Happy

I was reluctant to write this post at first, because I don't want to give any impression of being a mystic or be misunderstood in any way.  This is a personal story about how God loves His children - right where they are, understanding their needs and meeting them in His way, not ours.
This past Spring, Tommy and I changed the way we operate financially. Actually, I had lived our forty four years together unaware of the cost of living in the Dahn house...and yes, shame on me. Things in my world were about to change - by me and God.
We made some drastic alterations in our lifestyle - getting rid of a car, taking no "me" money each payday, getting rid of cable (we only had it for the sports channels anyway, so who cares, right?) - basically budgeting everything.  We were both onboard with this.  It isn't that we couldn't afford those things.  We could. But did we need them?  We did not.
We were not being the best stewards with what God had given us.  At least I wasn't. Tommy did not bear the guilt as I did. Hence, the huge purging we did last Spring - scaling down our excess and becoming free. Sometimes people own things and sometimes things own people. Our things did not own us in any way, anymore.
On with my story.
I began to see the Lord working in every direction of our lives.  Self-control felt good. I became a non-shopper and loved it.  Though at times I still had 'wants,' I gave my wants to Him. Yes, I could have purchased the 'wants,' but that's not how we agreed to spend our money...I mean God's money. I am not sure why God showed me favor, but from time to time, things on my 'want' list would appear in the most unusual ways.
A desired candle was given to me by an unknowing friend.
A piece of fabric I wanted for a nephew's blanket was on clearance, making it affordable.
There are many instances just like those that made me wonder how many times I missed God's gifts because I blessed myself so much?
But the amazing story was my Clinique Happy perfume.
I had smelled this perfume on a couple of girls at church and loved it. It went on my 'want' list, but I would be perfectly content if I never received it. You know what I mean?  It just smelled good. One thing I have learned about God in all of this is that nothing happens to us by accident. He orchestrates our days to magnify Himself.
My friend Marcy and I were in Palais Royal and we "just happened" to notice a rack of roll-on colognes as we were leaving the store.  One of them was Happy. Only twenty dollars - a steal at a fraction of the cost of a bottle! I intenionally passed it up, but was mindful that our anniversary was only a few days away.  After telling Tommy about it, he told me to go and get it.
I was excited as I went back the next day to make my purchase, but as I put my hand on the box, the thought went through my head, "Let God give it to you."
Me to myself: "What? I am! Tommy said I could have this and who in the world would give me Happy, not knowing if I even like it or anything? Quit being ridiculous.  It is okay to buy this. You can't expect God to just randomly give you some Happy cologne out of the blue."
So, I made my purchase with a gnawing doubt, but convinced myself I was justified in so doing.
The next week, we traveled to Utah for a visit with my son and his family. My daughter-in-law YuJueng and I went out for a day together.  I shared with her our changed habits and told her of the sweet blessings that had come my way and about the perfume. She said, "Mom, I have a bottle of that perfume I want to give you."
Me: "No, I have some! Really, I just bought it with Tommy's blessing!"
YJ: "Mom, I never wear it and I want you to have it."
I tried to argue with her, but when we returned home, she pulled out a bottle from a box containing many unused perfumes and handed it to me."
Did I wish I had not bought my roll-on? I thought about that, but I would never have talked to her about a perfume I wanted, if it had not been part of all God had done for me, so she never would have known and the subject would most likely not have come up.
What I am convinced of is that I must never again limit God as to what He can and can't do.  We can never take on the mindset that God is not able to meet any need/want, no matter how specific, or unimportant, or unbelievable. I now own two containers of Clinique Happy.  Both are from the Lord. One was given to me by my husband and one was given to me to remind me that with God, nothing is impossible. It might be my imagination, but it smells even better than I had remembered.
Please know that I do not sit looking around thinking of all the things I'd like to own and handing the list to God.  This was a personal lesson and in fact it has caused me to stop wanting material things. God sits on His throne and does as He pleases.  I am always blessed by whatever He does.
Psalm 115:3  But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. 
Many people have similar stories of His power and goodness and might.  Mine might seem very small to you, but it is so very real and life-changing to me.  It is personal.  My God cares about my world. May my wants be His wants for me. My Happy is appropriately named for sure.

Most Jelly Beans are in Hell

My Sunday School lesson was on the Transfiguration and it just did not feel right to include that in the title along with jelly beans...and I did not want to infer that I had a grasp on that subject, except on a first grade level, so even though I left it out of the title, it was the main lesson this morning. However, we managed to morph into jelly beans being in Hell, because that is where my class put them.  Have I set the scene enough to make you curious?  Well then, I'll continue.
While preparing the lesson on the Transfiguration, (really? for first graders?) I tried to be creative, lest I lose their interest from the beginning.  I wrote out the 'nouns' from the story: a mountain, Jesus, Peter, James, John, Elijah, Moses, 3 tents that Peter wanted to make but didn't, a voice, and a bright cloud. Each child took two papers as class attendance was low today.  When it came time in the story for their noun to be drawn, they came up and added it to the picture. Let the art begin.

I love the way they think.  Notice one of the tents is a dome tent and one is a tee pee by choice.  I am impressed by the voice.  Paul came up with the idea of the sonar type drawing on that one.

Anyway, the Great White Throne judgment is not discussed in the same passage, but my literature brought it up, so I did too.  I had previously written out statements for them to blindly choose and read before the Judge (me). All of them stated good reasons for being allowed into Heaven, but none good enough but one.  She passed into Heaven. Hence, most of them were cast into utter darkness. The one girl who was granted entrance also received a peppermint and some jelly beans.
After explaining the rewards for accepting Christ as Savior, I shared the peppermints and jelly beans with those bound in Hell.
I also handed out posters of the wide gate and the narrow gate.  The children really love looking at the difference.  Most put the larger portion of jelly beans on the wide path and peppermints representing God in Heaven.  I did not tell them to do anything.  This was all their ideas.  They 'get it.'

There are alot of jelly beans on that narrow path.  I just pray I am one of them.

Bolivar Bound

Living in South Texas for so long, it is easy to overlook the simple free pleasures right in front of us. On Jana's recent visit from Chicago, we packed a big lunch and headed south to Galveston in order to ride the ferry across to Bolivar Peninsula and explore its shoreline.  It was extremely cold that day. After boarding the ferry, everyone got out of their cars and climbed the stairs to view the channel from a higher level.  Some of us (with brains) went inside to stay warm and watch through the window.

Driving off the boat, on the left was a lighthouse.  It had been years since I took this ride and I didn't remember the lighthouse at all.  As we took the only road offered us, we turned right into a park area with bunkers from as far back as the Civil War.  Matt walked the kids over and read to them while they patiently listened.  It was not long until they returned, hungry and cold.  We found a building to block the wind and made our picnic on the porch.

Ricky said it was the best day ever...and I have to agree with him.

Tommy and Ivy watched from inside the ferry.

Best day ever!

Ivy on the inside, Emma on the out.

Eskimo Jana gives us a wave.

Ivy is reaching on glass for brother Luke and it looks like she is grabbing his face.

Levi

It looks like we are feeding a vagabond.

Picnic in the sun.

Bunkers

Sometimes we remember things better when they are out of our normal daily habits.  Cold weather in Texas, riding on water, and a picnic with bundled children makes this memory unforgettable.  These smiles are unforgettable, too.

Pleasing the "I" and the Lord

In the midst of 2015, I launched a rebellion against my calendar.  It had always been full of needed reminders, but I found myself avoiding it and liking it.  As long as I could stick a note on the fridge, I was good.

My memory is only on the way out, making recall more difficult than ever.  The info is in my brain somewhere; I just can't always find it.  Recently I attended a planning meeting with several other ladies.  Here I was with my calendar, notebook, and pen, and they all had out their phones and ipads. They suggested that I put all my notes on my phone.  What??!!?? And not use my paper and pen???

I am like the US Mail: through wind and snow and sleet and hail...something, something, the US Mail.  I think they call it 'snail mail' these days, but there is just nothing like receiving a personal note in the mailbox and there is also nothing like a good pen instead of typing on a tiny phone with a small font. (Gross...and difficult for people with gray hair.)

I said, "What if you drop your phone in the water?"

They all said in unison, "It's ok! It's on the cloud."

What a ridiculous sentence that is...frightening, too. Who and what else is on that cloud?

Okay, I am reeealllly digressing.

We made tenative plans for the church as a whole and I left with some idea of what 2016 would look like in the months ahead.  However my own calendar was still blank.  

I want my plans to be God's plans. How would He have me spend the days He gives me?  There are some obligations for sure, but most of my time is my own.  I also gave up shopping in 2015...a decision I in no way regret, hence more available hours to fill.

What would He say about my 'to do' lists?  Will there be blessings disguised as interruptions that He has in mind for me?  I hope so.  My agenda might be pleasing to my eyes, but is it pleasing to His? That is what matters, you know.  If what pleases the "I" also pleases the Lord, then my plans will be as they should be.

Lord, remove wasteful items from my 'to do' list as a surgeon would a nonfunctioning organ or a cancer. Help me to remember that my sole purpose on this earth is to bring You glory.
I read an article this morning in Tabletalk magazine. In it was a sentence that screamed at me from the page. "The gospel found its origin in eternity past when the three Persons of the Trinity purposed to glorify themselves by saving a people for themselves." R.C. Sproul.
So there it is in black and white.  Get out your calendars and plan to give God glory in all you do.
And Happy New Year!

Energy and Its Source

Who in the world are all these children?

I ran out of energy during the holidays when I needed it most.  My house was full of munchkins and big people acting like munchkins and the fun and frolicking was endless...for most.  At one point, there were fifteen sleepers throughout my abode and they were aboding everywhere.  (They left evidence behind, too.)
On one of those hectic days, my hubby Tommy came to me and said, "Get out."  Now, most wives would never want to hear those words from their husbands, but I smiled and said, "Really?" and headed for the door without so much as an 'adios.'
I made stops at two stores, was gone maybe two hours, and returned a new person.  It was amazing how big a change was made in so little time.
I can't say I felt no guilt, even though I had been ordered to go, but a wise and younger friend of mine made me realize something.  She told me that some people are energized by being around other people and some get their energy from being alone.  I am of the latter persuasion and had had no time at all to unwind, take a breath, or regroup with myself...if that is at all possible to do - but you know what I mean.
God created each of us from a different mold, and He never makes mistakes. If I had not been able to leave and be refreshed, He would have given me everything I needed to do all that needed to be done. Often we as women run on hamster wheels that do not stop, much to our detriment. Our output needs to match our input, though at times we are putting out from a depleted supply without realizing it. Know yourself.  If a quick getaway is not possible, then refill by leaning on the Lord for the steps ahead. He already knows exactly what you need.
Tommy sent me away because he was willing to man the ship while I was gone...along with Matt and Jana. This is what the ship looked like most of the time.

Let's see...which one is the cutest?

Matt in charge of breakfast.

Movie night.

This...

and that.

My sister Rita showed up with her twins because we needed more kids!

Girl camp.

Boy camp.

The A Team.

Planning strategies or making peace?

Rascals.

Female warriors.

Bella, my kitchen helper.

Ivy and Aunt Jana cutting carrots.

Best buds.

Toys in the beds, under the beds, and this is why.

Dance routine in the bathroom starring Emma and Addie.

Two Bellas.  Isabella and Bella.

Nothing says Merry Christmas like an elf (TJ) and his dinosaur.

Ivy says, "I'm done."
Me too, chick.

.

Being Ready With Golden Apples

Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. 

I have no silver, no golden apples, but I hope to get my point across with these.

1 Peter 3:14-16  But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.  
(Sidenote: More often than I can say, I will hone in on a verse/thought and write about it, only to hear it pop out of my husband's mouth from the pulpit. Is it not the Lord making these verses even more dear and important to me? Tommy does not read my blog and I do not read his sermon notes. Just FYI.)
Is your speech always fitly spoken with blessings for the hearer?  Mine neither. I want my words to be edifying and thoughtful, but they are often rash and lacking in discretion.  Peter tells us to be ready to make a defense to all who ask us about the hope that lies within us...with the sometimes absent "gentlenss and reverence."  (I need to work on that part.)
I believe we, as Christians are called to suffer, therefore expect it and brace yourselves. May the love we have for Christ our Savior be our impetus for sharing the gospel, leaving the results with God.
In a fallen and falling further world, it is more necessary than ever that we speak truth to those around us. Let our words be apples of gold, presented to others as on a silver platter - delightful to the ear and satisfying to the soul.