Wash My Feet, Too!

Who is that lady with Jesus and Peter? Why, that's my friend Candy (oops, she is now Carole!) She is in Dallas for awhile looking for the leading of the Lord. That may sound a bit over-spiritual, but that is exactly what she is doing.
She hopped around with me on my Ministry Wednesday and one stop was Dallas Theological Seminary.
We moved to the center of the campus and stood by the Preach The Word admonition firmly planted in the ground....then we stepped over to the emotional statue seen here. As she embraced Peter, it seemed shocking at first. But then, in looking at the pic, I realize Peter looks like he is gaining strength from her caress.
I seem to hear "Jesus loves you, this I know....."playing all around. Doesn't it make you want to put your feet into the bowl and beg, "Me, too, Jesus.....me, too. Wash my feet, please, and make me ready for your service."
What more perfect place for Candy to declare her commitment to Him?
My feet so often feel soiled by the world's dust ---- how desperately I need the Master's touch.

Snow Day

Sometimes it is wonderful just to look at a picture in silence. Here is my house in the 30 year snow storm. Funny, but I figured it out and I won't be alive probably for the next one. Glad I enjoyed this time!

Aerobic Telephoning

Millie Cooper, of the Cooper Aerobic Center, spoke last week about fitness. Dad used to talk about grabbing his donuts, parking his car on Willow Lane outside the Cooper Center, and happily munching away while watching the people run the track. I don't know if he ever did that, but it is a funny image. She spoke passionately about the need for life change and good habits. OOOH ---I felt convicted.

So, where is the exercise in my world? The swimming pool is closed until Memorial Day (and my abdomen is way too poochy for public exposure) and the weather is a bit nippy for walking (when you live far from a Mall you have a better excuse for avoiding winter walking).

My friend, Gerry, has the answer: CALL BRENDA ON HER LAND LINE AND WATCH HER RUN! As you can see from the pic, I have a perfectly good telephone. It only has one fault ---it rings at will (its will) and spasmodically. "How can it take you 10 rings to answer the phone?" "It only rang twice and I raced across the house to answer it," was my irenic (one of Dad's favorite words) response. "Do you only have one phone?" "Yes." "Have you ever thought of putting them in other rooms?" "No." Then, it dawned on me. This wasn't just poor thinking ---- this was brilliant strategy. I don't have an ill-working, misplaced phone ---- I HAVE AN AEROBIC SYSTEM! For when I don't get to the land line, he will invariably call me on my cell which is always at the other end of the house, so I run madly to the kitchen just in time to pivot masterfully and head for the TV room, or office, or ....... wherever the cell happened to land. This irritating little piece of equipment is now an irreplaceable tool in the war on flabbiness. Get a new phone? Nah ---- the exercise is making me lean (and definitely mean).

Hello, Barbara

Last Saturday morning I packed the car (again) and headed for Dallas. My daughter, Heather, was chair of the women's luncheon at her church. Each year the ladies transform the gym into a room full of laughter, good food, and much love. Heather began her remarks by commenting on the absence of Barbara Crandell --- the original "mother" of this luncheon idea. It started with 20 people and has grown to nearly 170.
Barbara is currently staying with her daughter after a stroke and time at a rehab facility.
"Okay, I am going to take three pictures to get the entire room in. Smile and wave to Barbara!" We did as we were told and Heather captured the group sending much love to our friend.
Do you ever feel like God is waving at you? Or at least his angels? I often speak of God hugs, but sometimes it is like a wave ---- a "Hey, there --- I see you in the race and I know you need to know I am here."
The Bible speaks of the great cloud of witnesses that cheers us on. I kinda like thinking they are doing the heavenly wave as they watch me. There are many days when a cheer is needed, aren't there? And there are many days when we need to be the cheerleader for the rest of the team. So, today ---- considered yourself waved to! Keep on going.

Mental Mapping

Just pretend there is a pic here ---- I am too lazy to go get the camera and take the shot. If there were one, it would be a map with a bible overlay. Got it? Good.

The other day, I received a call from Dr. Bill Luckey, President of Lindsay Wilson College wanting to meet and talk about a leadership symposium on their campus. "Coincidentally" he and his wife will be driving through Dallas on their way to their daughter's sports tournament at Austin College. And as you may guess, I am going to be about 5 miles from their route at the same time. Fun to see divine appointments.

I was in the car when he called. We left it with --"Pick a place and we will meet you there." Simple, eh? Well, my mind went blank. I drove on to my morning at CC Young. I kept trying to picture whether they would go I 35 or 75. That doesn't sound like something worth struggling about, does it? Well, it got worse and worse. I was in agony trying to mentally picture the route. I ran to the car when it was over and grabbed the Texas map out of the side pocket as fast as I could.

Whew! 75! How could something cause so much turmoil? Why did it? Because I didn't have a map in my mind that I could access. Because I had inadequate information to deal with the situation.....so I stewed.

Where am I going with this? Life is like that. David says, "Your Word is hidden in my heart so I won't sin against you." It is like the map. When I get a picture of God's word and His direction for me, I don't have blank spots and panic attacks.
The bible is my map ---- I need it firmly in my mind as much as I needed the picture of North Texas.

Good Week

How do you take a picture of a good week? Just couldn't, so this one is without illustration.

"I want you to be safe, happy, and to do the work God has given you to do." Those were probably the last real words my Mom spoke to me before her death. This week I felt like I was doing the work God called me to do and boy, does that feed my soul.

My ladies at CC Young teach me weekly about aging with grace.....and laughter. Barbara Still is anything but still --- she is a firecracker who loves to tease. WOW! What an inspiration.

Reading to Jack Kinder this week was a particular joy. He seemed to be speaking to me even in his wordless condition. If I ever started to understand the concept of telepathic communication in heaven, it was Wednesday afternoon. No, we didn't really talk, but my spirit could feel the "amen" in his.

Thursday was filled with visits to friends with physical, emotional, and spiritual struggles. Their lives testify to the power of the risen Christ. This life is hard and only the hand of the Lord can securely carry us through.

On Friday I put on my "meeting" hat and attended the Ziglar, Inc. Advisory Board meeting. Sitting in a room with people who can teach much about problem-solving and thinking gets my juices going. The time that afternoon at Dallas Baptist University almost brought me to tears......THIS is truly the work God has given me to do. How thankful I am for it.

What is the work for today? Attending church, singing in the choir, watching football, and of course ---- taking a nap! But, it is more than that---- it is reflecting on the words of those who love me and understanding I am but one link in the chain. Leaning on those everlasting arms is not bad exercise!

Happy Birthday, Jeff

"If you go into labor on Sunday, just don't call." At my regular doctor's appointment on January 15th, these were my final instructions.
The Cowboys were playing in Super Bowl 5, you see!
Jeff, being the ever-professional Cowboys fan, watched from in utero. But he didn't help much, for they lost to Baltimore 16-13. Two days later, he was rip roaring ready to make his appearance.
Tuesday the 19th was a beautiful day....bright sunshine and unseasonably moderate temperature.
His Dad and I ran errands, took the girls to their grandmother's house, and then headed to Baylor Hospital for a very quick delivery. From the beginning, Jeff was a man who knew his mind --- and knew how to take action.
He arrived in time for Dr. Wells to get home for dinner ---how considerate.
Since then he has brought joy, wisdom, strength, support, and guidance to his old Mom. In high school we joked about his being my "P and J" --- pride and joy. That doesn't change - it just gets more real year by year.
Today he is 39. Next year I will be a mother of three 40-something people. It makes it harder to stay 60, doesn't it?
Thanks, Jeff, for a life that matters. Thank you for using your gifts to bless Anne, Jack, and every one you touch.
Happy birthday, kiddo.