Christner Chronicles

So the New Year's resolution...post more on here :-)

2012-01-04T08:20:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012. This year, I would like to spend more time reflecting on the blessings which God has given me. Finding the beauty hidden within the multiple problems and trials which come into every person's life.... I am ever so thankful for the opportunity to delve into the abundant grace and comforting love of Jesus this past year as I experienced the loss of my father, Rev. Ralph C. Raley. It was a tremendous earthly loss, yet I can only feel overwhelming joy that he is experiencing the wonder and beauty of Heaven right now!!!

A couple of highlights from this past year was the precious gift which my husband gave me after the funeral and stress from all that losing Daddy entailed...he took me to South Carolina before turning North to go home. I spent hours sitting by the ocean and unwinding, re-focusing, and making sense of my "new normal" life as an "orphan." The realization that with my Heavenly Father, I am never alone, brought immeasurable comfort.

Also, I enjoyed a beautiful Thanksgiving in the Great Smokey Moutains with family at a gorgeous cabin. Albeit, it was not without some unhappy moments...or uh, days, in which we were flattened with the worst virus I have experienced in years....ugh! Don't get me started on that, but regardless, God is good ALL the time and I treasure the memories of the days prior to and after the BIG event!!!! So with that in mind, hope you enjoyed pictures from those two trips and I will post more this year....I hope :-)

Thanksgiving Tidbits

2010-11-21T11:52:00.000-08:00

Today, if I can find anything to write about, it would be about the people that we minister to at this church. They are, without doubt, the best people on the face of the earth. I am thankful for them and all that they do to help us in the ministry. I love each of them as if they were my own parents/grandparents/kids/siblings!!! Thank you all my church family for being the precious gift that you are to me....
I would write about how thankful I am for my parents and the Godly heritage they gave me. I never remember a time that I wasn't in church. The years roll back at the memory of fun times around the table, in the living room by the tree, at church functions...the list could go on. I'm thankful that they sacrificed and gave me a foundation in God....
I could write about my precious mother and father-in-law...all they did to raise an absolutely wonderful son who is the most tender, gentle father and pastor...a good provider for us. I am thankful for all they do and what they are...I love you mom and dad.
In a couple of words, Thank you God for everything!!!!!

Hello my dear friends...

2010-09-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

I am so mortified that I have only posted on here once this year...hmm, the pitfalls of Facebook. LOL...couldn't resist. So much has happened and changed in this year.
We have seen growth in our church members and in the number of people attending. Relationships are budding and growing. The process is slow, frustrating, painful, but oh, so joyful. We look back and then see where changes, though subtle, have taken place. That gives us the courage to go forward.
In other news, this mother heart is sad, proud and not a little terrified. My baby girl started kindergarten. Now this is a good thing except that I am her teacher! Not me! But she told my niece the other day after her first class time, "Mommy taught me lots of fun stuff. She's the best teacher in the world." That did my heart good and made me more determined than ever to do right in her education!
We had a back-to-school camp out with the girls from our church group. This was great fun for them and a trial like no other for me. My idea of camping is to sink into a heart shaped jacuzzi (sporting fragrant bubbles up to my chin) to the background of a crackling fire in a stone fireplace in a five star chalet. Preferably this little piece of heaven is nestled in a mountain hideaway with a bubbling little stream dancing merrily alongside the deck (which is equipped with a hot tub).
Somehow, laying on the cold, hard ground outside a tent that is literally about to collapse from the activity and gales of laughter emanating from within its canvas (or whatever it is) walls is not my idea of fun.
Thankfully, our good friend and camper par excellence, Jason, was along. After taking these active little rascals on a terrifying hike through bramble, briers and utter darkness (a trip throughout which I moaned, muttered and threatened great harm to the leader of the pack under my breath) he finally saw my efforts at restoring calm, quiet and sleepiness were failing utterly. Taking pity upon my over-strained equilibrium, he came and sat in the door of the tent while Alan manned the fires and fended off the bears, snakes and other harmful creatures I was sure were about to eat us all. I lay in an exhausted heap on a blanket outside on the ground, while Jason talked in his most calming reasonable voice to these excited (what I now viewed as the wild animals) girls until they literally dropped off mid-sentence. It was funny but much appreciated. Goes to show what a good dad can do. . . and so many of these girls have no father figure in their life. It was heart rending and touching to see how they wanted to be with Alan and Jason at all times.
All in all they had a blast. Jay took them on another grueling hike, gave them rides on an old rope swing in the woods, then took them to KOA to swim and fish. It was fun to watch them having fun. But by the time I got to my bed, I knew I wasn't fifteen anymore! Every one of my 32 years were heavy on me! Oh, and I failed to mention that we never slept till 3 am Sunday morning because Emily got a poisonous bite on her ankle and had to make a trip to the ER late that night. I had only had an hour and half sleep since Thursday night. Alan had none! But it was worth every minute of it for those girls' sake!
So now we are almost to Sunday, September 12,2010. This is the day of celebration for our church. A 60th Anniversary celebration...wow, I am so excited to see all of the people who used to pastor here and attend. We have people coming from Mexico, Colorado, Florida, etc... to join us on this special day.
Now, I am so tired just thinking about that camping trip and all I have to do, I think I'll quit for now and try to do more later!!!! Pics I hope.

So, yeah, ummm, It's me again

2010-02-10T04:14:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody, We are so busy here that I cannot believe how far behind I am in posting. So many things to tell, so many pics I want to post, but no time. Little Timothy is growing bigger everyday and is more and more my little boy and not my little baby. This mommy heart breaks at how fast the time is going with my little one's, but I am trying to remember to enjoy every second with them.
We are now having attendance at the church of anywhere from 30-40 on Wednesdays, and 20 something-30 on Sundays. Kids Club is doing sooo well and the children are really having a great time. Also, some parents have started attending and enjoying it as much as the kiddos!!!! We are so thankful and excited.
Right now, we are buried in almost two feet of snow and I personally am enjoying the break from the wild schedule we normally keep. It is so beautiful and relaxing to watch the flakes pouring, yes pouring - not drifting, down from the leaden skies. We were not able to have church Sunday and now we won't be having it tonight as the Storm Warning is in effect until 7 p.m. I will miss all my "little youngins'" as I fondly call them, though. Still, this has given us time as a family to enjoy being together, watch a fun movie, have a snacking party at midnight, laugh like crazy at the kids' antics and cuddle on the couch with the kids and a nice storybook.
Timothy has rythm in his blood and just recently has started dancing all over the place. Anytime he hears happy music, his chubby little legs start prancing up and down. It is soooo cute to see his little diaper shakin' to the beat!!! We laugh so hard when he does this. He is a typical baby-of-the-family with all of his funny antics!
Well, I will post more later, but for now...remember Spring will soon be here and God is always looking after His children in such a loving and special way. He is faithful to all in all things!!! Love you all.....

Ummmm....I did it again...that's right...I'm behind again!

2009-09-24T20:13:00.000-07:00

Ahhh....take a deep cleansing breath with me (nope, I'm not into yoga, guys) and catch the scent of woodsmoke, freshly cut hay, and apple cider warming on the stove. Yes! It's that time of year again. My most favorite season of all is back in full force!!! I LOVE AUTUMN. Fall is my favorite season. Strangely enough, I find myself more energetic and bubbly than at any other time of the year.
Two weeks from now my little baby boy, Timothy, will turn ONE YEAR OLD!!! Oh dear, where did the time get to. That is soooo depressing. But, we are enjoying all of his sweet little antics, his very chubby legs trembling with the effort of walking along holding to the edge of the couch, his developing sense of humor when he shouts back, "Boof" to our cries of "BOO!" A mild-natured child who is sooo full of love for Em-em, Mom-mum, and DaaDaa. Our little Timothy is a precious little fellow whom we thank God for every day.
Emily is our little live wire. Full of passion from weeping, fury, laughing, playing, etc...she never gives us a dull moment around the house...and we love our little girl sooo much, as well. She has invented a new name for herself...."Daddy's little Soup Hog" Where that came from, I'll never know, but it certainly cracked us up! She also sang loudly after kid's club the other night, "Joshua fought the battle a year ago, year ago...."
So, I am planning to haul out the fall decor tommorrow and let the joy of color surround us as we bask in the waning glow of summer and relish the brilliant display that is already stealing into the green canopy of nature.
We are busy with church growth and cultivation....don't get me started there, but let me say, All the glory belongs to Jesus Who is helping us in a very special way. He is showing such grace to us as we endeavor to bring souls to Him. And, for now, that's about all I can think of to share.
More from the well-spring of activity later....Hold to God's unchanging hand as the seasons change!!!

Time has ceased to march and has begun to fly!!!!

2009-07-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody, I am once again embarressed to find myself so far behind in blogging....but, we have had a riotous two months going on. My mother-in-law had hip replacement surgery in June, we have had multiple car problems, a teething baby, tending to my exploding with weeds and produce garden, a GREAT music service with God's Bible School quartet, started a Kidz of Promise Kidz Club on Wednesday nights, getting ready for VBS (starts tonight) and taking teens to Youth Camp next week if they decide to go...(gasp, pant, pant, gulp.....) Do you see why you have not heard from me in awhile?
I am sooooo happy to be busy though. Thank God for His help in our fledgling ministries at the church! We are so excited to see what God is doing and how His Spirit is working in the lives of people around us, drawing them to come to Jesus!! Keep us in your prayers for this week as we work with many little children!!!! More when I have time...

Please, whatever you do, DONT throw me in the Briar Patch

2009-05-14T21:58:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody! I am writing this from inside my storm shelter. I know it probably will stir up a lot of feelings and very possibly some disagreement, but that's okay. Just the same I came in here in case the rotten eggs, tomatoes and other objects began to fly my direction. Also, the writer's group that I am with encourages us to write fifteen hundred words daily and so I am trying to do that some. This has not been proofed at all, just straight from the heart. P.S. I did NOT make it to fifteen hundred for those who are interested....only 1,209 words. Oh well, maybe these will count for something. I love you guys!

Writing fifteen hundred words a day is a hard thing to do on the surface. However, when one considers how much time is wasted on Facebook, Myspace or some other social network, then the time it takes to write these words is really not that much. I will be the first to admit that the internet is an amazing tool. You can find almost anybody, anytime. If you are willing to pay the price, you can almost find out the sizes of underwear they have used for the last fifteen years!
What is more important, though? Are we as a nation willing to sacrifice the edifying and growth of the mind on the altar of technology. We are little puppets that are drawn to the screen to receive our daily dose of perceived self-worth from the pile of messages that come from people we are barely acquainted with or do not know at all. We search desperately for someone to love us as we roll through the pages of this vast online world.
I have made several observations while engaging more time than I care to admit in perusing online activity. The first is, those people (whom I personally know) that are spending hours and hours glued to their computer have mostly sad, lonely lives. I think I know why now. Before social networks such as Facebook took our world by storm, there was only the "boob tube" to watch. Many of these same people, I know for a fact, used to spend countless hours watching one video after another. Then they would turn on the computer and read all the news and gossip they could find. Through all of this, is anyone following with me the common thread which holds this woeful tale together?
Here are people who are looking at and talking to faces on a screen. They do not hear their voice, see their expressions, share the same room while they converse. I could be screaming and crying right now while I write this very logical sounding claptrap against techno addiction, but you would not see it. There are neighbors, old friends, family and just people that are close by with whom I could be building good, wholesome relationships with. But, as long as I sit here in front of this screen, anxiously awaiting a pop-up chat screen from one of my equally techno addict friends, I am losing out on this privilege. The old cliche no longer holds true: "No man is an island unto himself." More and more, we put on peppy screen names, write bouncy little notes and no one knows or really wants to hear the genuine pain we might be experiencing. We get online hoping someone will make us laugh, hoping someone will affirm our flagging ego, hoping to attain something that only direct, personal time spent with other human beings will accomplish.
We are sadly spiraling down into an abyss of loneliness. Maybe we need to wake up and realize that a "friend at hand is worth five on-line." Computers cannot hold you close in a warm embrace of friendship and care when the chips are down and your luck is up. Facebook cannot offer a tissue and cry with you when your heart is broken by someone or something that has come into your life. Technology does not have a soft hand to hold when you feel afraid in the darkness of a stormy night.
Recently, some friends of mine received a totally unexpected blow. By the choice of a few, sadly misguided people, they no longer had a job, a home, insurance or direction of where to go or what to do. I sent messages on Facebook, my husband talked on the cell phone while strolling through Walmart. We tried to offer care and concern through the means of technology. By the next night, I was fed up. Since we lived relatively close by, we made a trip to their home and sat with them. I hugged my friend, my husband offered sympathy, counsel and a listening ear as we grieved with them in their sudden displacement. It was hard. I could not offer little sweet cliches to them. I could not quote some author. I had to look into their eyes. I had to see their pain. I squirmed with discomfort at their agony and uncertainty. But, I was there. It made a world of difference for me. It made their pain become real to me. It was worth every bit of the embarrassed, timid feelings which I overcame as I ministered to their time of hurt. Their hurt isn’t over yet. It is ongoing. Yet, they will not forget that night that we were there holding their hands, praying with them, encouraging them, and brain-storming with them for a reasonable solution and conclusion to their trouble. We did not fix one thing, but long after the instant messages and emails have been deleted, the cell phone waves have floated away, the memory of a true friend, I hope, will remain in their hearts.
I told this story to illustrate the point I am making in regard to our over-"technologised" (no it isn't a word) lifestyle. We must learn to have balance in all things. People who eat only celery will eventually die. Why? Because they are burning one-half a calorie for every bite they eat. If you burn constantly and never put anything back in, eventually you will burn out. It is the same in relationships. Those who only watch black letters dancing across a white screen and never experience the sight, sound, (dare I say) smell, and touch of other human beings will wither up and emotionally die.
People, in a world population of almost seven billion human beings, we absolutely need each other. We cannot walk through this world alone. We were created for relationships. Next time you find yourself on that crowded elevator, look someone in the eye and smile. If you are standing next to someone at the meat counter, rather than hang your head and burrow through the meat packages trying to beat them to the best deal, strike up a conversation. I have only met two people in my entire life who gave me a cold stare and walked away. People love to feel that their opinion is important. People are starved for friendship and someone to listen to the sound of their voice. That sounds conceited, but it is the basic need in the human psyche. God instilled this into mankind because He knows we aren’t going to make it through this world and get out of it alive. But, that doesn’t mean that we cannot experience joy in the journey. We can know the reality of many satisfying, friendly relationships as we walk through life. And, yes, my techy friends out there, I believe there is room for communication via social networks to connect with old friends. Just don’t let it totally replace the opportunities for relationships that might otherwise pass you by because you spent all of your time connecting online. As sweetly as I know how to say it, Get a life! Live it to the fullest. Keep your heart in line with Jesus and you will never walk alone.

Oh My Goodness, My Word, My Stars....

2009-05-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody. I cannot believe that I have missed over two months of writing on my blog!!! Life happens and you wonder where the time went. This Sunday, my little baby boy will be seven months old. Where is my brand-new infant man child? Oh my.
I just want to tell everyone that in the midst of the busyness I have been sooo comforted and blessed by the fact that God is near and has been with me.
We are a blessed people in spite of the political upheaval and financial uncertainty that plagues our nation. I could get really depressed about the horrible choices that our leaders are making right now except that I have a God who is soooo mighty that He's not sweating over this right now. All I need to do is rest and trust in His wisdom and exercise the grace He is extending for His children to live spotless in these days.
The month of March was pretty much day in, day out routine, mixed with wild preparations for Alan's sister, Heather's, wedding.
April 4th, my dear little "sissy" got married to a wonderful young man, Eric Stanbery. They are blissfully happy in their new life together and we are soooooo happy for him and her.
We had a good Easter and are excited about the Mother-Daughter banquet that is forthcoming in the next couple of weeks. I am toying with having a Hawaiian Luau that will include the Mothers-Daughters, Fathers-Sons kind of in between the two holidays. What do you think? Send me some responses. Okay, that's my jumbled oration for today. I have a lot to do and will try to keep up with this better.
Remember, as one of my favorite musical heroes, Brent Vernon, says in his song it's "...not the one who runs the swiftest, nor the one who shines for a day, but the one who ENDURETH to the end....HE shall be saved." We're gonna make it everybody. By God's grace, we are winners forever!!!!!

Sunshine through the clouds

2009-02-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

Hi Everybody, After that last "mopey, dopey" post, I am writing to say, I am a survivor and I have come through the worst of the GRAY days. One of my hero's, Bro. Albert Barr, often spoke to people about the fact that depression is not a sign of spiritual failure, and I have learned that is sooo true. I just saw on Facebook yesterday that this dear man of God is almost in Heaven. Cancer has caught up with him, but I can only imagine how thrilled he is in his soul to be headed home!!! March 1st will be three years since my mother went to live with Jesus because of cancer. I am so comforted by the fact that we are explicitly promised in the Bible that there will never be anymore sorrow, sickness or pain. Isn't that such a relief to hold on to?
By the by (as the British say) totally changing the subject here: How many of my readers are already planning your flower and vegetable gardens? I would love to hear from you. I am as is my little Emily. She has very specifically informed us that HER flower garden will be at the FRONT of the house. According to her, this bed of beauty will sport red, white, blue (hmmm...patriotic), pink, purple (okay...girly), orange and YELLOW!!!(where did that come from?) flowers. At least we will be able to identify ours as the most original garden!! HA! Cheers, everybody. Keep your eyes on the prize and don't give up on following Jesus for anything!!!!

Shades of Gray

2009-01-30T21:40:00.000-08:00

Call me a nut - you are probably right- but I am totally depressed right now. Why? I DON'T KNOW WHY!! Let's see, could it be a culmination of 3 1/2 months of spotty sleeping habits, S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder), post-partum depression? Maybe all of the above! Have I lost my faith? NO WAY. I am so glad that in the midst of seeing the world in "shades of gray" I have a Savior who walks with me "even in the valley..."
Are you not glad that we do not always have to represent ourselves before God with a bubble and a giggle? Right now I would be on His hit list if that were the case because the best I could muster would be a gasp and a gurgle. He cares "when your head is bowed low" and He knows the pain of relentless despair.
Faith is based on fact, not feeling for me right now. But, God is there. Hang in there and we will all have joy in the by and by!!!

A History Lesson in the Making

2009-01-20T18:40:00.000-08:00

Well, we are in a new era as a nation and I have two things to say:
1) Lord, have mercy upon us
2) Lord, have mercy upon President Obama
We are called upon by God to pray for those who are in authority over us and scripture teaches us that how our leaders direct the affairs of the nation will affect how we are free to worship and to live. The overwhelming responsibility and burden which this man has taken today should cause us to intercede on his behalf more fervently than we have ever done. Not only for how he leads us, but for how he allows God to lead him. I am optimistic this day because I believe that God will speak to and move upon this man's heart and life in direct response to our prayers on his behalf. Be encouraged, as my friend, Brent Vernon said on Facebook this afternoon, "God still has the last word, Yes He does!"

My Little Angels...ho ho ho

2009-01-16T23:19:00.000-08:00

Here you see the most wonderful man in the world: My sweet husband, Alan Christner.

"Mother Mary" a.k.a. Emily, reverently awed by the Christmas candlelight service at our church.

Emily was very proud of her first snowman of the year! I helped her build it, but my hands got so cold that we only managed a "midget man!!"

Here is my sweet "little boy blue" on his 3-month old birthday! He is really starting to notice things and perk up when he sees me, Daddy or Emily. What a smile, huh? OKAY already! I know I'm gone over the little fellow :-)

Zippidy-Doo-Dah

2009-01-09T22:46:00.001-08:00

I love the fresh, innocent perspective of children. God is right there beside them and they talk to Him like they talk to you and me. The other day, Emily was warbling at the top of her lungs (more than slightly off-key) singing about everything from wet diapers to Jesus Christ the Lord. She bounced into the kitchen and said, "Did you hear my pretty song? I was singing to Jesus." I thought about how often I only come to Him after I have tried to "sing" on perfect pitch and only when I have something really brilliant to say! Lord help me to have that childlike faith that can simply come to You as I am: off-pitch, everyday subjects and all. How You love to have your children REALLY talk to you. Help me to be REAL in my relationship with You. Can I hear a loud "AMEN" out there, anybody?
Timothy is really growing and eating and eating and eating... for those moms who nursed you know what this means: no rest for the wicked, and the righteous don't need none! Add to this the beginning of teething at only 3 months old and you can see why I refuse to change my profile picture. I would be completely unrecognizable - what with the wrinkles, straggly hair, dark, hollow eyes ... OK OK that is a little overkill, but I am feeling a bit goofy right now! HA HA Love to all and keep your heart in tune with Jesus. He's coming to get us soon and take us back for a day at His House. Just think, that day will never end and there will be no more sorrow, crying or tears. All that was a trouble to us on this earth will fade away in the glory of His Presence! Hallelujah and YIPPEE!!!!

Another year has flown away on the wings of the wind...

2008-12-28T19:57:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Wow, where did the time get away to? Since my last post, I have been so busy I don't know whether I am coming or going. I am turning into a snapdragon: part of me has snapped and the other half is "draggin" HO HO Anyway, we had family in from the far-flung corners of the earth (USA) for Thanksgiving. Then, we immediately fell headlong into the holiday rush from which we are now beginning to recover. We had a Christmas banquet, Community caroling with hot chocolate and cookies at the parsonage afterward, and our annual Christmas Candlelight program. Add to that the celebration of Advent for four Sunday mornings in a row, and decorating, and baking, and mailing Christmas cards to people, and, and, and, ...... AAAAIIIIIGGGGHHHH!!

Isn't it amazing how one tiny scrap of humanity born in a smelly, stinky cave in the tiny town of Bethlehem has so impacted our world, that we wildly drive ourselves mad trying to celebrate His birth two thousand years later. This was not God with man, this WAS GOD IN MAN. A small manchild containing God Himself. OH WOW!! Alan and I were talking about it and he said, "Can you imagine how much he had to constrain Himself to even stay inside human flesh. The power of God, so grand and mighty, had to "rein" Himself in else the human body would have literally disintegrated in the face of such an overwhelming, pure, holy presence. O.K. this preacher's kid and preacher's wife is getting excited now! I guess I'll leave the expounding to my husband, but doesn't it fill you with wonder to think of this? We had a great Christmas day and Emily has been enjoying her new little treasures very much.

Timothy is growing very well and has decided to get "colicky" at night so we are learning to wean ourselves from sleep. Otherwise, the little fellow is as good as gold. We do enjoy holding the little guy. Well, enough rambling from the peanut gallery. I hope and pray that whoever reads this has the best year you have ever experienced and that the Christ child of Christmas is the reigning King in your heart and life today!!!! LOVE TO ALL!!!!

Happy Days Are Yet to Come...

2008-11-05T20:49:00.001-08:00

Yes! I am disappointed with the outcome of the elections, but NO! I am NOT discouraged. God is STILL God and the affairs of man are ordered by Him at all times. I look at this as an opportunity to catch up on my prayer life :-)
Also, there will be more pics of my little tykes in a few days. We are all feeling better. Timothy is gaining weight. I am losing weight AND sleep. Between those two things I am going to look like a black-eyed crone shortly! HAA!!
Enough rambling. LOL

I'M BACK

2008-10-26T18:06:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! The best laid plans of mice and men can be quickly sent awry when you have a baby on the way in the equation. I took myself to the doctor's appointment on Wednesday, October 8, 2008. My hubby had been out with a parishoner until three a.m. Sweet wife that I am, I decided to let him sleep in. THIS WAS OF COURSE THE DAY that I was placed in the hospital with pre-eclampsia! GREAT! Alan had to have his parents bring him up that night to pick up our van. Doctors, nurses, aides, housekeepers, etc.. kept asking every hour or so, Do you have a headache? NOPE. Until, Friday at noon, one rather roughshod nurse caught me making my own bed and told me to get my hinderparts back in the bed pronto. Then she asked the fateful question, Does your head hurt? I paused just for a second. She bellowed, DON'T YOU LIE TO ME!! I informed her that seeing as I was a pastor's wife and that God was watching me, I would not be participating in that falsehood. Yes, my head was hurting on the right side! In thirty seconds, I lie not, I was surrounded by a surgical team. They said, Call your husband and tell him to get here now! I said, Why the sudden rush? Response: You are on the verge of a stroke! OH YEE HAW! Alan arrived in thirty minutes and they were waiting with surgery scrubs for him to dress. Shortly thereafter, a spinal block was administered (did I mention it didn't work?) and the C-section started. I started yelling that I could feel everything and they gave me "hiccapoo joy juice" that sent me on such a wild hallucination that I was very glad that I am not a drug addict. I couldn't handle the excitement or the weirdness! I am told that I was telling everybody in sight that I loved them very much! Timothy Alan was born 18 1/2 inches long and 5 lbs 13 oz. Because he was so early, we were told that he might have to be on a respirator and stay in NICU. However, before he could even be transferred to the NICU team, he started crying very loudly and healthily! I cried from relief. He was alright!

Now, we are starting to recover. I did have a bit of a fright when my incision decided to split -- literally, about two inches down! It is going to be around three to four weeks before it is healed, but I am feeling great. We are so happy and I am already 30 lbs lighter!

As you can see, Timothy Alan had other ideas about being born on November 10th! Try OCTOBER 10th, 1:59pm!
Here are some shots done by my Pro-Photographer Sweetie-pie Hubby!

Not happy about the 1st Bath!

AWWW! AIN'T HE CUTE!

More of "THE BATH"

Sleeping, sleeping, sleeping....

Lady in Waiting!!

2008-09-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! My favorite hymn right now is "He is able to deliver thee!" I am six weeks away from "D"elivery Day! November 10, 7 am is the scheduled arrival of our sweet little Tom Tumble. He is so active and really growing right now. I am beginning to look like a barge and feel like a bloated whale. But, I can do this, somehow in these days.

For those of you who heard about the Hurricane winds that hit our area, Yep! We lost power on Sunday and did not get it back until around 10 pm Tuesday night. I was not a good pioneer at all.Alan has Amish roots in his background and enjoyed everything immensely. But for me, I was a failing student in this Amish 101 crash course. Thank the Lord it only lasted that long. That was two weeks ago tonight, and we learned that some people just a very few miles from us are only getting their electric back today!! So, it could have been much worse.

I am gearing up for fall decorating and doing some fall housecleaning. I am always excited about this time of the year. Plus the pending arrival of our little guy is making it more exciting than usual!

I am falling in love with Fall early this year

2008-09-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

So -- allow me a little indulgence on the choice of fall colors for this writing. I absolutely LOVE autumn and all of the adorable decorations that go with this time of year. Yes! I am jumping the gun a little as they say down South in my native land, :-) but I cannot help it here.
I am counting the days until October 1st, so I can haul out my annual plethora of fall decorations and design to my heart's content!!
Better yet, I am REALLY EXCITED about November 10, 2008, 7:30 am when our little man is scheduled to make his appearance into this world via C-section delivery. With the bulge that I am sporting now and the lack of oxygen I am experiencing from my "extra" load, I am really looking forward to that first deep breath in several months. Holding my little angel from Heaven will be great too!!
Nothing spectacular happening here, but I am looking forward to all of the fun that will come with autumn and the holiday season.

Promised Pictures

2008-08-03T20:22:00.000-07:00

Beautiful Pittsburgh, PA taken from overlook above the city. We had a great time shooting the scenery!

Our "archeaological" dig site for VBS at our church! When everything was over, Emily requested to keep the large black dinosaur head. She said, "I want to hang it on the wall in my bedroom!!"

Emily in complete "DIRT" mode after a hard afternoon of play with other little children at Heartland Bible Methodist Youth Camp!

Crowds clearing out of the tabernacle for another round of team activities in the ultra warm afternoon weather!!

Hello from a weary, but happy woman

2008-07-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

So, Hi Everybody!
Yeah, Yeah, I know you have not seen anything of me for a while. With the exception of my protruding belly, I haven't seen much of me lately either! HA!
Here is a rundown of the last 18 days of my life:
DAY 1: Get up at 4 am to take two young teens from our church to The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Get home from moving them in at 12:30 am the next morning
DAY 2: Take teenagers clothes shopping for youth camp.
DAY 3: Make fliers, go calling to invite kids to VBS
DAY 4: CHURCH 2 times, go out to invite kids to VBS during the afternoon.
DAYS 5-9: VBS every evening; preparing snacks and stories during the day
DAY 10: Sunday School Picnic for entire church.
DAY 11: CHURCH DAY; try to Pack to leave for Youth Camp next morning!
DAYS 12-16:HEARTLAND BIBLE METHODIST YOUTH CAMP (I'm not 15 anymore, I realize on about Day 2 of this Youth Camp!!)
DAY 17: Unpack, go calling, clean church, clean up mess from discovering that while we were gone the breaker blew out on the outlet for our refrigerator!! WOOHOO!
DAY 18: CHURCH TWO TIMES
PHEW!! Anybody want to trade places with this waddling pastor's wife who is so tired I do not know straight up from sideways right now?
P.S. According to ultrasound pictures, our little tyke-to-be is a boy!! HOORAY! Little Junior is due in November and this is one time I will be glad to see falling leaves, feel chilly air, and face another winter. I am ready to get this phase over and cuddle my little guy in my arms. Hopefully, there will be some pictures in a few days, once I catch my breath.
Oh, and for those who really care to hear it, on my first day off in 18 days, I got hit with a kidney stone the size of Mt. Everest (at least it feels like it)! I'd rather go through labor anyday! But, yippee, I am home and happy to be still for a while. Love to all. Later.....

Time Flies When You're Having Fun...

2008-06-03T21:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!
I cannot believe that it is already June and I have not posted anything since April! WOW! Where did the time go?
Oh, I know! It went to the doctor, the emergency room a couple of times, to sleep for hours on end, to eat at strange hours of the night and morning, to a Mother-Daughter tea directed and put together by yours truly, to graduation parties for our seniors at church, to the graduation, to etc, etc, etc... Do you catch my drift here ladies? Any pastor's wives out there who relate?

The new baby is making its presence known in my "blooming" anatomy as well as its very active leaps and bounds within.
I do not know what it is yet, but we will hopefully know by the end of the month. My nesting instincts are getting worse everyday with major overhauls happening in every room of the house. I have so much news, I won't overwhelm you with it all in one setting. Hopefully, I can update everyone in pics and short notes along the way this month!

I am ready for a snack (probably ice cream cone -- it's after midnight!!!! :-) and some more delicious sleep! More to come later! God Bless!!!!

Spring has Sprung

2008-04-25T05:03:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I just wanted to check in and let you know that I have not dropped off the face of the earth. Along with enjoying the FINALLY-arrived spring warmth and sunshine, I have been busy with two gardens. One is my veggie and flower garden outside, and the other is a new little life growing, inside. This has resulted in those glorious days of sleep, sleep, sleep and eat, eat, eat. Plus, YUK, YUK, YUK!!! Just kind of nauseated every once in a while. We are really excited about this new little venture headed our way. My due date is November 18. People ask, "What do you want it to be?" We reply, "We want a ........ HEALTHY!" More to follow, but I am hungry and will starve to death in the next five seconds if I don't go fill up quick! Alan and I are convinced this baby is a strapping boy who will one day play football the way I stay so hungry for red meat and potatoes! Ha! Catch you later. Love to all!

The Wonder of Joy in a Child's Eyes

2008-03-25T17:04:00.000-07:00

There is nothing so precious as a little child singing its heart out in happiness and innocence. We discovered our little "diva" belting out songs known only in "babyese" clothed only in her red winter hat and a droopy diaper. Needless to say, we cracked up and had to get some shots of our little "punkin."

"The Ark is Coming Down The Road"

2008-03-18T18:08:00.000-07:00

Mercy me! It has been soooo long since I posted anything. I have been as busy as a mouse in a Kansas granary. We have a new little girl in our congregation and our church helped to do meals for a week so that Mommy and Daddy only had to worry over their little princess. She joined a big brother who is one month younger than our Emily! We are sooo excited for our young family!
We were overly blessed with more snow than anyone should have to endure this late in the season! There was a snowfall of 15 inches in approximately 48 hours, if I remember correctly. This forced us to cancel church on March 9th, and I was a miserable wretch because I missed our precious brothers and sisters in Christ so much!
However, we did enjoy a wonderful service with Glenn and Stephanie Gault and their cute little, Kaitlyn. They are missionaries with Hope International and serve in the region of South Africa. Bro. Glenn shared an exciting slideshow of their work and we felt as if we had been to their mission outpost! God bless our precious missionaries who sacrifice so much of our "American conveniences" so that the Gospel message will go forth to all nations!
Over Friday and Saturday, my mother-in-love and I attended a writer's conference. We had more fun than anyone should have in that short a period of time! Because Mom suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis, I pushed her in a wheelchair and was there to assist her in anything she needs. While she is able to walk, it is easier to go mobile in a large place like that was. We were late to the first session on Saturday morning and I was attempting to sneak into the conference room without making a scene. I pushed the door open and was preparing to wheel Mom in quietly and as unobtrusively as possible. Wouldn't you know, that door was on hinges that were so loose that when the door swung back it BANGED loudly against the wall. I tried to catch it coming back, BANG! Then a third time, BANG. Every body in that room was jerked from reverent devotion time by our untimely appearance and I declare that I saw them shudder all over every time that door banged! Of course, I could not fail to see the humor in this situation. Once we dove to our spot at a table, Mom and I nearly collapsed with laughter. You know how it is when you are supposed to be quiet -- things are twice as funny! We did come away challenged and excited by what we had learned. Until now, my brain has had such information overload, that I have not been able to write "See Spot run!" It's coming back though! HA!!!!
Now, for the strange title: Our little town is located on the side of a ridge that is cornered by two rivers. One of these rivers is a tailwater for a large dam. Due to the rapid disappearance of the afore mentioned snow and the current condition of rainfall, the water is rising at a tremendous rate. According to our church treasurer and neighbor, this happened in 2005, causing our eensy-weensy community to be marooned for over two weeks. In that time, the only two roads to our town were flooded over and everyone had to park their cars on a back road some distance away and hike out. Then they had to drive around Robin Hood's barn to get to the two relatively close cities. Eventually, FEMA reps. came around and warned everyone to evacuate as the back road was going to flood. They had no way to get to supplies or medical help. As it was, my neighbor said most people did not leave since there were complete strangers parking boats at the end of the road. Can anybody say, LOOTERS! Well, I have stocked enough stuff to feed an army, so I am ready for whatever happens. Just the same, I surely hope that we aren't cheated out of celebrating Easter Sunday, as it appears is going to be the case. But the good news is, Jesus lives whether we get to celebrate in church or not! Happy Easter everyone! Love to all!

Hello Everybody!

2008-03-09T19:13:00.000-07:00

Can anybody out there say with me, "I AM SICK OF SNOW?" If you live in the Northeastern part of the U.S.A. you know what I am talking about tonight! We have been overwhelmed with one snow storm after the other. This culminated in a HUGE storm system that hit Friday night and lasted over 24 hours. We were treated to an entire show of snow, sleet, ice, thunder, lightening, high wind and bitter cold. Add to that 15 inches of snow and ice and you have our weekend in a nutshell. We were not able to have church both services today, and I feel bereft. Our little flock was sorely missed, but we did enjoy a quiet Sabbath with plenty of rest and a small ride today. This afternoon the skies were "Colorado blue" and it was absolutely fabulous to see the pristine white snow glistening in the sunshine against the backdrop of evergreens and blue sky. Needless to say, I am looking forward to Spring. Yesterday, in defiance of my surroundings, I purchased seed for okra planting -- Yes, in 15 inches of snow, we traipsed to Lowes. I had so much fun checking out the different seeds for my flower and veggie garden I have planned for this year!

Happy Sunday Evening, Everybody

2008-02-17T18:20:00.002-08:00

Have you ever felt it? It's Saturday night, 11:59 p.m. You pillow your head, but your brain is flying a thousand miles an hour. You wonder -- will my husband be alright, will everyone be as admiring of his message as I am, will everyone make it in to church tomorrow, will the new contacts we made today come?

Sunday morning: Palpitations, sweat, fluttering and flying around in general! Then you step into the quiet of the sanctuary and the presence of God meets you. Your worries fly away, your spirit calms, and no matter the problems, you know that God is in your midst! That was me today!

But, you know what my most favorite part of Sunday is? It is after I have met with God two times in a special way, after I have breathed prayers throughout the entire sermon for my husband, and I am home. I realize I have made it through another Sunday without too many tragedies or mishaps. God is good, all is well, I love my precious little flock whom I help my husband to minister to. Ah! Now that's a feeling that we all can appreciate! I have a new name for we minister's wives -- it's P.E.W. That stands for Preacher's Elastic Wife. We may be stretched to the limit in our ability, patience, yes, love, but we are always able to bounce back, fresh and revived after our time with the Lord! Hold on to your faith, my brothers and sisters in the Lord. Our General is in control and will never give us marching orders that are too hard to bear! Love to all!

"In the deep midwinter..."

2008-02-11T22:12:00.000-08:00

It is 1:30 a.m. and I am not asleep yet. For those of you who are in the trenches with me as a pastor's wife, you know that often Mondays are "down days" in more ways than one! For us, we usually take Monday off.
Our "off-day" was really strange this time -- we went to Alan's parent's place and helped his mother defrost her freezer and Alan hauled several huge loads of wood to the basement window and dropped it in, while I raced madly back and forth to stack it in an orderly fashion close to their woodburner. Talk about good old r&r! HA! It was great fun though. I really enjoyed it.
Afterwards, we all staggered to the family room and collapsed in recliners and I, on the couch. Somehow, the fire had not been kicked soon enough (talk about "wood, wood, everywhere and no fire or heat!!!), so the house was a brisk 55 degrees when we realized we were freezing! Alan got the furnace blasting AND built a big fire in the fireplace. I was trembling under two heavy blankets listening to Alan's Mother tell Emily a story. The next thing I knew, I woke up an hour later.
Now, the snow is falling heavily outside, I am snug in my warm house, and thankful to be where there is such beautiful variety in the weather. I opened my window a few minutes ago and "listened" to the silence as my world is blanketed in feather light snowflakes. It was a perfect picture of the peace in my heart that comes from a close relationship with Jesus. And, just think, we who know Jesus are whiter than snow!

Look what fell out of his tree for me -- ha, ha

2008-01-13T23:07:00.000-08:00

I found this picture taken on October 30, 2007 and had to share it. Ain't he cute? :-)

Alan is my very best friend on this earth. Ladies, look beyond your man's faults and remember what made you fall in love with him in the first place. I am a blessed woman indeed, to have such a sweet man who truly wants to live for Jesus!

Random Pictures from the Past Month

2008-01-13T20:45:00.000-08:00

Midnight Photoshoot of my fun, seventy-degree day's painting of the bird feeder in January. I think I have Spring Fever (I just can't get rid of sickness-HA!)

Kitchen Decor for Thanksgiving Day

My Darling Hubby Enjoying the Snowblower in Early December!!!

I hope you enjoyed these little "peeks" into our life outside of sickbed stories. I will have more pics from Christmas soon! In the meantime, have a great week and remember Jesus loves you. LOL!

IF YOU THINK YOU HAD A BAD HOLIDAY, THINK AGAIN

2008-01-09T20:12:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone,

It is with humble apologies and regret that I wish you all an extremely belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I have a very valid excuse though -- sickness :-(

It all started on Thanksgiving Day: Alan was burning with fever, shaking with chills, and had no appetite for all of my experimental dishes. The flu caught him in its evil grasp and held him there for several days. Then things got better .... for a while, that is.

December 4: We hauled out the artificial tree which we bought on our first Christmas together, had Alan's parents up to our place and proceeded to have merry time, complete with sounds of my eccentric hobby, old L.P. Christmas records, blaring in the background. Alan sorted branches, put lights on each layer of branches and topped it off with the shining star! Emily almost exploded with excitement when we plugged in the star! We stopped for cheese ball and crackers, pie, and punch. I noticed that I was feeling a little strange but thought it was only tiredness from all the excitement.

December 5: I was meeting with one of the dear ladies of the church to plan our Christmas Candlelight Service for December 23rd. It was snowing like it would never get another chance to do so. But, I told her to come over anyway. By this time I had a cough and was aching all over. I blamed the snow. By the time she left, I was so dizzy and miserable, that I knew Alan's "plague" had caught up with me. That was the beginning of the END of all my holiday plans and dreams in our new place. From that point on, I lay on the couch for days on end getting progressively worse. I missed church on Sundays the 9th and 16th. We were joining another church for a cantata on the night of the 16th. I had instigated the whole thing from our end, then could not be there. My precious husband called and put the cell on speaker phone so I enjoyed the choir from afar while lying on the bed gasping for breath.

I went to a clinic, saw a doctor whom I was later told, "If you want to die, go to him!" Nothing like that to encourage an already ill person! Given what I believe to be a false diagnosis of asthmatic bronchitis, I returned home with a prescription I was later told by another physician is not effective in treating either bronchitis OR pnuemonia. By the grace of God, I pulled on every inner resource and help from above to participate in our Christmas Candlelight Service on December 23. Then returned to my sickbed to wallow in misery.

Again, I pulled out the stops and got food and our house ready for company on Christmas Day and enjoyed the fellowship of Alan's family and a dear friend of our family. As soon as the excitement was over, I was right back in bed, miserable, coughing, wheezing, and sooooo very weak. The weakness is what frightened me. I just could not seem to overcome this terrible shakiness and lack of "get-up-and-go."

Then, Thursday night after Christmas, Alan was not feeling well. He had tried a new sub at Arby's that day, so I chalked it up to food poisoning. NOT!! Around 2 a.m., I had done all I felt that I could do to make him comfortable and left him lying on the couch by the tree. Do not ask me why, but we are always on the couch when we get sick. Anyway, I toddled upstairs and had just lowered myself into bed when I heard a sound downstairs that made my heart "sink down amongst my liver and lights" to quote Mark Twain. Yep! My good old sweet teddy bear husband who has NEVER been sick in this way in all of our seven years of marriage, gave in to the virus which was stalking everyone in our local area.

So, I did my loving, wifely duty and joined him in sympathy/empathy. HA! Anyway, I doctored him all day Friday and Saturday. Saturday night around 11:50, Emily was in bed by Alan when again, I heard the dreadful "SOUND" Now, SHE had it. This went on every five minutes until three o'clock at which time we loaded her into the van and drove her to the best hospital around. They took one look at her and hooked her up to I.V.'s to get her hydrated again. Finally, around 7:30 Sunday morning we were released to go home. Alan and I had not slept for 36 hours, so we did not get to church that morning. The deacons took over for us.

Monday, December 31, 2007: I thought, "Well, maybe we can start the New Year well -- literally." Then, at 2 p.m. in the afternoon, the dread bug landed on me like I have not had in years, if ever. By eleven-thirty that night I was completely dehydrated and beginning to lose consciousness. I told Alan, "If you don't get me to the hospital, I am going to die!" And, I was not playing when I said it. As the New Year rang in, Alan was roaring up to the same hospital that we took Emily to. They looked at me and rushed me straight back, planted an I.V. in and started fluids. By 6 a.m., I was more alert, eating ice chips and thought, "Yeah! Now I get to go home!" NOT!! Just as the nurse brought the release papers through the door, I lost it again. The doctor came in and said, "Mr. Christner, take your little girl home and get some rest. We have had your wife here for six hours and she's is still getting desparately sick. We're keeping her!" OH JOY!!

Shortly after I was settled into a room and Alan had left, I heard two Code Blue's for the floor I was on. Later, at shift change two nurses were talking outside my door. The departing nurse said, "Yeah, we revived the one patient. She's in I.C.U. now. Heart failure" The incoming replied, "What about the other?" D.Nurse, "Oh, she didn't make it. Only in her 50's. tsk tsk" Incoming: "What'd she have?" D.Nurse: "Oh, same thing as 16 here." Incoming: "Well, let's hope we don't lose them on my shift!" Laughter and walking away. A quick check on my part revealed that I was ROOM 16!!!!!! AAAAAUUUUGGGHHH!!

I was not allowed any fluid or food for 24 hours except that delicious chalk drink that is required for a CAT Scan!! YIPEE!! When I went for an X-ray, the lady walked over after taking pics and asked solemnly, "Is there any history of cancer in your family?" ME: "My mother died of pancreatic cancer in March 2006" (Did I mention that they were doing x-rays of my left side?) X-ray lady (with serious, pitying looks): "I SEE!" And that was all she said. I was wheeled back to my room, where two minutes later a lady walked in with papers for a living will. I thought, "Dear me, this is worse than I thought." I expected to see hospice reps. coming in next!!!!

January 2nd, 2008: MY 30TH BIRTHDAY!! I got to go home! WHEE!! I celebrated my third decade on this old planet with a cup of lemon-lime gatorade and a massive headache!

Can I end this sickbed and hospital tale with this: Through every moment of misery, fever, coughing, and hospital terror, I had the presence of Jesus Christ by my side, and while my celebrations were muted at best, I experienced the Christ of Christmas in a way that I have never before experienced. I did not have a rolicking birthday party, but one good thing was that I WAS too sick to care about hitting the big 30. From this literal, near death experience, I learned that every day is a gift to be enjoyed to the fullest whether you are 3, 30, or 300! I know this was long, but I had to tell my tale of woe! HA! More to come later--all in a cheerful, on the road to recovery and wellness way. I am finally on the mend and praising God for every moment of energy and strength that is returning to me!

Love to all, Jennifer

MAGIC NIGHTLIGHT

2007-11-17T20:29:00.000-08:00

Haze of moonlight on the field,

Cows are lowing soft goodnight;

Hoot owls chortle in delight,

Harvest moon - its magic sealed.

Far below it's blaze of might,

November winds their powers wield

Barren branches refuse to yield,

Their naked arms embrace the light.

Harvest moon, such glorious shield

From harsh winter's coming blight,

Shadows merge with thee this night,

As earth's bustling is stilled.

Soft the hue, such beauteous light,

My loving Maker, oh so skilled,

I stand in frailty, small, yet thrilled,

To share this moment of pure white.

- Jen Christner

Let's Go Sailing In A Hot Air Balloon

2007-11-14T21:00:00.000-08:00

I took this picture a few days ago while we were out on one of our many deep country drives. I wish that I could say that this is the exact way the picture turned out on my camera, but it is not. With a little help from Adobe Photoshop Elements, I managed to capture the blue that the sky really was. However, I still like my camera. I just have not learned all the "bells and whistles" that go with "pro" photography.

Looks like fun, doesn't it?

"OH, I'm on top of the world, lookin' down on all creation........................."

Thankful Reflections

2007-11-14T18:39:00.000-08:00

Dear readers, Here is something I wrote and shared with our church family tonight in honor of the coming holiday. I hope you enjoy!

ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING
I am sure that every person has special Thanksgiving memories which they could share, and I wish that time would permit us to do just that. But, since this was a rather spur-of-the-moment idea for service tonight, I will share some things that are special to me at Thanksgiving time.
I have to say that I am sad, nostalgic, and excited all at once this year. Only a person with bi-polar tendencies could experience all of these emotions at once, but I will leave that up to you to decide on! Joking, joking...
I am sad because Daddy will be alone on Thanksgiving — my sister, Ruth, is a nurse and has to work that day. My other sister had other plans. I am 700 miles from home with no way to try to recapture a little of the grandeur which Mother always managed to create for our special holiday.
I am nostalgic because all I have are sweet memories to hold close on Thanksgiving. In the midst of this rather morose litany though, I have to pause and say to you, Isn’t it so wonderful that God has given us memories? I am so very thankful this year that, even as I feel tears running down the windowpanes of my heart, the memories of holidays past kindle the flames of recollection which warm my very soul. I have no doubt that my courageous father will be beside that hearth of memory as well, sitting by enjoying the memories of what was.
I am excited because God has been so gracious to me and has allowed me the opportunity to work amongst people who are gracious and loving. When I wander through the rooms of the parsonage and remember the cramped, cluttered space which we called home for the past five years, I am filled with so much gratitude that you have provided your pastor and family with such a lovely home. I feel so unworthy. Yet, I have to say that I am enjoying decorating and preparing for Thanksgiving.
I love the traditions which surround Thanksgiving: turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie. I love the after-dinner ride into the country for a couple of hours. Now, there was one time when I failed to have much love for the after- dinner ride. Travel twenty years back with me: My family was out on this traditional ride when a rather raucous booming sound announced the demise of an already paper-thin tire. Back then, filling stations, grocers, everything, closed, so here we sat, in the country with a flat tire, thirty miles from home and helpless. My poor father tried the can of "flat-tire fixer" which he actually happened to have along, but it is rather hard to repair something that looks like grandma’s flour sifter in the first place. Then, Daddy found a piece of plastic which fit perfectly in the shred that called itself a tire. Excitement reigned for the space of half a minute as the plastic held on long enough to raise the tire just enough to raise our hopes. Another loud explosion sounded and we all bailed from the car, sure that Daddy was now half the size he had been when we left the house (from being blown in half, of course).
Eventually, my father managed to contact a neighbor of ours by payphone and he drove thirty miles to bring us a spare tire that was in almost as bad a shape as the one which had expired in such an untimely manner. But, do you know what I remember most? I remember the fact that someone interrupted their special day to help us out and the gratitude that filled my nine year old heart when they pulled up beside our stranded family. I was also never so glad to see home as I was that night.
As I said, I love traditions, but this year, I have decided to not be so bound to being traditional that I cannot enjoy some new things, too. So, I am taking a huge risk (not something I like to do as a general rule), and making traditional foods with all-new recipes. I refuse to live in a tradition of heartache over the past when God has given me such a bright present and glorious future. I may have a moment of sadness when I think of what was, but I have every reason to look forward and celebrate life, family, friends, and love right now.
If I were homeless on the street with nothing but the clothes on my back, no money and not knowing where my next meal would come from, I could still find the spirit of celebration in my heart because of this one thing: No matter what happens to the physical body, as long as my soul is safe in Jesus, I have every cause to be thankful. I hope I never have to put these words to the test, but if I should, I hope I will be able to remember this and lift my heart in praise to the Redeemer of all.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING PLANS

2007-11-13T21:35:00.000-08:00

Happy Autumn Days to one and all! I have spent the last few days perusing my old traditional recipes, shopping for ingredients, checking out new ideas for traditional foods on www.allrecipes.com, and generally getting very excited about the coming holiday.

For those of you who do not know this already: I am not one to do a lot of cooking. One look at my profile picture testifies to the fact that I have indulged one happy meal too many, but when Thanksgiving time comes 'round, all my matronly, housewife and chef instincts come to the 'fore.

This year is so special, as I have such a beautiful home to enjoy decorating with fall decor like the little guy above. Now, technically, I think it is a girl, but all stuffed items are "he/guys" to me :-)

More than that, I am filled with such gratitude at all the things which God has blessed me with - things I did not deserve, yet His gracious love gave them anyway. We are such a blessed nation and people!

Things are fun, but they are not the most important part of life. When I realize what great lengths a holy God would go to so that I could have forgiveness and an eternal home with Him, my heart overflows with thankfulness, gratitude and humility. (P.S. Check out my latest book: Humility and How I Obtained It!) HA! You know what I mean...

Nevertheless, I am looking forward to the smell of roasting turkey, baking pies, cinnamon sticks simmering on the stove, and all the excitement of getting ready for our happy day. At the same time, I have decided to branch out in my culinary skills and go for some new recipes this year.

However, the results will be shared after the antacids have been faithfully ingested and the mention of food no longer stimulates a cacophony of groans across the blog world!

Join me in the excitement of planning, baking, and, yes, feasting, as we praise the Bountiful Giver of all things.

Autumn Evening in Amish Country

2007-11-05T20:51:00.000-08:00

Treasures in Simplicity

One evening, last week, Alan, Emily and I drove out to Amish Country-only 10 miles from where we live- to relish the beauty of God's marvelous creation in the simple, unfettered setting of the Plain people.

Alan recently bought me a sweet little camera for our 7th Anniversary. It is an Olympus SP-550 UZ. This particular camera has flattened the market for all other point-and-shoot camera's. An SLR expert wrote on "DPREVIEW.COM" that it is the closest thing to SLR that you can get. With an amazing 18X optical zoom, I can reach out and touch someone from quite a distance. So, together, we armed ourselves with cameras (he is a Nikon, SLR fan, while I like something to take video with), and ventured out to roads that are not even marked on any map. Here you see a couple of my favorites from that marvelously fun evening.

We were some distance away when we topped the hill to find these young girls gathered excitedly in the road discussing the next quilting, barn raising, or "happening." I could not resist this nostalgic shot with the buggy in the background and the general pastoral view surrounding these girls.

In the next scene, I screeched for Alan to stop when I saw the absolutely gorgeous light of the setting sun on these flaming trees. The shadow from the ridge behind me had darkened the Amish farm below, but the light still shone brilliantly on those beautifully arrayed trees. And if you are a hopeless romantic like I am, the fence post in the foreground of the picture really makes the picture nice. Oh well, I think its pretty anyway :-)

I have more pictures to share, but I must get some rest for tomorrow is another big day full of exciting adventures. I love the fact that God gives us such a wonderful life when we live for Him. No. Life is not always easy, but it definitely is interesting!

God said, I make all things new! And I believe that includes every day and event in our lives. Hold on to that thought today as Thanksgiving approaches.

Overflowing October Daze!

2007-11-01T02:27:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody! It is with red face that I begin this latest update in the saga of our lives. Why? Because, I never posted one thing this last month, but here is why:
I have never had such a busy month in my life, I think.

This past month, we have hosted two missionary families, a college quartet, our ever-expanding youth group from the church, and two Workdays on Saturday the 21st and the 28th. Not only this, Alan also prayed with a dying woman to be saved then conducted her funeral (his 1st funeral) one week later. Also, our church people absolutely outdid themselves in expressing their love and appreciation to our family for "Pastor's Appreciation Month." The first Sunday we received a food "pounding" along with almost two-hundred dollars worth of gift cards to local grocers. The 2nd week a generous love offering was lifted for us. The 3rd week, we received a lovely dinner on Sunday, prepared by several of the gracious ladies of our church. I might add that it was fabulous! Then this past Sunday we received a card shower in which there were many kind and special words of affirmation for us. We are spoiled and well-loved and blessed by the precious people of our congregation. My conclusion to all of this love is that I want to strive to be worthy of all of this blessing and be the best person I can be to each of our parishoners.

As you can readily see, I have been too busy to know whether I am coming or going. I forgot to mention that I participated in a local cooking class, and Alan and I celebrated our 7th Anniversary on the 14th of October. Phew! I am worn out looking at this long list of "happenings!" I have many more things to tell, but for now I will stop and take this up later.

I am thankful for the verse that tells us, Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Soul-rest goes a long way in helping you to cope with the busyness of life. That is what I love about my precious Savior and Lord. God Bless You, dear friend.

Falling Back Into Blogging

2007-09-26T22:39:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers, It has been over a month since I posted anything new. There is a reason for this and it is known as a computer crash. I have finally restored my electronic brain and wanted to post in long enough to tell you all that I am relishing the autumn days that are fast approaching.
The sound of hundreds of birds heralding their annual fall migration, the brilliant gold, orange, and red leaves which are transforming a green world into a tapestry of color, and the nip in the air every morning fill me with energy and excitement. I love God's creation and, for me, fall is my favorite season of the year.
My husband has to work at the car parts store tomorrow, so Emily and I are going to sit by our double french doors in the kitchen and savour the aroma of baking chocolate chip cookies and some fall cutout cookies for her benefit!
I have a lovely pumpkin spice hand lotion which I enjoy using right now. Added to this, I have an elegant Pumpkin Pie scented candle that I enjoy burning in the evening.
Fall is one of those time which cause me to reflect on change and on God's blessings to me. I have many things to be thankful for this year. But that is another post for another day. As you should know by now, my family is snoozing happily in bed while I burn the AFTER-midnight oil. I am almost falling asleep myself, so goodnight one and all.

I Love People

2007-08-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

Good evening everyone! Once again I am taking a few minutes before I crash to review a few things on my heart. I feel a little like a small boy from a neighboring church whose mother overheard her son playing church. He asked his audience of stuffed teddy bears if they had any prayer requests and this is how he said it, "Stuff on our hearts?"
Well, I suppose all of us have "stuff" that troubles us, or "stuff" we wish we could express to someone who understands. That is the neat thing about having Jesus in my heart: I always have someone who cares about my "stuff."
This brings me to the title of this particular reflection. I love people. Tonight was church night for us. We meet for informal Bible study and prayer. I am amazed at the elderly group we have in our small church. One man is on dialysis three days a week, but he always has a big smile, an encouraging testimony, and a bright outlook on life. Another lady in our church is having constant trouble lately with an irregular heartbeat. In spite of this, her million dollar smile would make the saddest clown alive laugh and feel better instantly.
Then, there are people who are complete strangers to me, but I get acquainted with them at the grocery store, Walmart, etc... Tonight, after church I met a woman my age who was a neighbor of my husband when he was growing up. One look into her face and big brown eyes told me a story of a very painful past. We started talking and soon I was able to exchange phone numbers and arrange to have her come to my house to scrapbook. She is a scrapbook manic like myself! Guess what? I am soo excited. While I get to enjoy a hobby that is very special to me, I can also use that time as a ministry tool to reach out to hurting people like this hurting lady.
My husband says I would try to get a friendship established with a signpost and I guess that is true. Case in point: I have a group of very special ladies that I periodically meet with for a three and one-half hour scrapbooking session. I have to back up a 50 car train to the door to unload all of my "stuff" into the fellowship building where this "Scrapper's Anonymous Meeting" takes place. The crazy thing is that I usually never even complete one page. Why? Because I spend my time talking to and listening to these precious ladies who come from all different backgrounds, age groups, and even faiths. It is in these times that I can share my love for people and my love for Jesus with them. I think the church that came up with this idea to open their doors for community scrapbookers is a wonderful way to witness and it also helps we ladies develop friendships that would never have happened otherwise.
Well, enough of my ravings about the wonder of humanity. But, dear reader, whoever you are, I wish I was your best friend and I wish I could get to know you better. If you know Jesus, whether we ever meet here, I will meet you in Heaven some day. Won't that be exciting. Love to all and good night.

LAVENDER ROOM DILLY DILLY

2007-08-20T20:40:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody! It has been awhile since I shared any thoughts with you. Again it is late and I am enjoying a few minutes of connecting with fellow bloggers out there. I love my new place. I guess I find new joys the longer I am here in this beautiful parsonage which the church has graciously provided for us to live in. Tonight I am particularly thankful for our lovely "lavender" bedroom. Since Alan and I have been married, we have always wanted to decorate a bedroom in lavender and purple. Until now, we have lived in homes that are paneled! The first time we toured this home with the deacons of the church we both looked at each other open-mouthed (behind their backs) because this particular room is painted the EXACT shade that we have always dreamed about. It is painted lavender with white trim and we have hung lavender curtains with white lace valences. This room is in the upstairs area of the home and has gabled ceilings on each side. Then two windows overlook our backyard where three large trees spread their canopy of shade over a large area. Last night, I drifted to sleep with the gentle breeze wafting through the windows, the sounds of crickets, tree frogs, and all those comforting summer night sounds singing God's gracious lullaby into my grateful ears. Then the icing on the cake came in the form of a gentle summer rain trickling down softly through the thick foliage of leaves on the trees outside our house. As I sailed away to dream land I thought of the verse where Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden and I WILL GIVE YOU REST!" That is exactly what he did for us last night after a heavy day of ministering to hurting people.
As for this pretty room, I think of the words from Scripture which say, Delight thyself also in the Lord, and He SHALL give thee the desires of thine heart!" Now, maybe I am taking things out of context a bit, but it surely applies to my heart tonight!!

Peace in the Storm

2007-08-08T22:53:00.000-07:00

It seems as if I only find time to write when the rest of my world is sleeping. Can I get a witness from all the mothers out there? By the time you have devotions, fold the laundry, cook the meals, wash the dishes, take numerous phone calls into the parsonage and keep up with the constant clutter that trails the wake of a two year old, you cannot expect to have much time for blogging or anything else! Somedays I do more "slogging" (in the South that means that you are barely getting thru!) than blogging! HA!
For the last few weeks since I moved into this new house which is the first parsonage and pastorate for our family, I have experienced a lot of tumultuous emotions that are very close to the storm which is raging outside tonight. I need to talk to my oldest sister, Rachel. She had so much wisdom and practical sense to offer, but she died almost five years ago. Then torrents of tears roll through my soul and sorrow thunders into my heart without warning when I think about my mother who was a pastor's wife "par excellence" and a woman of grace. I know that she could guide me through all of the mine fields that I keep making for myself, albeit I do this unwittingly. She would know exactly what to tell me. My hand reaches for the phone, but a strike of lightening upon my memory reminds me that pancreatic cancer took Mother out of here over a year ago.
Now that we are all thoroughly depressed, I want to tell you that this storm is very hard to endure, but I have found the ultimate shelter and peace in the midst of this violent onslaught. My source of peace in this wild night of the soul is none other than the "Master of the Winds and the Waves" Jesus Christ. Remember the time that Jesus was asleep in the little fishing vessel on the Sea of Galilee and a terrible storm came up. The disciples were terrified and cried out to Jesus, "Don't you care that we are about to die?" The Bible tells us that Jesus stood up and rebuked the storm with these words, "Peace be still!" We are told that IMMEDIATELY the winds and the waves became totally still and that the storm stopped. Wow! This same Jesus is the Author of Peace and has come into the midst of my storm and has given me a safe shelter and "peace that passes all human understanding. Yes, I have squalls come up at times, but He is there with me and gently ministers to my broken heart and gives me healing and peace in the storm.

2007-08-05T20:51:00.000-07:00

It is late at night and I find myself very happy to know that we survived another Sunday. Considering that we were sick all night with food poisoning on Saturday night, I am relieved that God helped us through this day.
I was challenged by my husband's message this morning from Nehemiah 2. He likened the city of Jerusalem (which is known as the City of Peace) to the spiritual heart of man. It is from this place that we should have the center of our peace through Jesus Christ. Also, Alan compared Nehemiah (who went to view the ruins of Jerusalem's walls in secret) to the Holy Spirit. If the walls of the heart have been broken down by the enemy of the soul, Satan, then the Spirit will often assess the condition of the heart of man before that man ever realizes the gentle work of the Spirit in his life to bring about restoration.
Nehemiah said that the King was behind him supporting his desire to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. In fact, the King provided all the resources needed to repair and restore the walls even better than they were before they were destroyed. The Holy Spirit will remind the man who has fallen away from God's love and the person who has never known salvation, that the resources for building the walls of protection against sin and failure around the redeemed heart have been provided by Jesus Christ, God's Son, through His death and resurrection.
He then closed the message by saying that there is hope for the backslider and the one who has never been saved. But, he also warned believer's to keep a guard on the gates of the heart because if there is even a small breach, then anything can get inside and destroy the soul.
For me, I was stirred and challenged to ask the Lord to help me to keep the walls of my heart well guarded and maintained by consistency in prayer and study of the Word of God. (Yes, we pastor's wives struggle to find time for devotions like everyone else:-) I want the Lord to help me to repair any weak spots that might be present in the walls of my heart. Walled cities in ancient times were built to keep out bad things (enemies) and let in only the good things (riches and friends). In the spiritual life, it is the same way.
Lord, help me to learn from this message and begin to see fruit in my life even this week!
Thanks for putting up with my ramblings, dear reader. I do come by my interest in theological discussions honestly, though. Not only am I a pastor's wife, but I was also raised a "Preacher's Kid." These types of discussions were exciting dinner conversation when I was growing up. I just hope that you my lay readers were able to endure. Good Night!