An Inspiring 4-H Evening!

An inspiring evening progressed as two local authors, Clarabell Moses and Jessica Wyantt, shared their writing experiences with Rocket 4-H members at their regular monthly meeting.    

Clarabell Moses shared with the group her inspiration in writing.  Moses said, “Many evenings my husband shared with me stories of his childhood while I recorded them.”  This became her first published book titled, Thomas Moore of Cub Creek and later a fictional book titled, Trudy’s Story.

Jessica Wyantt published her first book called, Whirlwind.  She informed the group that she started writing when her baby was sick with acid reflux.  “I remember rocking and soothing my baby off and on all night and day while writing on the computer at the same time.”  It was a challenging time and writing helped her push through while helping her son.

4-Hers asked several questions; such as how were you able to get your books published?  Each chose a different route.  One chose to self publish and have a relative to edit her writings while the other author chose to hire a company who did all the editing for her, gave her bookmarks, introduced to bookstores, etc…

Each author agreed that writing is fun and takes them to places they have never been.  One does not need a college degree; just a passion to write and to connect with people.

Rocket 4-H wishes to thank these two wonderful ladies for taking time out of their evening to inspire and to encourage.

Random Acts of Kindnesses

It seems all too often we live in a self-centered world; it is a world where people only think of themselves.  How will this benefit me?  How will this help me?  How long will this take of my time?  How much will I have to go out of my way to complete this task?  Is it my responsibility to take care of this situation?  I am glad to share that our world is not completely filled with people devoid of compassion to a greater or lesser degree, but there are people who genuinely care for others and sacrifice for the betterment of others.  Whether it is a random, unexpected act or a well thought out plan of kindness can fill my heart with joy, love, patience, and faith.

There are two types of kind acts; these acts are either random and spur of the moment or planned with much thought supporting the gift.  It would probably be safe to say that we have all waited in line at the grocery store behind someone who had a cart load of groceries, when we held a mere two or three items.  Mostly I wait patiently for my turn.  However, there is the rare individual who observes my small amount of items and says to me.  “Please go on ahead of me.  You just have a couple of items.”  Or, while waiting on a busy downtown street with cars bumper to bumper one car stops and waves for you to pull out in front of them.  The consideration is awesome and appreciated.

I sweet memory I recall is my youngest daughter, Hannah, receiving this random act of kindness a few years ago.  Hannah tells the story.

“A stranger gave me an unexpected kindness at the Missouri State Fair.  My friends and I were standing in line, figuring how many tickets each person would need for the Tilt-A-Whirl, and wishing tickets did not cost so much.  Suddenly, a stranger walked up to us and said, “I bought too many unlimited ride wristbands.  Do you guys want one?”  We thanked the stranger and took one.  As the stranger walked away, he said, “Have fun!”  We stood there in awe that a complete stranger would be so generous.  There are still good people in the world like the man at the Missouri State Fair.”

Sometimes kindnesses are planned and well thought out.  My Aunt Emma Lou, my Dad’s sister, loved to sew.  In fact just about any type of needlework was her passion.  One of the ways she demonstrated her love for anyone was to make them something pretty.  Being a needlework fan myself, I totally relate and I understand just how much time and energy goes into any project she produced.  Before she passed on she made me a lop-eared stuffed bunny rabbit. I had always wanted one.  She, also, made a counted cross-stitch picture that served as a housewarming gift.  I consider these to be heirlooms; the bunny sits on the cedar chest and the counted cross-stitch picture hangs on the wall.  Aunt Emma Lou made Stephanie, my oldest daughter, a beautiful dress when she was a year old. 

Growing up I recall my mother volunteering to be elementary school room mother a couple of times.  These took time and effort on her part to prepare food and plan games for Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter Parties for 25 students.  I remember homemade cupcakes with orange icing for Halloween; Christmas Tree, star, and angel sugar cookies for Christmas; heart-shaped sugar cookies with red icing for Valentines Day, and a variety of store bought Easter candy in beautiful decorated baskets.  I felt special when the teacher introduced my mother.  The students thanked my mother for the goodies and activities and the teacher thanked my mother for her help and generosity.  She demonstrated just how much she cared for me and my classmates.  Being a mother I understand more fully how much she sacrificed.

Another cherished memory of kindness is when Steve and I were moving back to Springfield, Missouri.  Steve was graduating from pharmacy at University of Missouri Kansas City, MO (UMKC) and I had been employed at Kansas University Medical Center as a junior research assistant.  Dr. Anderson, head of research, asked, “Why are you leaving?  Is there anything that you are unhappy with?  Do we need to increase your salary?  We do not want to lose you!”  I replied, “NO, no, everything is great.  (Well, extra money is always nice.)  It is just like I told you during my interview with you that Steve and I would be moving back to Springfield after two years.”  “Oh, yes, I remember, but I wanted to confirm your reasons for leaving.” spoke Dr. Anderson.  On my last day of work Dr. Anderson bought a 6 foot long submarine sandwich and all the trimmings to express their joy in being apart of the research team and to express blessings for a bright future.  This kindness made me feel very special.  In fact all members of the team were very kind to me.

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As I share these memories with you, many more appear from the depths of my mind.  Vivid pictures of friends and loved ones flash before me and I must share them with you on this blog.  I remember the love and joy I felt in these kind memories.  I felt joy that someone thought of me.  I felt the love the person must have had for me and I felt love toward the person bestowing the kindness.       

Because I have been blessed so greatly, I am passing the blessings forward, be it small or great.   I am finding ways everyday to bestow kindness on the people I encounter.  Such as sharing a smile, opening the door for someone with their arms full, offering encouraging words, saying “thank you”, taking the time to visit with someone, just anything to make someone’s day brighter.  Andy Andrews said In The Butterfly Effect, that we “have been created in order that we might make a difference.”  We have within us “the power to change the world.”  Who knows how you can change someone’s life just by being kind?

Would you share how someone blessed you with kindness and how has it changed your life?

   

Leaders Follow Through With Their Commitments

When Steve and I joined Team National in August, 2009, we made a promise to work the business until we reached the top (Platinum).  This opportunity was an “answer to prayer”, for us.  My goals are to get our finances in better order, help our children with college tuition, supplement Steve’s retirement income, retire Steve early, and leave a legacy for our children.  I was so excited that I could not sleep that night.

In my Team National journey this past two years I made some decisions along the way.  Was I keeping my promise only when the road was easy?  Am I keeping my promise only when the mood is right, and I am excited about Team National?

I soon realized that in any endeavor I pursue, there will be many good days, and, there will be some challenging days.  But, this business is worth all effort and perseverance!  The struggles we encounter help us become stronger leaders. 

What happens if we become bitter and decide to quit?  It is always easy to quit; the payoff is never good.  If I were to quit, I would be facing several aspects.  What would I say to friends and family members who took a look at business, and said, “No”?   What would I say to my friends that I have hosted into the business?  I would have to face all the team members who welcomed me with open arms, encouraged me, and helped me.  There would be nothing I could say to my hosts (Bill and Michelle Albert) who spent countless hours coaching and mentoring me!  Sorry, my children!  I have failed and removed every unfulfilled dream from my dream board, and throw it in the trash!  And how could I explain this to my husband?  “Sorry, Steve, you must keep working 60 hours per week.  I just can’t do it.”  I tell you, I am not having that conversation!  I would have to look myself in the mirror everyday, several times a day.  And lastly I would face God.  You see, Team National was an answer to prayer.  I would be turning away the very One helping me.  I would want to run and hide, only there would be no place to hide.

I remain committed.  I have a dream and I focus on it.  I let no one take it away from me.  My dream is worth fighting for.  My dream is worth putting my credibility on the line.  And my dream is worth sacrificing for.  I don’t know how many times I have re-examined my heart and renewed my belief in myself.  I am grateful for this company and for what it is doing for people.  I want to be a part of a team who is helping people.  I am a member of the Success Club; I feed my mind everyday.  I attend local and long distance events.  I make the phone calls, and share the business, every chance I get.  I fellowship with the team, help the team, and am enjoying the journey with my team mates.  I ask up line for help and follow their advice.  I am learning to be a better leader everyday!

In Galatians 6:9, it says, “And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” God gave me a vision and I will follow.  There is no turning back.  This is the greatest opportunity in America!

The Lizard Catcher

The Lizard Catcher!

“Stephanie, do you mean to tell me you actually picked up that snake?  And a lizard?” asked her Uncle Buddy.  Friends and relatives were amazed at our daughter’s boldness and confidence in confronting creepy crawly things. 

Stephanie poured her heart into finding and capturing different kinds of lizards, snakes, and insects.  She and her Dad would identify each animal located and then release them back in the woods.  Over time Stephanie developed a very useful life skill. 

On a particular spring afternoon Stephanie, Chris, and Hannah wanted to ride their bikes on the car port just outside the garage.  I confirmed their request, “Yes, you can.  Please close the door on your way out.”  They rushed out forgetting to shut the door in their excitement.  At the exact moment the telephone rang and I did not realize the door was wide open. 

“Oh yes, I am planning on teaching a leaf collecting and identification class for area homeschoolers.  I can’t wait.”  I talked with my friend.  As we continued to share our ideas and plans, I saw movement on the floor.  I froze and gasped!  Walking slowly across the kitchen floor was a lizard, with its mouth open and tongue sticking out.  The creature stopped somewhat dumbfounded and curious as to its location.  Our home did not look like the great Missouri outdoors anymore.

I sat very still thinking.  I wasn’t afraid, but I knew that I probably could not catch it or chase it out the door.  I was thinking, “What if it disappeared in the house somewhere?  What if I found it in my bed one night?  What if I found it in the cabinet?”  I stopped my racing mind.  I first told my friend that I would call her back because I had a minor emergency to take care of.  I knew Stephanie was quick and could catch the lizard.  I yelled for Stephanie to come.  As she came through the garage a short distance, I told her to stop immediately and stand very still.  “Do you see the lizard over there by the bookshelf?”  She shook her head yes.  I asked, “Do you think you can catch it?”  She shook her head yes.

I observed her crouching somewhat.  She was acting like a cat preparing to pounce on a mouse.  Suddenly, like a flash, she leaped in the air and wrapped her hand around the lizard’s body.  The lizard struggled to free itself.  I grabbed an old mayonnaise jar.  We successfully captured the lizard and dropped him into the jar.  Stephanie said, “It looks like a Five-Lined Skink!”

I patted Stephanie on the back and hugged her.  She was a hero!!!!!  Laughing and replaying the situation in my mind, I thought what kind of a mother am I to ask her child to catch a lizard instead of taking care of the situation myself?  I am a mother her knows her strengths and weaknesses.  I am a mother her knows the strength and weaknesses of her children no matter how young they are.   I am a mother who can delegate tasks to be accomplished and thus in the end reach the goals in protecting her family.  We are a family who supports each other through every adversity no matter how small or large.  My family is a GREAT BLESSING to me and I thank God for them!!! 

Last, but not least I am thankful God blessed Stephanie with her special interests and talents.  It has been a huge joy and pleasure watching her grow into a beautiful young lady.  Psalms 139: 14 is so true.  “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 

I Have To Scream!

Let’s ride “Fire in the Hole!  Yes! What about Thunderation?” my three kids excitedly asked.  We had just finished arriving and passing through the entrance into Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.  Having all of this amazing day ahead of us, we began mapping out a plan of the activities to pursue, and I began facing a few fears of my own.

I love Silver Dollar City’s peaceful atmosphere, friendly people, beautiful hills, craftsmanship, musical talent, special events, and so much more.  On this particular day Stephanie, Chris,  Hannah and I were there taking it all in.  The aroma of fresh baked giant chocolate chip cookies and funnel cakes with powdered sugar filled the springtime morning air.  “Look, there is Hannah’s Ice Cream Parlor,” exclaimed Hannah.  “We have to stop before we leave!”  Every girl named, Hannah, is given a free ice cream cone.  At that moment we heard our favorite Bluegrass Band, The Link Family.  What to do first?

We reviewed the schedule of show times for the Link Family and chose 11 a.m. We planned to grab a bite to eat, and lastly get ice cream, with other activities between, as we made a big loop around the park.  We had an hour to ride.  Oh boy!

One of my fears is wild amusement rides.  In fact, I have never had much enthusiasm for wild amusement rides.  The older I become, the less I enjoy rides.  I remember a few times praying to safely get off of the ride.  I made a choice not to put myself in those situations anymore.  That does not mean, I won’t ride, but that I will only ride mild ones.  Thunderation fits this criteria.

Mark Twain once said, “To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with.”  We, my little family and I, were going to experience the joy of one of our first mild amusement rides together.  We walked to Thunderation which is a roller coaster with a few dips and more circular curves.   I am embarrassed to share that I can endure very few amusement rides without yelling and screaming!  Thunderation, a mild amusement ride, is no different.  As we waited in line watching the smiling and happy faces of the participants, I attempted to convince myself silently, “I will not yell.  I will not yell!”   This was the first exhilarating ride that we were to all ride together; I didn’t want to frighten the kids.

Soon it was our turn to board the car.  Stephanie and Chris rode in front with Hannah and me in the back.  Hannah, only 6 or 7 years old, was not very thrilled about riding, but not wanting to be left behind by her older sister and brother, rode beside me.  Slowly the cars pulled forward and down the hill we went!  Whoosh!!  I stifled a yell, but after the first tilting curve and I could not hold it in anymore.  Yelling around the dips and curves I went!!!  I was finally silent when we climbed up the hill and slowed down.  As we were stopping my son, Chris, turned around and said, “Are you alright, Mom?” “Yes.” I replied, feeling a little embarrassed at everyone’s eyes upon me.

The four of us stepped off the ride and walked up the paved hill.  We busted out laughing.  “What a ride!  Mom your hair was blown straight back behind you.  Why did you yell?” asked Stephanie laughing.  “I couldn’t seem to stop.” I replied, laughing at myself.  We proceeded on to the The Mine Ride, Fire in the Hole, listened to bluegrass music, and ate.  It was a fun-filled day!

After we arrived home, the kids excitedly informed their Dad about all of the day’s adventures!  Hannah sat at the table coloring and drawing as she has done on many occasions. 

Only this time, she drew a picture of me riding Thunderation.  The experience made such an impact on her life that she decided to share this picture with her Grams.  The joy continues to be divided among everyone.

 

What Does God Want?

Especially since the day The Lord saved my soul, I have had a strong desire to serve Him.  It has been my goal to consistently attend church, study scriptures, set a Godly example for my children and love people the way God instructs me to.  One day as I was reading through a familiar a scripture, I discovered that God is pleased with our faith and not necessarily with a perfect performance!

I read in Hebrews 11:6 that “without faith it is impossible to please Him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of him that diligently seek Him.”  Wait a minute!  I thought that the better or near perfect my performance was, the more it pleased God!  I reread the verse, “without faith it is impossible to please Him…”  I could attend church every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night, study scriptures for hours, and try to be perfect; however, without faith I could never please God!

For years I was taught and graded by tests in elementary, junior high, senior high schools, and college.  I strived for good grades.  Our society teaches that the students with the higher grades receive the scholarships and the better jobs.  Competitions for instrumental performances, sports games, and so on are awarded placements.  The list continues.  If I didn’t measure up, I disliked myself.  I felt friends and family were disappointed and even worse, was that God was displeased and angry with me.

When my children were lost and seeking God, I wanted to know that I would have done all God required of me.  Through that process I sometimes forgot to have faith and trust in God.  I am ashamed to admit that I worried about my children not only with salvation, but other aspects of their lives.  I worried about my husband with health issues and his work.      

I am thankful to discover that in God’s world we are not graded on our performances.  With faith it is possible to please him.  I don’t have to perform perfectly, but just believe God and He will take care of everything.  We are only human.  I knew this in my mind, but I did not always feel this in my heart.  My greatest failure was not trusting and not having faith in God.

God gives us many choices in life.  We choose life or death. We choose to doubt or to believe.  Now my focus is to be my best and trust God to take care of all the rest.  My faith is what pleases Him.

Doing What It Takes!!!!

My brother, Buddy, and I grew up on a farm where my parents planted a garden every spring and summer.  Flowers, vegetables,  and fruits were given tender loving care.  The produce was either frozen or canned for consumption during the winter months.  Most aspects of a garden are wonderful, but there were things that Buddy and I endured and/or creatively avoided as best we could. 

Harvesting a garden is fun, but can be tedious and a lot of work every day.  I remember tilling the ground and preparing it for the seeds and plants to be placed gingerly and properly.  The ground felt so soft and smooth between my toes.  After school we would water the garden and as time went on we watched the garden produce a harvest.  As the tomatoes grew we watched for huge green worms and sprayed them.  We watched for rabbits, birds, and turtles eating our produce. 

My favorite parts were the corn and zinnias.  As the corn grew to six feet my brother and I loved running between the rows playing hide and seek.  Picking the zinnias and arranging them was fun.  We picked and ate homegrown vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, strawberries, peas, and green beans all summer long. 

All these vegetables would not only be eaten fresh, but would also be canned or frozen.  This was the second part of the work.  Picking and canning could take hours.  My family felt it was worth every effort.  Overall we were very blessed to have this bounty, except for one vegetable.   

The one vegetable I very much disliked was green beans.  My mother would can dozens of jars of these nasty tasting pods.  Freshly cooked green beans are okay, but canned I never liked, and still do not.  It seemed that we were served green beans every meal, except for breakfast.  My parents required Buddy and I to eat them.  I grew weary.  John Lithgow said once that “Out of suffering comes creativity.  You cannot spell painting without pain.”  My imagination and creativity kicked into high gear to figure out ways to fake eating green beans and relieve my suffering.

I would make sure I had a pocket on my shirt so I could nonchalantly drop the beans in my pocket, and then go outside to get rid of the evidence.  I could accidentally drop them on the floor.  Sometimes I would drop a bean or two in my glass of milk, or sneak them back in the serving bowl.  Another method was to drop the beans in my napkin and put the napkin in the trash, but this did not work as well.  It was difficult to avoid our parent’s watchful stares.  I, also, kept an eye on my parents.  When they talked passionately about an event during the day, I could hide the beans in the broken upholstery of the chair and later remove them. 

One evening after supper I walked into the kitchen to see my parents dismantling the chairs.  “What is in the padding of this chair?  Why it looks like green beans?”  I nonchalantly walked to the sink to fill my glass with water, and then started to leave the kitchen.  “What do you know about this?” asked my Dad?  I said, “I was sick and tired of eating green beans and I hid them in the chair!”  I don’t remember what the punishment was, but, it was worth it.

Years later I came to understand that my parents raised me with all the knowledge they possessed at the time.  Today my family and I laugh about all the creative ways my brother and I avoided eating our green beans.  As I matured over the years, I became creative in the preparation of green beans.  I found that if the green beans are spiced and cooked to slightly crisp there is a much better taste to them.   

I agree with Mary Lou Cook who said, “Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.”  I invented and experimented with new ways to avoid eating green beans and later with preparing a better tasting green bean.  I took a risk, broke the rules, and made mistakes in this process.  In the end the memory I created was fun for the whole family.