Recently my husband and I took vacation time to visit family in another state. It had been 21/2 years since we’d last seen them. After our visit I felt like my heart was full again because spending time with them meant so much.

We all need vacations but we each tend to do them a little differently. Maybe traveling internationally, maybe going to a special destination in the US. Maybe camping or visiting family. It also depends on the budget.

Growing up, my parents didn’t have a big budget for vacations. We often went to my uncle’s cabin in Northern Wisconsin. I have wonderful memories of that A frame cabin in the woods. Of course no plumbing but the outhouse was fairly new (Yikes). The lake was right out the back door so many hours were spent fishing in the row boat, we caught mostly blue gill (not a lot of meat but they were fighters). Swimming to the raft and getting some sun.

There were the rainy days and that meant spending a day with the pheasant tail feathers hanging from the rafters, popping popcorn in the fireplace, and throwing cards in the hat (it’s all in the wrist). Simple? Yes. Memorable? Absolutely!

Now I hear from my kids about their vacations and all the fun things they do with my grandchildren. Wonderful memories. Great stories to tell, and pictures to share.

Enjoy those vacations. Keep those memories alive by reliving them with each other.

How much change to you have? Not the nickels, dimes and quarters in that glass jar or at the bottom of a purse. I mean the kind of change where something in your life goes a different direction usually with the change of circumstances.

Because I’ve had a lot of change in my life in the last few years, I was thinking about how much change there has been in my life. The changes in new schools, moving to different places, graduations, marriage, babies, parenting, grandparenting…
These for the most part are good things, and though life changing, are a positive in our lives.

What happens when the change in our lives isn’t so positive?
When I was diagnosed with MS there was a whole change of lifestyle.
A friend is diagnosed with cancer and their life is turned upside down with change.
When caring for an aging parent consumes most of your day.
The grief that comes in like a freight train when a loved one passes and the heart break that never really leaves.
We are constantly faced with change, big and small, good and bad.

As I was reading through the Gospels, the first 4 books of the New Testament in the Bible, I realized that Jesus experienced change in his life just like you and me. I mean just leaving heaven and coming to earth was a monumental change.

All the change Jesus experienced did not change Him. He cannot change who He is; He’s the same yesterday, today, forever. Knowing that he has dealt with human change and understands what we go through makes it easier for me to go to Him and lay the changing circumstances of my life at His feet.

I have been absent from my blog for a few months because my husband Phil and I were taking care of my Mom. Then on August 9 of this year my sweet Mom passed into the presence of her Savior.

I picture Mom and Dad walking hand in hand as Dad shows her the wonders of Heaven. And walking with them is my sister Beth, whom my Mom has missed for so many years.

As I process my grief the life time of memories come into my mind. The smell of homemade bread baking every Saturday morning. The ironing board set up in the dining room most Tuesday’s with the stack of laundry to be carefully pressed. The buzz of the sewing machine while she worked on my next dress. But most of all I remember walking in the door after a day at school and feeling safe and secure because she made it that way.

Grief will make my heart ache for what was because I miss her so. But oh how the memories give me the sustaining hug of having had a sweet and godly Mom.

The joy of heaven awaits and my Mom knew that because as a newly married woman she placed her faith in Jesus Christ. She told me her family always went to church but realized that wasn’t enough. She wanted that relationship with Jesus.

She loved reading her Bible and would tear up when reading of God’s love for her.

One of her favorite songs was “I Want to See My Savior First of All” and now she has.

Nowadays, when going on a road trip or just trying to find an unfamiliar address, we use a directional app on our phone or a directional device. Gone are the days of pulling out the map in the glove compartment.

If by chance you miss your exit or turn down the wrong road, a voice lets you know to recalculate. Meaning you were going in the right direction and now you are not, so figure out how to get back on the right road.

Recently, I came the end of my day and said to myself “You need to recalculate” for tomorrow. Honestly, the day had been frustrating. My MS was not letting my body move like I wanted it to. There is the sadness I feel caring for my 91 year old Mom. Combing her hair and looking in to her eyes and knowing that she is slowly slipping away.

I had started my day with the best of intentions, desiring peace and joy through the day but going in a different direction of my own choosing. I needed to recalculate!

Are you struggling with your day? Don’t loose heart. Take a firm grip on God’s promises and recalculate to the direction God desires for you.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22,23

Do you remember the first time you conquered the ability to ride a two wheel bike? The excitement and pride of being able to go for a ride with no help.

I recently received a video of two of my grandchildren, Meredith and Jude, riding their two wheel bikes all by themselves. And that’s all they want to do. Now the adventures begin.

I learned to ride a bike at a friend’s house, on her bike. A short time later, when I got my gently used bike -in November- I rode it in the snow enjoying my new found freedom. I loved riding my bike!

My bike and I went many places enjoying all kinds of adventures. One adventure was my brother Brian and I were riding our bikes to piano lessons. Because we lived out in the country in northeast Wisconsin, we didn’t worry about traffic. But there were the farm dogs that like to chase anything. We decided to take a gravel road that didn’t have any chasing dogs. The area was kind of swampy in the woods. About half way down the road we encountered a swarm of flies of Biblical proportions. I have never pedaled so fast in my life! We couldn’t scream or we’d get a mouthful of flies. When we finally got out of the swarm of flies and arrived at Mrs. Hoffman’s for piano lessons, I’m sure we were quite the wide-eyed disheveled sight. And we never went down that road again.

You never know when you get up in the morning what kind of adventures await you. Big or small, look for them.

I still enjoy swatting any fly that invades my space.

Well we made it to February and many of us turn our thoughts to LOVE. Thank you Valentines Day!

It would be interesting to know how many people get engaged on Valentines Day. The romance, young love and of course the diamond ring.

There are the sweet handmade cards and art projects from our young children, which are now saved in the cedar chest.

This year on our Christmas tree we had a new ornament from our daughter, Bethany, it read “I love you more than toilet paper”. Now if that doesn’t warm your heart. It’s a reminder of the crazy year of 2020.

Did you ever play that back and forth game “I love you more than ____________”. More than chocolate, my toys, pizza, TV, shopping and the list is endless often ending with infinity.

The only true winner of this little game is God Himself. He loves us above anything He has created and the lengths He went to to show that love by sending His son Jesus.

“For God so loved the world that He gave is only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

So whether you get flowers, dinner out with your sweetheart, a handmade card or even toilet paper. Know this for sure that God loves you more than ___________.

Here I sit with my face at the window looking outside and who should show up but my “Negative Nellie”. She’s in my head and once again pointing out my loss of independence, the fear and anxiety, loss of income, the envy of people walking and driving and, of course, the depression.

Instead of telling “Negative Nellie” to go, I allow her to stay and repeat her words over and over again until I finally am in tears and I call out to God ENOUGH!

And then I let God replace “Negative Nellie”. His peace covers me like a warm blanket knowing He understands.

Do my circumstances change? Nope! My attitude does, because I crave the calm that comes in knowing that He is in control.

To be honest, I will go through the “Negative Nellie” stuff again but I know not to let her stay and to replace her with what God can do in my heart and mind.

I sense that many of us are currently sitting at the window, looking out, listening to our own “Negative Nellie”. Don’t let her get comfortable. Chase her away with God’s promises.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Phillipians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

As I sit at my window a song comes to mind:
Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here. Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.