Reflections on "The Last Lecture"

As I'm watching Diane Sawyer's tribute to the late Randy Pausch, I'm just ... WOW, I just don't know how to express my thoughts. Here's this young, vibrant dad/husband/educator - his life ended far too soon. I watch the footage of him with his 3 small children and I know how the earthly story ends. I listen to the thoughts and feelings expressed by Randy and his wife Jae and I'm just amazed at the peace that that is displayed - and it's not just words...you can look into their eyes and you see that while there is sadness, there is peace and acceptance. Now, I'm not sure that I would agree with the acceptance part...because I believe in divine healing - I believe that Christ means what he says and that we are healed by his stripes. Why, then is there death and sickness? Two words...ORIGINAL SIN!!! The God that I serve, the one I love and worship and adore...He is NOT a God of death and destruction...but one of mercy, grace, love, healing and abundant LIFE - and these great and precious gifts are FREE for everyone BUT (ya know there's always a big ol but) we must BELIEVE and RECEIVE WITHOUT DOUBT!! So many times, we pray and "hope" that God will heal...or think he "might" heal this person or that one or ME! Or we say/think that God will heal others but don't think He'll do it for them(me). He totally will and wants to but we have to be willing to get out of the way and believe without doubt. Dear Father, help me to grow in faith...to believe without doubt that you'll do what you've promised. Father I do believe but help and forgive my unbelief. In Jesus' name...Amen.

Six Random Things About Myself

One of my favorite blog buddies (http://www.skirkman.blogspot.com/)"tagged" me with a new meme (thoughts transmitted from one blogger to a group) and each member of the group answers the same questions/ideas and continues the process.Here are the tag rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you.

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Write six random things about yourself.

4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.

5. Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.





#1 Random Thing:
I sang background vocals for Jeff Cook (lead guitar and singer in the group ALABAMA) and The Chosen Few...yes, I was one of the "chosen few"



#2 Random Thing:
For 3 years, I sang professionally with the Voices of Liberty at Walt Disney's EPCOT Center - best job I've ever had...soooo much fun!



#3 Random Thing
I sung "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" with it's original lyricist, Ralph Blane http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Blane - he sang the song beautifully every year at Disney's Christmas Candlelight Ceremony until his death at the age of 81.

#4 Random Thing
I attended 5 colleges (Tennessee Wesleyan, Lee University, Cleveland State, Valencia Comm. College, Armstrong Atlantic State Univ.) over a 9 year period, starting in the fall of '85 and FINALLY finishing in '99. I started out as a music education major with an emphasis in vocal and choral music in '85 but graduated '99 with a bachelor's degree in early childhood ed. ( I took a break from higher education from '91 - '94 to sing at WDW)

#5 Random Thing
I enjoy entertaining, having parties, etc...but don't do it often because my kids keep my house an absolute wreck!

#6
I almost attended Hiawassee Jr. College in Maryville, TN on partial scholarships for fast pitch softball and music.


soooooo, I have hardly anyone to tag cuz Skoot1 and Turning Points already tagged everyone I know except for:

Nancy- encourager, loving mother, great friend

Alex - preacher, teacher and all around cool dude - sorry to tag you but our bloggin' buds left me no choice =0)

Heard tonight...

Dinner table....

Me: "Okay Garrett, say the blessing."

We all bow our heads and Garrett begins

"God is great, God is good..." (Then he stops...opens his eyes and says:)

"okay spread out"

Sebe and I look at each other and grin because we weren't quite sure what he wanted us to do. He's said this a couple of other times and we've just kinda grinned and moved on not really knowing what he was talking about. However, that has all changed because he was insistant that we "spread out".

Garrett starts making all these motion and flappin his arms and saying "y'all spread out, spread out"and then...we had a revelation...we finally understood what he was trying to get us to do...
he wanted us to "spread out" our arms and hold hands to pray!

All together now...."Awhhhhhhh..."

What WILL I be when I grow up?

Well, here I sit on a Sunday night, surrounded by all the wonderful things in my life...namely my husband and children. God has also blessed us with all (and then some) that we need as far material possessions go. I know how blessed and fortunate I am...soooo why do I feel so...BLAAAH?

In recent weeks, I have had opportunity to hear about some wonderful things that some of my singer friends are doing or have done. All of them I met while singing at the "Mouse's House" otherwise known as Walt Disney World. My former roommate and singing buddy is getting ready to record her second solo album which is being produced by none other than the fab-tabulous Babbie Mason. Another has traveled with Dr. Jeremiah and his Turning Points Ministry...still others are doing studio work on a regular basis...and the list goes on and on. Now, I'm so happy that they are able to do what they love and are good at...BUUUUUT....(ya know there's always a big but somewhere) I find my flesh being envious and asking..."What about me?" "What happened to my dream?" "Where'd my voice go?" Yes, my flesh is REAL chatty and rather annoying at times!!!! Anyway, as I continue on the journey to regain my voice I find myself frustrated and envious...frustrated that all the "stuff" I'm re-learning isn't coming as quickly as I'd like for it to and envious because I'm not doing as much singing as I thought I'd be doing at this point in my life (nor am I doing it as well - unfortunately). I know I sound like a selfish little "poopie diaper" (infamous Garrett words). I just want my voice to be strong and clear like it used to be...I know it can't sound the same cuz I'm older (and one would think wiser...but alas). I just want to be free from these vocal limitations...free to sing as loud and as long as I want or need to...I want to be able to worship without my voice just stopping or getting all goofy! I know that I have a lot of work to do as far as reconditioning my voice and I haven't been able to devote as much time as I need to or want to...I guess this is just my little tantrum. I think I'm done now...or maybe not. Thanks for listening (well actually reading). Pray that God will give me patience and endurance to press on so that God can be faithful to complete the good work He began in me. Pray for my flesh...it is sooooo pesky in this area.

Thanks friends.

Out of the mouths of babes

So the other day, while waiting in the van for DH and DD at the kennel, I notice my 3 year old DS playing with some change and then out of the blue he says "God". So I inquired..."What about God, Garrett?" "God is for saving me." he replies and then continues on saying, "God is for saving everybody and this money is for gifts." So I asked, "Gifts for who?" DS says, "Gifts for God, Mommy!" Now, this may not seem like something significant to you but to me, to be watching my 3 year old arranging and stacking coins and hear him say that right out of the blue...I don't know, it just says something to me about the "faith of a child." DS didn't try to rationalize God's saving grace he just proclaimed it...very "matter of fact" with profound certainity. I think children have a innate spirituality and while we are born with a sinful nature, as children we are much more receptive and sensitive to the Holy Spirit. I hear it in the words and expressed thoughts of both of my children. Several weeks ago, on our way to a family outting, DS says, "There's God." So I asked him where God was (thinking there was a church sponsored billboard nearby). However, he pointed straight out the front windshield and said, "Right there in front of the car."

I want my children to grow up knowing and believing that Jesus heals their infirmities, cares about the little things in their lives, knows them (every part of them) and loves them unconditionally. I also know that sometimes, my flesh is very strong and I don't always "practice what I preach" so to speak. Many times I am weak, but then I hear and see the faith of my children in little things and realize that in my weakness HE is strong and that HE'LL use me in spite of myself to minister to my children. And in so many ways, HE uses my children to minister to me and to strengthen my faith.

"And a little child shall lead them..."