Bringing Joy To The Heart!

For years I only talked about writing a book filled with memories for my three children until one day I realized that time is quickly ticking away with not a single story recorded.  “When am I putting the pen to the paper and writing?  There is no time like the present!” I told myself.  On May 25^th I am excited to share that I will be celebrated my first anniversary of memoir writing and blog posting.

Why did I decide to write my memoirs to leave for my children?  It all began unfolding when I had a dream on a stressful night.  You see, in my dream I saw Jesus.  I felt His love.  In fact I felt such a deep love from Jesus that I can’t completely describe it, but as much as possible I wanted to share my emotions and feeling as best I could before the memory faded.  I did write the story of which was a previous posting, titled, “I Saw Jesus In 2009”.  Later I realized that I should write my salvation story.  I did.  Next I wanted salvation stories of my brothers and sisters at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, other church friends, and family members who were willing to share them with my children.  I greatly appreciate all the salvation stories given; they are truly a blessing. 

Weeks later, as Steve and I were reminiscing with our children on a Sunday afternoon it occurred to me that I should record these fun stories from my childhood.  Memories of when Steve and I met, playing with Barbie Dolls with my brother, eating and hiding green beans, catching lizards, facing fat rats, being chased by a bat, and so many more.  My family laughed so hard at these stories our stomachs hurt.  What a blessing these life experiences were and continue to be.  These stories must live on providing joy and happiness.

The decision was made to write my memoirs.  From past experience I knew that if a goal is not set and focused upon, it would be just another unfinished project.  These stories are too precious to fall in that category.  My life is busy as a wife, mother, and entrepreneur, thus I wanted to set a goal I knew I could accomplish.  My goal was to write one story per week.  This would be 52 stories in my book for the first year which is great.  Lastly, how will I keep myself accountable?  At the time I was subscribed to a couple of blogs and reading from them regularly.  What if I posted these stories on a blog?  My readers would keep me accountable.  And my readers have without even knowing it.  Thank you readers for all your kind words of encouragement!  You are a blessing. 

I actually wrote 60 stories and my youngest daughter contributed 3 stories of family memories from a college composition class.  I am excited to say that this exceeds my goal of 52.  I found that I could write more than I thought I could.  I also found that writing these memories were a joy and something I look forward to.  In fact I could get so absorbed in the memory I would begin laughing and laughing.  It was a challenge to stop long enough to write it.  And Steve laughed so hard I wondered if he was going to get through the proof reading. 

Will the memory writing continue for another year?  You better believe it.  I only have 52 recorded stories and hundreds more to go.  I can’t wait to get lost in the memory.  My goal this year will be to compose two per week and share them on my blog.  Get ready readers for more.

As I wrote and posted my stories this past year, I came to understand more of the magnitude of each memory and the joy each memory brought to my heart.  I treasure my memories more and more.  Just thinking about how many times I have laughed and enjoyed being with my friends and relatives, I know God has truly blessed me.  In writing these stories it is my desire to make a difference by bringing joy and encouragement in the lives of not only my children, but anyone who reads them.

         

Paralysis

As I stand before my peers attempting to steady by nerves, I feel my heart pounding in my chest.  I begin taking a couple of deep breaths and wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans.  Opening my mouth, I realize it is dry and for a few seconds no sounds come out of my mouth.  I was experiencing the symptoms of an unpleasant emotion called fear.  This emotion seemed to be always with me, when giving presentations for class.  We, as individuals, can allow fear to cause us to doubt our abilities and to stop us from moving forward with our lives.  Or we, as individuals, can push through our fears growing in confidence and self-control.

Animals and people have experienced fear of some sort.  Fear has affected our lives negatively.  Fear has held us back from enjoying life.  Fear should never be a part of our lives.  When we push through our fears, we grow in confidence as you will see in these examples. 

Several years ago an American Eskimo dog became a part of our family.  Nanook, beautiful and full of energy, was introduced to our cats after a short time.  Our cats did not greet Nanook very warmly.  They had never seen a dog in their lives and they were frightened by such a big animal.  Nanook was friendly and wanted to play.  In fact, much to our cats’ dismay, Nanook wanted to play, “chase the cats”.  The cats fearfully played the game even though they didn’t want to.  One particular morning Rosie, a short-haired tabby cat, became feed up with being chased by this big white haired mutt!  Rosie was running away from Nanook, when she made an abrupt halt and turned to face the dog.  Surprised, Nanook stopped.  Rosie reached up and slapped Nanook across his face with her paw with claws extended.  Nanook yelped and turned to run away.  Rosie immediately chased after Nanook and before she stopped planted a huge slap on the dog’s behind.  Another yelp and he escapes across the yard.  Rosie struts across the yard as if to say, “Look at me!  I faced my fear and it went away!  I am afraid of nothing!” 




                                                                     

Rosie became confident when she faced her fear.  In fact her fear went away.  Nanook and Rosie developed a respect for each other at that point.  Isn’t that amazing?  If Rosie had not faced her fear, she would not be enjoying her life, but living in fear of our dog.

                                                                          
                                                                  

There was another time I faced fear.  “Grrrrrrr!  Grrrrrr!!” I am awakened and startled by an enormous loud sound in the very wee hours of the morning.  With my eyes wide open I try to figure out what the terrifying sound was and where it was coming from.  In the darkness my eyes darted back and forth checking for a creature in my room.  As I layed there, quietly, I was afraid to move.  “Grrrrr!”  There it went again.  My heart began pounding hard.  Where was this creature?  What was this creature?  It sounded just like a bear on the balcony right outside my room.  I broke out into a sweat and I stifled a scream.  I began calming myself.  “There has to be a logical explanation,” I told myself.  “GRRRRR!!!”  I heard it again and realized that it was not coming from the balcony.  “Whew!”  I thought that was a relief.  It was downstairs.  Suddenly I decided the sound was not a bear after all.  My grandfather had spent the night with us; he was sleeping on the couch.  “Wow, it sounded like snoring.  Was it really my grandfather snoring?”  I listened to the rhythmic sound again.  Yes, it was my grandfather!  I never knew anybody could snore so loudly.

                                                                            

If I would have given into my fear in the wee hours of the morning to scream and run to who knows where, I would have awakened the whole house.  Fear would have increased in that my scream would have startled other family members.  Or, I could have laid there frozen in fear, for hours.  Fear was disguised as a part of my imagination.  I decided to be calm and reason the situation out. 

Fear keeps us from blessings and enjoying life.  Bill Cosby said, “Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.” This is so true.  I remember I was afraid of going to the altar to seek the Lord for my salvation.  Fear had me frozen in the pew.  After several evenings of being stuck, I decided to face my fear and push through.  I had to want my salvation more than allowing fear to rob me of the blessing.  I am sure thankful I did not let fear stop me. 

Look Into My Heart

For years I have always cared far too much about what people think of me.  I wanted to be accepted, but I never really felt accepted.  I seemed to always find myself on the outside looking in. 

On one particular day I looked myself in the mirror.  I asked myself, “What is the matter with me?  There must be a reason.  I must change.”  I turned away from the mirror and knelt down on the floor and prayed to my Lord and Savior.  “Jesus, you can answer that question for me!  You can see into my heart.  Show me what is wrong in my heart.”  I quietly waited for his answer.  This is what he revealed.  “I love you far more than anyone could possibly love you.  I made you the way you are.  You have a big caring heart as big as the outdoors for people.  You love helping people.  And you love people.”  I was quiet for a moment.  I asked myself, “What is wrong with that?  Again, I was thinking; then a peaceful feeling rushed through me.  I said out loud, “Nothing.  Absolutely nothing is wrong with that or me!”  I stood up and looked in the mirror again.  “There is nothing wrong with reaching out to people, caring for people, loving people, wanting to help people!  That is who I am! 

What a huge turning point in my life.  I truly in the depths of my heart realized for the first time in my life that there is nothing wrong with me.  It is not what others think of me that matters.  It is what Jesus thinks of me.  I know that Jesus accepts me and loves me.  He teaches me how to become more every day.  I, also, realized that some people do not want help and only have room in their hearts for a few people at this time in their life.  However, I will continue to love and care for people for that is the way God made me. 

Make The Most Of Every Moment

How many of us really stop to enjoy the moments in life?  Do most of us look forward or backward wishing to be somewhere else?  Living in the moment can be challenging, but ever so necessary to be happy and to enjoy what life has to offer.

Early one morning in Des Moines, Iowa I chewed the last bite of my bagel and I thought about my family back at home.  My husband would be getting ready for work at the pharmacy, my son traveling to his flight lesson, and our daughter going to an algebra class.  I was five hours away from my family on a business trip.  I was grateful to be attending this important event, but nevertheless it had been approximately one day since my family and I had the usual lively conversations.

At that moment an idea popped into my brain.  I grabbed my cell phone to send a text to my husband.  “Hello, Darling!  I miss your smiling face!  When you can, give me a call.  I just have to hear your voice.  I love you!”  I pushed the send button, dropped my cell phone in my purse, and smiled.  I knew Steve would be calling me before he went to work.

Shortly, my cell phone buzzed with a text message.  I grabbed my cell phone knowing that Steve sent me a text.  The text read, “Who is this?”  I reread the message and said out loud, “What?”  Why would Steve ask such a question?  Doesn’t he know it was his wife texting?  I looked at the cell phone number.  I began laughing.  I had texted someone else!  I felt relieved that this person did not actually call me.  I responded with a text reading, “I am sorry.  This text was intended to go to my husband!”  I laughed at my mistake as I pushed the send button.

The business event was starting; and I decided to send a text later to my family.  It took much planning and effort from my wonderful family for me to attend this meeting.  I decided to live in the moment and not miss the opportunity to learn from amazing coaches.  After all, I would see my family later in the evening.  I was grateful to be present and decided to focus all my energy on the meeting.  In Psalms 118:24 it reads, “This is the day which the Lord hath made.  We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Does 4-H Make You A Better Person

Bursting through the back door of our home, Hannah exclaimed, “I earned a 98% on my argumentative composition!”  She waved her paper in the air, “See?”  I took the paper and looked at it.  The first thing I saw was her score.  As I examined the paper more closely I saw several comments from her teacher, such as “Great introduction, good paragraph, and good semicolon.”  This teacher, also, went as far as to encourage Hannah’s writings by answering questions Hannah had and saying “Yah!” in particular parts in this composition   He said, “Excellent writing style, good inclusion of a personal anecdote, too!  No complaints!”  As I read the teacher’s comments, I thought about how encouraging and supportive this individual is.  I wondered if he was ever a 4-H member.  He seems to be one of those rare people who builds people up and who loves helping people.

I am sharing Hannah’s composition with you this week, because I want people to know just what 4-H is doing for our young people.

                                                                         

 4-H Helps Youth Make Better Choices

By Hannah Stewart

“Youth dies in auto accident due to being intoxicated.”  This typical article, appearing in local newspapers across the United States, is an example of a youth who made a wrong choice.  What influences the choices our youth make today?  Statistics prove youth that are 4-H members make better choices in life.

What is 4-H?  It seems that many youth and adults think 4-H is a small club for rural farm people who raise farm animals, such as cows and swine, but 4-H is so much more!  There are a wide variety of 4-H projects ranging from Sewing to Robotics to Public Speaking.  4-H has over 7 million members, and can be found in every state in the U.S.  Believe it or not, 4-H is one of the largest youth organizations in the U.S.  4-H enriches our youth in a wide variety of subjects and it is for everyone everywhere!

Individuals might say, “There are clubs in the public school that allows youth to learn; for example, the Spanish club.”  These clubs are great; they aid youth in learning a language and culture of a country.  However, 4-H includes not only learning the project, but provides hands-on learning opportunities in a safe and nurturing environment.  This helps youth in developing life skills; such as, decision-making, goal-setting, communication and leadership.  Youth who volunteer at the club and county levels build even stronger life skills.  4-H youth are two-times more likely to get better grades in school and attend college.  Does the Spanish club or other clubs include this?

4-H has definitely helped me with my leadership skills in many situations.  For instance, during a gym practice some of the girls were making fun of another girl named Celia.  Even though Celia was insecure and came off as a little bit rude sometimes; it still was not right to make fun of her.  After all she is our teammate and a person with feelings.  I walked over to the girls and told them, “Guys, you need to stop making fun of Celia.”  When they asked why I said, “For one thing she is our teammate and we should be nice to her even if she is not nice to us.”  Without 4-H I would not have had the courage or the leadership to walkover there, and teach them to respect other people.

I have shared a small part of 4-H’s purpose, how it helps; youth build life skills, and a personal experience, where I have applied it to my life.  These are only a few drops in the bucket of how 4-H influences and helps youth make better choices

Walking the Dogs and Caring for the Cats

Rocket 4-Hers gathered at the Lebanon Humane Society to walk the dogs, care for the cats. Dog food, cat food, and newspapers for kitty litter were freely given today (November 19).

“It was a fun experience,” says Trinity Hammonds.  Each of the three girls, Alyssa Ishman, Trinity Hammond, and Hannah Stewart walked 13 dogs, big and small. Or rather, the big dogs walked the girls.  Some had never been around big dogs.  While the 4-Hers were there, a few people came to adopt a dog.  This is one of the most rewarding things about working with the Humane Society.

The girls spent most of the time with the cats.  A beautiful grey and white cat would jump on the shoulders of each girl.  Cuddly calico cats to huge golden colored cats were loved on and talked to.

The spokes person for the Humane Society expressed how anyone could help.  They are in need of dog food, cat food, kitty litter, and newspapers.  The 4-H Club is making plans to donate more items after the first of the year.

The above article was given to the Lebanon Daily Record for publishing and included in the Rocket 4-H Scrapbook.  I wish to share my personal reflections about the experience.

4-H Clubs, established 100 years ago, are THE BEST organization for students!  4-H encourages new experiences, builds relationships and leadership skills in our young people. 

I had a blast with Alyssa, Trinity, Marilynn (Alyssa’s Grandmother), and Hannah.  We walked 13 small and large dogs.  There were cute cuddly little dogs to huge beautiful dogs.  The little dogs jumped up and down and yapped in their excitement for attention.  They wanted to run.  After walking all the little dogs, the girls decided they wanted to walk the large dogs.  They had never experienced what it is like to lead a large dog.  Hannah found out rather quickly with her dog, Samson, that he wanted to run. He pulled her along.  Huffing and puffing, Hannah says, “I have to put him back, before he gets away from me!”  One time around the building with one large dog was enough for all the 4-Hers.

                                                                            

The favorite part for all of us was the cat section.  There is a grey and white short haired cat named Houdini.  This cat reminded me of the cats we saw at Mallory Square, Key West, Florida one year.  These cats did tricks.  Houdini would jump on a table as you pointed to it.  He would also jump on your shoulder.  It was unique and I loved it.  “I wonder what your father would say if I brought him home?” I asked Hannah.  “I do not know how he got here.  We just came home and here he is.  Look, he is a nice kitty.  Let’s keep him?”  I do not think he would fall for it.  There were many other affectionate kitty cats who loved all the attention.  And the girls loved doting on them.

                                                                                 

As I watched the dedicated workers/volunteers, I could see and feel how much they care for each animal.  It is a happy day for them when a dog or a cat is adopted.  The dog and/or cat seemed to know they were going home with a new family. 

I, also, met Laura who is employed at the Humane Society.  She shared with me a picture of her backyard.  It was filled with 50 cats.  “I have a cat refuge!” she informs me.  These are all cats she adopted from the Humane Society.  “Wow, it is amazing!” I say.  “Each cat has its own beauty and its own distinct personality!” she shares.  Laura fits all the criteria for being a true cat lover!

I remembered adopting three cats from the Humane Society and eight others from friends over the years.  Any animal we adopted was with us for life as we took care of them. We became great friends.  It makes me sad when people do not care for their pets properly.

Later, I posted all the pictures on our Rocket 4-H group for them all to see.  I could tell Hannah really enjoyed the pictures.  She is still talking about her experience.  I think Alyssa and Trinity and Marilynn enjoyed it as well.  I enjoyed the afternoon, too. 

As I reflect, I am thankful to people many years ago who organized such a great club for kids.  These girls bonded together and enjoyed and learned more about dogs and cats.  They are learning leadership.  This leadership can be applied in their own families down the road to teach them about caring for animals.

"Mom and Dad, we eloped!!!"

My family is important to me.  I enjoy spending time with them, helping them in everyway possible, encouraging them, and praying for them.  I am blessed to have shared special moments in their lives such as first words, first steps, riding a bicycle for the first time, roller skating, baking and decorating cookies, graduations, experiencing their salvation and baptisms, and I am looking forward to many more special moments. 

Arriving home at 9 pm on the night before Hannah’s graduation, I walked in the door to see Stephanie with boyfriend, Jeff, sitting together on the couch, my husband, Steve, sitting at the kitchen table, and our two youngest children, Hannah and Chris sitting on the floor.  “Oh my children, we are all together again!  I am so happy about that!” I exclaimed.  It always feels so good to be together!  I love my family!

I set my purse down.  I peered at Stephanie and Jeff.  They looked different for some reason, but I couldn’t quite figure it out.  I had a lot on my mind with preparation for Hannah’s homeschool high school graduation the next day; I had 3 dozen cupcakes to mix, bake, and ice.  I began the preparations as we all visited.

After much talking and laughing, I saw Stephanie fidget and she said, “Oh Mom and Dad!  Jeff and I have something to share with all of you!”  I stopped what I was doing to listen because her tone implied that what she had to say was important!  In fact, I thought she was going to say that she and Jeff were going to get married.  They had been dating for nearly 4 years; it was to be expected. Instead Stephanie blurted out, “Jeff and I eloped!”

I stood there and blinked.  I looked at Stephanie’s beautiful smiling face.  I blinked again.  I looked at Jeff’s smiling face.  I heard Steve say, “Where?”  Stephanie answered, “Eureka Springs, Arkansas!”  I thought the location made sense; Stephanie has always loved that area of the United States.  A serious of different emotions went through my heart in 30 seconds.  The first emotion was denial.  “No, you didn’t!” I thought.  After that I felt confused.  I looked for rings.  No rings.  People do get married without rings.  “Why would you get married without us?” I thought.  Sadness filled my heart.  “I wanted to be there to share the joy.  Why would you ignore us?”  And I began to feel angry.  I didn’t want that to take over.  I wanted to be happy for them.  I decided to take charge of my emotions.  I said with as much enthusiasm as I could, “I am happy for you.”   Stephanie laughed.  She said, “No, we did not elope.  However, we are engaged. ”

Oh, the relief I felt.  I laughed!  Those two ornery kids were teasing me to get a reaction out of me.  They were doing a good job of it, too.  I walked over to them and gave them both a huge hug and tell them best wishes.  I am truly happy for them.  Stephanie raised her hand for me to see her ring.  It is gorgeous!  A blue sapphire with diamonds set all around it!  Stunning! 

A little later in the weekend we gave Jeff a much belated birthday gift.  His hilarious card read on the front, “We couldn’t find a better addition to the family.”  On the inside it read, “We tried to tell her, but she wouldn’t listen.”  We all had a good laugh with the card.  I must share that I agree with the front of the card.  We have a great addition to our family and we welcome our future son-in-law. 

Elopement or marriage either way I would have been happy.  However, I am so grateful that I will be sharing in this memory.  Denis Waitley said, “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed.  Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.”