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ANOTHER BONUS YEAR

Well, I’m a little late in wishing you a Happy New Year, aren’t I? So, finally, here it is: Happy New Year!

But I actually delayed writing on purpose because I wanted to give it a little time so that I could ponder. With all the hubbub of the holidays, I think taking time to ponder gets a little lost.

Did you make any resolutions? There are the typical be kind, lose weight, have more fun, get a new haircut, etc. So, here’s my question for you? How’s that working out for you? Have you kept your resolutions or have you, like most people by now, even forgotten what they were if you made any.

Well, I didn’t make any but I did make some decisions and commitments regarding the new year. I hope you will take a second stab at your resolutions or commitments. Just take a moment to think about where you were this time last year or the year before. For me, and for Jody, that is REALLY easy to do. We pretty much measure everything these days as “before Jody got sick” and “after he got to come back to Texas”. The middle is still sort of in no man’s land–not much there I want to remember and for Jody there aren’t many memories during that time period at all.

Anyway, take a look at your life, in an honest way. Are you a better person than you were? Have you tackled some of those projects you said you wanted to tackle? Have you grown spiritually? Have you tried to accomplish something that God has opened the door for you to do? Pause what you’re doing and take a minute and consider. All of us are here because God left us here to accomplish things as part of his plan for our lives and for our part in his plan for the kingdom. If you are like me, you fall short in many areas, but I hope that you are ready to set the reset button and try again to make some spiritual commitments for this year, some resolutions.

Jody and I are so looking forward to another bonus year. We feel so blessed to have every single bonus day together and as we serve the Lord together. You know what they say about life-changing events…You are never the same after them. Your perspective on life is altered. We know that none of us is promised tomorrow. It’s true for each of us, not just those who have been through something life-changing. We hope that we live like that. We discuss it often. Jody and I pray that we never forget that each day, each minute are gifts from God-bonus gifts.

This time of year is especially emotional for me because of the timing of Jody’s hospitalization. Even now, some time later, I get a bit shaky and teary-eyed when I think about those painful, lonely, frightening days. They weren’t really divided into days back then. They were divided into minutes at best. Now, after some time has past, I can divide the time into days and sometimes even weeks.

As we move smack into our busy spring, I want to make more time for Jesus. I want to do a better job of Loving One Another–not just those people whom I already love but also those I have nothing in common with and those that just are not very loveable. (See John 13:35) I want to set a good example for those around me, especially those I know that are not believers. I have some amazing family and friends whom I love dearly. I want them to be in heaven with me one day. I want them to see Jesus in me and to want what I’ve got. Jesus loves me and you so much. He has a special plan for each of us. (See Jeremiah 29:11) I so want them to grasp hold of that special gift.

Jody and I may have more bonus days ahead. I certainly pray so. I plan to share each of those bonus day gifts with my precious husband, but I also want to be spending those bonus days serving God. I know His desire is for me to grow closer to Him this year more than last year and to align myself with him. I want him to continue to work on making me the person he created me to be. That’s definitely a full-time job! I’m glad God doesn’t give up on me, even when it seems like it takes a long, long time.

Will you join me in reconsidering your resolutions for this year? Will you reflect on the bonus days that you have been given?

Be blessed. Trisha

Which Word Is Your Picture Near In The Dictionary?

We were recently travelling quite a bit zigzagging around the country. I am sort of a people watcher. My Uncle Pete always said, “Idiots come in swarms!” I believe it. Some people are a delight and others are a fright.

We meet a lot of different people in our various ministry endeavors. Some people crack me up with their forwardness. And there are people who are comical to watch as they interact with others. So many people seem to be lost in spirit without any purpose in life. We have met people who are so loud and obnoxious in public places that it makes me cringe to think of how they interact with their families at home. Some cannot have a conversation without spewing four-letter words. You know the type – they have no filter and say whatever pops into their pea brain. Yikes.

Occasionally I see people who seem to be on vacation but look as though they could have never found their way without help. On those occasions, I glance at Jody and ask, “Where are their keepers?”

Recently, I keeper-glanced at Jody while we were walking behind an elderly man at an airport as he stumbled and bumbled. We met Bill when he fell as he exited the airport. Bill ended up staying in the same hotel and also went on the same tours. Bill is 89 years old and his wife had died not long before this trip. He wanted to take the trip that the two of them had planned, in her memory. Apparently, his children don’t live near him but stayed connected to him by telephone. He seemed to be doing fine as far as they could tell and so they encouraged him to go on the trip rather than just sit home and mope. Oh my stars, Bill had no business travelling alone. Bill is a precious, grieving man whose picture in the dictionary is next to the words “lost as a goose” and “needs a keeper.”

So that brings us to the question. Which word or phrase would be near your picture in a dictionary? When people think of you, what pops into their mind?

When I think about which word or phrase pops into people’s minds when they think of me, I’m challenged to do better! My goal is for words like caring, dependable, joyful, honest, forgiving, patient, kind, humble to come to mind, but I’m afraid that there are times when selfish, unforgiving, judgmental, impatient, and gripey are the words that others think first about me because of things I’ve done or said. I have made many mistakes in my life, but I am trying to live a mindful life now, as Christ intended. He is transforming me into the person he created me to be.

Join me in examining your life, your words, your actions. No, it’s not so much about what other people think – it’s about what God thinks. But, sometimes, when we examine closely and consider what others think, like me, you might be challenged to draw closer to the Lord so that he can continue that transforming work.

Lord, thank you for giving me a separate, distinct, and unique personality. I am special because you say so. It’s not because of anything I have done, but because of who you are and how you are working in my life to make me into the person you created me to be. Help me to lean in to the changes you are making. Give me the qualities that honor you and help me move away from those that don’t.

— We need your help! —

The book “Keep Your Hands in the Air When You’re on a Roller Coaster” is available on Amazon. It is available in print but also now as an e-book. If you find that this book is recommendable, please help us by telling your friends and by posting it on your social media. We don’t use social media ourselves for reasons that go back to our time living overseas. So, those of you that do use it can help by posting information about the book. Also, please leave a review on Amazon. Reviews help with where the book falls in the list of books available.

Plumb Line

Today I heard something that made me think about a plumb line. I am not a construction person but I know that those that are use plumb lines to make sure things are straight. They measure their work against the perfect line.

God has given me an ability to see when objects or pictures, etc. are askew. It is actually quite comical at times. I can see things that aren’t straight by a tiny margin. Things that aren’t straight practically glow-in-the-dark for me. Over the years I have had many conversations like this with a few people:

“Yes, it is straight.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Yes, it’s too high on the left.”

“No, I think it is level.”

“Please go get the level.”

“Ugh. Okay” [eye roll] …. “You were right. How’s this?”

As time has passed, Jody doesn’t question it anymore. He’s gotten the level out too many times. Other people still question my judgment, but he usually warns them first.

But, I have to be honest and admit that, in my life, I’m not as good at seeing things that are askew. We have been given the perfect plumb line in Jesus. He is who I should be measuring my life against. It is so easy to get just a fraction off the mark without realizing it. If I don’t make corrections right away, I can slip even further off that new mark. One day, I realize that I am twice as far away from the perfect example Jesus has given me on how to live my life.

So, today I am challenging you to join me in examining where you are against the perfect plumb line of Jesus. Don’t compare yourself to someone on television, or a friend, or even someone at church. Compare yourself to Jesus. During your evaluation, if you, like me, realize that you have moved away from the mark, pray and admit it and ask Jesus to help you get back to aiming for the true and perfect plumb line. Ask him to help you see the mark in a glow-in-the-dark or bold sort of way, so that you can clearly recognize it when you slip away from the mark.

Lord, guide my steps. I want to live in a way that is pleasing to you. Show me when I have stepped away from you, even the slightest bit, and nudge me back towards the plumb line.

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Jody continues to work hard every day. He has adjusted to his new normal by now and most of his lingering issues are not readily apparent if you just spend a few minutes with him. We choose to not dwell on those but instead are just grateful for the bonus days. We are knee-deep in ministry of all types, and we feel so very blessed to be able to serve the Lord together in a variety of ways.

Hard Things

We are just finishing chaplain work in Oklahoma. It was quite hot but so was the ministry there. “Hot” in that God gave us and our chaplain team many opportunities to share Christ and to provide emotional and spiritual care to those we met, but He also arranged some divine appointments. I love how he orchestrates things!

Lord, thank you for how you work to love people into the kingdom. You don’t need us to do this work, but you allow us to be part of it.

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I am constantly reminded about how God is so patient with me. Just like the Israelites, I get so distracted and self-absorbed in my own “stuff” that I forget what He has done for me. Sometimes I act like I don’t know that he is at work behind the scenes always. I’ve had some personal challenges recently that caused me to not-quite-panic, but also to not-quite-trust. Then He reminded me of His patience with me with the phrase “You can do hard things…with my help.” Don’t forget it like I did.

The Majesty of God’s Creation

We are still traipsing through our summer and trying to endure this record-breaking heat wave. I am overwhelmed at our blessings.

We did get to escape the heat for a bit and in doing so we were reminded of the MAJESTY of God’s creation! We had an incredible time with family enjoying mountains and wildlife and cool streams and roaring waterfalls. I am so grateful to enjoy “bonus” time with my precious husband. But I am also grateful to my loving God who has allowed this time together.

More than all that, I am grateful for how our Lord has changed my perspective, pretty much on everything. His glorious creation means so much more to me now than in the past. The way he brings special people into our lives when we weren’t even looking for new people, the way he solidifies those strong family bonds, and improves those that could use some strengthening, the way he uses the hot days to help us appreciate the cooler days, the way he reminds us how short life is, sometimes gently and sometimes not so gently, is mind-boggling.

Lord, thank you for your blessings big and small. Help me to see them as you mean for me to see them. Guide me when I can’t see the forest for the trees.

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A mom and young daughter were talking. The mom was pointing in the distance to a beautiful waterfall trying to show it to her pre-schooler. She was saying things like “look up, look at where my fingers are pointing, can you hear the big sound it’s making? It is beautiful!” As much as she tried the frustrated mom could not get the child to look up and out. Then, suddenly, the little girl started squirming and jumping in delight and exclaimed, “Mommy, guess, what? I see a roly-poly down here by my foot!”

Think about this in your quiet moments as I did. Sometimes our Lord has so much for me and I sometimes just stay in my comfort zone focused on my own stuff, my circumstances, getting my own way, having things the way I want them, etc. And I often miss the special, incredible, amazing things he has for me that are just ahead of me.

Look up!