Month: March 2011

Life is sacred and the moments when one leaves earth to enter Heaven, truly is Holy Ground.

Today as I experienced that Holy Ground in the presence of a body where life had departed just moments before, I was keenly aware of God’s presence…

As I communicated to the adult children that their mother had died, I was keenly aware of God’s presence….

As I listened to the caregiver’s who were present with her when she died, and assured them that God’s timing is perfect and their was nothing more they could have done, as they wept and shared, I was keenly aware of God’s presence…

As I entered into the unknown space of death, grief, loss and sorrow, I was thankful to know that this is a space where God’s presence can be felt. I was thankful to know that God cares for our deep aches and is present in our sorrow. I was thankful to know that Visiting Angels had cared well for this dear 86-year-old woman, but from this day forward, she would live in the presence of real Angels and experience Holy Ground every moment….

I am thankful for the privilege I have in the day-to-day to care for the living and the dying….and to experience God fully in those experiences!

I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining
I believe in love even when I don’t feel it
And I believe in God even when He is silent
And I, I believe

These are lyrics to a Christian song and words of an old Irish saying.

I had to smile when I read them today in the transition of the Texas warmth and sun to the rain and cold and gray weather of Grand Rapids. I do believe in the sun when it’s not shining. But the rest of the words got me thinking….

It is a choice to believe in the things I can not always feel or hear. To believe in love when I don’t feel it and to believe in God when He is silent require me to rely on what I know to be true. It is a good reminder for me going into this week. The reminder to live by what I know to be TRUE. Not what I make up in the silence or start worrying about if I am not “feeling” the feeling I am longing for.

I am coming off a wonderful five days away in Texas with two very special friends, my Mom and my two nieces. I want my reentry into work and my routine to go well. I want to believe the best about the people who surround me every day and live as a positive presence in the lives of those I interact with.

I am going into this week, with all it holds, both known and unknown…choosing to BELIEVE!

It is late again here in Texas and our day was full of adventure and fun. I will write more on all of that in the days to come as I get back home. Today though, before I call it a day, I want to write about a moments that felt so respectful.

I had a number of conversations today with Richard and Betty Lee’s grandchildren and they so politely and wonderfully respond with yes ma’am throughout the conversations….

It made me wonder why that is just a southern tradition and how our attitudes towards our elders and authority may change if we all addressed strangers (and those we know and love) with a ma’am or sir.

I so enjoyed the moments today of conversation, laughter, wondering, adventure and even rodeo suspense during bull riding.

More to come….

Today was a fun day of walking, mule riding,  picture-taking and shopping.

Betty Lee and I both love words and we found many great sayings. There is much I could say about the day and all we enjoyed…

BUT

I am sharing a one room guest house with three others who are already sleeping and I want to ensure I turn off the lights very soon, so I am going to leave you today with three of my favorite quotes from our window shopping today!

Grace is not just a prayer you say before a meal ~ It is a way of Life…

Dare to be remarkable….

Be your beautiful self….

It is my hope that one of those thoughts will inspire you to live your weekend (and the days following) differently!

Till tomorrow…(maybe I will write about lessons learned at the Rodeo!)

Trish

I love technology and even more digital technology.  I have invested in a good camera and had a wonderful day meandering around a cattle ranch in Texas today, taking many pictures. The day started on a walk with my Mom and two nieces. We walk through fields, alongside cows and horses and climbed up on wagons. There were many very cute and interactive moments caught on film.

We went with Richard to feed the cattle and were amazed with how close we can be to the bull and how cute the newborn calves are….and we snapped pictures of cows within arms reach outside the truck window

We went down to the horses and saddled them up and Ellie and Anne rode for hours an across many many acres….and I took many pictures of them to ensure they will always remember the feelings that came with their delightful days in Texas.

The pictures of today were filled with sun and fun, smiles, adventures and friends!

But then tonight, as we tried to figure out why those beautiful pictures were not uploading, one touch of a button and they are gone.

But the truth remains, the day was beautiful, the sun was ever so warm, the breeze was brisk and refreshing, the layer of dust on our faces came from a great experiencing of feeding cattle in Texas and the memories and feelings that accompanied this day are not easily erased or forgotten.

And we will do much of the same tomorrow morning in our hopes to share with you some of this Texas fun!

Today I traveled to Cleburne Texas with my Mom and my two nieces. I have long time friends I met through Open Hearts Ministries who live here on a cattle ranch and are graciously hosting us until Sunday. There were many good things about today, but let me tell you about the extra special touches that Betty Lee has added to make our first day so much fun.

Betty greeted us at the airport with pink cowboy hats for Anneliese and Ellie. They have bling and light up and she said this is how Texans live as both cowgirls and princesses! The girls beamed from ear to ear!

Betty had a bottle of cold water for each of us in her car. It is a wonderful thing to have water after a flight. We were refreshed and so thankful….

Richard and Betty have a one room guest house that is so amazingly quaint. The girls are in the loft right now reading and my Mom and I are enjoying the comforts of this space. Betty had Texas t-shirts for the girls on top of their bedding and again they were touched by her extra special touches!

I am reminded tonight that the extra touches can make for big memories. I wonder where in a day I can add some extra special touches or care or kindness to those I cross paths with. I would like to be more like Betty in that way….today I experienced the wonderful kindness that allowed us all to feel fully welcomed and embraced!

(I had hoped to share pictures but my camera is malfunctioning in the downloading process….so for now just envision four happy, tired and relaxed travelers in a guest house that could be featured in a magazine!)

Till tomorrow….

Happy Birthday to Ellie Grace. The youngest of five, Ellie is filled with spunk and spirit. She almost always has a smile and seems to enjoy her day-to-day life no matter what it holds. Ellie has a heart that is sensitive and cares deeply for others. She is creative, hard-working, resourceful and funny. I have to say that when I think of my times with ellie-bellie, the word DELIGHTFUL rings loud and clear!

Ellie loves to be outdoors and has a passion for horses, along with her sister Anneliese. They share many fun times riding or scooping or showing their horses at Fair. Ellie is the kind of kid who is truly as happy to clean up after the horse as  spend time riding it. She finds joy in many circumstances.

Ellie loves her siblings. She has a way with each of them and I believe each of them have a shared admiration and love for her. When Ellie and I spend one on one time together she is often bragging about something Janneke, Henry, Anne or Karolyn has recently accomplished. She is a great youngest child.

When I took time today to look up what Ellie means, I was touched by the meaning….

meaning of Ellie is “noble, exalted; sun ray, shining light;

meaning of Grace is “favor; blessing”.

Ellie Grace, you are a shining light in our world. You bring much blessing and I can’t wait to see what God has for you in the coming days and years. I am thankful for your commitment to live a life of faith and following Christ. You are loved deeply by your family. Always be yourself, risk loving deeply, even when it hurts and never lose your voice of compassion or your tender heart. Remember that to take care of your own needs is as important as caring for others and know that I will always stand ready to welcome you into my arms, my home and my heart!

Celebrate  life and live well my wonderful and delightful niece! 

All my love,

Aunt Trish

Fasting and Feasting during Lent

Today in Church we sang I have decided to follow Jesus….

I consider this to be an old favorite and I have sung these words many many times….yet the words really impacted my heart today. I got to thinking how much time and energy I spend on many good things in the day-to-day. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. I love the concept of no turning back….but today I remembered and reflected on the commitment I made to follow Jesus. I want to ensure I am focusing on that commitment in the same fashion I am striving for my goal weight, developing my business and strengthening my friendships. The words help to keep me focused….I think I will listen to it more often!

I went back and loaded the song on my ipod.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcxJXiDCgzY

1. I have decided to follow Jesus;
   I have decided to follow Jesus;
   I have decided to follow Jesus;
   No turning back, no turning back.
2. Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
   Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
   Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
   No turning back, no turning back.
3. The world behind me, the cross before me;
   The world behind me, the cross before me;
   The world behind me, the cross before me;
   No turning back, no turning back.
4. Though none go with me, still I will follow;
   Though none go with me, still I will follow;
   Though none go with me, still I will follow;
   No turning back, no turning back.
5. Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
   Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
   Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
   No turning back, no turning back

Tomorrow I will be attending Apple Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Muskegon to celebrate the Profession of Faith of my 16-year-old nephew Henry!

I am very thankful for the decision Henry is making to share his commitment of his faith and his desire to live his life as a committed follower of Jesus Christ.

I remember my own profession of faith and remain thankful today for my decision to live as a woman of faith. My faith can feel complicated and it isn’t always clear, but it is always invaluable to know that I serve a God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. That the God I committed my life to is the same God who will lead and guide my dear nephew through every one of his moments and days.

We will gift Henry with the Promise Cross for this special day.

John 3:16

A simple cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, with a heart delicately balanced in the center symbolizing God’s love, the gift of His Son and the incredible offer that was given to us, through His promise that, “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The Promise Cross is designed to hang on a wall of a home as a daily reminder of the life changing role Christ can play in our lives and the significance of the promise God made to His people.