Sister

My sister, five years older, use to mother me. I was told many times years ago that when I was a baby, she and her friend would push me around in a baby buggy and I was so big, I tore right through it.  Sorry Kim!

When I grew into a little girl with long hair, she would braid it for me. I remember when we we became a little older, she would lay her long hair down on the ironing board and we would iron it. We could have invented the hair iron. Why didn't we think of that Kim?!

We came from a divorced home with a mother who was fighting depression and making ends meet. My sister would sew clothes for me so I would have something cute and new every now and then.  Thank you Kim!

When still young, I heard the word "virgin" and didn't know what it meant. When I asked the big sister and her friend, they told me the opposite of what it was. So later, when kids asked me at school if I was a virgin, I proudly said, 'No'.  Thanks a lot Kim!

When my sister gets aggrivated at someone, she will raise one eyebrow and curl one end of her lip. It's so funny both parties end up laughing. (Only does she do this within the family. She would never curl her lip outside the family.)  Thanks Kim for your cute expressions!

When my sister grew up into a young lady and after graduating from college, she flew to Papua, New Guinea to live for two years to work with the Wycliff Bible Translators as a teacher. During this time I had been in the midst of a nine year seperation from my mother. Big sister fasted and prayed those two years she was gone for a restored relationship between sister and mother.

After she returned to the States, God did a mighty healing of two hearts and spirits and that relationship was restored.  Thank you Kim!

I ended up marrying first and having a child first. But Kim became the mother first. . .taking care of her baby sister, sewing for me, watching over me while our mother would be away at work, braiding my hair, even teasing me good naturedly. . .although I didn't appreciate it until I became an adult.

We're both in our fifties now, although you would never know it to look at my beautiful sister. She overcame ulcers in college that had hospitalized her, she overcame ovarian cancer 15 years ago and a bald head. She has mothered two beautiful children who have grown up into wonderful young people who love the Lord. She is my big sister and I am so proud to be her little sister.

My sister and her daughter are coming to see me for the week and do I need to say. . .I am excited!?  With 750 miles between us, we do not get to see one another very often.  Sometimes once a year, and sometimes it is longer.

Hurry up Kim and Laura!

P.S. ~ I was ironing my husbands work clothes when my niece texted me as she was on the highway. . ."Aunt Kristy, do you have a hair iron I can use? I forgot to pack mine."  I smiled as I looked at that iron on the ironing board.

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Home

 

People have asked me a lot since the latest, deadly tornado hit my home state again, if I missed my old Oklahoma home. I pondered, but didn’t really have to think about it. . .

 

Today I live in Kentucky. But for the first 25 years of my life, I lived in Oklahoma. I was born, bred, raised and eventually married in Tulsa. I moved to Arkansas for 4 ½ years; then back to Oklahoma in Edmond, a suburb of Oklahoma City. My husband, two children and I lived there for 13 years. Nine years ago we moved to Kentucky. I cried for it felt it was at the other end of the world as far as I was concerned. My mom and others left behind in Oklahoma said to me, “Bloom where God plants you”. I’ve tried to do that. My home is wherever my husband is.

But. . .

When I hear of devastation in Oklahoma, my heart tears. There is just something about Oklahoma that is still in me. They say once you get the red dirt in you, it never leaves. All my extended family still lives there and that is a big part of it. I feel at home in Kentucky but part of my heart is still on the plains of Oklahoma, where the wind blows and the buffalo roam and the tornadoes rip through. When the devastating storms come, whether it be the literal winds howling or the bombs exploding downtown, my heart is with my “Okies” and I want to be there with them.

 

There is good and bad in all places. And in all places God resides. God is with those underneath the rubble of storms, in the winds of the storms, and in the beauty of the land, whether it be Oklahoma or Kentucky or anywhere else.

 

My heart cries out for the hurt in Oklahoma. My heart also cries out to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who mourns with us, comforts us, takes us by the hand and leads us, whether that be to aid or to heavens door. . .whether we live in Oklahoma or Kentucky or anywhere else.

 

The people of Oklahoma are strong people and they will survive and move on. Oklahoma has been dealt many tragedies, and the people always persevere and move on stronger than ever, helping one another and leaning on their faith in God. I believe they grab hold of His Righteous Right Hand and let Him lead wherever He does.

 

That’s how we should live; holding onto that Righteous Right Hand of our Lord and Savior. I wouldn’t want to go anywhere without Him. . .even if that means leaving my home and making it somewhere else. . .or even onto my real home waiting for me in that big open sky. I wonder if I’ll see a surrey with the fringe on top?

So, to the question that started this post. . .I am proud to be living in the great state of Kentucky now, but I will always have a soft spot for Oklahoma, for that is where my roots were planted. . .but I found out you can have your roots in one place and bloom in another. Because with God, that's just what HE does;)

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

The ones you brought home, I know are doing fine. I lift up the ones left behind and mourning the loss of loved ones, that they would be filled with unspeakable comfort and strength and so full of your love. May there be many arms with skin on to hug them and love them and support them through these first difficult days. May provisions be there for them, may all their needs be met. And may these dear ones stand up strong as the ones from the past have done, to move forward, never forgetting but living on with strength, living a life for you and for their loved ones.

May you be glorified and honored through all the selfless acts of helping that we see, the love being poured out on my beautiful home state and may it draw people to you that maybe have not been close before.

Father, thank you for being with me no matter where my home is, for where You are, there is my home. 

In Jesus Name,
Amen~

AND NOW. . .just a funny tidbit I don't think you would see anywehere else but Oklahoma.

there are some funny laws on the books there. . .

 

  In Tulsa, it's illegal to just tie your horse up anywhere, especially not on a utility pole. The law is so confusing that sometimes Oklahomans just bring 'em inside.

And there is football!

Oklahoma has one of the top-rated sports programs in the country. (Sooner football had an incredible 47-game winning streak)

And there is culture

The Tulsa Ballet is one of the best ballet companies in the U.S.

And there is music

One of the world's most famous musicals is named after the state.

And there are the proud Americans who get right back up

Its residents are some of the most resilient people around.

(pics from MSN)

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The Beast

In our beautiful town there lives a beast. He is hidden, swept under the rug, shunned and ignored when possible in the light but he thrives in the dark places. He has talons that sink deep into the skin, silently ripping it away along with hopes and dreams. It destroys futures most of the time and relationships and can kill the soul. It breeds lonliness, sadness, and sickness.

At first he looks wonderful. He is invited to parties and people think he is the life of the party. But slowly and surely with some, the talons sink in so slowly, the person doesn't even know it is happening at the time.  He is subtle, like the frog who is put in a pot of water and the heat turns up. He doesn't realize to jump out until it's too late. And so it is with ones who let the beast into their lives. It's so subtle, they don't realize to jump out until it's too late.

You ask, "Does this beast have a name." Yes, his name is alcoholism and I hate him.

 

 

Hate is a strong word and I rarely use it, but for this beast, he is worthy to be called by this word. There is no good quality in him. He has taken someone I cared about very much. My only condolense is that this loved one had received the Lord into His heart months before but there wasn't enough time left to fight hard. He's in a better place now where he thirsts no more.

The beast has destroyed the lives of others I have come to care about. These dear ones have been robbed of futures, homes, and families. They walk, stumble through the town, through their lives with glassy stares and yet through those glassy eyes, I still can see a sweet soul that's still down inside. It comes across through their smile, through the telling of their story, a glimmer that shines through as they remember a good time from long ago.

When you meet or hear of an alcoholic, please don't be angry at the person. Show compassion and love towards this one with the love of Christ and offer them hope.

There is help to get rid of this beast and some have been able to kick him out the door for good. Some kick him out the door, but then let him back in.  And others just do not have the strength to kick at all.

But there is always Hope and that is in Jesus Christ. He is being spread throughout this darkness and these dear ones need our help. And you can do it from right there in front of your screen, in your armchair, in your car and in your bed.  Pray. . .Pray. . .Pray for our fellow neighbors. There is no monetary cost, it only takes a few minutes a day and you don't have to exercise anything but maybe just a little discipline, a little memory so as not to forget. I am mad at this beast and I'm roaring in the name of Jesus!

What do you say?  Will you join me in slaying down this beast in the name our Lord, Jesus Christ?

It doesn't matter how you pray. . .you can roar, you can cry out on your knees. . .

 

raise your hands to Him

Humbly bow

How wonderful it would be see to see these dear ones be freed from the chains that put them in bondage. How wonderful to see them exchange, for good, the chains of bondage from drink of the bottle to the freedom drink of communion.



How wonderful it would be to see one, two, hundreds freed from the beast. I for one am ready to watch this happen.

Praying, waiting, and believing~

Blessings From the Backyards

 

 

“There is sweet music here that softer falls
Than petals from blown roses on the grass,
Or night-dews on still waters between walls
Of shadowy granite, in a gleaming pass;
Music that gentlier on the spirit lies,
Than tir'd eyelids upon tir'd eyes;
Music that brings sweet sleep down from the blissful skies.
― Alfred Tennyson

It never takes long to find and journal the gifts of the day from God. Sometimes I'm not even looking for them when they come. Like the other day. I was working out in my back yard enjoying the singing of all the birds

when I heard another kind of singing. I stopped what I was doing and heard the beautiful, pure, perfect pitched voice of the 14 year old girl from two houses over. We all have at least an acre of land out here in the country with woods and fields all around. Her voice gently flew over to my ears and it made me smile. The singing birds was gift #1 on this day. . .gift #2. . .a young girl singing in her backyard.

Then early evening, I was sitting in my bedroom with the windows open. While I was reading a book, still hearing the birds making melodies, I heard another kind of singing. This time it was the 4 year old girl who lives next door. She was swinging away on the her swing and singing away to herself. . .or maybe to the gray cat that's always walking back and forth in their yard. She didn't know someone else was listening. . .and smiling at her sweet voice. . .gift #3.

I had been blue this day for different reasons, but by the end of the day my heart felt full. It was brimming over with music and sweet voices in my head from ones who never realized they were blessing. Their music along with the all day singing of the birds had made me raise MY voice in praise to the One who gifts my feathered friends and neighbors with melodic melodies. One cannot stay blue for long when music is around and when one begins to raise their eyes and hands and heart in praise to the Father up above.

 

Music was given to me and praise was given back.

 I journaled the blessings that night as the music continued to fall gently upon my soul. I slept well. Thank you Father!

 

Have you found your blessings for the day. . .are you looking. . .or listening?  ;)

A Very Special Lady

As I sat in my ABF class one Sunday morning listening to my teacher speak about David, emotions, doing the right thing, laying prostrate on the ground, I couldn’t help but think of a modern day story about a very special lady…one who, as a young lady, thought her life would live out as the fairy tale stories she watched on the big screen in her day.

Because of people in her life who made bad choices, took wrong turns, and some living in their own sin, one making a very right choice to go across the seas with a missionary group, another taken away because of circumstances, everyone in her family ended up gone for one reason or another.She spiraled downward into a deep well of depression that lasted for years.Doctors put her on anti-depressants which she remained on for years.Her loved ones were gone for years.This lady ended up in a mental institution several times with doctors never “curing” her.She always returned home bad off as ever before. Not quite the fairy tale she expected.

People perceived her as weak because she was down and couldn’t seem to get up.This lady had been a Christian for years, but she allowed her emotions to get the best of her.The devil thought he could get her to give up by falling completely into this well of emotions.

But one evening, as this lady realized everything was gone in her life, she fell prostrate to her bedroom floor where she surrendered; fully surrendered her whole entire being, her entire family, everything! She even surrendered her emotions to do only what the Lord would have her to do.There was no earthquake, no great lightning, no emotional response.She got up and lived obediently to her Heavenly Father and slowly but surely, she became healed of the emotional illness the enemy tried to drown her in.She became strong, she got off her anti-depressants she had been on for years, never to go back on them again. Slowly, her family came back, a son after 14 years, a daughter after 9 years.

This lady is not weak.It took a great strength for her to not give up.It took a great inner strength in the midst of her turmoil and pain and aloneness, to go prostrate on that floor and say, “Jesus, I’m 100% yours and everything I have I completely surrender.She didn’t know what God’s plans were for her.She didn’t know what answers would come if any.But she trusted her God with all of her being.

This lady has become a dearly loved woman over the last 30 some years to so many people, helping, giving, and loving them with a Christ-like love, many calling her mom.

As of today she still thinks she is weak, but she knows what strength is in her is from the Lord.She gives him all the glory.She IS strong.She has shown the strength of a warrior.The enemy, strong in his tactics could not defeat her.She fought, she fell prostrate, she arose with a strength from the Lord she didn’t even recognize herself and together they claimed victory over this life and her family.

To this day, this lady thinks she has no legacy to leave.Oh, but she is so wrong!She will leave a legacy of great strength, faith, and love that only comes from the Father.

Because of her faith decision that night on the bedroom floor, my children grew up with a healed, whole, loving, and fun grandmother.You see, this special lady is my mother.

As she would and always says, To God be the glory!

A happy ending after all!

Thank you Mom for the legacy of prostrate praying, strength in the Lord, obedience, faith, and

your unconditional love.

I love you with all my heart!

Happy Mother's Day!

 

 

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Angels with Stethascopes

“God appoints our graces to be nurses to other men’s weaknesses.”

~ Henry Ward Beecher

 

 

 

This is National Nurses Week and I would like to salute all the wonderful nurses out there being angels to all those who are ill in one way or another. Our Homeless Outreach Ministry is blessed to have nurses at the bridge every week to take care of our guests. Not just to put stethascope to skin but a listening ear to their words and compassion to their souls. Listen. . .you just may hear the flutter of wings.

"Our job is to love people. When it hurts. When it’s awkward. When it’s uncool and embarrassing. Our job is to stand together, to carry the burdens of one another and to meet each other in our questions."

 ~Jamie Tworkowksi

“The trained nurse has become one of the great blessings of humanity, taking a place beside the physician and the priest.”

~ William Osler

 

 

 

“Being a Nurse, is a endless loving act of heart!”

~ Anonymous

 

 

Our nurses are always smiling, greeting our guests warmly and ready to take blood pressures, talk about medications and addictions and ready to listen to stories when stories need to be told. 

 

 This man above didn't seem moved when told his blood pressure was WAY in the danger zone. . .that's stroke level zone. The nurse explained what could happen and that it could happen quickly with the extremely high numbers he was showing. He was told to get to the hospital which was just down the street like. . .NOW!

 

We'll see hopefully next week if he did just that or not.

 

Our nurses keep an eye on another one of our guests who has his blood pressure taken every week at the bridge.  His was also in the danger zone awhile back and was told to get to the hospital right then. He rode his bike right there, was put on medication and is doing better.

Everyone loves our Louie. . .

 

Louie loves to come to the bridge each week.  It may be for the food. It may be for the fellowship. It may break up his day. I think he really comes now to see the smiles of ones like these. . .

 

 

There's just nothing like a caring angel with a stethascope and a smile like these.



 

 

Nursing is an art: and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation, as any painter's or sculptor's work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or dead marble, compared with having to do with the living body, the temple of God's spirit? It is one of the Fine Arts: I had almost said, the finest of Fine Arts. 

~Florence Nightingale

 

To all nurses,

Thank You!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wrecked, Messiness, and Love

( A repost because. . .sometimes we get wrecked and need a little encouragement)

 

 

 

The man came out of the woods reeking of alcohol and slurred his words. He talked loudly. He had told me earlier in the weeks behind us that he had been sober for 10 months. It was a lie. I called him on it and he began to cry. He was ashamed. He said he was unworthy. I told him to never say that.

I told him we had a God that was much bigger than alcoholism and any other circumstance we find ourselves in. He cried some more. I asked him to give God another chance. He didn't want to show up and lose his dignity. But God wants us to come just as we are. He says "Come to me and I will make you new". My husband and I took this mans hands and my husband prayed a beautiful prayer for this one in front of us.

It won't be easy but God promises to hold us. "Do not fear, do not be dismayed for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my Righteous Right Hand. Isaiah 42:10

Life can be so messy when we take our eyes off Jesus. But Jesus doesn't leave, we do. He is always there, waiting with open arms. So shouldn't we do the same. Standing and confronting a drunk man in love is not in my comfort zone. But then Jesus hanging on the cross for my sins was not in his comfort zone either. But he did it. He didn't walk away. We don't like to hear the dirty, messy tales of lives, but they are all over the place.

A woman in my ABF class came upon a young pregnant girl sitting on the curb of a street crying.

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My friend stopped and talked with her and heard her story. With several phone calls going back and forth, numbers were given to this young girl where help could be found. My ABF friend could have kept on driving and said a "quick" prayer for her, but she decided to stop and enter into the messiness of this girl's life. I know it was heartbreaking but I bet if asked of my friend, she would tell you she was blessed to have the opportunity to issue grace. And in her stopping to talk with the young lady on the curb, my friend's little girl was finding pieces of paper in the car writing "Jesus loves you" and giving them to the girl. Little girls issuing grace also. What a sight!

Yes, life is messy if your eyes are open and you choose to look. It's dirty and heartbreaking and in the mess, blessings and grace abound!

From Jeff Goins, the author of Wrecked, When a Broken World Slams into Your Comfortable Life

Go for broke. Choose the hard option. Do what comfort screams "no"to - what will ultimately shape you and help others. It my be counterintuitive or against what you've been taught, but do it anyway. Step into inconvenience. Welcome the anxiety that comes with doing the right choice. And be wrecked.

This is the only kind of wreck I know of where we should actually go out looking for. And in the frustration and mess and tears. . .there is love. . .incredible, unconditional love!

Go on. . .get wrecked!
I did and I wouldn't go back and change it.

If you have any inkling of stepping into inconvience and getting wrecked and being blessed, then I highly recommend you reading this book

If you do, please share with me, I would love to hear!