More.

I want More. Better. Different. Larger. Prettier. Newer. Fresher. Shinier. Easier. Sweeter.

Where there are people there is a m.o.r.e. mindset in our society. And I don't think it is anything new. People have always wanted more. Sometimes I am one of those people. I have been less than satisfied. I have thought it would be nice to have it different.

Recently, two Holsteins came to live on our back acre. We have been removing trees, planting grass, liming and re-liming, fertilizing and re-fertilizing for a year. Kyle spent a few months putting up fence, one or two sections at a time until the job was done. (good topic for another post.)

Finally the cows joined us last month. A brown Holstein and a black Holstein. Stew and Chuck, respectively. Not named for where they have been, but for where......well you get it.

Stew and Chuck came from a dirt patch where all their food came from a trough or a bale. Now they are in the most glorious place. Perfect lush moist grass that reaches past their bellies. Each day they also get grain and have access to abundant water.

But when feeding time comes, Stew is never content with his own bucket. He starts his, then gradually pushes Chuck out of the way and is eating Chuck's food. Chuck then walks around the back of Stew, resigned to eat Stew's food. Until Stew realizes it. Of course Stew pushes Chuck away again. And on they cycle goes.

Seriously? Stew, come on, you have lush grass and water, you have abundant space, you are surrounded by new fences and you live on a mountain with a glorious view.

Step back. Take it all in. You have all you need. And more.

As Stew continues to have issues with not being satisfied, I hope I can see some of my 'wants' as unnecessary when compared with all that God has planned for and has consistently provided for me. Oh my, He gives me such lush grass and in abundance. I want to be content in what He gives me. In Him.

"Contentment is possible only as we cultivate and maintain that attitude of accepting everything that enters our lives as coming from the Hand of Him that is too wise to err and too loving to cause one of his children a needless tear." -A.W. Pink

Waking up the cub

I hope that in waking this cub from it's long winter nap, I will experience some good self care by expressing my thoughts through Candles On My Table. I love to write, but need the time to think creatively and put it into words. Usually I don't take the time. I should. I enjoy it. I enjoy reading other blogs. I love communication. Period. I love communication.

Since I am embracing 6-8 weeks of time at home I hope to have time to write. I don't know if I will keep it up after my recovery is over, but for now I will enjoy the medicine it provides. Since August of 2009 when I last blogged, a few beautiful candles have been added to our table. I am pretty certain I will be introducing each of them and their beautiful and unique light in our family.

As I sit on the couch in my pajamas this morning, wrapped in a blanket and watching the day unfold, I am excited to see what God puts on my heart to share. For me, the healing is beginning even before the surgery.

Heart check:

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The routine flight instructions that I have heard time after time:

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"Put the air mask on yourself before you help someone else."

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"Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?........Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had." Philippians 2: 1, 3-5 (NLT)

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I am reminded of the importance to keep check on my own heart

before I 'try to help (fix)" those around me.

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Cutest 6th grade boy!

School started this week in many parts of Georgia. Among the thousands of Dixie-land students who have or will be squeezing through metal door frames, over thresholds and onto shiny waxed floors, I know of 140 sixth grade students in particular, who have an amazing year ahead of them. Many of these 140 are from broken homes, don't know who their daddy is, let alone who their grandpas are.

There is one amazing, balding white-haired man who made a decision nine years ago to begin the journey of becoming a role model for these 140. After 30 years of working in the field of production and production management, the desire to teach children caused this man to engage in a new chapter of life. Beginning college in 2000 and continuing through his master's degree, my "Mr. Bergen" now begins his sixth year of teaching. He is modeling to these children that learning is a privilege, offering them the satisfaction of accomplishment. I am so proud of this man; my husband!

Kyle's commitment to these kids is making an impact on generations to come, one child at a time. This year's Social Studies students will not all grasp what is offered them about our world and about life. For those who wrap their minds and hearts around what is opened up to them, I am excited. I cheer them on to a brighter tomorrow.

In 1963, this young 6th grader, fishing along the banks of the Black Hawk Creek, was asked to pose for the Waterloo Daily Courier front page. Pretty cute, huh?!

I love you, Kyle - you are my hero!
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Goin' a little too far...

There is not a photo to post with this.
You will understand after you read it.
Here is the scenario:
Women's restroom at the resort.
Stalls side by side.
Woman number 1 is in her stall, peeing.
Woman number 2 is in her stall, peeing PLUS talking on her cell phone in the volume most people talk on their cell phone.
Woman number 3 is in her stall, peeing.

Okay, women go with me on this (no, that is not a pun). You can hear all three women peeing. And you hear #2 TALKING. So, logic has it that on the other end of the phone the person #2 is talking to, can ALSO hear the three women peeing.

I was either #1 or #3, it doesn't really matter. The point is, I did not feel like I was in a private, safe place. My personal business was being broadcast to who knows where (people visiting resorts have traveled from homes all over the country or world)!

It still has me in shock, and the pee broadcast happened 5 hours ago! Ugh!!

Who has had a significant role in molding you?

What a treat I had tonight! I am in 112 degree Phoenix, Arizona for WinShape ministry. What a perfect opportunity to spend a couple hours with dear friends, Jim and Pat, who have retired to Phoenix. I was disappointed that I forgot to take a picture of the three of us, so I copied this from Jim's facebook page.

Jim and Pat are stable, precious, Godly people who have made a big impact on my life. I have been so blessed by the many people God has chosen to sow truth and grace into my life, and the lives of my family. Jim and Pat were special, though. Not only did Jim and Pat watch me grow up, but they also saw me get married, were there to hold each of our new-born children, teach Sunday School to Kyle and me for years, and then come to Georgia in the early years we were here, to do a marriage retreat at our church. Stories around the table tonight were catching up on their children and grand children, and just sharing memories and stories of God's goodness to us all. I took a friend, Julie Baumgardner with me, and it was a treat to introduce them to each other.

Jim and Pat told me tonight, that my dad's love for teaching the scripture had molded young Jim in many ways. They even said I was the one who originally asked Jim to teach our class in Iowa. I don't remember, but I know if I did encourage him, it was because God showed me that Jim could not only teach, but Jim and Pat together, could shepherd our class of young married couples. And, that they did! So many couples were nurtured and loved by them. Proof, now 25 years later, I scramble to spend time with them whenever I can. It is a reminder to me that people need to hear how they are gifted and encourage them to use their gifts and talents.

Who are some pillars in your life that have made a big footprint on your heart, the way Jim and Pat have on mine?

Rhubarb

In 1985 we transferred all our earthy possessions from Iowa to Georgia. Crossing the five state lines, Kyle was behind the wheel of our bulging Ryder truck that towed our hillbilly packed pick-up truck, and I drove the yellow Buick station wagon with bedding and toys stuffed tight from roof to window to seat! In the midst of it all were two drugged dogs and four precious trusting children. We knew we would miss so many things in Iowa, of greatest loss was the relationships we held so close to our hearts.

What I did not calculate missing were two things that had been foundational in my mid-western life. Lilac bushes and RHUBARB! Spring of 1986 brought heartbreaking reality when no one had either one in their yard and I couldn't find any in the local farmer's market. My solution was to buy plants from Iowa and start my own lush lilac bushes and hearty rhubarb plants. To make the long story short, after several years of attempts, the verdict was clear. Neither one will grow without a deep freeze in the winter. My spring staples of rhubarb crisp, rhubarb pie and rhubarb jam all served at a table with a lilac-filled pitcher were to be no more.

For years, my mother cut up rhubarb and froze it and brought it down to me in the fall. I used the last package of her loving care a couple years ago. But since mother died, I have not had the storehouse of rhubarb to enjoy. Until this spring. It is now in the freezer section of the grocery store. Ahhhh...not quite as good as fresh, but so good to our family. I grab the South Waterloo Church of the Brethren cookbook, find Merna Miller's recipe and make the bubbly crisp. Add ice cream, and we are back to our roots in minutes!

Tonight, Mike and Judy were visiting, and since rhubarb is not available in Thailand, I made some for our dessert. Mmmm.....it smelled so good baking, and I just had to nibble a few spoonfuls out of the corner while it was piping hot!

Do you have a rhubarb memory?