very nice tile work).


The Daily Walk
Recently, while staying at a friend’s place in the mountains, I decided to go for walk. I followed a road that wound downward into a lovely valley. Deer eyed me while birds filled the air with song and a vista of pines greeted me as I strolled along. At the bottom of the hill, the street turned left and so that’s the way I went, spending time looking at sights and just enjoying myself. It may have been close to an hour later when I thought I should go back. So, I turned and looked at where I’d come from.
When I scanned the road I’d come down so easily, it looked extremely steep, nearly vertical. I gulped, wondering why I hadn’t chosen to go uphill at first so I could be facing a leisurely downhill stroll now that I was tired. But as much as I wished, I didn’t see a chairlift, or a friendly stranger offering me a ride back up the hill.
I made two decisions. First, I’d better get started since I had to do it anyway and second I wouldn’t try to set a speed record or even attempt to make this journey one of cardio exercise. I just wanted to make it to the top—still breathing.
I began to climb, slowly, one foot in front of the other, over and over and over again. The morning was still lovely and I noticed the clean crispness of the air when I unzipped my coat, since like it or not, my heart was pumping hard and my body heating up. But all in all, I found the hike pretty easy. To be fair, I wasn’t really hiking, I was just walking, slow. Remember, I determined not to rush things? Well, I didn’t. But I did make it, still breathing and sort of proud that I’d made it without too much strain.
Now I’m thinking about how our journey of faith is like a walk. Just putting one foot in front of the other over and over again and continuing without stopping, until we’re done. I’m not unhappy to say that most my days are pretty ordinary, pretty typical, pretty repetitive. Like walking. Not many exciting races or super bowls in my overall existence. I really think that life is won or lost in the way we face our everyday lives. When there’s a mountain to climb, we simply put one foot in front of the other and up we go.
The one activity that helps me the most to remain faithful and keep on going is regular time in God’s Word. I don’t do it well alone and so have found that a weekly Bible study where others expect me to show up with my study completed is a wonderful way for me to stay on the straight and narrow. That’s a good thing, because that path is where I want to be.

Hi All
Above are some pictures of Ruidoso, NM. I enjoyed nearly a week of time alone there, in the mountains at a friend's place, while Craig was in India.
The Lord really dealt with me in ways that I needed (and after wards I did a lot of writing). When I got home Amy joined me at a Beth Moore conference and she talked on the very same topic as the Lord had been. It's like she unpacked it for me and helped me to understand His message more clearly. To sum it up:
I can't stay a wimp and do what God has called me to do.

I need to be Humbly Confident. (Jesus said, can't do anything without me and Paul said, I can do all things with Christ's help)

The only one that can throw away my confidence is me.

There was lots more. Amy and I made it into a video see it here:
http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/

and click on Living Proof Live - El Paso
Blessings to all
sue

Up Up and Away

This morning we had an amazing ride in our friend's hot air balloon! Wow. I wanted to share some of the pictures with you. More shots at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28186541@N07/. Have a blessed day. Sue

Remember

Here are pictures of our two darling daughters-in-law, Amy -- Eric's wife (top photo)and Shauna--Josh's wife (bottom photo).



I guess I’m getting used to the grandchildren being gone, as long as I don’t think about it. But today, I remembered. I was making a breakfast shake so I could drink it on my way to the gym. That’s when I remembered a morning with 18-month-old, Emeline. We were in the den, and she was really trying to tell me something, but I just didn’t understand what she was saying. Finally, after many attempts, with her speaking as slowly and distinctly as she possibly could, I understood.
She said, “shake.”
“Oh!” I responded. “You want a shake?”
“Yeah,” she said simply. Then she headed toward the refrigerator to help me gather the needed ingredients.
So, today, in a flash, I remembered that encounter. It warmed my heart and I smiled. But then, I felt so sad and missed the girls so much. I wasn’t aware of the void in my life until I remembered them and the times we shared.
Is that why the Lord tells us over and over in His word to ‘remember’? When we remember, the times we’ve shared, and the things He’s done, then—
well—then we miss Him. Maybe missing Him will motivate us to stop doing all the other things we do and take time to go to be with Him. Why not take time to remember?

Lose those extra pounds!

These beautiful pictures were taken by our son, Josh, who lives in Indiana! Caleb really wanted to go out and play, but only lasted about five minutes (it hurts to look at him.)



Like many others, January is when my husband and I make an attempt to shed the extra pounds we’ve gained. We increase exercise and decrease our calories. Since we’re not feeding a family any more our trick for dinnertime portion and calorie control is to buy frozen meals (on sale, of course) that are 300 calories or less (we really like the Lean Cuisine and Weight Watchers). No sweets! This works well for us. In addition, here are my current favorite hints and recipes.
1. Sweet–Pea Guacamole
1 bag frozen peas (thawed or partial thawed)
1 medium (ripe) avocado
Salsa ½ - 1 cup
Combine in food processor and add garlic, lime juice, salt and pepper. This is a yummy dip for fresh veggies for afternoon snacks.
2. Cream-cheese and olive spread
1 carton of fat free cream-cheese
1 small jar of green stuffed olives, chopped
Mix and enjoy on 1 slice of whole grain toast for a great lunch (this dip can also be used with veggies)
· Use fat free half and half
· If you use flavored creamer use half as much along with fat free half and half.
· When I’m really craving sweets I eat a Certs mint or chew up a flavored Tums! (They are mostly calcium).
I know it’s not my usual post but maybe someone will find it helpful (or send me your hints!) Blessings to all, Sue

Being Overshadowed

I know the holidays are over, but I still have some lingering Christmas thoughts to share with you, some of which I included in our Christmas letter. Here they are:

Have you ever felt overwhelmed? When you read the headlines, or hear about the needs of the poor, or maybe it’s simply the demands of everyday life. If so, consider again the words Gabriel spoke to Mary. He said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” (Luke 1:35).
Oh, to be overshadowed—to allow the power of the Most High to swallow up all my inability, worry and frailty. To give Him credit for taking care of all those things I really can’t control and can’t handle. Allowing His bigger than this life plan to eclipse my excuses and fears. To acknowledge that He is God and nothing is too difficult for Him. And, like Mary, to choose to believe and bend my knee and humbly say, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

I guess all the Lord asks of us is really beyond us, isn’t it? Loving our enemies, walking by faith, rejoicing in every (single) thing. He planned it that way on purpose so that we will always depend on his ability and not our own strength. So, when we feel weak, unable and not qualified (like I’m feeling now as I try to write a novel) let’s trust Him and ask Him to overshadow us to accomplish the impossible in our lives, yielded to Him and His purposes.

Christmas Letter (a bit late)

Here are a few Christmas pictures.
To my Dear BLOG readers,
I wanted to share this year’s Cameron’s Christmas Letter with you even though it already January 3, 2009. Blessed New Year to each of you. Love, Sue

For years we’ve sent Christmas letters filled with stories of our little ones, but now they have their own children with their own tales to tell. Having all of them gone from El Paso continues to be an adjustment for Craig and I, especially during the holidays. Illness hit the San Diego clan at Thanksgiving so we had to cancel our trip to see them. Faced with being alone, Craig and I flew off to the hill country of Texas and celebrated our 31st anniversary. That was wonderful. But we felt a bit sad eating our Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant (even though it was easier.) With God’s grace we are continuing to adjust to this new stage of life.

A SPECIAL NIGHT
I hang up the phone and blurt out, “They can’t come.”
My husband, Craig, looks concerned. “Don’t panic.”
“But we’ll be all alone on Christmas Eve.”
He nods. “First time in 30 years.”
A silent dread hangs between us. He beckons me to come to him, and I cuddle close.
Soon, it’s the night before Christmas. As we leave for church visions of our children dance in my head. I try to convince myself that all is well. It’s a natural part of the cycle of life. We raised them to be independent.
Craig touches my arm. “What is it?”
“We asked for this when we prayed that the Lord would give each of them a soul mate.”
“He answered us.”
“I like that part. I just didn’t figure it meant sharing them on the holidays.”
“I know.”
I’m wondering if Craig feels the strangeness as much as I do, like things are out of order. I don’t mention that I’m worried that this holy night won’t seem as special.
We share a magnificent time of worshiping Immanuel with others, but when the service is over, we head home alone.
I set our meal on the table where our little ones went from high chairs to high school to high tailing it out of our home to form families of their own. My heart trembles at the memory.
Craig takes my hand and offers thanks. That’s when something wondrous happens. It’s not as glorious as an angelic choir or as world changing as our Savior’s birth, yet it holds its own mystery. Slowly, softly, in the stillness, we smile into each other’s eyes.
Craig says, “It’s quiet.”
I nod. “It’s sort of nice.”
“The soup’s delicious as always.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you like it.”
“I like you.”
“I like you, too.”
He leans in for a kiss.
I know then that this is still and a very special, holy night. And all is well.

News!

Craig took this picture on Christmas day. And today, the last day of 2008 we learned that we'll be grandparents again in 2009! Aimee and Robert are expecting their third around September 9 (which is Aimee's 26th birthday) our blessings overflow. "Thank you, Lord for your faithfulness, goodness and that you do not change! Thank you for loving us. Thank you for 2008 and for the hope and promise that you are still King of the earth and rule over the affairs of men and we can (and should) trust you in all ways in 2009. Be gloried in our lives. Amen."

More isn’t always better.

The waterfall was green, full of leaves and allege. So I added algaecide, I didn’t measure, just poured in what was left in the bottle. Craig said I should have used a tablespoon or two. I bet it was about ¼ cup. That’s why we’ve had bubbles for over a week. Here is a close up and what it looked like the next day when the wind blew bubbles all over the garden. It sort of looks like snow, don’t ya think?

Not lukewarm

Today Aimee and her girls used gingerbread to make . . . dinosaurs, because Ethne liked that shape better. Emeline got some marshmallow cream frosting on her foot and knows better than to waste good food. .



I never know how to dress during this season. Not winter in El Paso, where it’s often in the 70’s, but this season of life known as pre-menopause. I’m either cold trying to warm up or sweltering trying to cool down.
Recently, when I was unzipping my fleece—again—I thought of Jesus’ words in Revelation 3: 15-16 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
I realized that when I’m hot I’m very busy trying to cool down and when I’m cold I’m making an active attempt to warm up. But when I’m lukewarm, or as ‘Goldilocks put it, “just right,” I don’t do anything. I sit. I’m comfortable, without a care; in fact I guess the word is complacent.
I see in a new way that comfort and ease and prosperity can easily lead to complacency. And that just makes the Lord sick. “Lord please change my heart and make me care about other’s comfort their needs as much as my own. Thank you that you cared enough to leave your place of power and glory to come here, to our place of need. Thank you that you are not lukewarm about anything. Amen.”

changes

About the pictures: the one of the girls is the least blurry of the ones I took (and I have a point and shoot camera!) the other is Aimee and Robert in front of their new place.


Well, Robert and Aimee and the girls are finally living all together in Austin. Craig and I got to stop in a see them in their new little house. It's close enough to Robert's work that he can ride his bike. His office is awesome and looks like the kind of place a creative person would enjoy (and be productive). The girls just seem 'right' again, having both their daddy and mommy and being a family. . . it did my heart good to see them that way, even though I'm really missing them.
Thanksgiving was a bit odd this year since Craig's family in SD all got real sick (so we didn't go there) and all our kids where other places. Since it was our 31st anniversary on Nov. 26 Craig and I flew to central Texas to visit the hill country and see if we could find a 'place' where all of our family could gather together from time to time. We found a perfect log cabin and are praying to see if this is actually God's plan for us or not. One thing I've learned over the years is even if I really want something that looks good, if the Lord says 'no' it's because He knows (best). Here is a wonderful video Robert made, starring: Ethne, Emeline, and Aimee, Davy and Kimmie Arnold (close EP friends) and Jimmy and Megan (Robert's youngest brother and his wife). It's so much fun, enjoy!
(just cut and paste this link)
http://vimeo.com/2427513
love and blessings,
Sue

"Thank you, Grammy."

This is a picture of our grandson, Caleb.



Cheering is natural for me. In High School, I jumped around in a short skirt shouting out practiced routines. As Grammy I pour it out spontaneously in generous quantities whenever the little ones are within earshot. The problem is that there is a great distance between my home and the places where these little people live.
Recently, I got to visit the two boys living in Indiana. While there I observed and commented on all the wonderful things about each one of them. Our grandson, Caleb, noticed that I noticed. This response is so unique and surprised me so much that I can’t stop thinking about it. Each time I’d say, “Good job, climbing,” as he worked his pre-school legs up the ladder of the slide, he’d stop, while still holding on tight, turn his head, look at me with sincere eyes, and say, “Thank you, Grammy.” He did this when I praised him for eating well, showing kindness to others, picking up his toys or obeying.
His simple comment of, “Thank you, Grammy,” was filled with real appreciation and that had an amazing effect on me. Being thanked for encouraging, for loving, for taking notice is—very encouraging and it made me feel loved and noticed. Like a trampoline, all the affirmation I offered him, came right back at me.
It got me wondering about praise and God. How He deserves it, commands it and receives it. When we notice Him and His kindness and say “Thank you,” we are not initiating the process we are simply responding to what He has first offered us. Paying attention to the ways in which He is loving us may help us to respond appropriately and cause us to develop a more thankful heart of praise.
I’ve been testing this theory. Trying to take notice of the innumerable ways the Lord is declaring His love for me each day. On a crisp fall afternoon, when the sky appeared to be using all it’s might to be blue and the air whispered a cooler breath, I noticed and said, “I love You, too.” I awoke on another day, remained in bed for a moment and considered that my heart was beating, and I was surrounded by freely supplied air just waiting for me to breath and that the sun had risen, again. I responded, “I love You, too.” My husband’s embrace and eyes filled with acceptance and delight caused me lift my heart to the One who brought us together and I whispered, “I love You, too.” My husband heard me, thought I was talking to him, and gave me a kiss.
As I’ve noticed and commented on the fact that the Lord is loving me I am aware of how much I love Him too. I want to respond with words of praise and thanksgiving and bounce that love right back at Him. Just like our little Caleb, who stopped what he was doing long enough to appreciate the fact that I appreciated him and say, “Thank you, Grammy.”

Good-bye kiddos

I wanted to share some more pictures since I leave for home tomorrow. I'm leaving behind these three beautiful grandchildren (plus the two I saw at the start of this trip). When I get to Texas, 2 little granddaughters will be waiting for me, but also preparing to move to Austin within a few weeks. I feel so full and know I will soon feel so empty. These precious children are growing up so fast and are so far away. . . I am ever grateful for prayer and the impact Craig and I can have on their young lives as we lift each one up to the One who loves them perfectly.

Grandchildren

Hi
Well today I'm not making any political comments, because in the grand scheme of things I care most about the loved ones in my life. Like these precious grandchildren. Here is a video of Cameron sliding his stuffed tiger down the banister and Kayla catching it. This game lasted a long while and provide many smiles.