Thursday, March 25

Happy Birthday Nana!


Remembering Nana today and celebrating a life that wasn't always easy - From Italy, to the hills of West Virginia, the metropolis in Michigan and  finally settling, putting down roots in California.  She was a pioneering woman.  Raising siblings, then her own kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.  Surviving in the world with only a sixth grade education, faithful, caring and loving.  She had a love for nature and the Lord - I remember her praying the rosary and reading the bible in her room, sitting in her rocking chair.  I remember her playing with the kids on the floor in her house dress and ankle nylons!  I remember her making me re-do and scrub the bathroom counter 3x because I didn't do it 'right'.  I remember her teaching me how to sweep the leaves of the tree in the backyard and how to cut rose bushes so they'd bloom.  Letting me help her in the kitchen and trying to get the recipes for spaghetti sauce, Easter cookies and fretas; oh how I cherish the times with her and oh how I miss her every day!  Thank you Nana for all the wonderful things you taught me, how to persevere, to pray and to tend to a garden and the loved ones in my life.  You were a great example of a servant of Christ, giving and teaching others - I miss you -
love, Nana

Wednesday, March 24

FIFTY

I remember when I was younger, I would hear mom, dad and nana talk about so and so being sick, or so and so died and they were going to a funeral, and when I questioned them they said "as you get older, more of your friends get sick and you attend more funerals".  Over the years, I have found that to be true, and this weekend we got invited to a funeral.  A funeral for Jackie's youth that is.  Andie has put together an awesome 50th celebration for our friend, Jackie from Peachwood.  The theme is "a funeral for her youth".  How creative is that?  And if you know Jackie it's even funnier because first of all she spent many years working at a funeral home and even was the 'host' at funerals and viewings, and secondly, she is not the most upbeat and positive person!  I don't think that's what mom, dad or nana had in mind when they said those infamous words about attending more funerals, but I am really excited to see Jackie and some other Peachwood friends!

Monday, March 22

I've been thinking lately about the turmoil that we may experience daily.  Like the fight between good and evil, disagreements between co-workers, harsh words spewed out on our loved ones , and uncertainty of the future to name a few.  How do we bring peace to such a battle?  I feel as if I am being tossed around in the raging waters of an angry ocean.  How do we settle our thoughts and bring about the serenity we need to cope?

Thoughts such as these cross my mind often, and I wrestle with ways to help overcome and dismiss them.  I shake my head and my hands as if to slough off the bad feelings and clear myself of these invasive vines of discontent.

What causes the turmoil, doubt, fear or something else?  Is it the devil filling my head with negativity so to keep me aware from doing the right thing or turning to God?

In my search for the truth I don't doubt that I've gotten lost along the way because I don't follow the simple directions I've been given.  Turn to the Lord.  It isn't about which way to go, as in right or left.  It's about looking up.  Asking our Lord for help in finding the right path and turning to Him for the peace and comfort I seek.

Wednesday, March 17

Lady Chaps in Tucson

We spent the day in Tucson, you couldn't have ordered up a more beautiful day to bask in the sunshine and take in a few games of softball!  Kayla's team, the Lady Chaps from Lubbock Christian University, were in town for an invitational tourney just south of Phoenix, so Otto and I headed down to meet Robin, Joe and Tree to watch see our goddodda in action!


Kayla plays left field and bats 8th -
They lost the first game 6-1, but came back with a vengance to win the next one 16-0.  Kayla hit a home run and had a double in the second game.

After the game we headed over to El Charro for dinner, then we tearfully said good-bye and Otto and I drove home to Phoenix.  It was such a joy to see Kayla so happy and enjoying every minute of her time at LCU -


We love you Kayla, and wish you the best for the rest of your season and your time in Texas!





Thursday, March 4

Before and After

Need I say more?


Adventures

I wish that I would've looked at life as an adventure when I was younger.  I wish I would've done a lot of things differently in my life, especially when I was younger.  I wish I wasn't so afraid to take risks and I wish I hadn't taken life so seriously.  Okay, that's enough 'I wishes' for today.  The point I am getting to is this.... I don't 'wish I did' anymore, I do!  Right?  I've changed my tune, and the way I look at this life I have.  I've decided to do things that I never would've done before and I try not to take life so seriously.  This doesn't come easy for a control freak like me.  But it is getting easier. 

My spiritual journey has led me to the depths of my beliefs and my inner being, It got lost somewhere between 'I have to handle this' and 'gotta be perfect' for awhile, but it found its way back and now I try to let God lead me in this life He's given.  I look for His guidance in all I do, and try to live for Him and not me, which means releasing my worries and my life to Him. I still battle with the 'I have to handle this' and 'gotta be perfect' at times, but not as much because I know that I am not perfect and I don't have to handle it or solve it or fix it, only God can do that.  Once I turned to God and allowed Him to control my life I lost my fear of the unknown, I gained an adventurous spirit and I laugh more often, especially at myself.



If you read Leanna's blog or spoke to her recently, you now know that the Hanson's are headed to Turkey for a year and a half.  I am so excited for Jared and his new job and the adventures they will have living in another country.   I hope they are excited to learn about a new culture and the history of the country they will call home for awhile.  I hope they don't live in fear and I hope they take some risks.  I hope they live without regret, and I hope to visit them while they are there!



I don't want to live the rest of my life with regrets.  I want to live and learn from different life experiences and I want to share this with others.  I want to be able to say that I lived my life the way God intended and that I enjoyed the journey.  I want others to see my contentment and happiness, not my sorrow and regret.  As the kids get ready to leave and we say our good-byes for now, I hope that they too will see this as an experience of a lifetime and they live with no regrets.  So, let the adventure begin.