Intrusion or Encouragement - Encourage the Heart

I have always been someone who likes to encourage others.  Now don't get me wrong, I am also human and there are times that I am not a very good encourager, and tend to give a discouraging attitude.  Something that I really want to change for my day to day journey.  And that is something I work on everyday.

I have also always found it easy to write word of encouragement....I can see, feel or sense a situation and get compelled to send a note or an email letting that person know that they have someone who cares.

Not long ago I sent notes and letters to a woman who was going through a VERY difficult time with a situation her child was in.  I didn't know this woman, just read about her and her son's story in the paper. But my heart was so moved that I couldn't sleep unless I wrote her a letter, telling her someone out here in this cold world that had enveloped her, cared and would be here.  I spent over a year sending her notes and cards from time to time, until I knew the hardest part of the crisis had past.  I later found out that each time my letter made it's way to her mail box, was the exact time she was at one of her lowest points.  And that letter helped her take on another moment to her day.

Tonight, I received an email from someone else that I recently felt compelled to email.  His words effected me and challenged me to see the bigger picture.  After reading his two paragraph response to someone's blog, I searched for an email address and shared my thoughts and thanks with him.  In his response tonight he thanked me for my email and said those familiar words  "Your correspondence came at just the right time! "  


I am not sharing this to pat myself on the back.  Those of you who know me, know I really like to stay behind the scenes.  I am sharing this because in todays world, we are busy and "think" to send a word of encouragement, or if we sit down to actually send that letter or email, we take a step back, and feel I don't want to intrude or seem like a stalker.  


But if we took the time to encourage and share a few words with someone, even if they don't know us, I think the receiver wouldn't care if we intruded on their day.  I think they would not only be grateful, but may just take the time to let you know your message came at just the right time.


So I come to you in the way I do best and want to intrude on your day.........I want to encourage you to take a few moments today, to reach out to someone that you sense may be going through a difficult time. Reach out to someone you may not even know and leave a note for them, or an email in their in box.  You never know when it may make the difference in their day.  But once you do it, you will feel the difference it makes in your day.

If I could turn back time.............

Not 100% sure I would, but there are moments when I definitely would rewind and then fast forward back to the present again.  This picture is one of those times I would go back to.  

Not sure if it is the kids, the time, the day or what, but I just remember it being the 6 of us, going to take our annual fall pictures and nothing else really mattered that day.  It is so weird to me to look at that picture and see those kids all grown up and on their own.  I miss the days of the 6 of us.  


But there are many blessings I have in the present that I wouldn't trade to go back..........permanently anyway.  I love the two new kids added to the family, I adore the 5 grand kids I have and can't wait for more.  I have loved getting to know Andrew's girlfriend and am excited to take her with us to his boot camp graduation at the end of the month.  So there are tons of blessings am thankful for each and everyday.  


I guess I just find myself more and more reflective and melancholy these days.  As the last 2 move on with their lives, I find myself wondering what now.  When did I get my pink slip on being a mom. I mean yeah, you know it's always going to end up the way it does.  Kids grow up and move on with their lives, and let's be honest there are days you REALLY can't wait for that to happen.  You think you are prepared for it, and when the time finally comes, well, you feel like you were punched in the gut and something so precious and so important was ripped away from you that you it takes your breath away.


I remember Drew falling backwards one day when he was wearing his Heely shoes.  His feet went out from under him and he fell on his back.  He landed so hard, that it knocked the wind out of him.  All we could do was stand by him and tell him to relax and breathe.  To not freak out because his breath would come back. The fear in his eyes while he waited for air and then the peace that filled them once he was able to breath again was intense.  But there is a life lesson in there..........when life comes and knocks the wind out of you.............rest in the peace that breath will be brought back in and you can get up, dust yourself off and move forward on the course of your journey.


And that is where I rest in the man who has stood by me for the last 30 years, encouraging me to relax and breathe........Those are the moments that I trust him the most.  Those are the moments when I am not so quick to want to turn back time........but want to spend time in the present and really look forward to our future. 

Life changes.......

I am totally amazed how fast life whizzes by. My last entry was June 2009 and much has changed, and some has stayed the same.

I am still on the weight loss journey. I stopped losing weight and was at a stand still for months. I got my hormones checked and am now undergoing some hormone therapy. Hopefully that will start the weight loss again. I also rejoined Weight Watchers Online. It is the only thing that really worked for me in the past so now I need to get back with it, and that I am doing.

MAJOR changes for this ole' heart of mine since I last blogged.

My baby has moved on with his life. As I type this my favorite son, Andrew, is currently at Lackland AFB in boot camp. I can't tell you how proud I am of that kid, nor can I tell you how much I truly miss him. He will be back 'home' in October, although his actual home will move a little more north of here. He will be living in Spokane, Wa as he works on the AFB there and goes to college to become a pilot.

Another change that is in the works is my favorite daughter, Ashley will be moving to Vicksburg Mississippi in August. She as been accepted in AmeriCorp. That girl has always had a heart to help others and I know this is just the beginning of the many places God is going to lead her. She will be a world traveler before too long and the lives she will touch will be amazing!

My favorite son, Aaron got married in September to a wonderful, beautiful woman and we are thrilled to see how she truly completes him in life and ministry. He is well on his way to becoming a conduit between sheep and Shepard. Watching him reach out to help a hurting generation is something that makes a Mom glad she let her kid live. :-)

And while those changes are sometimes sad in my heart, I know that God has His plans and purposes for each of my kids. I was blessed to have them and I turned them over to God when He gave them to me. I know they were never really mine.........I know that God in all his generosity and compassion, lent them to me for a time and now, He is moving them forward into who He has always called them to be.

One change that really excites my heart is my oldest and her family are moving back to Washington this summer. Not only will I get my favorite daughter, Anya, and awesome son-in-law, but my 5 grandkids too. It's like God knows me, and understands that to have all my kids gone at one time might be a bit overwhelming to me, so He has destined some to come home.

And perhaps the best news to announce is that my husband and I celebrated our 30th anniversary this year. I adore that man more than words can express. He keeps me centered and when I am over emotional with all the changes going on with my kids, He gently reminds me that he is still here and not going anyway. He is the constant in my life. The one that if he is not here even for a moment, then I am not functioning at full capacity. (Some of you reading this know me well enough to know that is 100% true)

So my goal is to hopefully update this blog a little more often, to enjoy the blessings of my life a lot more often and the understand that nothing happens by chance or without purpose. All things work together for good............and when I look at my life and all that my children have become, it is VERY good.