Often times in the Bible, God would do something significant in the life of someone, and in turn, they would offer a song of praise, straight from their heart to Him.
For instance, when God parted the Red Sea, and the Israelites crossed it. Afterward Miriam offered a song of praise to God. We also see it after the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her that she was going to be with child. Mary turned and offered a song of praise to her Heavenly Father.
One day, a couple of weeks before Christmas, as I was getting ready for work, I was thinking about Christ’s birth, and what that means to me. I thought about the awesome relationship that I have with Him. I thought about all that He’s done in my life, and as I pondered all of that, I thought, “Jesus, I am so glad you came to this earth.”
As I soaked up the awesomeness of Him, who He is, and what He’s done, this song of praise came forth, straight from my heart to Him. I thought that you might be able to relate to it too. Worship with me.
“I’m So Glad You Came” copyright Melissa Milbourn 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
That's the last time I say I'm bored
Last night Denny, Maren and I were sitting in the living room talking about how bored we were when we got a call from my stepdad. "Missy", he said. "I've got your Mom over here at the hospital. We think she might be having a heart attack." That ended the boredom pretty quickly.
We quickly changed out of our jammies, and made a mad rush to the emergency room. When we arrived she was still in quite a bit of pain, but her vitals seemed pretty good. They had given her nitro for the heart, and morphine for the pain. She was able to carry on a regular conversation with us.
We went back over this morning, and found her in MUCH less pain, and much more like herself. Josh was being really funny while we were in there, and it was cracking her up. All the way over, Josh kept saying, "when we get there, I'm not saying anything. Even if she talks to me, I'm not saying anything." He was really nervous about talking to his Grandma in the hospital.
However, once we got there, he was anything but quiet.
For some reason, he wanted to know if she could go to the bathroom okay. I guess because she was hooked up to so many wires, he wasn't sure how she could get there with all that apparatus attached. She told him that they didn't really want her up, but she could get up to go to the bathroom. Then he wanted to know, if she got caught, would the hospital police come get her. We chuckled at his question, but he replied, "well, I don't know, I've never been to the hospital before." Which, thankfully, is true. So, we appreciated and respected his questions, and tried to answer them as seriously as possible.
He must have been in a questioning kind of mood, because after that, we went to the mall, and he continued to ask me questions like, "how did they put this floor down?" I answered, "one square at a time." then he asked, "How come that wall doesn't go all the way to the ceiling?", I said "i don't know Josh." He determined that maybe they ran out of wood. He was funny today.
Anyway, my Mom is back home now. All of her tests came back negative for heart attack. So she has to go back to the doctor later this week for more blood work and a stress test. Please keep her in your prayers.
We quickly changed out of our jammies, and made a mad rush to the emergency room. When we arrived she was still in quite a bit of pain, but her vitals seemed pretty good. They had given her nitro for the heart, and morphine for the pain. She was able to carry on a regular conversation with us.
We went back over this morning, and found her in MUCH less pain, and much more like herself. Josh was being really funny while we were in there, and it was cracking her up. All the way over, Josh kept saying, "when we get there, I'm not saying anything. Even if she talks to me, I'm not saying anything." He was really nervous about talking to his Grandma in the hospital.
However, once we got there, he was anything but quiet.
For some reason, he wanted to know if she could go to the bathroom okay. I guess because she was hooked up to so many wires, he wasn't sure how she could get there with all that apparatus attached. She told him that they didn't really want her up, but she could get up to go to the bathroom. Then he wanted to know, if she got caught, would the hospital police come get her. We chuckled at his question, but he replied, "well, I don't know, I've never been to the hospital before." Which, thankfully, is true. So, we appreciated and respected his questions, and tried to answer them as seriously as possible.
He must have been in a questioning kind of mood, because after that, we went to the mall, and he continued to ask me questions like, "how did they put this floor down?" I answered, "one square at a time." then he asked, "How come that wall doesn't go all the way to the ceiling?", I said "i don't know Josh." He determined that maybe they ran out of wood. He was funny today.
Anyway, my Mom is back home now. All of her tests came back negative for heart attack. So she has to go back to the doctor later this week for more blood work and a stress test. Please keep her in your prayers.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
This Christmas...
This morning as I’m up and at ‘em at 5am, I was sitting here in my quiet time pondering Christmas. This Christmas was actually pretty relaxing for me, at least once the Christmas Eve Service was behind us. I appreciated our Pastor, John’s, comments to me after the service when he said this, “There are three programs, the one you plan, the one you print, and the one that happens.” I chuckled at his remark, because it totally summed up that particular service. Things went AMAZINGLY smooth, just not as planned. But Christ was praised, and hearts were changed, as we celebrated the birth of Jesus.
Christmas Day started for us at around 5 am. We opened presents, and then I had a little cooking to do to before going to my Aunt and Uncles at 11 o’clock. There we spent some time with extended family members, and had a GREAT meal. We got home around 2, and then I took a three hour nap. Wow. I woke up and Josh was asleep beside me, so at some point during my nap, he must have decided to join me.
Yesterday, we were supposed to leave for Indy at around noon to pick up Will’s friend, Jon Rudy, from the airport. Jon lives in Pennsylvania, and what he wanted for Christmas was a plane ticket to come see Will. So, that’s what he got! However, I think he got a little more than he bargained for. His flight, which was supposed to leave at noon, didn’t end up leaving until about 5:30...so poor Jon had to spend about 7 hours (or more) at the airport.
However, because of his delay, I was able to get my music room in order. I got a new keyboard for Christmas. So I got it all hooked up, and made great progress as far as learning it’s various functions. I wanted a keyboard that would act as a “workstation” for me, so that I can do a better job of arranging and recording songs that I’ve written. I am loving this keyboard!
I get to enjoy one more day of holiday vacation before heading back to work tomorrow.
Christmas Day started for us at around 5 am. We opened presents, and then I had a little cooking to do to before going to my Aunt and Uncles at 11 o’clock. There we spent some time with extended family members, and had a GREAT meal. We got home around 2, and then I took a three hour nap. Wow. I woke up and Josh was asleep beside me, so at some point during my nap, he must have decided to join me.
Yesterday, we were supposed to leave for Indy at around noon to pick up Will’s friend, Jon Rudy, from the airport. Jon lives in Pennsylvania, and what he wanted for Christmas was a plane ticket to come see Will. So, that’s what he got! However, I think he got a little more than he bargained for. His flight, which was supposed to leave at noon, didn’t end up leaving until about 5:30...so poor Jon had to spend about 7 hours (or more) at the airport.
However, because of his delay, I was able to get my music room in order. I got a new keyboard for Christmas. So I got it all hooked up, and made great progress as far as learning it’s various functions. I wanted a keyboard that would act as a “workstation” for me, so that I can do a better job of arranging and recording songs that I’ve written. I am loving this keyboard!
I get to enjoy one more day of holiday vacation before heading back to work tomorrow.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Merry Christmas!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS from The Milbourn's, or as our friends the Scott's call us, The Wilburn's! Praying that you'll have a BLESSED holiday!!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Relationships - Part 2
When I wrote last night’s post, I figured there would be a part 2…and there is, but it looks a lot different than what I thought it would. God changed the look of it today, with one e-mail from a client. Before I actually tell you what the client said, let me first give you some history of my relationship with this particular gentle-man.
I lose track of time, but I’m going to estimate that about five years ago, I started doing business with this client who owns a local retail outlet. The reason I attained the account was because he and his current sales rep weren’t getting along. They had a disagreement, and this client was very upset with both his account rep as well as with our television station. So they switched reps and gave the account to me. That’s where our relationship started. I was the “clean up” crew. My job was to go in and mend fences, so to speak.
To be honest, it was a fairly easy job, simply because this guy is a good guy. He was not happy with his former rep, but he did not hold it against me. After our station management went in and apologized, the slate was wiped clean, and I was off to a fresh start with this client.
For whatever reason, we seemed to really hit it off. From the beginning, I could not get in and out of his office in less than an hour because we would always end up having some great conversations. A lot of times his wife would be there, and sometimes his kids would be running in and out, so we got to know each other on a personal level. Often times, our conversations would turn to “spiritual talk”. He knew who I was, and I knew who he was. And who he was spiritually, was a self-proclaimed agnostic. He was bold about it, but never cocky, and never argumentative…nor was I. I would listen to his thoughts on spirituality, and he would listen as I talked about my relationship with my best friend, Jesus.
I could tell he was searching. He knew WAY more about other religions than I did because he had researched nearly all of them. Mormon’s, Hindu’s, Islam, you name it, he knew about it. As the years went by, I saw a gradual increase in his “openness” toward Christ.
A few months ago, we had one of our best “spiritual” talks ever…and he seemed different this time. I could tell he was more open than ever. He talked about how he had recently gone to a funeral, and he felt God’s presence…I don’t know that he used those exact words, but that’s what he was saying. We talked for nearly two hours that day, and I left him with my “Blue Like Jazz” book.
We’ve had a couple of conversations since then, and they were SO good. It definitely seemed like there was something different. His searching seemed to becoming more intense, and I sensed him rounding a spiritual corner toward Christ. His constant searching touched my heart, and I began to pray more fervently for him. His mother was having some health issues, and she began asking him questions about God, so now, he wasn’t only searching for himself, but for his mom.
So, this brings me to today. Today, I walked in from lunch and checked my e-mail. I had an e-mail from him, that made me cry, no, weep. He was responding to some business info that I had sent him. Here’s what the e-mail said: (I copy and pasted it)
Thanks for the info. I have finished your "blue like jazz" book. It is at the store and you can stop at your leisure. I enjoyed it a great deal. Good to know others have walked a less traveled path. I will give you a good one from another book I am finishing. A quote from Pascal that there are two kinds of reasonable people"those who serve God with all their heart because they know Him, and those who seek Him with all their heart because they do not know Him" Keep that one and think of me. Merry Christmas Melissa.
Why did this e-mail touch me so? Maybe it’s because it so perfectly describes he and I. I serve God with all my heart because I know Him, and he is seeking God with all his heart because he doesn’t know Him. Maybe it’s because I can hear a passionate, almost desperate heart cry of one searching desperately for God to show Himself to him. Or maybe it’s because for years now, I’ve been on this journey with him, and he is now confessing to me, that he, a self proclaimed agnostic, is now seeking God with all his heart. The mere thought of that makes me weep because I know what comes next….The Word says this, “You will seek me and FIND me, when you seek me with ALL YOUR HEART”. Jeremiah 29:13
I’m claiming that verse for my client friend, and praying that this Christmas, he’ll get the greatest gift ever. The gift of eternal life. The gift of a relationship with Jesus. The gift of love lavished on him by our Heavenly Father, served up and poured out in only the way that our God can. If you were patient enough to read thru this, would you please say a prayer for my friend as well?
Wow. Our relationships. God cares about our relationships. Who has God placed in your life? We must be aware of our relationships. God has us in them for a reason…to glorify His name. He LOVES people.
“I sought to hear the voice of God and climbed the topmost steeple, but God declared: ‘go down again, I dwell among the people”. John Henry Newman
I lose track of time, but I’m going to estimate that about five years ago, I started doing business with this client who owns a local retail outlet. The reason I attained the account was because he and his current sales rep weren’t getting along. They had a disagreement, and this client was very upset with both his account rep as well as with our television station. So they switched reps and gave the account to me. That’s where our relationship started. I was the “clean up” crew. My job was to go in and mend fences, so to speak.
To be honest, it was a fairly easy job, simply because this guy is a good guy. He was not happy with his former rep, but he did not hold it against me. After our station management went in and apologized, the slate was wiped clean, and I was off to a fresh start with this client.
For whatever reason, we seemed to really hit it off. From the beginning, I could not get in and out of his office in less than an hour because we would always end up having some great conversations. A lot of times his wife would be there, and sometimes his kids would be running in and out, so we got to know each other on a personal level. Often times, our conversations would turn to “spiritual talk”. He knew who I was, and I knew who he was. And who he was spiritually, was a self-proclaimed agnostic. He was bold about it, but never cocky, and never argumentative…nor was I. I would listen to his thoughts on spirituality, and he would listen as I talked about my relationship with my best friend, Jesus.
I could tell he was searching. He knew WAY more about other religions than I did because he had researched nearly all of them. Mormon’s, Hindu’s, Islam, you name it, he knew about it. As the years went by, I saw a gradual increase in his “openness” toward Christ.
A few months ago, we had one of our best “spiritual” talks ever…and he seemed different this time. I could tell he was more open than ever. He talked about how he had recently gone to a funeral, and he felt God’s presence…I don’t know that he used those exact words, but that’s what he was saying. We talked for nearly two hours that day, and I left him with my “Blue Like Jazz” book.
We’ve had a couple of conversations since then, and they were SO good. It definitely seemed like there was something different. His searching seemed to becoming more intense, and I sensed him rounding a spiritual corner toward Christ. His constant searching touched my heart, and I began to pray more fervently for him. His mother was having some health issues, and she began asking him questions about God, so now, he wasn’t only searching for himself, but for his mom.
So, this brings me to today. Today, I walked in from lunch and checked my e-mail. I had an e-mail from him, that made me cry, no, weep. He was responding to some business info that I had sent him. Here’s what the e-mail said: (I copy and pasted it)
Thanks for the info. I have finished your "blue like jazz" book. It is at the store and you can stop at your leisure. I enjoyed it a great deal. Good to know others have walked a less traveled path. I will give you a good one from another book I am finishing. A quote from Pascal that there are two kinds of reasonable people"those who serve God with all their heart because they know Him, and those who seek Him with all their heart because they do not know Him" Keep that one and think of me. Merry Christmas Melissa.
Why did this e-mail touch me so? Maybe it’s because it so perfectly describes he and I. I serve God with all my heart because I know Him, and he is seeking God with all his heart because he doesn’t know Him. Maybe it’s because I can hear a passionate, almost desperate heart cry of one searching desperately for God to show Himself to him. Or maybe it’s because for years now, I’ve been on this journey with him, and he is now confessing to me, that he, a self proclaimed agnostic, is now seeking God with all his heart. The mere thought of that makes me weep because I know what comes next….The Word says this, “You will seek me and FIND me, when you seek me with ALL YOUR HEART”. Jeremiah 29:13
I’m claiming that verse for my client friend, and praying that this Christmas, he’ll get the greatest gift ever. The gift of eternal life. The gift of a relationship with Jesus. The gift of love lavished on him by our Heavenly Father, served up and poured out in only the way that our God can. If you were patient enough to read thru this, would you please say a prayer for my friend as well?
Wow. Our relationships. God cares about our relationships. Who has God placed in your life? We must be aware of our relationships. God has us in them for a reason…to glorify His name. He LOVES people.
“I sought to hear the voice of God and climbed the topmost steeple, but God declared: ‘go down again, I dwell among the people”. John Henry Newman
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Relationships
While every other blog in the universe is talking about Christmas…I’m gonna talk about relationships, because that’s what God has been talking to me about.
This past week, I’ve been reminded of just how important our relationships are to God. I’ve been reminded thru the book I’m reading currently, as well as in Sunday school this week as we talked about this passage of scripture:
Matthew 5:21-22"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.” The Message
Now, I know God is speaking of a MUCH broader spectrum of relationships, than just what I’m mentioning here today, but, this is a few ways I’ve applied that verse to my life this week.
Last night, I dropped Denny and Maren off at Wal-Mart, and I went thru the McDonald’s drive thru to get a drink. I waited in line for what seemed to be an eternity. There was only one car ahead of me, and I don’t know what he ordered, but it took forever! I wondered why they didn’t have him pull forward so they could give me my sprite, but just as I was starting to get angry about it, and start calling them “idiots” under my breath, I remembered this passage of scripture. So, instead of getting mad, it made me laugh….but, God wasn’t done testing me yet.
I then had to drop something off at a friend’s house, and get back to pick Denny and Maren up before they were done shopping. So, time was a factor. After I finally got my sprite, I pulled out onto the road and got behind a truck that was going literally 20 mph down the highway…once again I noticed that I had a choice to make, be irritated, or patient. And instead of cursing them, I chuckled and said, “you’re really funny God…I get it. I get the lesson”. Not long after I said that, the truck speeded up to normal speed, almost as if God had arranged the whole thing just to make a point with me.
Today, at work, I’ve had to deal with someone in accounting. To be honest, every time she deals with us sales people, it’s because there is a problem. So, dealing with us is probably not very enjoyable for her. So I went out of my way to make it fun today, by being light hearted, and funny…because God cares about our relationships. In turn, working thru the accounting problems we were having became an enjoyable experience for me too.
Our relationships matter to Him. A lot. When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus answered, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself”.
The way Jesus put it, we express our love for God, not in pews, pulpits, stained-glass tones, or doctrinal hair-splitting, but in relationships among people. In the way you and I get along with him and her and them. If being with God on Sunday doesn’t make us better at shepherding people on Monday, then we’ve missed the point. (taken from the book, “They Smell Like Sheep” by Dr. Lynn Anderson)
So, as God is reminding me this week of how much He cares about our relationships with others, I thought I would pass that reminder along to you as well. Probably a good reminder to have during a season where we all gather together with extended family members. A reminder that God is watching, and He cares about our relationships. “For anyone who does not love his brother who he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen”. 1 John 4:20
Father God, help me to be mindful of how I care for and treat others, I don't want to speak "words that Kill". I want to speak words that encourage, words that will build others up, not tear them down. Thanks for this reminder Jesus...Holy Spirit, guide me.
This past week, I’ve been reminded of just how important our relationships are to God. I’ve been reminded thru the book I’m reading currently, as well as in Sunday school this week as we talked about this passage of scripture:
Matthew 5:21-22"You're familiar with the command to the ancients, 'Do not murder.' I'm telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother 'idiot!' and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell 'stupid!' at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.” The Message
Now, I know God is speaking of a MUCH broader spectrum of relationships, than just what I’m mentioning here today, but, this is a few ways I’ve applied that verse to my life this week.
Last night, I dropped Denny and Maren off at Wal-Mart, and I went thru the McDonald’s drive thru to get a drink. I waited in line for what seemed to be an eternity. There was only one car ahead of me, and I don’t know what he ordered, but it took forever! I wondered why they didn’t have him pull forward so they could give me my sprite, but just as I was starting to get angry about it, and start calling them “idiots” under my breath, I remembered this passage of scripture. So, instead of getting mad, it made me laugh….but, God wasn’t done testing me yet.
I then had to drop something off at a friend’s house, and get back to pick Denny and Maren up before they were done shopping. So, time was a factor. After I finally got my sprite, I pulled out onto the road and got behind a truck that was going literally 20 mph down the highway…once again I noticed that I had a choice to make, be irritated, or patient. And instead of cursing them, I chuckled and said, “you’re really funny God…I get it. I get the lesson”. Not long after I said that, the truck speeded up to normal speed, almost as if God had arranged the whole thing just to make a point with me.
Today, at work, I’ve had to deal with someone in accounting. To be honest, every time she deals with us sales people, it’s because there is a problem. So, dealing with us is probably not very enjoyable for her. So I went out of my way to make it fun today, by being light hearted, and funny…because God cares about our relationships. In turn, working thru the accounting problems we were having became an enjoyable experience for me too.
Our relationships matter to Him. A lot. When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus answered, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself”.
The way Jesus put it, we express our love for God, not in pews, pulpits, stained-glass tones, or doctrinal hair-splitting, but in relationships among people. In the way you and I get along with him and her and them. If being with God on Sunday doesn’t make us better at shepherding people on Monday, then we’ve missed the point. (taken from the book, “They Smell Like Sheep” by Dr. Lynn Anderson)
So, as God is reminding me this week of how much He cares about our relationships with others, I thought I would pass that reminder along to you as well. Probably a good reminder to have during a season where we all gather together with extended family members. A reminder that God is watching, and He cares about our relationships. “For anyone who does not love his brother who he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen”. 1 John 4:20
Father God, help me to be mindful of how I care for and treat others, I don't want to speak "words that Kill". I want to speak words that encourage, words that will build others up, not tear them down. Thanks for this reminder Jesus...Holy Spirit, guide me.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Get The Sleds Ready!!!
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM SATURDAY TO 1 PM EST SUNDAY... THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN INDIANAPOLIS HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM SATURDAY TO 1 PM EST SUNDAY. SNOW WILL BEGIN ON SATURDAY MORNING.
BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON...SNOW WILL MIX WITH FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET UNTIL SATURDAY NIGHT. LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THE PRECIPITATION WILL AGAIN CHANGE OVER TO ALL SNOW AND CONTINUE INTO SUNDAY MORNING.
ICE ACCUMULATION OF AROUND ONE QUARTER OF AN INCH IS POSSIBLE ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES ARE EXPECTED BY SUNDAY MORNING.
WIND WILL ALSO BE A CONCERN. BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON WIND WILL GUST FROM THE NORTHEAST UP TO 30 MPH. ON SUNDAY...WIND WILL INCREASE TO SUSTAINED 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. THE WIND WILL BE FROM THE NORTH WHICH WILL IMPACT ALL EAST AND WEST ORIENTED ROADWAYS.
SIGNIFICANT BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IS EXPECTED BY SUNDAY MORNING. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY WITH REGARD TO SNOWFALL AMOUNTS. CHECK WTHI-TV.COM FOR FURTHER UPDATES
BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON...SNOW WILL MIX WITH FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET UNTIL SATURDAY NIGHT. LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THE PRECIPITATION WILL AGAIN CHANGE OVER TO ALL SNOW AND CONTINUE INTO SUNDAY MORNING.
ICE ACCUMULATION OF AROUND ONE QUARTER OF AN INCH IS POSSIBLE ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES ARE EXPECTED BY SUNDAY MORNING.
WIND WILL ALSO BE A CONCERN. BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON WIND WILL GUST FROM THE NORTHEAST UP TO 30 MPH. ON SUNDAY...WIND WILL INCREASE TO SUSTAINED 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 40 MPH. THE WIND WILL BE FROM THE NORTH WHICH WILL IMPACT ALL EAST AND WEST ORIENTED ROADWAYS.
SIGNIFICANT BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW IS EXPECTED BY SUNDAY MORNING. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY WITH REGARD TO SNOWFALL AMOUNTS. CHECK WTHI-TV.COM FOR FURTHER UPDATES
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Marie Osmond
Did you know that last week, in our tiny town of 4,000, at the new Super Wal-Mart, stood the one, the only, Marie Osmond?!? Oh yeah, Marie was at our Wal-Mart. Is that exciting or what?!?!
The very first thought I had when I heard this news was, "wow, Marie Osmond, probably just walked right over the spot on the Wal-Mart floor where Josh puked."
Yep, about a week or so after Wal-mart opened, Josh puked on the floor. About 10 feet inside the door. So, think about that next time you enter the store. Not sure why he couldn't have pulled the trigger on that one 10 feet OUTSIDE the store. Oh well, always an adventure.
Anyway, back to Marie. I've always had great respect for the Osmond family as far as musical talent goes. And I appreciate that they have been responsible with their "stardom". However, I grew an even greater appreciation for Marie, when I saw her a few weeks ago on Larry King Live.
Larry asked her how she was able to dance so soon after her father's death. Marie mentioned that she likes to read scripture. She said that as she was processing her father's death, and preparing for the Dancing with the stars show, she stopped to read the Bible. The verse that she "happened" to read that day was from Ecclesiastes, and it said this, "There is a time to mourn, and a time to dance." Ecc. 3:4 and that is what got her through that time.
Anyway, she was enroute to do a show in Effingham, when she stopped at our Wal-Mart. Another one of my relatives attended that show and said it was AWESOME!!
The very first thought I had when I heard this news was, "wow, Marie Osmond, probably just walked right over the spot on the Wal-Mart floor where Josh puked."
Yep, about a week or so after Wal-mart opened, Josh puked on the floor. About 10 feet inside the door. So, think about that next time you enter the store. Not sure why he couldn't have pulled the trigger on that one 10 feet OUTSIDE the store. Oh well, always an adventure.
Anyway, back to Marie. I've always had great respect for the Osmond family as far as musical talent goes. And I appreciate that they have been responsible with their "stardom". However, I grew an even greater appreciation for Marie, when I saw her a few weeks ago on Larry King Live.
Larry asked her how she was able to dance so soon after her father's death. Marie mentioned that she likes to read scripture. She said that as she was processing her father's death, and preparing for the Dancing with the stars show, she stopped to read the Bible. The verse that she "happened" to read that day was from Ecclesiastes, and it said this, "There is a time to mourn, and a time to dance." Ecc. 3:4 and that is what got her through that time.
Anyway, she was enroute to do a show in Effingham, when she stopped at our Wal-Mart. Another one of my relatives attended that show and said it was AWESOME!!
Friday, December 7, 2007
My Provider - Everyday Blessings
Let me tell you how God blessed me today. I love this.
This morning, I was driving to work, and I thought, "I would love to go to Maurices on my lunch hour and get another pair of jeans." However, I really didn't want to spend the money on them.
So, I got to work, and our managers immediately called us to action by asking us to sell some spots in a football game that we're airing this weekend. Thankfully, I had success selling that.
As the noon hour approached, I realized that I really shouldn't go get the jeans, instead, I should go shopping for Maren's Christmas presents, 'cause up to that point I had not bought anything for her. So, I decided to go to the mall, instead of Maurices, which is on the opposite side of town from the mall.
Right before I walked out the station door, my friend Angela surprised me with this question, she said, "Hey Mis, Billie and I are going to Maurices on our lunch hour do you need anything from there?" Wow! what timing. I said, "yes! as a matter of fact I do!" So Ang agreed to get my jeans for me! Yay!!
So, I went shopping for Maren, and when I got back to the station, Angela had the jeans sitting on my desk. I asked, "how much do I owe you?" She said "$25.00". Now get this, just as I was paying her, my boss called me into his office. Much to my surprise, due to the success that I had selling the football game he gave me $25 CASH! I couldn't believe it, they very seldom ever do that. So, I walked out of his office and immediately took the cash to Angela, and right now I'm sitting comfortably in my FREE jeans! !
This morning, I was driving to work, and I thought, "I would love to go to Maurices on my lunch hour and get another pair of jeans." However, I really didn't want to spend the money on them.
So, I got to work, and our managers immediately called us to action by asking us to sell some spots in a football game that we're airing this weekend. Thankfully, I had success selling that.
As the noon hour approached, I realized that I really shouldn't go get the jeans, instead, I should go shopping for Maren's Christmas presents, 'cause up to that point I had not bought anything for her. So, I decided to go to the mall, instead of Maurices, which is on the opposite side of town from the mall.
Right before I walked out the station door, my friend Angela surprised me with this question, she said, "Hey Mis, Billie and I are going to Maurices on our lunch hour do you need anything from there?" Wow! what timing. I said, "yes! as a matter of fact I do!" So Ang agreed to get my jeans for me! Yay!!
So, I went shopping for Maren, and when I got back to the station, Angela had the jeans sitting on my desk. I asked, "how much do I owe you?" She said "$25.00". Now get this, just as I was paying her, my boss called me into his office. Much to my surprise, due to the success that I had selling the football game he gave me $25 CASH! I couldn't believe it, they very seldom ever do that. So, I walked out of his office and immediately took the cash to Angela, and right now I'm sitting comfortably in my FREE jeans! !
Thursday, December 6, 2007
The Food Channel
Four words I never thought I'd hear from my six year old boy: "Yay! The Food Channel!"
Josh LOVES to watch the food channel. Actually, all three of our kids enjoy watching the food channel. Denny said that it's because, with a mom like me, they know they have to learn to cook to survive. I didn't think that was very nice.
I told him that I didn't care how well they learned to cook, it still wouldn't be as good as Cracker Barrel. :-)
Josh LOVES to watch the food channel. Actually, all three of our kids enjoy watching the food channel. Denny said that it's because, with a mom like me, they know they have to learn to cook to survive. I didn't think that was very nice.
I told him that I didn't care how well they learned to cook, it still wouldn't be as good as Cracker Barrel. :-)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
The Most Wonderful Time of The Year
The past few years I have struggled a little bit with Christmas. For lack of a better description, I'm not as "into it" as I used to be. I know that sounds crazy coming from someone who has a personal relationship with Jesus, but hang with me here...
As we entered into this holiday season, I was pondering why it is that I feel the way I feel, and what I settled on is this: before I became a devout Christian, I was a "every once in a while" Christian. I only focused on God "every once in a while", and Christmas was one of those times that I would focus on God. Because of that, Christmas was always extra special. I could always feel God's presence during the Holiday Season, and HE made it special! The difference is now, I experience God's presence everyday, so in a sense, I have Christmas everday! And that's AWESOME!
So, the other morning I was thinking about all of this, and was trying to sort it out. I was still a little bummed over the fact that I wasn't as excited about Christmas as I used to be. I got on the treadmill, with my I-pod, and began talking to God about what was going on in my brain. I had a new Christmas CD on my I-pod, and the first song I played, literally, struck a "spiritual" cord with me. I've heard the song a thousand times, but this time it was as if Jesus himself was saying to me, "Missy, be excited, THIS is the most wonderful time of the year. With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer" It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year It's the hap -happiest season of all With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings When friends come to call It's the hap - happiest season of all There'll be parties for hosting Marshmallows for toasting And caroling out in the snow..."
I literally got tears in my eyes as I paused to think, "yes, yes it is". This is a season when people gather in the name of "Christmas", or "Christ". This is a season when Christ centered songs are played in the malls. This is a season when people who ordinarily wouldn't have a prayer said at a party...make it a point to have prayer at their gathering (ie. my own company Christmas party). This is a season when the world focuses on Christmas and Christ. Those who don't know Him, cannot hide from the mention of His name during this season. They can't.
Yes, I have a daily personal relationship with Him, but millions of others only focus on Him one time a year...and this is it. As the world pauses to celebrate Him, it is truly the most wonderful time of the year. If you're one who catches a glimpse of Him this holiday season, may you not let go. May you hold onto Him. May you accept Him as your best gift ever. May you open His presence every day of the year. Or if you're in the place I described in the first and second paragraph, may you too be caught up in the excitment and realization that this is the most wonderful time of the year.
As we entered into this holiday season, I was pondering why it is that I feel the way I feel, and what I settled on is this: before I became a devout Christian, I was a "every once in a while" Christian. I only focused on God "every once in a while", and Christmas was one of those times that I would focus on God. Because of that, Christmas was always extra special. I could always feel God's presence during the Holiday Season, and HE made it special! The difference is now, I experience God's presence everyday, so in a sense, I have Christmas everday! And that's AWESOME!
So, the other morning I was thinking about all of this, and was trying to sort it out. I was still a little bummed over the fact that I wasn't as excited about Christmas as I used to be. I got on the treadmill, with my I-pod, and began talking to God about what was going on in my brain. I had a new Christmas CD on my I-pod, and the first song I played, literally, struck a "spiritual" cord with me. I've heard the song a thousand times, but this time it was as if Jesus himself was saying to me, "Missy, be excited, THIS is the most wonderful time of the year. With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer" It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year It's the hap -happiest season of all With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings When friends come to call It's the hap - happiest season of all There'll be parties for hosting Marshmallows for toasting And caroling out in the snow..."
I literally got tears in my eyes as I paused to think, "yes, yes it is". This is a season when people gather in the name of "Christmas", or "Christ". This is a season when Christ centered songs are played in the malls. This is a season when people who ordinarily wouldn't have a prayer said at a party...make it a point to have prayer at their gathering (ie. my own company Christmas party). This is a season when the world focuses on Christmas and Christ. Those who don't know Him, cannot hide from the mention of His name during this season. They can't.
Yes, I have a daily personal relationship with Him, but millions of others only focus on Him one time a year...and this is it. As the world pauses to celebrate Him, it is truly the most wonderful time of the year. If you're one who catches a glimpse of Him this holiday season, may you not let go. May you hold onto Him. May you accept Him as your best gift ever. May you open His presence every day of the year. Or if you're in the place I described in the first and second paragraph, may you too be caught up in the excitment and realization that this is the most wonderful time of the year.
Monday, December 3, 2007
No Free Nights
We've had a stretch of "no free nights", and I've loved it. Prior to this, we had a stretch of all free nights, and I was starting to get bored. :-)
This past Saturday was the WTHI Christmas party. I was honored to get to say the prayer this year. Normally, the General Manager does it, but this year he asked me if I would do it. I'm glad they care enough to have prayer said before the meal.
Sunday night we had praise team practice. Monday night we had the K-2nd grade choral performance to go to, and tonight Maren was in a band concert.
Due to the no free nights, I've ate left overs since Sunday :-) Tonight was my 3rd night in a row to have roast, potatoes, and carrots. I'm the only one in the family that will eat left overs. Personally, I thought they tasted better today, than the first day! mmm...mmm...good.
This past Saturday was the WTHI Christmas party. I was honored to get to say the prayer this year. Normally, the General Manager does it, but this year he asked me if I would do it. I'm glad they care enough to have prayer said before the meal.
Sunday night we had praise team practice. Monday night we had the K-2nd grade choral performance to go to, and tonight Maren was in a band concert.
Due to the no free nights, I've ate left overs since Sunday :-) Tonight was my 3rd night in a row to have roast, potatoes, and carrots. I'm the only one in the family that will eat left overs. Personally, I thought they tasted better today, than the first day! mmm...mmm...good.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Eddie Haskell
Wow...I cannot believe it's been a week since I've blogged. I thought about it a couple of times this week, but really had nothing to say.
I got up early this morning, and had some deep thoughts that I wanted to share. I woke up in an attitude of thankfulness. I actually arose with tears in my eyes, literally, for I could feel the nearness of God. Every once in a while I'm reminded of where I was, and where God's brought me, and this was one of those moments, and I was on my way to share those thoughts with you, when Josh woke up...so, maybe I'll get back to that later.
Right now, as I sit here writing, this is the thought that's going thru my head, "Eddie Haskell still lives..."
Do you all remember Eddie? He was Wally's friend on the television show "Leave it to Beaver."
Why am I thinking of Eddie? Will had a friend spend the night last night. His name is Logan (Brad and Nora, you out did yourselves on this one). Logan is hilarious. The part of Logan that reminds me of Eddie, is that he calls us Dennis and Melissa, instead of Denny and Missy.
Like for instance, when I got home from work last night, I was greeted with something like this, "How was your day Melissa?" spoken very Eddie Haskellish.
However, Eddie was fake...Logan's not. He's just being goofy. When he's not busy being Eddie Haskelish, he's totally opposite, he trash talks us. Last night he and Denny sat across the dinner table from one another and trash talked each other via 'text messages'. Yes, text messaged acrossed the table. For a brief moment, I felt like I was married to a junior higher, and was anxiously awaiting him to ask me to the 8th grade dance.
I was reminded of Eddie last month, as well, when we spent the weekend with the Rudy's in Ohio. Their teenage son, Jon, would call me only, "Mrs. Milbourn"...just like Eddie would have done. He too was being goofy. So anyway, as I type this, I'm thankful for our kid's friends. I'm thankful that they know they can be goofy with us. And I'm reminded of how much fun I had with my friend's parents when I was growing up. Particularly, at this moment, thinking of Carole Ann Warner, and Betty Bounds, and grateful for the influence that they had on me in my teenage years.
I got up early this morning, and had some deep thoughts that I wanted to share. I woke up in an attitude of thankfulness. I actually arose with tears in my eyes, literally, for I could feel the nearness of God. Every once in a while I'm reminded of where I was, and where God's brought me, and this was one of those moments, and I was on my way to share those thoughts with you, when Josh woke up...so, maybe I'll get back to that later.
Right now, as I sit here writing, this is the thought that's going thru my head, "Eddie Haskell still lives..."
Do you all remember Eddie? He was Wally's friend on the television show "Leave it to Beaver."
Why am I thinking of Eddie? Will had a friend spend the night last night. His name is Logan (Brad and Nora, you out did yourselves on this one). Logan is hilarious. The part of Logan that reminds me of Eddie, is that he calls us Dennis and Melissa, instead of Denny and Missy.
Like for instance, when I got home from work last night, I was greeted with something like this, "How was your day Melissa?" spoken very Eddie Haskellish.
However, Eddie was fake...Logan's not. He's just being goofy. When he's not busy being Eddie Haskelish, he's totally opposite, he trash talks us. Last night he and Denny sat across the dinner table from one another and trash talked each other via 'text messages'. Yes, text messaged acrossed the table. For a brief moment, I felt like I was married to a junior higher, and was anxiously awaiting him to ask me to the 8th grade dance.
I was reminded of Eddie last month, as well, when we spent the weekend with the Rudy's in Ohio. Their teenage son, Jon, would call me only, "Mrs. Milbourn"...just like Eddie would have done. He too was being goofy. So anyway, as I type this, I'm thankful for our kid's friends. I'm thankful that they know they can be goofy with us. And I'm reminded of how much fun I had with my friend's parents when I was growing up. Particularly, at this moment, thinking of Carole Ann Warner, and Betty Bounds, and grateful for the influence that they had on me in my teenage years.
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