Memory Lane... what a trip!

Does everyone get nostalgic this time of year or is it just me?! Well I drove up to spend this past weekend with my grandparents, and actually I've done this several times in the past year. They are unable to travel like they used to and so I take the opportunities I get to go see them. It's only a 6 hour drive and while that may sound like a lot to some, when you consider that for 11 years while living in Dallas my daily commute could total 2-3 hours, this 6 hours on the highway doesn't seem like so much. I usually drive up on Friday afternoon and back on Sunday afternoon. OK, so the nostalgia part comes in because everytime I drive through Indianapolis and right by Noblesville on the highway (this is where I spent my 4 years of high school and my parents lived there for two more years while I was in college at Taylor University - which I also drive right by each time).

Anyway, most of those weekends, I make it a point of driving through Taylor campus and letting my memory enjoy itself while I observe the neverending changes and growth. I wonder about those friends that I had that I was unable to keep in touch with, where they are now and what God is doing in their lives. I make it a point to stop at Ivanhoe's for a shake and one time my grandparents and I even went over there for lunch. Now, Ivanhoe's is a very special place... first you must understand that Upland, IN is a very small town and a big portion of the population is the Taylor student body when school is in session. There are no fast food places (at least there still aren't to my knowledge), there are one or two pizza places - I mean "small town" USA. So Ivanhoe's is very like a fast food restaurant, but it is not a chain and it has the added benefit of 100 different flavors of ice cream sundaes and 100 different flavors of shakes!! It is within walking distance of the campus and was always a big treat when a student there to walk to Hoe's (as it is affectionately known by all those who know and love it). They make really good tenderloin sandwiches too.

On the other hand, Noblesville is actually a little farther off the highway route that I take and most of the time I just drive by and wish I had the time to wander through and see what all has changed and what has stayed the same. However, this particular weekend, I left quite a bit earlier from my grandparents' than I normally do, plus because I was so much earlier Hoe's wasn't open yet, which means I didn't get my fix this time around :o( and so when I got to the exit for Noblesville I decided this was the time to meander through. It was especially nice with all the leaves in their pretty colors! Wow, it was really hard to believe that it's been 16 years since I left the place for good, a little over 18 years since I graduated from high school and 22 years since we moved there in the first place. It has really grown up a lot - especially out on the highway east of town where there used to be really nothing at all it is now full of stores and restaurants. There is a new high school that appears to be about 3 or 4 times the size of the one that I graduated from and my high school is now the middle school. The downtown area has changed some and has a huge new court building and they are currently adding on to the hospital. I also drove out past my old church and the house we lived in. The church is the same, but the land around it that used to be empty is now all full of housing additions and the same across the highway from it. The house we lived in remains basically the same on the outside, it's a different color and the trees are much bigger. I took a couple pictures and am anxious to see what they look like next to pics I have from when we resided there. The lake looks about the same too, though the boat docks near the clubhouse where we kept our boat for the few years we had one, are no longer there. The old steps down to them are still there, but the docks are non-existent. I can remember going down there at night sometimes with friends and sitting on the end of the docks watching the stars.

Oh, to think of all I've done, how much I've grown and learned and changed since that time. I was almost hoping to see someone I knew walking around town, just to see how someone else has changed. But I think I'm glad I didn't, this way it was just me and my memories driving around. Some of the apartment buildings that I used to deliver newspapers too are even still there. They had built a new larger library during our tenure on the outskirts, but now they are tearing down the building of the original library in downtown. It's kind of a weird feeling to see buildings you remember being in and going to being torn down, especially when I really don't feel that old. For one fleeting moment I thought of knocking on the door to see if the current tenants of the house we once lived in would show me around, just to see the difference. But then I realized that given the world we live in today, they would have probably thought I was nuts!

Though it was fun, it was also a reminder that, though most people really don't like "change" it is not something you can get away from. All life is, is "change". I must say that I really hated it that we moved the times we did when we were growing up, but I look at it now and I'm so grateful that we did. I wouldn't be who I am today if those things weren't part of my life, nor would I know the precious friends that I retain from many different cities. My parents taught me how to deal with the inevitability of change, and I also learned that it is right to follow the Lord's call no matter where that may take you... and wherever it does take you He is there to help you through and show you the things He wants you to do for Him. If I hadn't had all that experience moving and changing and making new friends while we were growing up, it would have been harder when I was ready to move of my own accord and it would have been harder to see my parents retire and go to work halfway around the world. One thing I learned through it all was to always look for the blessings... they are there if you will look beyond your self accept them.

Take a trip down Memory Lane soon and enjoy it. Though we can't live in the past I think it is good to visit once in a while just to see how far we've come and then thank the Lord for bringing us through and to where we are!

Ahhhhhhhhhhh "Sigh"

Dad took this last fall on Cape Cod

Fall..... Autumn..... I believe it's finally here! Yippeee! This is my absolute favorite time of year. Today on the way to the office I saw quite a few trees that were changing their wardrobe. They must be looking forward to the holiday season as much as I am, they were looking breathtaking in their reds, oranges and golds. Now if the temps will just cooperate and drop down by 10-12 degrees I'd be thinking I was already in heaven. I love to have the windows up and hang out in my jeans and sweatshirts. Lying in the hammock reading a book with the leaves drifting down around me. Catching a football game and eating a steaming bowl of soup!

To some it is a beginning of the end of the year and growth as winter approaches, but to me it's always been just a beginning (as summer is my least favorite). I'm finally able to take a deep breath of fresh air, be outside and enjoy it instead of just tolerating it, and the beginning of the holiday season that I so much enjoy. Thanksgiving is five weeks from tomorrow... and Christmas follows so closely. Preparations begin now... in fact I already know what I'm doing for most of my Christmas gifts and will begin on them in the next couple weeks. I will celebrate all the holidays at once with my family over Thanksgiving as that is the first and only time this year we will all be together since March. I've already begun putting out some of my candles and burning them while I'm home. I do miss having a fireplace - if anyone has one that they'd like to share occasionally, let me know - I'll bring snacks!

Anyway, even if this is not your favorite time of year, take a moment to look around you and enjoy the art in nature. I sometimes think that maybe the changing colors are part of nature's way of praising God! He says in His word that if we don't cry out the rocks and the hills will... what's to say that they don't anyway, in their own way. He did create it all! Isn't it amazing to think that our God made us in His own image. That means that you are creative too, as am I. What have you done lately to use that creativity that He gave you? Have you thanked Him or praised Him recently for being your Father and for giving us an everchanging world to live in that we would never have opportunity to get bored with the things around us? Sing His praises and delight in Him for you are His and He created this world for you because He loves you!

Enjoy this season - I know I will!

A week gone - just like that!

Well gosh! I can't believe it's been a complete week already since I last posted. I've been fairly busy though so I can see where the time all slipped away from me.

My cousin Sara came into town Friday night. She had a Nurse Practitioner conference to attend here in our fair city on Monday - Wednesday and so she got to come early to spend some time with me. We slept in on Saturday and enjoyed breakfast. Then we took the afternoon to walk the streets and check out all the little shops in a nearby small town. What an enjoyable day! She bought fabric for her first quilt ever, and I bought one pack of fabric I couldn't resist (I have the same trouble with fabric that my friend Sarah has with scrapping paper and ribbon!). We also tried a new chocolate store and I had an absolutely amazing piece of cheesecake that was smothered with fudge and caramel.

Sunday we went to church and Sunday School and then headed downtown. We picked up two of Sara's colleagues and then I played tour guide for the rest of the day. It was a blast! We lunched at the Hard Rock Cafe, then drove through West End, Vanderbilt and the Parthenon and then headed back east to the Opryland Hotel. I always enjoy taking people there for their first time to see it - the awe on their faces is priceless! We spent about an hour at the mall too because one of the ladies still had not received her luggage. Then we headed back to town and enjoyed a leisurely and delicious meal at The Melting Pot. I'm telling you, if you have never tried it you need to pick a very special occasion (it's expensive, but very worth it) and go try it out! I treat myself every couple years or so when I have company in town. I was also able to have dinner with Sara on Tuesday evening and then used my lunch hour on Wednesday to take her to the airport. So good to spend some time with her!

I've also been able to help a good friend whose hubby is out of town this week. It is always fulfilling and satisfying (even if tiring!) to help someone out that you know appreciates you! Not to mention it means getting to spend time with my "nephews"! Well, I think I hear my work calling so I must skeedaddle! I'd love to hear from any of you so feel free to send me comments. Have a great weekend - it's finally fall!!! Yippeeeeee!

Long time, no game

This past Sunday I had the privilege of going to the Titans vs. Colts game with my cousin Michael who came to town to see me and go to the game!
We had a really great time. It has been almost 12 years since I'd been to an NFL game and I forgot how much I enjoy it. As you can see Michael is a big Colts fan - he grew up in Ohio - don't ask me! Anyway, he brought an extra jersey and hat for me to wear. It was a beautiful day, just little white puffy clouds. Though we had to climb forever to get to our seats - row HH - I was glad because by shortly into the 2nd quarter we were in full shade and I really needed that - it was hot!! As you might be able to tell, this was taken late in the 4th quarter when many Titans' fans had already left - it was not this empty the entire game. The Colts won which made my cousin happy. Him being there and us going to the game was really the bright spot in my overwhelming weekend. Thanks Michael!

Sharing the loads

Overwhelm

1. To surge over and submerge; engulf
2. a. To defeat completely and decisively
b. To affect deeply in mind or emotion
3. To present with an excessive amount
4. To turn over; upset

OK, so this is not from good old Webster's because I didn't have one on hand, but I did hit google for a dictionary and then typed in overwhelm and this is what came up. Why, you might be asking? Because after the last 4 days this is how I'm feeling (see especially 2.b.). I've received heavy news from about 5 or 6 close friends or family members about situations they are currently going through. However, this morning as I was reflecting and just trying to focus and clear my mind long enough to get started on my work at the office a part of scripture came to mind. Now, I'm not so good with references as I should be, but I know of this handy little sight called Bible Gateway (http://www.biblegateway.com/) that you can type in a reference, a category or using parentheses a phrase and it will search and give you results. Since I couldn't seem to call to mind the full exact scripture, I went to the site, typed in my phrase and hit go. Found exactly what I couldn't recall in full:

"8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 12So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." II Corinthians 4:8-18

I printed it out and laid it on my desk to refer to quite often today. Especially verses 8-9, 16-17. My Father is so faithful and I am so glad. I'm an emtional person and tend to take on the cares of others quite deeply, so though it is difficult I really can't help but to share someone else's pain, and even more so when I'm close them. So I realized after reading the above several times and meditating a little on it that I'm getting overwhelmed at just 5 or 6 close situations that I know about. I cannot imagine the amount of pain that my Savior took on at the cross (or that our heavenly Father feels when His children are hurting or disobedient) it was for all situations that each person would go through in their lifetime, and it was for all people who had been, who were and who would be. If that doesn't blow your mind, I'm not sure what will! Once again it has all served to remind me that I serve an awesome God and it's a privilege to help carry the burdens of others, but I must remember that it is not I alone who help but He that helps through and in spite of me. He must receive all the praise and the glory that all men should be drawn to Him.

Not quite so overwhelmed...