Okay - I think this is kinda cool. My favorite state in the entire United States is Colorado. In fact, Scott often says as a joke that when I get to heaven I'm going to say to God, "y'know, God, this is nice....but it's not Colorado." (of course I WON'T, but it's funny and it does sum up how I feel about Colorado.)

So, I stumbled upon this cool little quiz and here are my results:

American Cities That Best Fit You:

80% Denver

75% Seattle

70% Portland

65% Austin

65% Honolulu

Which American Cities Best Fit You?

Cool, huh? Since Vancouver is home now (right across the river from Portland) and I feel like we are living in the place where we'll be living for a longer time than past places (hopefully a MUCH longer time) and Colorado is someplace else I'd like to live, I think this quiz is pretty much right on. Not to mention that I love Texas and Hawaii is my favorite vacation spot. Woo Hoo! Have fun taking the quiz and let me know what you find out!

Have a great week! And check back ~ there's LOTS to catch y'all up on...CRAZY DAYS! :)

Trayc

Merry Christmas!

I belong to a graphics "club" and when I opened the latest newsletter tonight I knew I had found my Christmas entry for my blog. Below is the letter submitted by a gal named Nancy Scheiern from I have no idea where. It doesn't matter where she's from ~ I think one day we'll be "from" the same place. I don't know if she wrote it, but to whoever did write it ~ THANK YOU. On December 23rd after a day of watching people rush and speed to get the gifts under the tree in time for Christmas Day (and enjoying the number of people who were smiling and saying "Merry CHRISTmas" to those they were dealing with) this was exactly what I needed to read to focus once again on the Reason for the Season. May God be evident in each of your lives ~ may this year be one of seeing God's hand in each and every day. He longs to know you ~ to mold you into the person HE created you to be ~ to give you life abundantly. God go with you (He already does, but sometimes we need the reminder).... with a most sincere heart I wish you Merry Christmas!

Trayc

PS: click on the title to be taken to a link with an interesting article about modern day Bethlehem...and remember to pray for all Christians worldwide who are being persecuted (and many of them "in our own backyard") because of simple faith in Jesus. thank you!

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As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.

I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .... and I wanted to be with them and share their table.

In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" .. as if the party were in his honor!

At 12 Midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and ... do you know ... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me.

What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party.

I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside.

Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party.

See you soon.

I Love you!
Jesus

Just One...

I subscribe to e-mails from a lady whose purpose is to help those of us who get sidetracked easily stay on track with our homes (link to it by clicking on the title above), and I just got done reading this e-mail:

Dear FlyLady,

You may not know it, but you have had a direct and highly positive impact on our war effort in Iraq. Most notably, your organizational discipline has translated wonderfully to our Iraqi allies, specifically the Army that I train and fight alongside. I recently had the chance to read some of my wife's FlyLady e-mails and realized that this is exactly the kind of systematic approach and common sense needed to get things going over here. So one thing led to another...Now the Iraqi Soldiers have issues. Talk about Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome! These folks had lived in CHAOS for some 24 years, enforced by one of the most evil, selfish persons imaginable. They had"clutter" on a societal-in fact, a galactic-scale. They have a lot of guilt and problems built up. There gear was nasty. Their barracks were a mess. They had forgotten how to fight. And now they have the whole world over, or at least the good parts of it, here to help them learn, here to do business with them, and here to welcome them into the family of responsible countries.The Iraqi Army did not get this way overnight and they will not get fixed in a day. So I echo you and tell them that they are not behind,and that each day we start right where we are. No flip-flops on guard-get dressed up in boots and lace them up. Clean our rifle daily, first thing. Focus on one "hot spot" mess every day. Document our useful procedures in simple lists. Follow the before operations checklist. Follow the after operations checklist. We are building our routines and our procedures one habit at a time. Ensure our Soldiers eat, sleep, and exercise daily-very important when the heat gets up to 120 degrees!It sounds strange, but these FlyBaby steps, translated into Arabic and a military context, are keeping our people alive and safe. We stick to salutes and pats on the back instead of hugs, but you get the idea,and so do our Iraqi friends.Thank you, FlyLady, for your contribution to our efforts to protect Iraqis and Americans.
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FlyLady here: OH MY! Purple Puddles, I am so proud of you and your Army for protecting us and for helping the Iraqis people get back on their feet. May God watch over you! I would also like to thank all the families of our service men and women for taking care of the homefront. I have to go to bed now! This one really touched my heart and it is hard for me to stop the purple puddles! How in the world can one wish to help one person do this? Finally Loving Yourself is the God Breeze that changes the world one BabyStep at a time!

I was struck by this e-mail because I knew "Flylady" before she had hundreds of thousands of people subscribing to her e-mail reminders. I knew her from a little bulletin board type chat room that I used to go on when we lived in Redding ~ and it was then that some people were encouraging her to set up her system as an e-mail option for the rest of us. She took a chance and did what she believed God was calling her to. Now, 6 years later, she has helped hundreds of thousands of people let go of guilt for not being the perfect housekeeper, and she has helped as many people get a handle on their homes so they don't feel overwhelmed by it and can live the life God has given them to it's fullest...never, though, did she expect to help so many. As she said...she had ONE wish to help ONE person and now she is touching a country that is for the first time in many, many years experiencing the freedom they longed for.

I ran across this quote from Ghandi: Consciously or unconsciously, everyone of us does render some service or another. If we cultivate the habit of doing this service deliberately, our desire for service will steadily grow stronger, and it will make not only for our own happiness, but that of the world at large. It seems to fit here perfectly.

Of course, the e-mail is moving and inspiring, but I think the reason it hit me so deeply is because just this afternoon I read an e-mail from my cousin, David, and he got me to thinking about the dreams God puts in us ~ Flylady's subject heading on her e-mail was "I never dreamed this big!" How true is that for all of us? If our dreams are small ~ to reach just one person; to touch the lives of just those around us; to just live our lives for Jesus in being the very best of who He made us to be ~ He takes what is surrendered to Him and does the most amazing things with it!

And for those of us whose dreams are bigger than maybe we think they should be....well, since I'm one of them, I want to say that we should never lose sight of what He has placed in us. NEVER GIVE UP on who GOD HIMSELF has formed you to be!!

Ugh ~ my mind's getting kind of random now as I think of all the dreams I've had in my life that I gave up on because I simply didn't think Tracy Jo Tooley-Foskett was created to be anything more than some girl on the census pages. It has only been in recent years that I have begun to see that God placed those dreams in me. I certainly haven't acquired on my own the desire to reach out and encourage people to risk being something greater than they ever imagined ~ that's Him. And it's only been in as many years that I have come to understand the dreams GOD has put inside of me will see their fruition...in His time. I love the saying "when it's up to you there may be all sorts of obstacles that can hold you back, but when God says "go" there is nothing that can get in your way." No, for those of us who dream big I think the worst part is the waiting for Him to say, "okay, now you're ready ~ go for it!"

Mother Theresa said, "I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness."

Gandhi, Mother Theresa, FlyLady...none of them started out saying "I think I'll go change the world." No, they started out saying, "show me the one You want me to touch, Lord...and I'll do what I can to the best that I can." Dream...whether it's big or small...dream. And then take one step ~ and then another ~ and then another. Surrender your dreams to the One who gave them to you, and let HIM do the running with them. (and, yes, I'm writing this as much to myself as to anyone else who may read this....I must remember that when I take one step it is not the entire journey. How easy it is to get lost in the dream and fail to take the steps required to be worthy of it.)

Lord, I pray for the faithfulness it takes to be who You created me to be! May my life be one that is used for Your glory in the lives of those You have given me to touch.

Theology

First of all ~ HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! We at this Foskett house have had a wonderful day first anticipating, then preparing and then enjoying a huge feast with friends from church and My Mom & Dad (woo hoo!!!). We would like to wish you all a VERY Happy Thanksgiving and joy in the anticipation of Christmas. May God make His love for each of you known in tangible ways in the weeks ahead.

Mom & Dad are here from South Dakota ~ they arrived last Thursday and will go back to Sioux Falls next Wednesday. It has been so much fun to have them here. We were able to show them the Multnomah Falls and the Vista House on the Oregon side of the Columbia River as well as spend a couple of days on the Oregon Coast enjoying the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean. Other than that it's been a relaxing and enjoyable time. Okay - my Mom did decide I needed to clean out my garage, and my piles of papers in my loft/office are driving her batty because she just wants to help me clean - but other than that it's been very relaxing. (oh the joys of a Martha Mom and Mary Daughter! LOL!)

so you're probably wondering what in the world my title has to do with anything I've written so far, huh? Well, as I said earlier, we had friends from church over to share Thanksgiving with us, and she kept talking about "reformed theology." It got me thinking about theology in general, and what exactly that is. If someone were to ask me to define it I couldn't, but I have an understanding of what it is in my mind. As I thought about it earlier I decided my definition is "someone's attempt at figuring God out." I checked it against the dictionary and this is what it says: "1.The study of the nature of God and religious truth; rational inquiry into religious questions. 2. A system or school of opinions concerning God and religious questions: Protestant theology; Jewish theology. 3. A course of specialized religious study usually at a college or seminary. "

I don't think I'm too far off ~ just not as refined (at least I'm true to my character! *grin*)

So as I pondered the definition I started thinking about what I would tell someone if they asked me about the theology I "buy into." I don't think it's the answer they would be looking for, but it's pretty simple ~ here it is: "Jesus loves you. He loves you so much He gave His very life for you. It may seem much more probable that He gave His life for the person next to you who didn't make the foolish choices you did, or hasn't lived the life you've lived, but that's a lie. He died for YOU. He did die for that person, too, but He didn't die any more or less for them than He did for you. Our very lives were created for His glory ~ and we have the opportunity to have a personal, REAL relationship with Him if we choose to do so. (that's where some people's theology comes in and starts to argue ~ to me it's not worth arguing about. All I'm saying is you've gotta ask Him in. Period.) If we don't have the desire to get to know Him better or how to go about it, and we ask Him to help, He will. He longs for a relationship with you, and He will give you the knowledge, the understanding, and speak to you through the Bible in order to direct you in answer to your question. His desire is for each of us to know Him. We can discuss different ideas and different thoughts, but when it comes down to the brass tacks I find only one truth ~ the perfection we all long for in ourselves is actually found in the very One who created us. And that to me is worth pondering."

One of our friends tonight, as we went around the table sharing what we were thankful for, said, "I'm thankful for the Holidays because they cause us to stop and reflect on all we have to be thankful for." He's a brilliant man. I pray that as you stop and reflect on all you have to be thankful for you can grasp the depth of love the very One who created you has for you. Actually, I think that's pretty impossible to do ~ every time I think I can put a limit on it He supercedes it and amazes me with the fathomless depth of His Love. And He loves you no less.

Happy Thanksgiving ~ if you're alone remember you are truly never alone. If you are surrounded by loved ones (or not so loved ones) remember there are those who wish they could be with someone and you have much to be thankful for. If you have a roof over your head remember those who have none. If you have loved ones to call or say Happy Thanksgiving to remember there are those who for the first time are going through the Holidays without a loved one. If you have food to eat remember those who are working to give us that food. If you have the opportunity to say grace and speak openly about what you think remember those in foreign lands who are fighting for that freedom. If you have the comfort of living in security and safety remember those who live in fear of what the ruler of their country will do next ~ or what their enemies will scheme to do in the name of their god. If you have the ability to see the beauty of God's creation wherever you are give thanks for there are those who will never see the beauty in your corner of the world ~ or may never see...period. If you have heard people laugh, cry, talk or sing today stop and listen ~ there are those who cannot hear and wish they could ~ there are those who need to be listened to and are not. Finally, if you have the opportunity to tell someone you are thankful for them do not pass it up. You may never have that opportunity again.

God bless you all~
Happy Thanksgiving!

Scars of Life

THE SCARS OF LIFE

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him.

From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go!"

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go.

In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead.

The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.

God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through. Never judge another persons scars, because you don't know how they got them. Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them, too- enough to not let them go.


I received the above in an e-mail and I couldn't help but share it - God never lets go!