Remember when...?

Man! I've got so much going on in my head formulating for a post, but I'm not quite there.... We were in CA this weekend and so much...so much stuff...is running around in my head that I'm still trying to figure out what I think of it all. It was a great weekend ~ I loved seeing my friends and all of Scott's family (they're my family, too, now... :) )....but there was also so much stuff that came to my ears that I'm trying to process out. (Can you tell I'm befuddled by what I think? WOW~ this is such jibberish!) So...all that to say a new post will be coming soon.

The real reason I wanted to post though, was because I wanted to share a website with you. My Mother-in-Love sent it to me a while ago and I visited it today as I was cleaning out my e-mail box. It was what I needed to take me back to a more simple time and remind me what I want to give my boys ~ a simple life that isn't obstructed and crazy-busy so they don't know how to play or how to see dinosaurs in the clouds when they have kids of their own. Here's the link....http://www.frontiernet.net/~jlbeam/specials/remember/remember.html or you can click on the "Remember when...?" title above, too.

Let me know what you remember! I wish I could sit down and reminisce with y'all.... here are some of my "remembers"....

*cruising mainstreet Platte with my best Friend Tammy meant putting 50 miles of circles on my car in one night...and putting out the fire that started when we added oil to my car one night after we'd been cruising for awhile. (I think that's a whole new post all together....Dad, don't worry...the capri was fine!) :)

*7-Up "spot" was my car's mascot and had suction cups that stuck to my rear window
*Going through the McDonald's drive through and asking for 6 waters because the boys we liked were working drive through that night and my cousin wanted to see what he looked like
*7-Up and Twin Bings at Grandpa's shop between Worthing and Beresford
*The find of the century was a "new song" called "The Twist" by Run DMC (but it was old...we just thought it was new)
*Being introduced to Tommy Roe's "Sweet Pea" album at my 4th grade birthday slumber party because we were blasting the new "Grease" songs and Dad said we needed real 50's music...and then watching my friends dance with my Dad to Tommy Roe!

What are some of yours?....I'd love to hear!

Blogging...

Hello to all of you who bother to read this. I'm feeling compelled to explain a few things lest someone who is unfamiliar with the electronic world of internet and the such think what you see is more than what it really is.

#1: My blog looks nice...at least, I think it does. That's why I picked the template I did. I did not design the blog ~ it's a template that I clicked on and it became "my blog." Really cool how people who have time help those of us with no time seem like we took a lot of time.... :)

#2: What I write on here isn't about trying to seem "religious" or "holier than thou" or anything like that. What I write on here are the thoughts of a woman who at any given moment has at least 10 times the amount of thoughts going through her head than what she actually shares, writes, says or does anything with. The "religious" things on here aren't about that ~ they're about who I wish I was more of. They're about who I long to be. My favorite quote (at the moment) is, "It's never too late to be what you always wished you were." So, to those of you who think this is just a "religious" thing, my greatest prayer is that what I have can be what you have and you'll one day understand it's so much more.

#3: Admittedly, when I take the time to write something here there are other things I could be doing; other people I could (should) be writing to, and other projects I should be working on, but when I write here it's out of necessity, not desire. Writing is what keeps me sane. Getting my feelings ~ no matter how messed up, hopeful or whatever ~ out on "paper" is like therapy to my mind...and my family because I'm more capable of handling two very active boys, a busy husband and a home that I wish was more in control than out.

#4: Just because I write on here and don't send you a personal note is not meant to be an insult to you. It is simply what it is....writing for my sanity in the hopes that someone will be encouraged, lifted up, challenged or even turned around through what I write. If you are insulted by whatever else I'm supposed to be doing but not getting done and equate the "amount of time" I put in to my blog as time that should be put elsewhere then I need to apologize for God who made me the way I am ~ faults and all ~ and needs for my sanity that may not be needs for your sanity. I appreciate those who know me and accept me for the person in process that I am. To you I say thank you from the bottom of my heart because you help me keep going when I look in the mirror that is my life at times and wish I was anyone else but me...I wish I was organized, on top of things, and whatever I see in all my friends and family that I want more of.

Some of you are probably going "huh?" I'm sorry for that...I just felt the need to explain that this is not a big deal for me to write something here ~ this post took all of 4 minutes ~ and that I am working toward taking care of my friendships as much as I take care of my own sanity. Thank you for the graciousness you extend to me in accepting me for me and knowing that just because I didn't send a Christmas card or even a picture of my boys or even an e-mail for 2 years (some of you longer!) doesn't mean you are not in my thoughts, my prayers and my heart every day.

Thanks for reading...

Sincerely,
Trayc

Ten on Tuesday

Here's your Ten on Tuesday- pick from the list which one you believe you are.

Who or which do you resemble or identify with more- just pick one:

Anne of Green Gables or Laura Ingalls Wilder? Anne of Green Gables

polka dot or stripe? polka dot

Green or Blue? blue

Ocean or Mountain? both

art or music? music

dog or cat? dog

Sarah, Plain and Tall or Anne Elliot? Anne Elliot

scrambled or fried egg? scrambled

turkey or chicken? chicken

Winnie the Pooh, Owl, Piglet, Tigger, or Eeyore? Tigger

The Wise Man Builds His House Upon the Rock

I saw this picture on the HP website linked to my title, and I thought it was really cool! Do you see the house built in the shadow of the rock? I immediately thought of my life being built in the shadow of my Heavenly Father. It's one of those reactions that is so difficult to put into words...but it's a comfort, a peace, an excitement and an awe that transcends common communication. Only He can do that to me...in such a powerful way.

Also, if you click on the picture you can view it full-size....if you look closely at the courtyard of the house, you can see a cross on the right hand side. I look at those steps and I think of the journey we all take to find Jesus.

Some of us think we need to work at it ~ it's up to US to make it up those stairs because by-golly He gave us two feet and He expects us to use them. However, while that's partly true, He doesn't expect us to use our feet in our power to come to the cross and find Him.

Some of us think we should be given the easy way out and just get to the cross by looking at it. Looking at something never made it happen.

Then there are those of us who realize those steps must be climbed...it's a decision we make...but we don't get there in our power. It's the grace of God that brings us home to Him. I picture it in relation to this picture as we start walking saying, "Yes, Lord...I want to be closer to You. I want You in my life and if I have to make that decision to stop staying where I'm at then I'm making it now. But I can't climb on these feet! I need You. Come and take over so I can stand where You are." And as we stand on the steps with our arms uplifted like a child reaching up to it's Daddy to carry it home His hand reaches down and takes ours and we climb together. And, before we know it, we're at the top ~ Hand in hand with Jesus looking at the very object that made the journey possible. And we fall. Flat on our face we fall before Him as the impact of His sacrifice hits us...his feet are bare and bleeding from the climb up those steps, but our feet are wrapped in thick, rich leather and are perfectly safe. Then we look at the hands that reached out to help us up the steps and we are breathless as we look at the scars on his palm ~ and the shadow of the cross falls across his face. Breathlessly we stare as He smiles down on us and says, "You were worth it. Come with me now, for I'm no longer on that piece of wood ~ I'm here, alive, before you and I long to spend the day with you!" We timidly reach out and grasp the nail-scarred hand and stand to our full height as the words He has said reaches our souls and gives us reason to stand firm in the shoes of righteousness He has shod us in. And we smile. We smile with an understanding that the journey is worth it ~ just to spend a day with Jesus.

As Easter approaches I hope you'll find the opportunity to kneel before the cross and see the sacrifice that was made for you and me. I pray that the impact of that touches you like it's never touched you before. Let Him create in you a clean heart ~ let Him search you and know your anxious thoughts. He longs to love you. He longs to comfort you and to bring you joy like you've never known before. Won't you let Him make Himself known to you now? What are you waiting for? Do something today worth looking back on and saying "today I made the best decision of my life....my eternal life."

I hope I don't get in trouble for putting this picture on here. Check out the HP project website ~ they've got some really cool designs...and I'm a huge HP fan when it comes to printers!! :)

Have a wonder-filled day. Think about your house being built on the rock...be the wise man, not the foolish man.

Sponhem Bohem

2006 will be...

I ran across this list somewhere ~ at this point I honestly can't remember where, but thought it was the perfect way to help us keep the year in perspective. Hope you enjoy it...and if you don't...well, just because you may not believe it doesn't mean it's not true! :) Have a great day!

THE TOP TEN PREDICTIONS FOR 2006

1. The Bible will still have the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost.

And Remember...God is still on the Throne !