Best comic ever

When the days seem grim, and these days often do, there is a short term remedy that can take your mind off of all the chaos in the world. (for a little while) Laughter is great medicine!!  So I love to read the funnies.  Peanuts and Charlie Brown has been my longtime favorite.  When the Sunday globe would arrive I couldn't wait to rifle through it and find the comic strips.  I love that Charlie Brown!  He never gives up.  As per the normal, things go bad and then get worse but good 'ole Chuck never stops trying.  He somehow looks beyond the past failures and chases that ultimate dream of landing the perfect boot to the football.  Always having that little glimmer of hope.  Even though, at this point ( 65 years since his debut on October 2, 1950 as a daily funny strip in 9 different newspapers), I have to wonder- will he ever succeed?  Through the years the Peanut's comic strip has  brought a lot of people laughter and encouragement.  Though Charles Schulz' motives weren't implicitly religious, his sarcasm and gritty, poignant honesty has inspired many to keep trying, to be like Charlie Brown and take that chance once more time.

Never Give Up!  There is something about always reaching for, yet never fully attaining that reminds me of my faith walk with Jesus Christ.  I know because of this worn, limited, very human "tent" I live in that I can never achieve perfection.  Never sinning again is virtually impossible- because I am not God.  This fact does not keep me from trying however.  Seeking God and looking for His answers to life questions. The questions about suffering.  The questions about pain and death.  The questions about how He made all of these extraordinary, beautiful places (like Maccu Piccu, The Virgin Islands and yes the Ozarks in Missouri in the fall).  The question of how He could love such an imperfect, flawed people such as the human race.  Inside of me there is a desire to know the Creator of all of this.  When I choose to hold on to hope that desire keeps burning on.

Recently my Favorite and I went to see "The Peanuts Movie" which opened on my birthday. After the lights went down the pre-show stuff started (and lasted 15 minutes - Ugh) finally I was delighted to see the beloved Peanut's characters just like I remembered them from childhood. Once again Charlie Brown struggled through the misfortunes of the "kite-eating tree', sports failure, a book report he worked diligently only to have it destroyed in a single moment, forgoing his own talent show debut so his little sister would not be made fun of and mistakenly winning an award because of a mix-up on a test.  So many struggles for Charlie Brown.  The integrity struggle was intense.  There was beauty to be found in these ashes though as Charlie made decisions to that made his character shine.  He helped someone else achieve success in flying a kite.  His baseball incident with Snoopy ushered in the arrival of his crush (and quickly his embarrassment was forgotten). Time and time again Charlie's kind actions captured the human spirit of the golden rule.  My heart was warmed and there may have been a tear in my eye as the movie ended and Charlie Brown took that famous scramble toward the football that Lucy was holding.  That guy just doesn't give up!!  It reminded me that there is always hope.  It reminded me that laughter is great medicine.

My favorite time of year

Fall is a beautiful time of year.  In fact its been my favorite time of the year since I was a child and went to grade school at St. Ann's in Carthage, Mo.  Within a few weeks of school starting there was the arrival of a season change which brought more pleasant temperatures, beautiful multi-colored trees and loads of fun playing kickball, Chinese jump rope, freeze tag and even crack-the-whip (Here is how Wikipedia explains the game:

Crack the Whip is a simple outdoor children's game that involves physical coordination, and is usually played in small groups, either on grass or ice. One player, chosen as the "head" of the whip, runs (or skates) around in random directions, with subsequent players holding on to the hand of the previous player. The entire "tail" of the whip moves in those directions, but with much more force toward the end of the tail. The longer the tail, the more the forces act on the last player, and the tighter they have to hold on.

As the game progresses, and more players fall off, some of those who were previously located near the end of the tail and have fallen off can "move up" and be in a more secure position by grabbing onto the tail as it is moving, provided they can get back on before some of the others do. There is no objective to this game other than the enjoyment of the experience.)

Can you imagine the fun?  That was when students were allowed 3. Yes.Three. Recesses a day.  Okay that's not what this post is about so I'll save that for another time.  Fall meant sweatshirt/sweater weather and boots.  FOOTBALL!  The Maple Leaf Parade where friends and family still gather to watch 200+ bands and floats make the 1.5 mile trek to the Carthage Middle School.  I was blessed enough to live on that route for a short period of time and have front row seats to the parade twice.  The first time I had only lived at the corner of Grant and Chestnut for about 2 months, on that particular Saturday morning I had no idea what God had in store for my life.   

I remember the conversation that had recently taken place with a sweet friend of mine who was dying of cancer and how she encouraged me to keep seeking God assuring me of His love.  She was comforting me because I was brokenhearted from a divorce that was now final and overwhelmed by the difficulty of being a single parent.  It made no sense to me.  I asked God why?? Why was my friend, who had a husband that loved her and this beautiful brood of children, why was she so sick? They need her God.  This isn't fair...

Then I looked at my life,  my marriage was over and my children would be shuttled back and forth between 2 homes one weekday, every other weekend and every holiday for the rest of their childhood.  Why wasn't I the one dying of cancer.  God didn't answer my questions that day but I know He was listening.  He had sent this sweet friend and the promise found in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the planss I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prospert you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  It gave me hope to continue on in my struggle.  

On that particular Saturday morning in October it was crisp but a beautiful, sunny day.  My sweet friend felt well enough and came to my house to watch the Maple Leaf Parade.  It was my first weekend without my children and I had not slept all night.  It was an honor and blessing to have a guaranteed place where she and her family could watch the parade.  I wish I had pictures of that day.   I remember her saying some really funny things and we were all laughing.  I wish I had hugged her longer before they left that day. 

The next morning at church my sweet friend was there but did not play the piano (which she always did) and so I assumed she was not feeling well.  The following week was a blur but I remember vividly the phone call I received late Saturday night October 28th.  My mind could not comprehend what the person was saying to me. How could this be true? I had just seen her on Sunday morning. Triumphantly she took her last breath and went home to be with the Lord.  I will never forget her or the influence she had on my life.  Her shared wisdom has continued to help me.  God used her then to answer questions I have now.  He knows the plans He has for our lives.  He has given me hope and a future.

I'm still thankful for Fall and the changing seasons.  Grateful for the beautiful trees, the cooler air, football games and parades.  All of these remind me of the past- good things and hard things and how faithful God is in bringing a life story full circle.  My story. Your story.  His Story.  Fall is a beautiful time of year.
                                                                       

Great Expectations

Expectations. All of us have them.  Good or bad it's part of realizing the outcome of any given situation.  To never have expectations or only have gReAt expectations is short sited.  All of us have to be realistic and know that there will be times when life is disappointing.  There is the day your kid didn't make the team.  Your daughter didn't get that part in the play that she tried out for.  You didn't get the job you were assured was yours at the end of the interview.  That dream you dreamt as a child has not come to fruition and your birthdays keep coming.  Ouch.  Reality.  Many times we want to get angry and someone or some thing that seems to stand in our way of what we perceive as happiness.  Ive been there.  I'm sure you have too.  

Do i let myself get SO busy that I am come to a new day, a struggle or a even a joy- unprepared? What I mean by this- is have I really spent one-on-one time with the One i claim to have given Lordship over my life?  Sadly, there are many days I have looked to people and things and dreams to fill my soul, instead of the only One capable of doing that.  Then when something turns sideways in my day I am not ready to stop, listen and pray.  My mind starts racing and my tongue starts lashing out and I'm not ready to be obedient.  I may comply but remain confused and angry because my motives are bowing to MY expectations.  What part do i play in allowing God to increase my faith giving me the ability to stand committed to obey?  

In looking at scripture there are 2 people I'd like to mention because they both had a great way of dealing with unmet/fragmented expectations.  In Genesis 22 God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac.  I don't think Abraham was expecting this!! This was the son born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age and was the promised child that many nations would come from.  Abraham did not waver but took his son, bound him and prepared to sacrifice him.  WOW! What awe inspiring obedience Abraham had that he would do whatever God asked of him, even if he didn't understand.  He expected that God would provide a way.  When my expectation is that my life has to go a certain charted course I leave no room for what God has planned for me.   The book of Ruth also supplies ample examples of living in God's will and thriving when difficult things come and dreams are unfulfilled.  Ruth lost her husband, was childless and did not choose to go back to her hometown and family but stayed with a bitter mother-in-law that she would end up helping support financially. Im sure on her wedding day Ruth did not expect this to be her lot. YIKES! So what did she do?  Ruth changed her expectations for her current situation and moved ahead seeking God and what His will was thereby believing and raising her expectations of God and what He would do in her life.  She had learned (somehow... I really want to talk to her someday in heaven) that God was faithful and her trust was put in Him, not how life looked at the moment.  And bonus- she did NOT complain about it. 

Oh my I have a lot to learn still.  Changing my perspective so that it's broader than my little world.  I'm thankful that God doesn't quit on me, ignore me or leave me behind when I am weak and struggling.  He knows my heart. He knows I have expectations.  In response i need to be realistic in my outlook; understanding that when i obey and trust His plan it will far exceed my own expectations.

                                    

Another birthday

It's Wednesday, but Friday's coming.  The middle of work week. (hump day) Your school week has started the slide toward weekend.  Fall is here and November tells us another year is about to be crossed off of that enormous calendar on God's kitchen wall.  I've been thinking about this a lot more recently.   It's cliche to mention but the older I get... the faster time flies.  As I approach another birthday I can't help but wonder about this next season of life. Right here in the middle of my life it is sanguine joy (and nail biting)  to watch our children learning how to be married and how to be parents.  Then there is the bonus of getting to be a grandparent.  

Another advantage is The PrEaCher and I are able to spend time together like never before. To go on weekend getaways, take Sunday naps, and to eat out somewhere besides Cici's or McDonalds.  After all that's pretty hard to accomplish when you are busy raising seven kids and are insuring a home, nine humans, and 4 or 5 automobiles. Its a good thing to make your relationship a priority while the nest is still full.  

As Friday gets closer Im looking hard at season's past and trusting God as I hold close sweet memories of earlier days.  I am determined to live in the moments of now. Admittedly it seems like just yesterday that I was busy raising a family.  So where did the time go? 
"yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." James 4:14  We are not promised another day so I want to make the most of what I have left of this life.  I choose to live out the purpose God has for my life.  

It has been a wild beautiful ride.  And wow, it's hard for me to believe but my 30 year high school reunion is only months away.  However, there is no denying it when I look in the mirror and see how time has drawn its stories on my forehead and between my brows. Stories of love and hate. Stories of laughter and tears.  Stories of failure and redemption. 

I am grateful for all of them because I know God has used them all to weave tale of my life on His loom.  He isn't finished with me just yet because it's only Wednesday, but Friday is coming.

Fred & Red’s

Leftovers.  I have learned to enjoy eating leftovers.  If you can put them on tortilla chips or a potato for lunch the next day you've got a winner!  When you live on a budget there are undoubtedly going to be days when lunch is leftovers.  Today it just so happens to be day THREE of the same leftovers. The abundant amount of leftovers is the result of an idea The PreAcHer had when he caught sight of the coveted recipe for Fred and Red's Chili. 

Fred and Red's was a historic greasy spoon diner located in Joplin, Missouri until 3.5 years ago when the current owner retired.  Fred and Red's got its start in 1923 (if you don't know the story check it out on wikipedia)  I recall going there as a kid once with my dad.  He ordered spaghetti red for us  which I consumed ravenously.  My chin, my lips and the inside of my mouth were covered in that greasy delight. There was an impressive pile of napkins i used to wipe away the evidence, happy with my full belly yet unaware of the after effects I was going to forbear.  

If you are local and got to experience Fred and Red's then you know what I'm talking about.  For those of you that haven't - I spent the rest of the evening in the bathroom.  I never really forgot about that experience and had not eaten any Fred and Red's since that time- until this past weekend.  I'm happy to say my stomach is much more qualified (aged) to handle the amount of spiciness and the grease.  The recipe I used makes a huge amount of F & R's chili that can be used for nachos, coneys, spaghetti red, etc.  The PreAcHer copied it from a Facebook post and sent it to me (see below)
                              

  JoMo's Fred & Red's Spaghetti Red Chili - (no tomato) 

6 pounds ground beef (not chuck or ground round - do not drain)

3 (1 ounce) packages Williams Chili Seasoning

1 tablespoon crushed garlic

1 tablespoon cumin

4 teaspoons salt

1 (or 2) sleeves saltine crackers - crushed fine into cracker meal

Brown ground beef. Add the chili seasoning, garlic, cumin and salt. Simmer 15 minutes. Add 2 quarts water and cracker meal: simmer one hour.

Note: This recipe calls for one sleeve of saltine crackers; however two may be to your liking. The longer it simmers, the better it gets - a day or two in the fridge will mingle the flavors and produce an even better tasting chili.

Leftovers.  Breakfast.  Lunch.  Dinner.  Haha no not really, I didn't eat it for breakfast but it might have been kind of yummy mixed with scrambled eggs or hash browns.  After lunch today I decided to ziploc the remains and freeze them for another time.  And the next time I eat Fred and Red's Chili I will remember to remember the past and be thankful for things as simple as that day my dad and I ate together at that greasy diner that became a historic part of southwest Missouri. 

This is us...

So here we are 19 years strong. Life has bustled on and like never in the past, we sat Halloween night waiting for the rush of trick or treaters and watching the World Series (Go Royals!).  Feeling blessed and happy that we got to see some of our children and two of our sweet grandchildren in costume and of course Frank (the Boxer) made an appearance and wore Uncle Trigger (our VeRy old Lab) completely out. Later I got texts and an email with pictures of the other grandchildren to make the day complete.   Having an empty nest is a lot different than I imagined, after years of doing and being responsible for so many it's easy to become lazy and complacent spending hours literally doing nothing productive. As a matter of fact i feel very unprepared many a day because i have spent so little time getting my thoughts and plans mentally organized.  Too much time can be a foe. I find myself forgetting things that are important if i don't make a point to follow up and complete a task right away.  It gets tucked in a locked file in my mind and I forget it's even there.  I battle fickleness (out of sight - out of mind) I battle losing track of things because i put them exactly where i knew I wouldn't forget they were only to completely forget, where i put them. I know what you're thinking (this lady is getting old and doesn't want to admit it).  I tried to feign early alzheimer's to The PrEacHer today but he didn't buy it.  This post is to get me thinking.  To get me moving toward a goal i have to share information, to share news, to clear my foggy mind. Im not going to expect much from it starting out because honestly i can't really put two good thoughts together right now.  My mind is already spinning thinking of all the other things i should be doing instead of this.  However, God has done great and unbelievable things in me and I am so grateful i don't want to keep His goodness to myself.  It's good to recognize the changing seasons of life and embrace them.  This is going to be the best chapter yet.  So... here we are 19 years strong.