God's treasure box

4:00 p.m. Today's project was to attend the second meeting of the County Office of Aging's Alzheimers/dementia caregiver support group at a local senior center. The professional caregiver sent over to stay with Steve came on time with all of the documentation from the company he works for. We introduced ourselves to him, he met Bailey and Jada, and the guys threw a ball or two out in the backyard. And then off I went to class.

The topic for today was "Caregiver Stress." The presenter had vast personal and professional experience, and gave us plenty to think about in assessing our own condition. We all experience stress, and she had excellent suggestions from the Mayo Clinic in handling them. Some recommendations are:

• Get active. That would include walking, jogging, gardening,etc. anything active.


• Meditate. I would say pray and praise, from a Christian viewpoint, and meditate on the Word!


• Laugh. Proverbs 17:22: A merry heart does good like a medicine.


• Connect. Reach out, make social connections. Like church, ministry, and my business.


• Assert yourself. In this context, it means to ask for help, delegate, and learn to say no, so your mental and physical health needs don't suffer.


• Sleep. That's an area of lack for me, will work on being more consistent!


• Journal. My journal will be the basis for the next book God has put on my heart, and this blog serves the same purpose, to shine God's light on daily life.


• Get musical. My plan is to get back to my piano practice after the wedding commotion is over. Can't wait! May even dust off my violin!


• Seek counsel. Proverbs 11:14b (NLT): There is safety in having many advisors. Godly ones, of course!

When the discussion came to ways we can stay more focused on our blessings, I shared about writing my praises down every night before bed. I've been doing this for 24 years, and it really reminds me how much God loves and cares for me. The presenter actually suggested that everyone there give that a try!!

As well as that meeting went, and as well as Steve did at home, God had opened up His treasure chest of blessings for me even more. The senior center's director put me on this afternoon's activity schedule to do facials for the ladies at the center. So I went home, took a nap, and after lunch, Steve and I went to the center for a 2 p.m. facial party for six darling elderly ladies. He helped me set up, and the gals really enjoyed the pampering. This wasn't a selling event, but if they remember me next Tuesday and would like a product, they can ask me. I was so blessed to spend time with them, as we jokingly agreed that we are all still 39!

A further blessing is that I was invited to participate in a spa day on June 23rd at the center!

More good news: my doctor's office called, and except for a slightly elevated cholesterol reading, all of my blood and urine tests came out fine! Less red meat for me, sigh...they also said avoid the carbs, but I do that already for dieting purposes, and lowering weight lowers cholesterol, as does exercise, so I am a happy camper today. I need to start being a happy walking camper, though, must get back in that habit!

And miracle of miracles, I managed to pull my stuck ATM card out of the machine at Wells Fargo with the miniature Mary Kay tweezers in my compact! As the hymn says,

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!

Monday, partitioned

4:52 p.m. Today's project was to enjoy a day that is normally without commitments, while still spending time with Steve, organizing my Bible study for Thursday, and working my business, making phone calls and filling orders.

I got a really great boost from my Mary Kay Sales Director last night, because I moved up to the Red Jacket level, with three recruits who have begun working their own businesses. Commissions improve, and so does the responsibility to mentor and encourage Ann, Chelsey, and Debbie. For many years, the Lord has gifted me with the desire and vision for building up women and helping them grow in their ministries, so it's an exciting prospect! I always think of Paul's writing to a young pastor in I Timothy 1:12-16, in amazement and humility:

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

Shortly after my devotions, I sat down to get direction from the Holy Spirit for my teaching on Thursday in I Samuel Chapter 14. We have had a seven-month hiatus, so I knew I'd need to review Chapter 13. But the Lord showed me to re-introduce the era of the Judges as I had done before teaching the first 13 chapters last summer, and explain Samuel's role in the transition from a divided nation of tribes under the rule of judges, priests and prophets, to the era of monarchy, beginning with Saul. I also copied maps from my NLT Bible that show the Kingdom of Israel's boundaries under Saul, David (who will make his first appearance in this year's study) and eventually under Solomon. Now that I have a plan, organizing and writing my remarks will flow from there. I must give "my utmost for His Highest" to my teaching, because God has called the women to come, and He is the One who chosen three precious women to offer care and Bible study for the children whose moms attend.

As a friend at Home Fellowship was stating, "I know I'm not even the slightest bit worthy to be used by God, but He does any way! It's shocking!" I agreed, saying, "I try not to think too much about it, because it's God's decision, choice and calling--I just keep on doing what He says to do!"

One thing God definitely directs is to live happily and lovingly with our spouse, so Steve and I have lots of time together to enjoy one another's company and our mutual hobbies now that we are retired. What a blessing that is, too!

When our daughter came home, we made a plan for the two of us to run over to Redlands to see a house that just went on the rental market. It was so invigorating, curving through San Timiteo Canyon into my hometown on a quick outing. And the house is just darling, full of plants and flowers for her future husband to exercise his gardening talents on, and very well kept up. Will they be selected? We walked over to a neighbor's front yard to talk with him, and picked up some details that will be good to know for the appointment her fiance has there on Wednesday. I also mentioned that her grandpa lives down the street and that I went to Redlands High School. You never know what details might work in the newlyweds' favor! Above all, we are praying that God will place them in the perfect first home!

But the important thing for me was to spend a lovely hour and a half with my daughter who will be leaving home soon, in my favorite small city, driving through streets known for Edwardian-era mansions sitting side-by-side with beautifully kept smaller homes. The breezy, overcast afternoon made the neighborhoods more scenic, to my mind.

All in all, this was a Monday partitioned into many facets of God's will and work!

Stop working!

3:32 p.m. Today's project was to try to get some answers from the Lord as to the best use of our time and finances in the next week.

Heidi's wedding is priority #1 for our family right now; no need to list the efforts and expenditures there!

But in addition, I have Bible study starting Thursday, and Alzheimer's caregiver support group on Tuesdays, both of which the Lord has provided beautifully for, in terms of care for Steve, and childcare for the little ones whose moms seek time in the word of God. Home Fellowship is tonight. The women's retreat begins June 3rd in the San Bernardino Mountains, just 6 hours after our grandson's promotion from Castle Middle School in Chula Vista, San Diego County, that morning. And my business is growing and providing income too, as I visit with ladies and help them with their skincare.

I am or will be blessed by each of the events above, and am praying for the Lord to use me in any way He chooses. Here's the big question: will we have gas money for all of the driving required? God has NEVER failed to provide, no question there, but what would His priorities be in a financially tight month? I confess to being nervous, unsure, and on edge, frankly! 2+ 2 is not equalling 4 right now, and my mind is just swirling...

Oswald Chambers refers to manifesting our salvation as "working out what God has worked in." and he asks, continuing on in My Utmost for His Highest, May 15, "Are you working it out with your tongue, and your brain and your nerves?"

He's got me there!

Until I heard the still small voice telling me differently, I was actually considering skipping Home Fellowship this evening because of the distance we travel to get there! I was mentally working on crossing out uplifting and beneficial activities for the same reason. Church today, with the pastor's sermon on marriage, and wonderful fellowship with friends, lifted me up to a much better state which even the drizzling rain couldn't dampen.

After serving Steve his lunch, I headed out to the garden in a rain poncho to survey the nighttime survival of my plants, and another tomato plant was gone! Not bothering to become enraged, I had an immediate response at the sight of another gopher hole: I prepared a nice pile of soil, laid the shovel nearby, and got the last smoke bomb we had. Speedily lit the fuse, sent it flame-first down into the hole, and hand packed and shoveled dirt to keep the smoke from coming out! That method seems to set the critters running elsewhere, at least for a while. Getting the smell of gunpowder off my hands took a few washings, however. On the next clear night, Steve and I are going to bundle up, take the dogs and station ourselves in the garden and see what's up. (And I may just transplant some tomatoes into large pots for the season as another option).

All of these mental and physical feats fit the picture in today's devotional, as Chambers writes,

"God is the Master Engineer, He allows the difficulties to come in order to see if you can vault over them properly--'By my God have I leaped over a wall.' (Psalm 18:29) ...May God not find the whine in us any more, but may He find us full of spiritual pluck and athleticism, ready to face anything He brings. We have to exercise ourselves in order that the Son of God may be manifested in our mortal flesh."

Prayerfully thinking, planning and doing--"spiritual athleticism"--have never been an area of hesitation because that is the character God has given me. Prayerfully waiting on the Lord is much more difficult! Not to promote legalism, but I do want to offer a verse that struck me as I read my scripture portion this morning, and right now, as I picture myself in my purple rain poncho lighting my smoke bomb and shoveling dirt with my hands. Exodus 34:21 (NLT):

You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest.

Well, there it is! I think it's time to wait on God's answers to each of the issues that are working my nerves, wracking my brain, robbing my peace, and limiting my joy.

Back away, slowly

4:53 p.m. Today's project was to pick up Heidi's wedding gown and Heather's bridesmaid dress at Mary Me Bridal in Orange. Heidi's fittings were completed, and the bridesmaid dresses had arrived.

This exciting day began early. Heather came at 8 a.m. to share some of my fancy eggs (recipe to follow) and to take me to Michaels and Party Plus to choose decorations for the family bridal shower on Saturday the 28th. When we checked at both stores, the doors were locked--"Open at 9:00!" Boo, because I had a 9:15 hair appointment. So we went across the road to Target, where we saw lots of tangerine, but no fuschia-colored plates or napkins, and we're seeking to use both of Heidi's theme colors. We did decide on a menu: homemade tortilla chips, fajitas and trimmings, and ice cream sandwiches made with freshly baked cookies for dessert.

Meanwhile, Heidi was attending a Children's Ministry meeting at church. After Heather dropped me off at home to get my Jeep, she went over to Michaels and got the supplies we wanted, very cute stuff! I was glad she had time to visit with her dad, too. I returned home and then my dad came over to spend the afternoon with Steve. When Heidi returned, we all had some loud and hilarious political conversation. Much more fun wedding and marriage-oriented conversation took place on the way to Orange.

Amazed at the openness we all shared on topics that could be described as "delicate," I realized that my younger daughter was a three years' married woman, and her sister will be married soon. I took mental care to capture that precious time, believe me! As Heidi and Heather talked about their time frames for starting families, I said, "I want to be an active grandma, watching the babies and taking your school age kids places!" Heather chimed in, reassuring me, "Mom, you'll never lose your energy!" Better stay healthy, hadn't I, since Job 8:9 says,

Our days on earth are a shadow.

And Psalm 90:12 says,

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

I had been pondering these things when I noticed that Stephanie McTigue had posted this quote from Erich Fromm today on Facebook:

The mother-child relationship is paradoxical and in a sense tragic. It requires the most intense love on the mother's side, yet this very love must help the child to grow away from the mother and become truly independent.

How true these words are! I offered the comment that it's hard when you realize that you as a mom are no longer the most important person in your child's life!

As we wrapped up a successful day and were on the way home, Heidi and Heather made plans to see "Pride and Prejudice" performed at our church by its high school drama department. I too love Jane Austen, having a degree in English Literature, but my girls have read her novels many times for sheer pleasure, and talk very knowledgeably about the various screen versions.

At first, I was about to say, "Think I'll go too," but then I thought the better of it. I said to myself, "Let them develop their relationship as grown women, and bond even closer over a shared favorite author's works."

And back away, Mom, back away slowly.

FANCY EGGS

5-6 fresh eggs

1 tablespoon basil pesto paste

1/2 shredded mozzarella cheese

4 fresh spinach leaves torn up

2/3 cup cooked, crumbled sausage

1 tablespoon butter

Scramble all together with a fork, and pour into a frying pan where you have melted the butter over medium high heat. Scramble soft, no hard edges, so you can wra it on a large plate with Saran Wrap, and cut off portions to microwave later in the week on busy mornings. Serves 4 people or one person for 4 days!

I'm back!

10:31 p.m. Today's project, evening version, is to return to posting after the Blogger system went down for two days. My posts for those days were notes on my Facebook profile.

This evening Steve and I spent a lovely evening with his siblings, enjoying wonderful food, and the intimate Christ-centered talk of a believing family. We spent time enjoying newly-widowed Michaele's many household projects as she opens a new chapter of her life after Larry's death in December. The Lord is really taking care of her and meeting her needs. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says,

Trust in the LORD with all your heart ,

And lean not upon your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And he shall direct your paths.

Oldest sibling Sharon is working to regain her health, and is now sporting a blood pressure lower than some of my readings! Mike and Steve's sistr Linda are gearing up for their daughter Kindra's college graduation party this weekend.

And my Steve is talking more and better, keeping up with the conversation.

We came home full of good food and encouragement for our daughter's wedding plans; Michaele is going to send me some ideas for Heidi's bridal shower dessert.

Newly energized, however, Steve and I headed into the garden to tackle another front in our war with garden pests--blocking up the gaps in our fence in the dark! We scrambled about over piles of lumber and gravel by flashlight, stacking boards and stuffing lumber into knotholes. Will it work, or will we need to camp out one of these nights to catch marauders with the blunt end of a shovel? (Or at least make loud noises)!

We joined hands and prayed to the Lord for protection for the fruit of our labor, trusting Him to meet our need. Our efforts will only succeed with the Lord help, we know! Psalm 147:10-11 declares,

He does not delight in the strength of a horse;

He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him,

In those who hope in His mercy.

So glad to be back to normal in the world of cyber ministry!

In Christ,

Dana

Sister to sister, Heart to Home

3:20 p.m. Today's project was to share and publicize our church's Heart to Home classes that will meet on Tuesday the 17th and the 24th. Kay Wardell will be teaching "Fashionable Homemade Diapers" (pictured above), and I will lead "Event Planning for Busy Women."



Heart to Home was birthed at Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley in April 2005 as an offspring of the "Willing Hearts, Willing Hands" ministry I had begun with Linda Thomson and Bonnie Lange at Harvest Christian Fellowship several years before Steve and I were led to Calvary. In 2008, Mickey Althouse began a new Heart to Home in Black Forest, Colorado! I was honored to speak at their opening session, and Steve helped the men in preparing and serving the luncheon.



We have offered classes on everything from mosaic tile table tops, quilts, chocolate candymaking, Mexican cooking, crochet, fleece blankets, strawberry jam, beauty and makeup, basic sewing, flower arranging, home economizing, painting, recognizing your child's spiritual gifts, aerobics, stencilling, sign language, beginning guitar, starting your own business, journalling, budgeting, gardening, scrapbooking, holiday decorations, canning and many more than I can remember! I offer the devotional message before classes begin. Heart to Home is also an outreach, because co-workers or family members who wouldn't come to church feel quite comfortable coming to a fun, creative and crafty event.

Now that our classes take place on Tuesday evenings during the same time slot as the men's Bible study and the high school study, women can attend classes on any subject that interests them, not limited by a one-time event. I have been blessed to meet many women I've never seen before, even as active and involved as I am!

Heart to Home is a perfect fit for the Titus 2:3-5 theme of our women's ministry. The scriptural exhortation to older, more experienced women in the church reads thus:



...that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

There are many requirements of us older women, to teach and lead, and not be drunks or slanderers, to teach godly character to our younger sisters in Christ. But two items on the list gave me pause when I first read the passage many years ago as a young believer. "Why did the Apostle Paul find it necessary to direct that young women be taught to love their husbands and children? Isn't that natural?"


My favorite commentator Albert Barnes (1798-1870) comments that this particular word for love "occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. In Ephesians 5:25, Paul directs husbands to love their wives, and in verse 33, the wife to reverence her husband, and here he says that it should be one of the first duties enjoined upon the wife that she should love her husband. All happiness in the marriage relation is based on mutual love. When that departs, happiness departs."

As for loving one's children, "Nature prompts to this, and yet there are those so depraved that they have no maternal affection...Religion re-produces natural affection where sin has weakened or destroyed it, and it is the design of Christianity to recover and invigorate all the lost and weakened sensibilities of our nature."

In our classes, we teach women to enjoy, be at peace, fulfilled in their roles as keepers of the home, even if they also have outside employment. I think of women of past generations who worked very hard physically, but still found time to bless their families with handmade items and lovingly prepared dishes and treats. We serve the women by teaching them the "good things" our scripture refers to!

Barnes notes as to keepers at home (KJV), "This does not mean, of course, that they are never to go abroad, but they are not to neglect their domestic affairs; they are not to be better known abroad than at home; they are not to omit their own duties, and become 'busybodies' in the concerns of others."

Our Heart to Home ministry aspires to offer loving encouragement and skills to bless, please and comfort the ones we love!

Clarity for All, Part II

3:56 p.m. Today's project was to praise the Lord for His good work and answers to prayers from yesterday, when I decided that "I would not need to fight the battle, but position myself, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord who is with me." (paraphrasing II Chronicles 20:17)

Yesterday opened with issues of concern on several fronts. I was needing to make financial arrangements, and all went beautifully. In order to attend a Riverside County Office of Aging Alzheimer's caregivers' support group today, Steve would need care, and I was able to take him to his friend's to help out in his orchard. And just now, 4:58 p.m., the Office on Aging called to set up an appropriate caregiver for the next 5 weeks the class runs!

I was pretty downhearted about my garden because of the gophers pulling down tomato plants, even wondering if I should let it go and concentrate on my upcoming Bible study, sales of Galatians, Heidi's wedding, and my business. As a veteran gardener who's faced some real persistent pests, I needed to ask myself the question in Jeremiah 12:5 instead of moping!

If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses?

And I needed to correct myself--again--with Proverbs 24:10:

If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

But, God had a better plan! (Doesn't He always?!) At the end of a sales appointment, my customer asked about the garden, and told me about an organic solution, a repellent plant called "Gopher Purge." I picked Steve up, we headed to Parkview Nursery, and by 1 p.m., 6 of those plants were set in our plot! And by 4 p.m., so were 6 more "Early girl" tomato plants, 6 bell peppers, I'd planted cantaloupe and watermelon, and harvested a large bunch of carrots and bag of salad greens.

On to Heidi's wedding! A family wedding is a natural non-stop exercise in problem solving, but God performed several acts of mercy for us yesterday afternoon:

1. Groom Pavel's mom called to make arrangements to host the rehearsal dinner


2. Our homeowner's insurance will cover the wedding at no additional cost


3. My Mother-of-the bride dress will be in at Dress Barn, in my size, this week

God wasn't done yet with blessing and handling the concerns of my heart! While studying I Samuel for next Thursday, I picked up a voicemail from Pastor Brad Ormonde from Harvest Christian Fellowship. He and Pastor Jeff Lasseigne had reviewed Galatians, and I should expect a call from the bookstore manager soon!

So now both my church, Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley, and Harvest will make the Bible study available to their fellowships! How I thank the Lord the Holy Spirit for leading, inspiring, and training me to write Galatians in 1987! And I thank Him for giving decisionmakers confidence in the Lord's working, as well as grace toward me.

I had a big pile of anxieties and concerns, but I have a much bigger God!