Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Still in Thanksgiving Mode

This picture was taken on Thanksgiving Day. It is not a very good picture but you can see the whole bunch. We had such a good time on TG even if the power went out for two hours and delayed the turkey, the ham was ready to eat and we had ham and all the fixings. After two hours and about an hour more the turkey was done and we had turkey too! After the lights came back on the grandkids asked "Can we turn the lights back off?"

My heart overflows with thankfulness this morning.

I am thankful to Jesus Christ for the full life He keeps filling. The spiritual life that blooms in my heart today is only because of His Love for me. I am nothing without Him. My life would be depression - unending sadness - without the HOPE that He has put into my thoughts and into my heart. This hope fills me now and will remain with me past my last fleshly breath.

I woke up on Sunday morning troubled. We, as Mom's will do that won't we when we are troubled about one of our children? Most of our hardships come from an unwillingness (or rebelliousness) to learn about and know Jesus Christ. An unwillingness to give up selfish pursuits. Chasing after the fleeting FUN of this world.

I also have been duped into doing that too. I will long for the STUFF this world has to offer only to find even a stronger discontent when I have what I wanted in my grasp. The most complete joy I've experienced has been had when I've been basking in the sunshine of what Jesus Christ's sacrifice accomplished for me. If only I could take what I've learned and just stick it into my loved ones hearts, but I can't, only God can do that. So I wait and pray. Prayer is my heart-tugging-rope that goes directly to my Savior's interceding heart.

Yesterday, I spent the whole day with my sister Millie! It was a good day. We read Psalms together. We listened to Christmas music. We put on smelly lotions. I picked up a pair of earrings that I am sure she would have picked out for herself if she were with me and stuck them on her ears. I tried to find burgundy (her favorite) but all those colors were not cool. We called our sister Kotya. Millie moved her hand up towards her ear as if she wanted to move the phone to a better spot over her ear.

Millie did a lot of yawning yesterday, and according to Adam (her husband) the Elders asked him if she was doing that yet because they believe when someone like Millie who has been sleeping and sleeping will be getting up soon after they begin yawning. She did a lot of yawning yesterday!

I went in to visit her the day before yesterday too and she had two pigtails on! This is not any hairdo she would have been seen in public with. It made me smile and I told her "Mil, you better wake up girl, somebody is dressing you up kindda funny!"

A Psalm Millie and I enjoyed together:

LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; he who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the Lord; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change; he who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15. (NKJV)

A nearby verse that caught my attention is in Psalm 12.

The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men. (NIV)

Isn't that the whole truth and nothing but the truth... so help USA - God.

After visiting with Millie my husband and I went to Anchorage Native New Life Fellowship meeting and enjoyed all the singing. If you have never been there, go! A great place to go for an evening of singing and testimonies, every Monday night at 1145 'C' Street. Sometimes you can even hear gospel singing in the Native tongue. My brother Don, who led the singing, reminded us all that we have a spot in our heart that is God-shaped and can only be filled by God. That is the TRUTH! We all need God - our all-powerful, always present and all-knowing Creator. Without Him in our lives - life is hopeless, with Him in it, our lives are filled with overflowing thankfulness and joy and living that satisfies!

11 comments:

Faith said...

Connie Marie: I am so glad I read this today! I just finished posting something about hope and lack of it as my thoughts have been about hope lately after reading Jenna Bush's book. I could never do life without my Redeemer and Saviour. My prayer this week is that my daughters would cling to Him forever, once they leave the influence of our home. I want them to really know their hope is in HIM!

Connie Marie said...

Hi Faith,
I have not been able to get to blogging friends yet but am heading that way. I ask that God will bless your daughters with His knowledge and that their love for Him would override the draw of this world towards THINGS that do not satisfy, may He set a guard around them every day of their lives.
I look forward to reading your blog on hope. Thanks.

Marie VW said...

I miss the family!!!

You look fantastic Mom!!

Connie Marie said...

We miss you Marie! Only a few more weeks and we get to give you hugs again! Thanks, Marie. I remain recognizable!

mrsjojo said...

What a fun photo of your family at Thanksgiving.
I'm glad to hear that you spent time with Millie. I've never heard of the yawning thing before-sounds hopefull!!
I think it is so interesting that the things of this world has such a captivating pull on us and at "our age". :) I used to think that people "this age" had no problem with the pull of this world but it still is alluring at times. I believe totally that we need more than ever to spend more time focusing on Jesus-so that the things of this world will grow dim for us as believers.
My prayers are with you and your family. Your family is blessed to have someone like you interceeding on their behalf. Prayer changes things!!

Connie Marie said...

Hi Jo,
Prayer does change things, we can see the changes in Millie even though they come a little at a time. You are right about focusing our minds on Jesus, what ever is important to us will come out during our days.
I saw your note on the wall for Mil, and the cute bug, but I don't like bugs just like Millie :-)

Constance said...

Good Morning!
Thanks for visiting me and welcoming me home! Your comment about my grand-daughter's hairdo made me laugh and I was going to write something to the effect of,
"You mean the one with the headband, surely not pigtails!"

Then I dropped by here and read about Millie's hair being in pigtails! You're right! She'd better wake up soon before someone decides to make that a regular hairdo!

The pull of this world is so strong. So strong at times, the battle within us just rages on & on. What will it be like when we are no longer influenced and enticed by the carnal things and are in the presence of a sinless Savior?
Sigh
Connie

Susannah said...

Such a nice family photo! Is that a snow globe on the mantle? Funny how kids like to sneak around in the dark....

You are such a good sister to Millie. Good idea to take her some earrings! I spent the day on Monday doing similar things for my father, who is now in a nursing home. They really do appreciate our care and concern.

I'm glad your heart is so full of joy and blessings!

Hugs, e-Mom

Connie Marie said...

BBF - yes pigtails! My sister Kotya wants a picture so that we can show it to her when she has recovered. It will make her laugh too and I can already imagine that.
We long for that day when all things will be made right and the evil enticer will be put in his place - forever!

Hi e-Mom,
The globe is the type that plays a tune and blows flecks of white around to look like a snow storm. We played that while the lights were out since it is battery operated.
I bet your Dad loves it when you can go in to spend time with him. I see so many at the care center Millie is at that don't seem to have anyone to come and visit. I wish no one had to end their lives in this way - it is so sad to think that they spent all their lives working, playing, planning for the future to end up setting there day after day. We sure need to keep things in perspective everyday. We need to keep on the thankful side of life - things could be a lot worse for us all.
HUGs

TO BECOME said...

Connie Marie, My heart was so touched by your post. I guess one reason is because I have been there. We have to wait and pray, things that come so hard to MOMs.

I am glad you got to spend such a good time with Millie. I am sure she loved it.

Great scripture. You are always such a blessing to me

I also wanted to comment on your new picture. It is very pretty and I thank you for signing my guest book.

I am in the process of trying to change the picture on my blog again and once again it is too big. If you should find the time would you please fix it for me again. I would really be very apprciative. Thanks so much for everything and most of all for just being you. connie from Texas

Connie Marie said...

Hi Connie from TX,
Your picture is in the mail. :-)
I am very happy to help you.
I have not been online all day, so sorry for being ----slow.