Saturday February 13 2016  NIGHT BECKONS

A Late night for me.  Just returned home from an incredible birthday party for a one year old.  It was more in the line of something like a wedding reception.  Actually I have photographed several wedding receptions in the same reception area.  The party was black tie or dressy.  Dressy it was.  The party was hosted by an Eastern Indian family to celebrate their son’s birth.  Most of the guests were Indian and were attired in the most brilliant colored saris. The Indian women’s clothing was gorgeous.  The people were beautiful and so very friendly.  I was impressed with the behavior of all the children.  They were all so well-mannered and respectful.  Even the birthday boy did not make a peep the entire evening.  And what a gorgeous little boy he is.

I felt honored to be invited to this celebration.  I met this young couple at our church and photographed their newborn son last year just before I left on my trip.  I have not seen them since that time.  It was unbelievable to see the baby first as a newborn and presto, now as a one year old.  I had a great time while at the party and stayed way too late.  The food was unbelievably delicious.  There was a great many selections and it was all perfectly spiced with HOT HOT seasonings.  

I took a few pictures on my cell phone and received permission to put them on my blog.  It was a fun, well organized event and I loved every moment I was there.  It was great to be with such a nice group of people.  I met one young lady of 14 named Venika.  “Venika” sounded so beautiful when she spoke her name.  I also took pictures of both her, and her mom, and have been given permission to share them on my blog.  I also asked Venika what she had learned in her short life that she would like to share with others.  I was quite amazed at her answer.  Here is her wisdom:

“I THINK IF YOU MEET SOMEONE YOU SHOULDN’T PUSH THEM AWAY, BUT YOU SHOULD OPEN UP AND TALK TO THEM AND BE KIND, BECAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT KIND OF TROUBLE   AND YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT PROBLEMS WE ALL FACE IN OUR LIVES.  I THINK EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE SHOWN KINDNESS AND BE CARED ABOUT EVEN IF YOU DON’T KNOW THAT PERSON WELL.”

I think I would be proud to be Venika’s mother.  Thank you Venika for sharing your wisdom with me.

As I promised last evening, the conclusion of last night’s episode will be shared in tonight’s blog.  If you have not read yesterday’s blog, you may want to read it before you read the following.

Here it is:

Journal Entry:

Saturday March 20, 2015 9:10 a.m.  San Antonio Texas

 

“DO YOU TRUST ME?”

WOW!  What a wonderful, watchful God You are!  Thank You Lord for Your amazing care and grace over my life yesterday.

Texas highways are a threat to your life.  Drove from Fort Worth to San Antonio, all back roads.  Speed limits posted up to 75 mph on two lane roads and highways WITH TRAFFIC SIGNALS.  I was on a divided stretch with posted limits at 75 mph.  I was driving that speed when I noticed the red light ahead turn to yellow.  I glanced in my rear view mirror, no one was close behind me, it was raining but visibility was still fine and I leisurely came to a stop as the light turned red.  When I began slowing down I was probably less than an eighth mile from the intersection.   I was in the right lane.  There was no other lane to my right, just the light pole on a little raised cement triangle.  No one was in front of me.  A couple of cars were in the lane to my left.

About three or four seconds after I stopped, a large pick-up truck with a large irregular shaped, loaded trailer, went zooming by on the right side of me where the shoulder should have been.  But there was no shoulder there, only the light pole.  I didn’t see the truck coming from behind. I did see him pass me because I was looking toward my right.  He must have been traveling about 60 miles per hour.  The look I saw on his face was one of horror and bewilderment.  He was not behind me in my rear view when I began breaking for the light.  He must have been quite a ways behind me, perhaps became distracted looking at the scenery, and when he glanced back at the road, was when he may have realized the traffic had stopped.  When you are traveling 75 to 80 miles an hour (yes, even in the rain) you cover a lot of ground rather quickly.  When he looked up and saw me he was unable to slow down in time due to the slippery roads and the heavy trailer pushing him, so he chose to squeeze between my car and the light pole.  And somehow he was able to accomplish that.  He ran the red light, barely squeezing by.  He was fighting to keep his truck under control.  He finally quit breaking and gunned his engine as cars from the cross street started coming over the divided area of the highway. 

When he swooshed past me I heard myself say aloud, “Why’d he do that?”  A voice that seemed almost audible, immediately replied back in a calm voice, “Because he couldn’t stop.  Do you trust me now?”

WOW!

It seemed it all happened in slow motion.  My adrenalin was never triggered because I did not notice him approaching.  By the time he passed me all danger was over.  A laughter bubbled up in my heart as I imagine God’s angels surrounding my little Kia Soul, directing the devil to stay clear of the back of my car.  I believe it was also the angels that guided the truck driver between my car and the light pole, not allowing his truck or trailer to even skin my side mirror.  When I looked at that light pole afterward, there is no way in the world that I thought a truck that big could fit in between that space.  It was amazing!  And even more amazing, no cross traffic hit him, nor did he hit anyone else. 

I truly believe that God answered the prayer I prayed yesterday morning sitting in my cousin’s driveway when He asked me “Do you trust me?”  And I responded, yes Lord, I trust You!

The End

So now you know how God protected me on that rainy Friday.  And I am forever thankful!

Now for the rest of the story.  While I was eating my food at the brunch this morning before I was going to speak, I felt a tug in my heart that I was not to share that story.  All of a sudden I knew that I was to share the story of my first night on the road.  I have never shared it publically, but for some reason I felt I was to change my talk and ad-lib the first night story.  So I did.  Oh well, at least it spurred me on to share with my readers what happened on my drive through Texas.

 

I LISTEN AS SLEEP CALLS MY NAME

By Kathleen Martens

February 13, 2016

 

Night beckons my tired body

To lie down and go to sleep.

I think that’s just what I’ll do

And you’ll not hear another a peep.

 

The day was long, night grows shorter

As each moment I type these words.

I listen as sleep calls my name.

And its bidding I have heard.

 

So I’ll bid you adieu

And my routine I shall keep.

Even though it is a bit later

It will be no trouble to sleep.

 

Good night and God bless you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday February 12 2016  GO WITH A BRAVE HEART

Tomorrow I will be speaking for a few moments at church at the ladies monthly Saturday brunch.  I have been working on the words I will share.  I was encouraged to tell a little something about the trip I took last year.  I had two very different stories that I was vacillating between and finally settled on the one I am going to share here.  If you have been a long time blog reader I may have touched on this last year.  I truly can’t remember.  I know the information I share today is from a different perspective because it is the actual writings from my journal for those two days.  Some of the grammar will not be correct because I sometime do not write in complete sentences when writing in my journal, nor in a logical sequence.  I’ll try to correct all the misspellings.  I’m sure there will be a few.

To set the stage:  I am at my cousin’s house in Euless Texas and planning to drive to San Antonio Texas.  Perhaps you remember the torrential rains and flooding that Texas experience last year when their drought was broken.  Well, that was when I was there.  The weather channel was warning drivers to stay in and some of the interstates were actually closed and there were quite a few fatal accidents taking place due to flooding and traffic accidents.  Even in good weather Texas is a dangerous place to drive.  Boy, could I tell you about some traffic in Dallas and Fort Worth.  Unbelievable.  They drive like rude maniacs going way over the posted 80 miles per hours on the highways.  Just think what the roads must have been like after a drought, no rain for months and then bam,  slick roads, maniac drivers, and millions of HUGE pickup trucks zooming past you on all sides.  I never could figure out those Texans and their infatuation with trucks, WHITE TRUCKS!  For some reason they like the white ones.  The truck in my story was grey.  So here is the story. 

Journal entry:

Friday March 20 2015 9:30 a.m.  Overcast Euless Texas

Storm warnings of flash flood where I am going.  On the phone with emergency road services to talk about road conditions. 

God, I hope my phone line to You is open for an emergency call.  I need an emergency answer.  Should I go, should I stay?  The man says I’ll hit some rain but if I go the back ways and stay off the interstate the roads should not be prone to flooding?

Oh God, what should I do? 

So I called Dave and asked him if he thought it a good idea for me to drive five or six hours in pouring rain and floods?  He told me to pray and see if God would give me peace to go.  If He did, then go.  If He didn’t, then don’t go.

The following is what God impressed upon my heart:

“You can do all things through me for you have my strength.  Trust Me—allow peace to reign in your heart.  Use wisdom and continually ask for more wisdom.  The more you give to others and do My work, the more the Devil will fight to stop You.  I call my angels to do my bidding—fear not the wars that rage around you. Your strength is in Me and My blood covers you.  Speak in authority and the evil one flees.  Trust!  Stand firm!  It is going through the perils of life that make you stronger.  Fear not, for I am with you.  My rod and My staff will comfort you.  Go with a brave heart.  You are My beloved and I am with you!”

I sat in the driveway of my cousin’s house and prayed and prayed.  I asked God to send His biggest and best angels to surround my car.  I prayed for his continual protection.  I prayed for wisdom.  I prayed that I would stay alert and be ready.   I was still vacillating as to whether or not I should go.  I just kept praying.  Then when I was finally quiet so God could get another word in edgewise, I distinctly heard the question, “DO YOU TRUST ME”?

Yes Lord, I responded.  I trust you.  My confidence was in Him and I was no longer afraid.  I wrote the following poem.  Closed my journal and drove out of the driveway, confident that I was in His care.

OR JUST TAKE THE HAND

By Kathleen Martens

March 20, 2015

 

When storms come

Do I bow?

Am I discouraged?

Or take action now?

 

When the rain falls

Do I give up?

Or lean on God,

And on His word sup?

 

When the wind blows

Do I take cover and run

Even though my race

Has barely begun?

 

When it seems hopeless

Do I cave in?

Or just take the hand

Of Jesus, my friend?

 

Isaiah 41:10

“Fear not for I am with you.  Be not dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes I will help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

 

Little did I know what was to come.

 

I will give you the rest of my speech tomorrow.  It is the journal entry for March 21, 2015. 

 

NO TIME TO JUST BE FREE

By Kathleen Martens

February 12, 2016

 

So tonight I bid farewell

As my night is already here.

A long day it has been

And my sleep is very dear.

 

Tomorrow comes quite early,

And a long day planned for me.

As well as is the day after.

No time to just be free.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

 

 

Thursday February 11 2016  TO DO OR NOT TO DO?

That is the question!  So much on my plate no matter what happens.  I look ahead and try to plan as little as possible so I can accomplish all that needs to be done with getting this house in order.  My sister keeps telling me it becomes harder and harder the older you become.  But I didn’t know she meant just one day older at a time.  I figured she meant YEARS OLDER.  It seems I take one step forward and two steps backward. 

This party I am having on Sunday has been planned for one year!  I started preparing the tail end prep work about three weeks ago.  Crossed off several days here and there so I could finish the last minute details.  And here it is, three days before the event and about another week’s worth of work to do.  I’ve had so many “MUSTS” to accomplish, unexpected appointments, and fatigue from doing too much (including my traipsing around the country side yesterday).  I am not used to getting tired so it hit me like a whammy today when I felt in need of rest.  I actually finally conceded and laid down for one hour.

Tomorrow I must shop for food, finish cleaning the house, do last minute decorations, and finish my preparation for the talk that I will be doing on Saturday morning.  Usually I do not go to the gym on Fridays, but due to the fact that my Saturday is used up before it even happens, I must work out tomorrow morning instead of Saturday.  Dave and I plan to rise early and get to the gym so we can be at Costco by 10:00 a.m. when they open.  We will make one stop before we get there and then must make one other shopping stop after we leave.  Some things you just can’t get at Costco.  Having Dave with me is a great help.  He even helps carry in all the “stuff”.

Saturday I leave early, get home mid-day and then I am committed to attending an event Saturday evening.   One good thing is that I already have the gift wrapped and packaged up for that event.  I will not be able to stay very long.

And then comes Sunday.  Church, then home to cook and prepare last minute items for party.  You may be asking yourself what kind of party am I having that is so important.  Well, I will tell you after next week.  It is always a surprise in my book!

And next week’s calendar does not look a whole lot better. 

I have several blogs formulating in my mind.  I am going to give them a topic here and now so I hold myself accountable to writing them in the near future. 

1. To discuss what we learned when we went to the University of Wisconsin to hear the guest speaker from MIT speak on Monday night.
2. To discuss a photograph I saw yesterday that just amazed me.  It was for sale at the Bargain Nook.  I wish I had purchased it.
3. To finally share about the very first night I spent on the road last year when I began my trip.

 

 

WHAT TO DO?

By Kathleen Martens

February 11, 2016

 

I think there are things I must give up

If time is to work for me.

Just doing what it takes to live

Seems to never allow time to be free.

 

Whatever I do, the be-hinder I get

And though I try as hard as I can,

It seems there is one more thing

Which always its way demands.

 

So what should I NOT do

When I look at the day ahead?

Should I not, go to the gym?

If I didn’t, I’d probably be dead.

 

Perhaps I should give up cooking

And just stop at Burger King,

Order hamburgers and French fries,

And eat all of those greasy things.

 

Then I’d have to go shopping

For clothes of a bigger size.

And perhaps I’d save a little time

If I didn’t soak my eyes.

 

And surely my sheets would not mind

If I didn’t change them at all.

Or if I didn’t need to bathe

Or clean the bathroom stall.

 

I could give up laundry

And not mind if I stink a bit.

And maybe not even go shopping

And all my friendships quit.

 

Or better yet I could design

A clock with a 40 hour day.

And perhaps have enough time

For all my work and play.

 

This poem, and a conversation I had with Dave earlier today, gave me pause to realize what I cannot, and must not give up.

I must go to the gym in order to keep up my strength.

I must cook and eat healthy in order to stay as healthy as possible.

I must write my blog, as it helps my mind to stay sharp (hopefully).

I must not give up my friends, as they help me to stay connected with the world.

And I must never stop spending time with the Lord because He is my source of life.

So I guess I will just keep on keeping on. TO DO OR NOT TO DO? That is the question I must ask myself before committing to ANYTHING that goes on my calendar.

Good night and God bless you.

P.S. For some reason I had a bit of trouble with the spacing on writing this blog. Please forgive all the irregular spaces between lines. I could not figure out how to make this computer behave tonight!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday February 10 2016  AT DAY’S END

 

A DELIGHTFUL DAY

By Kathleen Martens

February 10, 2016

 

What a delightful day. 

Filled with play.

Three old hens

Having fun again.

 

Hunting and pecking

While inspecting,

Bargains galore

Looking for more!

 

If I can spy

Then I will buy.

To my chagrin

I found it again.

 

Sweater and jacket

And I packed it

Into my cart

Nice and smart.

 

With a blouse beside

Two vests lined

And a stack of books

On which I’m hooked.

 

And yarn and string

Toys and things

Favors and cups

In which to sup.

 

Candles and vase

Will not go to waste

And decorations hardy

For my party,

 

And little presents

To be pleasant

For my guest

Filled with zest.

 

Then the lunch

We loved a bunch

And more shopping

Until dropping.

 

Now I’m home

No more to roam.

I go to bed

To down my head.

 

The above poem came with my first sentence so I wrote it first.  It tells a short synopsis of my day.  And a delightful day it was.  St. Vinney’s was our first destination where I found all I needed for the party decorations and some of the gifts I plan to give.  I really enjoyed the unencumbered day.  No time limits, no rushing, quite solitude as I shopped, and then giving each other opinions as to whether or not what we modeled for each other looked okay.  That is a time when you realize the power of your words.  Just one look, one “NO” from any of us, and whatever was being modeled was O-U-T!   We trust each other to be truthful.  Nothing worse than a friend who isn’t truthful because she doesn’t want to burst your bubble or hurt your feelings.  I know that I appreciate their candor and their persuasive “YEAH: OR “NAY”!  Their frankness has never steered me wrong.  And they even listen to me!

 

We had a delicious lunch at a little café, in a little town about 20 miles away.  Then we stopped in at a place called the Bargain Nook, which is a resale shop where Land’s End ships things that have been returned to their stores, or excess merchandise that didn’t sell in the retail stores.  The store also takes donated used items, so essentially it is run as a resale shop, and priced accordingly.  There are a lot of new items amongst the racks but with really great pricing.  On your birthday you can buy up $50.00 worth of items for half price.  It was no one’s birthday today so we all paid full price.  If we don’t have a snow storm on my birthday we will go back and buy some things for Dave.  They have unbelievable bargains.  And half price even makes it better!

One more stop at a local Goodwill store and we were finished.  Found a few good buys there as well.  Mostly in the book department.  All children’s books sell for 89 cents each.  Adult books are $1.49.  They do add up however.  But, like I said yesterday, I just enjoy browsing the books.   I just make a list of those I would like to read and then I go to the library and check them out one at a time.  I buy only the ones that I think will take me awhile to get through.  Besides, I like to mark my books up, underlining that which I know I will want to re-read at a later date.  I always have about 10 to 20 books at a time that I am reading through.  All non-fiction.  In addition to that I have at least one fiction book I am reading straight through, rather quickly, as well as one non-fiction title that I spend time reading every day.  Makes for interesting reading.

Well, this blog is over.  I still have some reading to do before bedtime.  You see, reading is not something I MIGHT do, it is something I MUST do every single day.  A day without reading is like a day I haven’t lived.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

 

Monday February 8 2016  THE ILLUSIVE DAY

When a Monday as busy as this one comes, it makes me happy to know that Tuesday is getting closer.  That is, until I look at Tuesday’s schedule.  Remember what I told you about appointments in a recent blog?  We had one full week of appointment after appointment that we had to take care, and it seems that this week is trying to get that way.  When we finish with all the work on the interior rebuild, hopefully it will settle down a bit.

Today, an unexpected tooth problem caused an extra appointment which I wasn’t counting on.  Tomorrow’s extra appointment has to do with signing contracts on the work being done on the house.  Wednesday was my only day that was preplanned, and it is an all-day affair.  We fit the new  appointments in-between other appointment that we already had to put on the calendar because of unexpected circumstances that happened last week and must be taken care of this week.  So, now we have the new unexpected, between last weeks unexpected, that had to be put on for this week. Plus, tonight there is another event that is only happening tonight that we penciled on the calendar last week.  So some of the appointments were preplanned, others just popped up.

So I said all that to say this, I don’t have time to write a blog today because we must leave soon and will not arrive home until late.  We must be up by 5:30 or 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning to make tomorrow work for us.   I’ll find out tomorrow what is to be done about my torn rotator cuff.  For the last two weeks we have been hoping for a couple of hours to be available to us that would allow us time to go to the theater.  That possibility keeps getting postponed.  We very rarely go to the movies, but this is a movie Dave and I would like to see.  It is titled “The Finest Hours”.  A true story about a rescue at sea.  I’ll let you know if we get to see it before it leaves the theater.

 

THE ILLUSIVE DAY

By Kathleen Martens

February 8, 2016

 

So simple it is to book a day

When the future is unforeseen.

But much more complicated to maneuver,

With life that happens in-between.

 

Just to see a page that is empty

On my calendar sheet,

Is something I would love to accomplish,

But such an unbelievable feat.

 

So I plan with utmost care

To cross off days in advance,

And protect them with all of my might

By the very seat of my pants!

 

But alas, they are far apart,

For something always wiggles in.

And my expectations once again dissolve

For what, just might have been.

 

Just a day, home all alone.

So I can fritter away my time.

To stay in my housecoat all day long

Would be mighty sublime.

 

When I am frittering all by myself

I accomplish so very much,

Because I do just what I enjoy

Such as sorting, writing, and such.

 

And sometimes I enjoy cooking,

And then lie down for an hour.

Just to have a blank schedule

Imbues me with so much power!

 

But if it is not to be

I will do what must be done.

Because on Sunday I’m having a party

And it will be a lot of fun.

 

There you have it!  The synopsis of my week with most of the details left out.  Too much to go into tonight.  Besides, after our evening out, I may have even more interesting things to talk about tomorrow!  That is…if I have time to write a blog.

 

Good night and God bless all of you.

 

P.S.  RIGHT NOW I AM FULL OF THINGS TO SAY BUT I MUST REFRAIN SO I CAN GET READY TO LEAVE! 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Sabbath February 7 2016  MY DAY OF REST

Writing a blog is not always a piece of cake to do.  Especially when I think I should come up with something enlightening to write about; something that will cause others to pause and think about.  365 days in a year.  365 different topics. Or…with a mind as old as mine, I probably forget about what I’ve written in the past.  Then I just write something on the same topic again.  And if I do, it probably won’t matter, because not everyone reads it every day.   I can just hope that if my blog is a repeat, the reader either hasn’t read it before, or has a mind like mine, and just forgot that it had already been written.

Well, today it won’t be a repeat.  Being Sunday I have new fodder; today’s sermon.  And what a message it was.  We had a guest speaker, Ed Ainsworth, who spoke on the topic, “I MUST”.  He was a passionate and dynamic speaker.  His sermon may be listened to by going to:  citychurchonline.org

The sermon touched on how we, as Christians, sometimes settle living our lives with an “I should” mentality, when God desires and directs us through His Word, that we should live, with an “I MUST” mentality.  There are values in our lives that WE MUST do instead of making excuses by saying I SHOULD do.  Ainsworth is a global speaker with a message to the young.  He actually is a guest speaker in public schools speaking on the values of living a life of sexual purity.  Below is his web address and an excerpt from his web page.  If you have children or grandchildren growing up in today’s environment of “anything goes” perhaps you should listen to some of what he says for ideas on how to teach sexual purity to your adolescents and teens.  He has some very interesting videos and resources you may find helpful.

http://www.whiteheartcommunications.com/

The mission of Whiteheart Communications for the last fifteen years has been to help students make the choices that will make their lives better.  Ed (Sex Ed as he is known) and Connie Ainsworth have devoted the last twenty-six years of their lives to the youth culture.  Traveling over the United States and to other countries, Ed has found that teens are dealing with the same issues everywhere.   Ed and Connie believe that students will make choices that will make their lives better if they are given the right information and the right motivation.

If I had more time today I would outline his sermon here but I think you would receive much more benefit by listening online.

 

MY DAY OF REST

By Kathleen Martens

February 7, 2016

 

Today is my day of rest

To worship my God and King,

Our Father who art in heaven

Are words to Him I sing.

 

So holy is His Name.

Into this world His kingdom will come,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Through His blessed son.

 

He provides daily

For all of our needs,

Both physical and spiritual

From His hand we feed.

 

And He forgives

All of our sins,

As we forgive

Friends and kin.

 

He leads us not into temptation

And delivers us from evil.

For His is the kingdom,

And He overcomes upheaval.

 

And He will reign forever

In His light and His glory!

And on the Sunday Sabbath

Generations will share His story.

 

I now will go and continue my day of rest.  May you all be blessed, on this day of our Lord.

 

Saturday February 6 2016  WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY THE MOUSE WILL PLAY

Today, I was the mouse!  Dave has been gone all day long to a men’s retreat so this little mouse just let the day get away. 

On Saturdays I usually go to the gym without Dave.  What that means is, if I meet someone who wants to talk and visit (while not exercising), I can do so.  On the days we go together I try to stay on task because what I do always takes more time than what Dave does.  He doesn’t stay for the hydro massage when he is done and I ALWAYS DO!  Uh oh, now you found out why I really go work out.  I do it for the massage table time!  Yeah!!!  When Dave is not with me I don’t need to rush.  When we are together I try to finish up so he doesn’t have to wait for me.  But…when he’s away, I can play!

Well, today there just happened to be an even better reason for taking so long.  I met a beautiful young lady and we started talking.  And we talked, and talked.  When we separated I actually had to do another round of warm-up exercises before I could start my work out.  I didn’t ask if I could share her name so I will just share a little bit about the conversation, or at least the reason for the conversation.

I wonder if you have ever heard the phrase, “divine appointment”.  It is when timing coincides just perfectly for two people to meet, exactly when they are supposed to meet.  Sort of like what happened when I met Dave 44 years ago.  Well today was one of those divine appointments.  The young lady I spoke to today felt the same way.  She said the words I spoke to her today were purposed for her to hear this very day.  She was needing encouragement to continue on her goals of training, workouts, and weight loss incentive.  She didn’t say it in those words but I am improvising a long conversation into a few short sentences. 

When I first saw her I knew there was something special about her.  She had such a beautiful smile and her face just glowed.  During our conversation we discovered that we both love the Lord and desire His will for our lives.  What I recognized on her face was God’s countenance.  Somehow when two spirits such as ours meet, we recognize God’s presence in each other.  For some reason I believe our “chance encounter” was more than just chance, and will develop into a relationship on some level.  It may just be seeing each other at the gym, or becoming lifelong friends.  I am open for whatever God wants our relationship to be. 

As I listened to a sermon the other day while working out, the minister was saying how very important it is that WE CHOOSE OUR FRIENDS CAREFULLY.  Those you spend time with, you become like them.  I believe most parents see that also happening as their children become involved with other children.  We as parents try to steer our children away from those we  think may be a bad influence on them.  The same goes for adults as well. 

I remember as a young child zeroing in on certain other kids and deciding who I wanted for a friend.  Several of those friends stand out in my mind.  Arlene in Kindergarten,  Albert from our apartment complex (and we are still friends for over 60 years now), my friend Nancy Gail from Junior High (all the way through High School), and my friend Sue who was new to our church when I was in College (she was my maid of honor and has been a cherished  friend all these years).  And I certainly remember zeroing in on Dave on Saturday, October 28, 1972, before I had even been introduced to him.  And we’ve now been married almost 43 years.  And everyone of those friends that I chose had a profound reason in my life’s journey. 

Later, it seemed that I went through a season where others were choosing me as their friend.  This was discussed in conversations with each of them over the years.  They picked me and did not give up until I was their friend.  Sometimes I resisted at first, but they all became tried and true friends.  The first was Judy in Southern Calfornia (who is now with the Lord), the next was Sandra, and though we live states apart we are still close and email and chat.  And then it was time for me to pick.  But the one I picked could not stand me.  However…she ended up being one of the best friends  for over eighteen years before she went to be with the Lord in 2005.  Her name was Barb.  And then there is my friend Sherry.  If I remember correctly she picked me and won me over into her court.  A better friend would be hard to find.  She is selfless, giving, and speaks her mind (which I sometimes need to hear).  She is still near and dear to my heart and I can hardly wait for her to retire at the end of this school year!  I think we could get into a bit of mischief if given the chance.

 

And sometimes God just picks my friends for me.  One of the first times I believe it was a mutual connection.  I saw her at church standing with her husband by her side in a dimly lit room full of Christmas decorations at a Prime Time event. There was just something that drew me toward them.   Little did I know what would take place in our hearts from that point forward.  Not only did I get one of a best friends for life, but Dave was also blessed with a friend.  My friend Lana and her husband now live many miles away, but forever there is a connection between us.  And then there was another such connection.  Again, I was at prime time when I looked up and saw her across the room.  I believe God whispered in my heart that I was to be her friend.  Her name was Rose Marie.  Oh, what a wonderful gift God gave me that night.  She connected with my heart the first moment I saw her.  She was so full of the Love of the Lord that she just radiated His persona.  She too, is now with the Lord. 

And on another unsuspecting morning when I was hosting a women’s event in our living room I looked outside and a group of women came walking up my sidewalk.  One of the ladies I had never seen before.  Before she got to the door I had that same tug on my spirit that a new friend was walking into my life.  And Judy V. still lives close by. 

The friends I mentioned above from Junior high on are from different areas, different states, different backgrounds, but all having one thing in common.  And that “thing” is actually a “who”.  Every one of them love the Lord.  Yes, I have friends who do not believe spiritually as I do, and they too are special and I love them dearly.  It is just that we don’t socialize as much, or do as much together.  We spend the most time with those whom we have the most in common with.  They are the ones who we influence, and who influence us, to become more like each other.

And today, I think I met a very special lady who I think I would enjoy developing a friendship with.  I am more than twice her age so she may not have the same idea.  But that’s okay.  If God wants us to be friends, we’ll be friends.  It may be for a long time or it may just be for a while.  God has purposely brought many friends into my life for short term relationships.  One older friend I had for many years told me “ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU MAKE SOME FRIENDS WHO ARE YOUNGER THAN YOURSELF”.  An older lady told that to her as she lived to be very old and one by one all the friends in her life died off and she had no one left.  I think that is excellent wisdom. 

There are many more friends that have influenced me as well.  So many have come and gone.  Their mission in my life completed or my mission in theirs fulfilled.  It doesn’t mean they are no longer important, because sometimes the briefest influence can have the most lasting results.  I thank God for all the people he has brought into my life over the years that have helped me through my journey of life.  I just hope I have helped others as well.

 

FRIENDS ARE GOD’S GIFT TO US

By Kathleen Martens

February 6, 2016

 

Friendships come and friendships go,

Time and distance span the years.

And death comes to knock at the door

Leaving those behind with tears.

 

But there is a reason friendships develop

For even a short period of time.

Perhaps there is work in the heart to be done

And for that friend it’s easy to find.

 

And when that friend’s mission is complete,

God may bring someone else to the door.

For God provides just who is needed

That can reach deep into our core.

 

And you may be the secret angel

That God places in another’s world,

To touch a place in their heart

That only you can help unfurl.

 

Thank God daily for those in your life

Who lend their strength with a helping hand.

A friend is one who is willing to give

Assistance to help you stand.

 

Our friends are God’s gift to us,

Be ready and willing to believe

There is always a reason he brings two together,

So be gracious, and with love receive.

 

Good night and God bless you.

 

If you haven’t heard from an old friend for a while, stop and give them a call.  Friends are great treasures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday February 5 2016  A SHORT MEANDERING

VERY SHORT BLOG TODAY!  I promise you.  Today is a very busy day and my moments of use are actually scheduled on a note paper in the kitchen so I will not fall behind (all time sensitive), including this blog.  I have one hour from start to finish.  After I sign off writing it usually takes about another half hour for proofing and publishing.  Often times I publish before I proof it because it is easier for me to find the mistakes when I read it on my cell phone.  Then, I go back into the computer and correct the mistakes I find.  Dave then reads it and I correct more mistakes, and then I usually receive a helpful email from my sister the next day and she find a few more bloopers.  I am grateful for every mistake brought to my attention so I can correct it.  

So, I have no specific topic today but would like to ramble a bit.  First of all, Dave discovered the fact that my “Fun Facts” may not all be exactly correct.   He discovered that the Happy Birthday Song, “Fun Fact” was incorrect.  I was going to put the Wikipedia explanation here, but decided to just give you the web address so you can check it out if you are interested in the TRUE FACTS!  It is interesting to read.

Perhaps I shall do a little investigation before quoting something I read in an email “Forward”!  Sorry for the misinformation.  Disregard my “FACT”.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Birthday_to_You

 

The one thing I do know, is that anything I quote from the Word of God is certainly a TRUE FACT!

I had a delightful morning reading God’s word, praying, writing, and listening to old hymns.  My music of choice today was a CD produced by David Hollandsworth.  Though the hymns were all favorites of days gone by, every one of them were still as vibrant and meaningful now, as they were when I was growing up, and in some cases, for the last century or two.  David normally composes his own music scores, but I was pleasantly surprised to know he presented the old hymns in the melodies of old.  So many of the old hymns are now being cannibalized with different tunes, beats, and sometimes even changing the words.  Oh how I long to hear the hymns as they were first written.  The copyright has expired on most of them and I suppose anyone can take any part of a song and change it to their liking.  This morning I listened to the tried and true of yesteryear and enjoyed every moment.  I actually pulled out my old hymnal and looked up each song and sang along!  My Dave was not home this morning so I could sing as loud as I wanted, without being self-conscious. 

David Hollandsworth and his daughter voiced the songs.  The name of the album is “PEACE LIKE A RIVER, A Collection of Classic Hymns”.  He has produced some of the finest music I have ever listened to and it is heard in many parts of the world.  Chances are you may have even heard a commercial, U-Tube productions, or some other venue which he composed and produced.  He actually composes customized music for productions.  You can get in touch with his website at:  

www.davidhollandsworth.com

Below is the poem I wrote this morning while listening to his music.  The album I listened to while I composed the poem is called “TIMELESS”.  It is my very favorite album!  While traveling last year I listened to Hollandsworth’s scores over and over.  I still listen them and it seems as if they are new each time I do.

 

LIVING GOD’S PRECEPTS

By Kathleen Martens

February 5, 2016

 

Oh wondrous love

Holy Spirit Provides.

Living His precepts

His Word Abides.

 

His Amazing grace

He showers down.

Mercy overflows

And freedom abounds.

 

Oh that I

Walk His Word

As an open Bible,

In action heard.

 

That His wondrous love

Others will desire,

So they too

For our Lord aspire.

 

This poem was inspired through the music of David Holllandsworth and Psalms 119.

 

I will refrain from additional Fun Facts until I have time to verify what I am printing.  Instead I will tell you about a tip that I read in an amazing book, years ago.  The book title is:

“1,628 COUNTRY SHORTCUTS”

From 1,628 Country People

Edited by Roy Reiman

Published in 1996

 

I have no idea what page it is on so I will just tell you about it.

If you use a dishcloth in your kitchen to wash dishes with or to wipe down counters, be sure you rinse it thoroughly in COLD water and leave out to dry.  Your dishcloth will no longer have an odor.  The premise being, the bacteria cannot grow unless the cloth was rinsed in hot water.

I have done this for years and it absolutely works for me.  I just spread the cloth on the divider between my two sinks and run cold water on it.  I don’t wring it out, but let it air dry.  But just to let you know, I do change my cloth quite frequently. 

So this is not a “Fun Fact” but it is a trick that I know works!

 

My clock is ticking, so I sign off with 13 minutes left to proof and publish.

 

HAVE A GREAT DAY!  GOD BLESS ONE AND ALL!

 

 

 

 

Thursday February 4 2016  GRADUAL DECLINING YEARS

Just a few moments ago I sat down to write an email.  The Sun was shining so brightly in my eyes I had to drop the mini blinds so I could see the screen.   I wrote the email, got up to make a phone call, came back into the sunroom about six or seven minutes later and to my huge surprise the snow was coming down in buckets.  Great big, fat, beautiful snowflakes, gently stirred by the shifting of the wind.  I took a video of the cascading snow but I don’t know how to send videos to my blog site.  It is so beautiful I wish you could see it.  Of course I immediately pulled the blind up so I could sit here and enjoy my panoramic view.  I felt like I was in a snow globe.

What did I say the other day?  If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes!  This is what I was talking about.  Well it might be best for us if it changes back to the way it was.  Five minutes of snowing would be just fine with me.    

I am reading an interesting and enlightening book by Joan Chittister called, “THE GIFT OF YEARS”.  I am thoroughly enjoying it.  Her topic is about the later years of life and the gift they are to us.  It is beautifully written and confirms a lot of the attitudes I have about aging, as well as opening my eyes to even greater possibilities ahead.  Each chapter begins with a famous quote.  One quote I would like to share is a quote from “Seneca”.  I have never read anything Seneca has written but I have heard about him.  I looked him up on the internet to have a better understanding of who he was.  Here is an excerpt from the website:

Seneca

“Born

Cordoba, Spain 

Lucius Annaeus Seneca (often known simply as Seneca) (ca. 4 BC – 65 AD) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and in one work humorist, of the Silver Age of Latin literature. He was tutor and later advisor to Emperor Nero.” 

Here are his words:

“As for old age,” Seneca said, “embrace and love it. It abounds with pleasure if you know how to use it.  The gradually declining years are among the sweetest in life…Even when they have reached the extreme limit they have their pleasure.”

The above quote was the opening line for the Chapter on “JOY” in Joan Chittister’s book.

Now I expect (and hope) to have many more years ahead of me, but even during the “youth of my old age” his statement makes so much sense.  For one reason, I have already tasted a bit of what he was referring to.  As I reflectively look back to last year, I must admit, stepping out of my comfort zone to take a journey across part the United States, afforded me some of the sweetest pleasure I have experienced in my entire life.  I did exactly what Seneca stated.  I looked for the pleasure and the sweetness as I began the journey of becoming “older”. I stepped out and embraced my age, loving the days of exploring alone.  It was so much more than just an exploration of cities and mountains, rivers and oceans.  It was an exploration within myself.  It was a time of questions.  Questions I didn’t know if I could answer.  My trip challenged me to go forward into the unknown of self.  Who did I think I was to believe that I could do what I set out to do?  It was a challenge to the self I knew, from the self I did not know.  Just in case you are wondering, I think I passed with flying colors.  I actually remember thinking about the fact that I was embracing who I was, and I was determined to love every moment of every day.  I especially like the way Seneca couched the words “The GRADUALLY declining years…”  I think that makes the years ahead sound ever so much sweeter still.  I like the word “gradual”.

There was a new freedom I experienced that I had never experienced before.  I still had pressures and deadlines, but they were pressures and deadlines of my choices,  of my planning.  I had never before experienced the freedom of becoming something more than what was always expected of me.  I was a mother, a wife, a worker, a business owner, involved in so many different areas, from church to small groups, volunteering, speaking, keeping up with all the intricacies of life such as appointments, upkeep, cooking, cleaning, and who knows what else.   I never before had the total freedom to explore, both the outer world around me and my own inner world that existed somewhere deep inside of me.  There were times when I surprised myself.

I think I discovered just how important a positive attitude is.  We sometimes do not give enough credence to how much is affected by our attitude, our outlook on life.  I do not know a time when I ever felt as invigorated and alive as I did those four months I was gone.  In essence, I was on my own.  I had a new responsibility.  The responsibility to look after myself.  Sounds easy enough, but I found that it also needed to be underlined with all the wisdom I could muster.  From my very first night on the road I began to have my eyes opened in a way I never expected.  I found that everything boiled down to ATTITUDE.  I had quite an experience that happened on my very first night.  I have not yet written about it.  It is quite a story that I may choose to share with my readers at a later date.  However I bring it up here because that very first night set the entire precedence of my attitude for the remaining days that loomed ahead.  I truly believe God gave me the wisdom I needed to make the right decision that first night, and it fortified me with such peace and strength.  I believe it set the precedence of every day following.  And it all had to do with ATTITUDE.   The attitude of telling myself every single day that I COULD DO IT!  My attitude spoke loud and clear to the new SELF that was emerging.  Because of the attitude I chose, my new self just blossomed, affecting every area of my life.  My attitude gave me vitality, and very rarely did I even get fatigued.  I felt extremely healthy, slept soundly on every bed, couch, toddler bed, air mattress, and every other kind of bed you can think of, waking up refreshed, with no aches and no pains.  And I don’t ever remember one sleepless night.

It would take me a long time to share all I have learned while on my journey.  Hopefully, as situations and memories come up, I will be able to capture them in my blog as a reminder to myself and to share with my readers.  It is only you, it is only me, that can make the decision how we are going to enter into the “gradually declining years”.  I choose to embrace them.  I choose to allow them to teach me all that I have yet to learn.  I choose to not regret the past and to carry no unforgiveness with me toward anyone. As I travel these last years of my journey I plan to squeeze every bit of sweetness and joy out of every remaining year.  What do you choose?

I also choose to continue making plans for my future.  I choose to learn how to use the years I have left to better know who I am, to have a closer relationship with my Lord, to love others in ways I have never been able to do in the past, because of time constraints, and to allow each day to change its course if necessary, teaching me the art of adaptation.  Never once have I asked, nor do I intend to ask, “What will I do with my time”?  Rather I will ask, “How will I ever accomplish all I desire to do in the time I have?”  I don’t see the years looming ahead as a fearful place to go, like walking into the unknown.  I will embrace the unknown, I will follow the path that I believe God has set before me, and I will challenge myself daily to do whatever must be done. 

At the present, my life is on a journey to rid myself of the baggage of the past, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.  I am enjoying every moment of it.  It is causing me to reflect on thoughts that I have had to put on the back shelf for many years.  As I touch and re-examine each item in my house, I must make a decision to either discard, donate, or keep.  As I consider the fate of all the “things”, memories come flooding back.  And when that happens, I embrace those memories.  I am on a journey.  A journey of release, a journey of going forward.  It is something I choose to do.  It is something I NEED to do.  Along with my de-cluttering  I am rejoicing in the past, just as I am anticipating, that which is yet to come.

 

MY GREATEST TREASURE IS YET TO COME

By Kathleen Martens

February 4, 2016

 

Time has a way of sneaking past,

The hours wriggling away.

The hands of the clock keep ticking by,

With no amount of cajoling will stay.

 

Peanut butter sandwiches and jelly globs,

I thought would last forever.

Always something to do for toddlers,

I thought I was eternally tethered.

 

Babyhood days are now long past

As are Scouts and marching band.

No more fingers reaching up,

To hold a stronger hand.

 

And the frazzle of teen years,

Somehow passed without regrets.

So many things to teach the young,

So their values were righteously set.

 

Then young adults, college and marriage,

And the house became empty and quiet.

The hustle and bustle was all gone,

Peace and calm replaced the riot.

 

More years of work, slaving away

For the almighty dollar.

Always planning for what was to come,

Sometimes wanting to holler.

 

Those days too, finally ended,

Opening a new world of wonder.

There were no bells or whistles,

Or a band resounding thunder.

 

Because of a simple date on a calendar,

No longer part of the working throng.

With the future looming ahead,

Where did we now belong?

 

The alarm no longer set to ring

To signal the hour at hand.

For the first time in adult life,

Our work was no longer in demand.

 

The past was over, no more commute.

Each day packaged as a gift.

Ours to plan, and ours to dream,

And through memories now to sift.

 

And the future holds a promise

Like a late flower waiting to bloom.

And for the first time in our hearts

Our dreams have lots of room.

 

We rejoice in our past, as we look forward

To all that awaits our pleasure.

Our gradually declining years, 

Are yet, are greatest treasure.

Proverbs 16:31  Living Bible

^“ White hair is a crown of glory and is seen most among the godly.”

 

 FUN FACTS:

Warner Communications paid $28 million for the copyright to the song Happy Birthday.

My comment:  I wish I had been the one to write that song!

 

Good night and God bless you!