A needle sticks to ministry

4:52 p.m. Today's project was to sleep in until 8 o'clock, because I'd been up until 11:30 last night, filling out financial aid paperwork online for Steven, and taking my mint chocolate meringues out of the oven.

I got Steve up and going, and we both had our morning devotions. No breakfast for me, not even creamer in my coffee, because a life insurance medical examiner was due at 10:00 to take blood and a urine sample for my application! She'd have a scale in tow as well, I bet, so the pressure was on to dress light and weigh as little as possible!

Not anyone's idea of a fun morning, but very critical for me. I'd been having months of disappointment in qualifying for insurance since I retired from the school district. Leaving the teachers' union meant leaving my life policy of $100,000, pretty much a minimum as it was, with Steve unable to work. I'm not getting any younger, either. I was persuaded by Select Quote's ubiquitous radio commercials to apply with them, but it took months for them to contact my doctor, surgeons, and oncologist from my 2003 bout with breast cancer. The lump was barely a millimeter in size, removed within 2 weeks of discovery--praise God for our HMO-- and every test since then, blood or mamogram, had come back negative. Last spring I had even had a thorough medical exam with fluids, taken for Select Quote.

The company they chose, West Coast Life, finally offered me a "rated," or more expensive policy with a company that drew the "survivor" line at seven years, when five years is considered a survivor for non-recurring cancer.

(Sorry about all these details, but I was a life insurance agent myself with Connecticut General, before getting saved and becoming a Christian school teacher in 1980).

I was pretty resigned, until the Lord had an agent contact us over Steve's policy. The agent came over, and I brought up my own quandary at the end of the appointment. Sean (the agent) quickly took my app, and I'm now on track to get life insurance at a standard--healthy people's--rate!

Psalm 28:7 says, "The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him and I am helped." Help is on the way!

About 9:50, there was a furious pounding at our bedroom door, but I couldn't answer because I was indisposed and the radio was blasting. I opened the door and looked downstairs to see Sherry, an examiner who's been to our home several times for assorted insurance brokers. Kind of a good, pleasant, people-oriented job, don't you think? And you could make your own hours for appointments, too. But I digress. I called out, "The appt. is for 10:00 and I timed myself for that," and she cheerfully answered, "It's 9:56." "So I have 4 more minutes," I laughed.

We caught up, talked a bit about Steve's plight and my retirement, and then proceeded with the questions: "Do you have AIDS? Are you a drug addict?" Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, (I Corinthians 15:57) almost all of my answers were a resounding NO. Seriously, I am very grateful not to be on any prescriptions or have any physical ailments. I didn't like sharing about my mother's unlawful death, but on the positive side, my dad is still alive and energetic at 82.

Now came the dreaded cancer questions, which I answered speedily, a sign of much practice. Sherry then had a surprise for me. "I have a consult with my surgeon tomorrow. They found two nodules in my left breast on a mammogram." We were on a whole new ground now...

Sherry asked me lots of questions about radiation, and my treatment choice--no chemo. She also mentioned that her husband had died of a strange, incurable cancer of the muscles 14 years ago at the age of 41. I gave her a card for this blog so she can seek some encouragement, and I promised to pray for her, writing down the details.

Since I had dressed for August (!), my weight was good, and all bodily fluids were properly extracted and stored. The exam was finished and my stomach was rumbling! But I knew why this particular examiner had been sent to our home--God knew her need, and gave her the confidence to make it known! As she left, Sherry said, "Pray for me! Just pray for me, please!"

I am, and I will!

The genes we pass on

2:27 p.m. Today's project was to pay the city utility bill, and praise the Lord as I drove downtown for providing the funds in His timing, and in answer to prayer! Both of our mortgage payments had cleared as well, hallelujah!

The finances came from two unexpected sources: a direct deposit from our annuity (which I'd requested in writing but hadn't thought about lately); additionally, my daughter Heather brought over 2 months' worth of payments to me for her Parent Plus student loan from her Brooks Photography School attendance.

Heather (featured with me in "switched" outfits) has resembled me physically since she was a tot; in fact, we were featured in a newspaper mother-daughter lookalike contest when she was three. We're about the same size, same blue eyes, natural hair color, and for good or ill, we both have very outgoing personalities! The party starts when Heather comes in the door.

Heather's current job, which requires "suiting up" for official events, is as an administrative assistant to Republican Assemblyman Bill Emmerson out of Rancho Cucamonga. A more senior staff member told me yesterday that Heather has revitalized the whole atmosphere in the office since she joined them, and they just "love her to death!" That's a lovely thing for a mother to hear, because we raised our family to believe that "The joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10) Joy and laughter, absurdity and uproar, were the hallmarks of our home. The Christian life, without qualification, is the most exciting life possible this side of heaven!

An unusual characteristic of our family was our involvement in local politics. Steve, the kids and I campaigned tirelessly for my three successful election campaigns for Riverside School Board on a "Back to Basics, " "Parents' choice" platform. The district was turned around as teacher union political control was broken, crude sex education was tossed, teachers could pray together during their lunch hour, and instruction in phonics was reinstated. We as a family attended many events and conferences, and the kids knew the major local political players. The Lord called me to public service, and 13 years later, called me to leave it, as I began spending more time in women's ministry and missions.

As is often the case with kids of well-known parents, mine vowed that they "hated politics" and claimed to be totally burnt out. And that's okay--they are free to live their own lives, just in the Lord, is my abiding concern. Heather, who married last year, has tended to lean to the liberal side, but we can agree to disagree fairly agreeably. The five kids never fail to vote, though!

Imagine, then, my surprise when she accepted a position with a Republican assemblyman! Steve and I enjoyed a good chuckle over that, even doing a little boogie dance of victory on hearing the news! Hee Hee! Yes, conservatism had seeped into the kids' subconscious brains! Our groundwork was not in vain, even though we have had to endure their protestations. Once they have kids, they'll become even more conservative, when high taxes taken from paychecks affect more than just themselves. Our oldest, the 34-year-old father of two and former business owner, is more conservative than we are!

Heather has risen rapidly in the Emmerson organization, representing him on Tuesdays in Grand Terrace; doing official photography; and creating event invitation layouts. Just yesterday, she was responsible for the advance work for Assemblyman Emmerson's visit to a Colton elementary school.

"Train up a child in the way (s)he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it," Proverbs 22:6 says. Heather's been bitten by the political bug--YES!

And I don't mind if Heather keeps on using the designer suit I once wore for my swearing-in to a third term of office! She does Mom proud.

Sweet relief

4:53 p.m. Today's project was to deliver a tube of hand cream to a new customer, a stranger, actually, to whom I'd randomly given a sample in line at Vons over a week ago. I was delighted with her call yesterday afternoon, because of the rarity of that kind of initiative. When she mentioned that she'd be home all day because she homeschools her kids, I thought, "maybe she's a Christian!" this added to the anticipation of the business opportunity. Ecclesiastes 11:1 tells us, "Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days." Thank you, Lord!

In what has become a pattern the last few days during our financial trial, I awoke early, perturbed, but hopeful that the Lord would act in our behalf. I was experiencung that odd dichotomy of Christian living when your need is great, there's no reasonable expectation of deliverance from any source you can think of, but you have responsibilities to meet and duties to carry out, so you think of ways to cobble together a solution. Any parent is familiar with the childish reasoning our youngsters resort to, saying, "I'll just do this, and go over here, and call this person, and then I'll say, etc.," when you know their problem will take adult intervention, and you know exactly how you will help, or even take the lead, in solving it. That is how we must sound to God, I think! Aren't you glad He loves His kids? And that He already knows what He plans to do? He also adds in his gracious touches at no charge, just to cheer our hearts!

I arrived at my customer's Wood Streets home in the rain, well protected with a waterproof jacket that had weathered a downpour in London a few years ago. My new friend greeted me, and within minutes, we were enjoying the fellowship of commonality around homeschooling. She was teaching her 2nd and 4th graders, like I had taught my eldest son 24 years ago. The difference is that parents today have a huge variety of curricula to choose from as well as the opportunity to affiliate with charter schools. Sean and I had the A Beka Christian curriculum, my choice because I had taught several elementary grades with it. We belonged to a large "umbrella" group out of Corona, with most families belonging to Harvest or Crossroads. Christian attorneys were available pro bono, in case a family found themselves harassed by the local public district for "truancy." Homescholing was considered as quirky then as it is common today!

Of course, now, there are so many millions of homeschool families, that the California Dept. of Education has stopped trying to arrest parents. Our old nemesis Delaine Eastin has long since left her post as Secretary of Education, and hallelujah to that! I had more than one run-in with Mrs. Eastin when I was president of a statewide conservative school board members' organization, even debating her in a regional forum!

Sharing our testimonies while my customer's well-behaved children quietly did their work made for a particularly pleasant morning, a sweet surprise. I did a very little grocery shopping, made a cash deposit at the bank, and it was time to head up to the UPS store in Canyon Crest to ship back a coat for Heidi.

A call to the State Disability agency (E.D.D.) revealed that they had never received the form from Steve's doctor that was holding up the release of three scheduled payments! A very helpful agent named Liz told me that I could use a one-time fax number and that a check would be sent out within 24 hours of receiving the form. Encouraged, I contacted the doctor's office and stated my case tactfully while making the seriousness of the situation evident. I made up some gifts for the doctor and his staff. They really have worked hard to meet the deadlines required by the agencies we deal with, so I didn't have the heart to scold the staff! I'd rather bless them.

Meanwhile, my friend Charlotte popped over to do a little book exchange of Christian fiction. We not only enjoyed her chocolate "haystack" cookies (shown above), but discussed lots of spiritual matters, such as ideas for ministries, corporate prayer, and recognizing and using gifts of the Spirit.

Before we knew it, it was 4:00, and time for Charlotte to head home with her bag of books. She'll be seeing unsaved and backslidden family members on an upcoming trip, so I'll be keeping her covered in prayer.

As Steve and I delivered our gifts to the doctor's office and received our copy of the medical form, I reflected on the two interludes of friendship and fellowship I had been graced with today. Wouldn't have thought I'd had time, but God, the Maker of time, knew just what I needed!

What a Friend we have in Jesus!

Obedience trumps embarassment

1:47 p.m. Today's project, after church, was to take a bag full of beautiful clothing gifts for my daughters and daughters-in-law, and return them to Coldwater Creek in the elegant Victoria Gardens shopping "city" for a refund. Ouch!

I had bought these clothes and stocking stuffers the day after Thanksgiving when finances were in good order and Steve's Social Security payments had begun, so stewardship was not an issue. Living on a fixed income takes some getting used to, especially if a bureaucracy is in control of the distribution of that income! Like us, those who have dealt with State unemployment and/or disablility benefits have hit some real gaps in delivery, whereas pensions and annuity income are very reliable, being based on private earnings. A nasty surprise was on the way!

Checks had come along very regularly until early November, when Steve began receiving odd amounts, like $72, while the stub stated that his weekly pay was much more! What? We speedily gave the form we received to fill out to our doctor as to Steve's current condition, and were assured that it was mailed to E.D.D. in the addressed, stamped envelope we had provided. I am very on top of paperwork and return all agency demands immediately, and this was no exception. We spoke to an agent and were told that 10 days after receipt of the doctor's signed form, the next check would be issued. Praise the Lord--Steve hadn't been summarily dismissed from his benefits, we were relieved to know!

It is now December, 1/3 of our income is missing, and major bills are due! I had only removed the few items I had worn from the huge bag, but the rest were still wrapped in tissue paper. I prayed about it this morning, and God showed me where the receipt was, in its tidy Ziploc bag, and I knew what I had to do! My hesitation was based on the 20 mile distance and my low gas tank; causing a salesgirl to lose her commission; and some embarassment, although a customer always has the right to return unworn clothing items. I had even taken my darling owl ornament off the tree when the Lord reminded me that its delicate wood-shaving tail had broken off and I'd Tacky-glued it, so it could not be returned--even if it does look flawless now!

Christians are reminded in Romans 12:17, KJV, "Provide things honest in the sight of all men." And that is my intention, no matter the temptation!

Steve and I took off after church, eating the pack lunch I had assembled of string cheese, wheat rolls, an apple and veggie chips. It was cold and breezy as we exited the car and strode a couple of blocks on the city-style walkways of Victoria Gardens. The line at the Coldwater Creek counter was pretty short, and in no time, the manager was asking me, "Do you want to return all this? Even the chocolates?" "Yes," I said, simply concurring, because there was no explanation required. I was glad the manager "just happened" to be the person helping me, because she had to type in all of the skew numbers item by item , while an associate next to her was struggling with the return of only two items from her customer! Nevertheless, it was a tedious process, but Steve handled it well, just window shopping around the store.

Oddly, I wasn't embarassed, any more than someone else might be who was returning a garment for a wrong fit or color. Knowing why I had to return the gifts was painful, but basic necessities of life are more important than impressing others with my good taste, and I can practice toned-down gift-giving this Christmas with the presents I've already purchased. Our family being together in love and support for their dad is what matters most, in an earthly sense. And we are very blessed in that regard.

But spiritually, Christians practice obedience because we respect and revere the One we are obeying! the prophet Samuel told King Saul that God required obedience, not sacrifice, in I Samuel 15:22; and our ultimate example, Jesus, we are told in Philippians 2:8-9, "...humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name that is above every name..."

If I want to receive blessing and commendation from my Lord one day in His presence in heaven, I must obey while in His presence here on earth!

I have no good answer for that

4:24 p.m. Today's project was to finish decorating the Christmas tree, adding the special, most elegant ornaments I always save for last. Most prominent of these is the triptych of Jesus' birth, infancy, and the visit of the kings of the east. Included in this grouping are crosstitched ornaments, adorable porcelain angels with actual feathers, Focus on the Family nativities, beautiful bird medallions, official White House ornaments from 1989 and 2008, and a swiveling carriage set in red and gold, a souvenir from the Tower of London.

Our late morning began at 9:00 a.m., the actual time I set the alarm for when I went to bed at 1:00 a.m. I'd been up washing tableware and goblets by hand after a wonderful Christmas event at church. (And also had to finish yesterday's blog and post event pictures. Silly, I know!)

I realized we were cutting it close because my Dad was due to come over about 10:00 with samples of the apple pie he had made. Imagine starting your baking career at 82! Like Grandma Moses who began painting Americana scenes in her 80's, it will be "Grandpa Gray's Pies!" Daddy did come over, and his pie was tasty, though more work needed on handling the pre-frozen crust, but I shudder to look back on my first pie crust 35 years ago! That was back in the day when one wouldn't think of buying a pie crust, so you just had to learn how to handle the lard that made crusts SO flaky-delicious! Steve and Daddy went out to inspect the winter garden, and we had a pleasant visit.

Time for the step ladder so Steve could hang some large, heavy baubles up towards the top. He had been a little disoriented this morning during devotions, and a bit off balance, even stumbling in the kitchen, so I handed him up one item at a time. We had our Christmas music going for inspiration. Mercy Me's "Christmas Sessions," was a precious reminder of the two years of Christmas programs at Ina Arbuckle when I taught my classes the rocking Christian version of "Angels We Have Heard on High," and the country-influenced "Silent Night" from that collection.

Much as I love that album, my all-time favorite is Neil Diamond's Christmas album. Running a close second are Mannheim Steamroller's two albums.

Not all was idyllic this afternoon, however. When a comment was made as to the lack of width to our tree, that it wasn't as full as another tree they'd seen, or even others we have had in the past, the best I could answer was, "at the time we reserved it, we had no idea whether your dad would have any help loading it or bringing it in." Turns out Kriss did come out and help, but at the moment when you need to make a choice, you just have to "go with what you know!"

In the past, I might have come back with some snappy rejoinder, but I just did not have a good answer for the relative narrowness of the tree, not even the excuse of money, because the trees are sold by height, not width. I accepted the offer of helping select next year's tree with a sigh, and went back to living life in today's real world.

Is it actually necessary to have an answer every time someone makes a comment that wasn't necessary, helpful, or thoughtful? It's unfortunate, but I can't always expect another person to read the "vibe" in the house before they speak...I'd rather just ascribe good will to them and go on to duties and concerns that are more pressing than engaging every comment.

There is a time when Christians are to have an answer, to engage, inspire, and challenge: that's when asked about our faith! "What keeps you going? You must be overwhelmed! How are you managing?" are questions I have the privilege of answering almost every day for fellow believers and the unsaved alike. And it is a privilege to represent my Lord in trials with faith, good outlook, and confidence, "for I know whom I have believed." (II Timothy 1:12)

In matters of testifying to the truth of the gospel, Christians are to be ready to witness at all times! I Peter 3:15 tells us, "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is within you..."

Isn't it great to know that we do have a good answer for the most important question of life--"What must I do to be saved?"

Ladies' Christmas Dinner

3:41 p.m. Today's project was to get all of my items into the Jeep, take them to church, set a festive table, and welcome the ladies God will send to sit with me at Calvary Chapel of Moreno Valley's annual Christmas dinner. Praying, planning, gathering and enjoying the look and feel of my Christmas plates, cups, saucers, sugar and creamer set, pitcher and glasses is half the fun--it starts off my Christmas season in a beautiful way. And this year, the date coincided with our setting up and decorating our tree and both the inside and outside of our home. Fun, fun!

Upon arrival at the sanctuary, I once again enjoyed the fellowship of my precious sisters, setting up gorgeous tables of their own. Gold, blue, white, red and green, all the colors of this joyous season were represented to bring the traditional remembrance and celebration of Christ's birth! And that is what makes our evening special--Jesus is at the center of our efforts. This evening is dedicated to the One who saved and sanctified me, my Love, my LORD!

Yet, a sadness is among our group tonight, because a dear sister lost her husband to a sudden, massive heart attack yesterday. We are all prayerful for Debi, and she will not be alone, for

"Thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me," Psalm 23 assures us all, no matter what comesw our way.

11:33 p.m. Back at home, I reflect as Steve and I get the table service unpacked so much of it can be handwashed. We enjoyed a wonderful evening of carols and a devotional by Robin, and I even had the fun of being part of a small chorus onstage. We ate a fine meal of salad, with trimmings, potato soup in bread bowls, and homemade sugar cookies in the shape of snowflakes--huge and yummy. The other cookies were the round, powdery Mexican wedding cookies I love so much but oddly, never bake myself!

After we closed in prayer, the men of the church helped us all pack up our belongings while others of them were already vacuuming and setting up chairs for Sunday morning's services. These guys had already cooked and served our meal--may the Lord bless them for their servants' hearts!

Now my Christmas season is off to a perfect start in the Name and for the glory of Jesus!

Blessed and busy Thursday

3:54 p.m. Today's project was to take care of many errands that won't be able to be accomplished on Friday, because of my preparations for hosting a table at our church's Ladies' Christmas dinner. I expect to be gone from 10:30 for my hair appointment, then a quick free (!) Chick-Fil-A sandwich, and then to church to set up my table, host and enjoy the dinner and program and be home around 10:00 p.m. after the cleanup!



My running around day began with delivering handcream and a free, decorated gift to a business owner in the Canyon Crest Towne Centre. I stopped in at Ralphs to get some milk and other groceries, disciplining myself to spend cash and only buy with coupons, except for the corn oil. Nobody's perfect, ok? Then, on a recommendation from Heidi, I popped into the Dollar Tree on Chicago, where I bought my white "Candle-lite" brand tapers for tomorrow night, square mirrors to catch any drips, 2 Snickers fudge bars, and two packs of some funky brand of AA batteries for a grand total of $7.00!


Back at home, I worked on gathering and wrapping tableware and decorations, and got ready for more errands. Steve and I went to Kmart to pay off and pick up our layaway gifts. What a long, tedious process, not because of the number of people, but because of one couple double-checking 28 separate items--and naturally, their toddler was yelling, making any kind of conversation near impossible! Oh well, we just "redeemed the time" together, and were so happy to get up to the counter and make our escape out the door and on to Petco, where we saved $9.00 between a sale on our monthly 40 lb bag of IAMS Large Breed, and our $5.00 coupon.


Next stop was the chiropractor's office to deliver some eye makeup remover to one of the massage therapists, making for two sales in one day. Small business still lives in the U.S.! Lots of driving, but we had a nice tour down Van Buren to Washington, through lovely homes and scenic views down to Indiana Street, our destination. A bank deposit later, we were on our way up the hill on Central.


Home again, home again, fiddledee-dee! Now I had to get serious about wrapping cups, saucers, creamer, sugar bowl, coffee and tea pots from my sets in newspaper, and Steve starting to place boxes in the Jeep. All that's left to do is wrap the dinner plates, pack them into the rolling suitcase, and I'll be ready for tomorrow. After four years, I finally came up with an idea to provide fresh, hot coffee for my tableguests without running home. I'll buy two or three cups of steaming hot coffee at a fast food or AM/PM after my table is set, pour it into the carafe, and voila! Hot coffee to put into the coffee pot later!

Isn't God good to inspire us, even in the smallest matters? Jesus told us in Luke 12:6-7, "Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."

As the song says, and I wholeheartedly concur, "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He's watching me!" Jesus watches us lovingly, like we watch over our children, encouraging and whispering through the Holy Spirit "go this way--do it like this--wait a while longer to make that call--send her a note" in His still, small voice.

No concerns of ours are truly small, because the way we handle them shapes our habits and character. And character is what concerns our Heavenly Father.