What a special day!

I'm at an interesting time of life.  I find myself looking back at times, thinking of both happy and sad events in my life.  Sometimes, I look forward to exciting changes that are on our dream list as well as worrying about potential challenges.  Today, I think back on one of the most amazing events ever--we had our first child.

I still remember this like it was yesterday.  I had a terrible pregnancy and was sick pretty much every day.   About three days before I had our daughter, I was hit by a car.  Although I wasn't injured, it certainly accelerated things as she was born two weeks early.

I remember my water breaking and realizing we needed to go to the hospital.  Being the fashionista I am, I decided I needed to wash and dry my hair first.  KC had the car running for almost an hour as he didn't share my concern for the lifetime photos.  We got to the hospital only to wait and wait and wait.  From the time my water broke until our baby arrived, twenty two hours passed.  (Maybe that's why the photos didn't show my efforts.)

We were one of the first to be in a labor room that looked like a bedroom.  I think they still moved us after that, but I know some of my friends that had babies prior to me delivered them in the operating room!

We hadn't decided on a name, but we knew that if the baby was a girl, it would be either Megan or Jenna.  As soon as we met her, we knew it was Jenna.  Our baby was absolutely perfect--and beautiful--and tiny.  I seriously am teary now just thinking of meeting her for the first time.

I remember that they let me sleep during the nights, but they would bring in this tiny bundle all wrapped in pink when she was hungry.  They handed me this beautiful and precious gift, and I was in awe.

Seeing my husband with our new baby made me fall in love even more.  There is something so amazing when you watch this bond between father and daughter.

I have loved being a mother from the second I saw Jenna which was actually via a thirteen week ultrasound.  Two petite and perfect little feet showed up to reassure me that all of the sickness was going to be worth it.

All of these memories--being sick, trying to fit into my tiny sisters-in-laws' maternity clothes, drying my hair while my husband stood in shock, seeing those two tiny feet, holding the most precious bundle I had ever held, and watching us become a family--will be in my mind forever.  I thank God for the miracle of Jenna.

Relationships...

This last weekend was full of so many emotions that it literally left me exhausted.  Our friends recently lost their beautiful son to suicide.  The pain of losing a child, they say, is like that of no other.  That the method was suicide was beyond unbearable.

Our small group is very close.  One night last month, soon after hearing about the terrible loss, we had prayer time.  One of our friends, Beth,  felt led to share an idea with us after we finished.  Since our the grieving family had recently moved out of state and we couldn't be there to hug them, she suggested that we have a quilt or blanket made that would carry the art of the artist for which this child was named.  Diane helped with this project, and we all wrote our thoughts on a beautiful quilt square that was donated.

When we offered our gift of love this weekend, the entire room was in tears.  I realized then that God had orchestrated this.  There was no way that we could have known how much this simple blanket could mean to our dear friends.

I watched throughout the weekend as each person offered their gifts of love.  The parents were wrapped with love from the moment they stepped off of the airplane.  They were greeted with loving arms, transportation, a soft bed, and comfort food.  They were surrounded with prayer and beautiful music.  Pastor's words at the services were directly from God and spoke so clearly to their hearts.  Meals were made, quiet time was offered, and THE most amazing worship service Sunday morning offered more healing.

I have been blessed with friends that are sensitive to listening to Him.  They offer love that is so sincere and caring.  I have always known how special my family and church family were, but I truly never saw it so vividly as I did the last few days.

More than anything, I cannot explain the power of God that I was privileged to view.  This is a relationship that continues to grow for me.  When I saw His hand in the wake of this tragedy, I cannot begin to explain the feeling of peace and love I experienced. 

God led Beth to share her vision of the blanket that literally is healing.  He shared the song "I Can Only Imagine" along with a beautiful rainbow when our dear friend desperately needed a sign.  He allowed for Megan and Ryan to rearrange their schedules to sing along with Ryan A. my favorite song, Beautiful Things, at the memorial service.  They have never performed it so beautifully.  God brought Kelly McRae and her husband to Cambridge; she, along with Kenny Krona, filling the weekend with more beautiful music.  God allowed for Sandy and Judy to put together a perfect worship weekend.  Pastor and the guest musicians offered a praise service that had us dancing in the pews (and we're Lutheran! :)  ).

Relationships with friends, with family, and with my God--life really can't get any better.  I thank Him for taking something so horrible and changing it into a beautiful, healing time.

Blessings...

Changes...

What an exciting last week or two!  Jenna will be leaving her present job to an exciting new career.  I love watching people challenge themselves, and she has been very inspirational.  She absolutely loves her present work; she has been mentored there, but she has also made a difference in many of her clients' lives.  She knew she wanted to do more, however, so she went through literally countless interviews for a new position.  I love watching the energy that people have to change from a comfortable and happy situation to then taking it to the next level.  I always think it would be so much easier to "stay put."

Our son, Ryan, is also taking it on new challenges.   He was accepted to physical therapy school in Tampa, Florida.  The program is described as rigorous, plus it is many miles away from home.  I love watching him be excited about the changes as he prepares for the move.  We offered another option of taking a year off and applying to a school in Minnesota, but he is ready and excited about this new chapter.

Megan found out that she definitely can finish college in three years.  It won't be easy, and she absolutely loves college life.  She will have to take a ton of classes, but she has her eyes on the end goal of graduating early, saving money, and going to grad school.

I would love to take credit for these amazing attributes in our children, but in the famous words of our eldest, "we are lucky."  We definitely are.  Even though I know I am supposed to be the one leading them, I find myself being awed and inspired by their thoughts, energies, and efforts.

I am actually looking into ways I can be energetic, uncomfortable, and inspiring to others.  We'll have to see where God leads me. I'm trying to open myself up to new ideas rather than always choosing the safe and easy route.  Stay tuned....:)

"Be careful of your words... they are often difficult to take back or soften."

One of my daughters posts words of wisdom frequently.  These really hit home for me this week.  I received an e-mail from a friend that was nothing short of devastating.

I admit that I live a very "charmed" life.  I have always been surrounded by amazing and positive people.  Cruelty is a word that never enters my mind.  In fact, I can literally count on one hand the times that someone has been truly mean to me.

The e-mail pointed out many of my faults with no kindness intermixed to soften the blows.  I literally spent the next couple of days in tears.  Although many of the statements were true, they were presented in such a manner that I can't erase the words from my heart.

One of my greatest faults (and apparently I have many more I wasn't even aware of...:)  ) is judging others.  As a mom and a youth leader, I feel that I walk a tight line.  I want to instill values, but I need to encourage more.  I tend to look at others in life in a blanket form, not always looking or understanding the complete picture.

I think God used this e-mail to truly open my eyes to others' needs.  When I think of women and children (or men, of course) that are in abusive or abrasive relationships, my heart literally breaks.  Children that are bullied every day now are at the forefront of my thoughts.  When I think of the way I felt when I read that letter I know that that is something I never hope to experience again, but I was able to rush into the arms of a loving husband and be reassured by my family.  Bible passages literally popped up everywhere, comforting me with words of true love.  What about those victims that have no where to run? 

As I drove home yesterday from a great day, I felt a peace.  I am trying to apply the words of truth from this person to my life, and I am giving the rest to God to sort through.  I prayed for this person (which I must say is much easier said than done), and I hope that I use this experience to be a much kinder and encouraging person. 

So, in the words of my wise child, "Be careful of your words... they are often difficult to take back or soften."  Look out for the under dog, be kind, and let God do the judging.  Blessings.

Is the pope too Catholic?

At church this past Sunday, our pastor talked about someone criticizing the new pope.  They said something to the effect of "the new pope is too Catholic."  Our pastor said how ironic this was; shouldn't the pope be Catholic?!

It really made me think about values.  So many of us want everyone around us to think the same way we do.  If we feel something is right or wrong, everyone else should think that same way.  The person who made the statement quoted above obviously feels that way.  Why should things like abortion be wrong?  Shouldn't things change as the world changes?  Maybe those old fashioned ideas worked well at one time, but that was prior to 2013.

There is also the other extreme where we don't expect others to think as we do, but we allow any and every opinion as being correct for that person in that situation.  Phrases like "Don't be so closed minded..." and "everyone is doing it" are the justifications.

As I get older, one thing I really see is that peoples' values definitely change.  I grew up in the seventies when having casual sex was considered normal.  My children are growing up in a society that looks at living together as the norm.  Values can change during each of our life stages.  Using our value system as a basis of living our life is just so disconcerting and shaky.  I find no comfort whatsoever in making decisions solely based on what I feel at the moment.  I find that my thoughts on life's decisions change.  Can right and wrong truly change?

I personally have found fulfillment and huge relief in knowing that in my short life, I don't have to decide what is right and what is wrong.  That is clearly laid out for me.  It is such a rock and place of contentment.

So, yes, the pope may be too Catholic.  Good for him.  I hope that I can always be too dependent on God and not myself for life's answers.  Blessings...

At the hospital...

On Tuesday, I brought +Ryan Bohn to the hospital for another endoscopy.  Even though this was his fourth time having one, I was nervous.  As I waited in the family area, many memories were in my heart.

This hospital has been the site for many family events.  I remember with happiness meeting many of my nieces and nephews.  I especially smile when I think of meeting one of my nephews.  He was wearing a cute little blue hat to cover his little "cone head" after emerging from his tiny mother. 

Heartbreaking memories also flood my mind.  My father-in-law spent his last days here.  I don't think a hospital patient room has ever held so many family and extended family members.  I remember us praying over him, and I feel blessed to think of his peace that he shared about dying.  Our family patriarch led the way with dignity and humor.

I think of a wild array of things as I remember my husband being flown to this hospital.  I remember visions of water, big eyes of the policeman helping us, a dear friend waiting in our local hospital with us, watching KC get on the helicopter, being surrounded by family and friends, praying and praying and praying, seeing the scan which was dreadful, finding humor ("fity cents"), and literally, just literally, watching him miraculously heal in front of my eyes.

So, yes, this hospital carries many memories

I've always wanted to be a writer.  My cousin,@Roxanne Henke ,  is a published writer, and I've always admired her.  Last night, KC and I were out for dinner with our kids, celebrating Jenna's birthday.  @Jenna mentioned that she had been reading a mutual friend's blog.   I read our friend +Mikaila Worden 's blog and was inspired.

I may never be a famous writer, but I thought it would be fun to use my blog as a journal.  I love life, and I enjoy new experiences and finding humor in the every day.

Our weekend was so much fun.  KC and I went to many of the Parade of Homes.  We hope to sell our home of twenty years.  Needless to say, there have been many emotions around that thought.  I think women think of homes as having feelings--at least I do.  KC is much more logical about it, and he is very excited to move to the lake.  Looking at the new homes this weekend was very helpful, and I'm definitely much happier about the move.

On Sunday, KC and a friend from our small group, Eric, went skiing for a fundraising event at Wild Mountain.  KC participated in the racing part, and he just loved it.  After that, we went to more Parade of Homes and then out for a late birthday celebration with family.

My devotion this morning was another inspiration for starting to blog.  It discussed finding the good in each day.  Their suggestion was listing at least seven positive things about your day.  I'm going to try and follow that idea at night as part of my thank you prayer.  I thought I could also share some of my positives with you.

Enjoy your day, and find your seven happy things.  Blessings...