Journal for Women

Christmas Eve Flexibility

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 14:36:00 +0000

Our family has always done their celebrating for Christmas on Christmas Eve.

Every year, ever since the children were very little, we have eaten pot roast, double stuffed potatoes, dinner rolls and then read Ideals Christmas Story book and then opened presents ~ first dividing them up among us, and then taking the time to open them one by one. After we open presents, I dish out slices of the Swiss Cherry Torte that I make, and then Daddy and the kids watch "It's A Wonderful Life" while I spend time putting things away and cleaning up the dining room and kitchen. And then on Christmas we have always woke up to warm cinnamon rolls and spent the rest of the day relaxing and putting away the decorations and stuff.

I am a firm believer that order is a wonderful thing. It brings peace. It provides security. It helps us all to know what to do and what to expect.

But this year God reminded me that flexibility is a wonderful thing too . . . because this year has been different.

This year I decided to cook something different for dinner. I decided to buy a Rib Roast and cook Prime Rib. This year my dinner wasn't ready by dinner time.

This year we opened presents before we had dinner.

This year Sabrina and her family spent the night with us on the night before Christmas Eve, and had to go home after we opened up presents.

This year we didn't have a dvd copy of "It's a Wonderful Life" to watch, so my husband, Jonathan & Kina watched "Amazing Grace" instead.

This year I had a little one year old helper in the kitchen helping me make my double stuffed potatoes.

This year we took two little boys food shopping at Sam's Club shopping on Christmas Eve.

This year we had two little adorable squirmy boys that didn't understand about "taking turns" to open presents and "why we must sit totally still" while Papa is reading the Christmas story.

This year we have had to make adjustments, and you know what I have found? That there is peace and security in being flexible about what you do and expect too.

There is peace in knowing, that just because things don't happen in what has always seemed like the right order, that when you are with people that you love, however they happen is exactly what you would have ordered.

And there is security in knowing that the memories that you make aren't rooted and established so much in the way the book is read or exactly what or when you eat . . . but in the special "whos" you are reading and eating with.

Being flexible with our holiday festivities this year helped me to remember the real reason that we even get together for Christmas ~ it's for the strengthening of our love ~ not about exactly what we have for dinner, how we do our reading or even exactly how we open presents.

It's about making the people you love really feel loved. And this year on Christmas Eve, I was reminded that being flexible with each other is sometimes the very best way to show it.

Merry Christmas to You!

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:59:00 +0000

From our home to yours ~ Merry Christmas to You!

My Husband's Favorite Christmas Memory

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:27:00 +0000

This past Sunday during the morning service, my husband shared his favorite Christmas memory with our church family. Every time he shares it, I am surprised by how touched he was by what occurred that year ~ because to me, it was just one of those times I was just trying to make the best of everything . . . just like my Mom had always taught me to do.

The story went like this . . .

It was December of 1982 and we had just moved from South Carolina to California only two short months before. My husband was a Marine at the time and this was our first duty station move as a couple. As the daughter of a career Air Force man, moving around a lot and the stresses that are generally caused by it was something that was very familiar to me. When I was growing up, my family moved every two or three years and many times we would move somewhere only to have my Dad sent away somewhere else. My mother taught us to expect this as a way of life and I learned from her very early on how to just make the best of whatever came my way.

So, in the middle of December when my husband announced to me that he still hadn't received a paycheck and that he didn't have any idea what we were going to do for Christmas, I just did all I knew how to do . . . and that was to make do and make a Christmas celebration with what we already had.

I immediately went to work covering wire hangers with foil wrap and assembling them in the shape of a tree. Once it was finished I hung it centered on our living room wall. I pushed his green footlocker (which was one of our only pieces of furniture at the time) under it as a base, covered it with a white sheet and began making popcorn balls and other homemade things to decorate the tree.

When I was all finished, I stood back and admired my work. Yes, I remembered thinking, this is good. All it needs is some presents ~ so I wrapped up some of Kina's toys (who wasn't even one year old at that time) and put them under my homemade tree.

Perfect. Just perfect. Now we have a Christmas tree and my husband doesn't have to worry. Everything is going to be all right.

When my husband came home that night, I expected him to be glad he didn't have to worry, but I never expected him to be so grateful for the sight he saw.

"Oh my! Look at this! You made us a Christmas tree! It's the most beautiful Christmas tree I have ever seen," he said to me back then with misty eyes and arms that hugged me tight with thanks.

"I'm glad you like it, see ~ you don't need to worry. Everything is going to be all right."

And you know what? Everything was all right. As a matter of fact, it was better than all right ~ as far as my husband was concerned it was the best Christmas ever.

Why? Because he received the gift of security in knowing that everything could be all right even when it seems like it shouldn't be all right.

As this Christmas season has come, maybe some of you are struggling financially and you are worried because you can't buy everything that you would like to for everyone you want to. Maybe you can't even afford any presents or even a Christmas tree.

May I encourage you? Do what you can. Use what you have. Take what is around and enjoy the opportunity to be creative, to dig deep, be resourceful, and make the best of the situation at hand.

This is what my Mom taught me to do . . . and according to the memory of my husband . . . it was enough to create his favorite Christmas memory ever ♥.

A Good Word Brings Cheer

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:45:00 +0000

Many years ago our family attended a funeral in Ohio. It was a very special funeral and a very stressful funeral. It was one of those times when our family needed to be strong together, to stick together, to suffer as one and stand as one. The girls were both in college at the time and we were in the baby stages of growing our ministry here in Lockport.

On the way home, my daughter Kina mentioned that her heart felt sad and that she felt rather discouraged. Knowing that my husband's heart was already overflowing with sadness and discouragement, and that he didn't need anybody else to be struggling at that present moment, I decided to encourage us all to do something silly.

"Let's all take turns telling Kina something special about herself."

"Awww Mom," she said, acting like she would be embarrassed if we did this for her.

"I'll go first. Kina is beautiful," I said, and I could tell by her smile that she liked what I said.

"I'll go next," my husband interjected, "Kina is smart and a hard worker."

Again, another big smile out of Kina.

"I think Kina is a good friend and always nice to everyone," Sabrina piped in, and for the next five or ten minutes we all took turns showering Kina with the gift of good words.

"Hey!" Sabrina then said, "Let's say good things about ME too!"

We all laughed when she said this, and then we began to take turns saying good things about her.

"Sabrina is happy spirited. Sabrina is a hard worker. Sabrina is nice to people that need a friend. Sabrina is neat and organized," were just some of the things that we came up with to say to her during her round of good word blessings.

"Let's say nice things about Dad!" I said, and so we did the same thing for Dad, and then we ended up doing the same thing for me too.

We probably spent the better part of an hour showering each other with the gift of good words, and you know what we learned from this experience? A good word brings cheer. It's amazing how happy the spirit in our car became, even though none of the heavy things that were weighing us down had really changed.

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 12:25, "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad."

My husband's heart was heavy on that day, but the good words that he heard us share about each other made him glad.

My daughter's heart was discouraged on that day, but the good words that we spoke to her made her feel glad.

As I have been preparing to celebrate the spirit of Christmas with my family and others this week, I have once again been reminded of the heaviness of the hearts of some that are around me. Some are weighed down with work pressures. Some are struggling with health issues. Some have financial problems. And some are broken hearted because of wayward family members.

Because of this, I am asking God to bless me in a special way with an abundance of good words to spread as a measure of good cheer.

There really are so many good things that we can say to others, aren't there?

"Good job, you are a blessing."

"You are a such a diligent worker."

"You are always so nice to people."

"You are so thoughtful."

"These are the yummiest cookies."

"I admire your faith and courage."

"You always decorate so beautifully."

These are just a few of the phrases that are so easily said if we will set our mind to it.

"Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad," the Bible reminds us in Proverbs 12:25. It doesn't necessary make it better, or stronger, and more stable. But it does make it glad.

And who knows? Maybe when the heart feels glad, it will have the desire to make its own self better or stronger or even a bit more stable.

Wondering what kind of a special gift you could give to your loved ones and friends this season? How about giving them the gift of a good word. According to the Bible and the testimony of my family ~ it seems to be the gift that brings the most cheer.

The Chocolate Santa

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:42:00 +0000

"Here," my friend Jayne said to me as she handed me a gift bag before Sunday School started yesterday morning, "Mrs. Lybarger asked me to give this to you."

As soon as I looked in the bag I started to laugh.

"See this," I said to Jayne and Debbie as they were now standing talking together, "Every year I buy Mrs. Lybarger a chocolate bunny at Easter and this year she bought me a chocolate Santa! Isn't that hilarious?"

"I know," Jayne said, "She told me the story when she gave me the bag.

We all got a good laugh out of Mrs. Lybarger's funny gift sense of humor yesterday morning.

I think my favorite part of belonging to a local church, other than listening to the preaching of God's Word, is making friends with God's people. Our church is like a great big gathering of good friends each week, and I have enjoyed so much getting to know and growing to love the people that God has brought our way over the past eight years.

Mrs. Lybarger is one of those people. She and her husband are dear elderly saints, and for years I sat in the pew in front of them. We had so many good conversations during those years, and one of the funniest ones had to do with getting chocolates at Easter.

"So Mrs. Lybarger," I said to her one Easter morning, "Did you get any chocolates this Easter?"

"She doesn't need chocolate," her husband teased, "She's too old for chocolate!"

Mr. Lybarger is a delightful Christian man. Such a good and faithful husband. His care for Mrs. Lybarger while she battled with breast cancer was such a great encouragement to all of us.

"What!?" I said teasingly in return, "EVERY woman needs chocolate at Easter."

And that afternoon I went out and bought her a chocolate bunny and brought it all wrapped up to her that night.

When she opened it, she laughed, he laughed and I laughed ~ and it has been something special I have done for her every Easter since.

Now, to set the record straight . . . neither one of us has one ounce of belief in the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus . . . but we both have a great deal of belief in reaching out in love and friendship . . . and for us, trading these silly chocolate things around the holidays has kept us close even though our ages and now even our pew distance is somewhat far apart.

The Bible tells us that in order to have friends, one must show himself friendly. The best friends that I have (other than my own family) are the women of my church ~ and it is towards them that I work my hardest at being the most friendly ♥.

Arm Pickles, the Christmas Story & a Million times a Million

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:05:00 +0000

On Wednesday I stopped over to Sabrina's to spend some time with her and the boys between doctor appointments and as soon as I saw Conner he jumped up and down and said to me . . .

"Gramma, I have arm pickles! I have arm pickles!"

"Arm pickles? What are arm pickles?"

"They are these," he said as he lifted up one arm, put the opposite hand in his arm pit and began to flap his elbow all about. "This is my arm pickle!"

He really is the cutest little boy, and he sure does always come up with the funniest things to say.

Later on, while we were playing trains in his room, I asked him what he had been learning in Sunday School lately.

"I've been learning the Christmas Story."

"What have you been learning about the Christmas Story?" I asked him.

"I've been learning that Jesus was born as a baby. He was just a little guy."

"Do you remember where he was born at?"

"Ummm," he said as he thought about it for a moment, "No, I don't."

"Oh, well, do you remember who his parents were?"

"His parents were God."

Good answer. There are many adult folks that couldn't even tell you that answer.

"So, what else have you been up to lately?" I asked him.

"Well, last night I slept in my Mommy's bed."

"Now, why would she let you do a thing like that?" I said to tease with him a little.

"Because she loves me," he said, "She says a miwion."

"A miwion? What is a miwion?"

"She says she loves me a miwion times a miwion."

"Oh," I said, finally getting it, "She tells you she loves you a million times a million?"

"Yes, that's what she says."

This little boy has everything that any three year old little boy could ask for ~ Arm pickles. The right facts about the Christmas Story. And a Mommy that loves him a million times a million :).

A Special Gift

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:12:00 +0000

The other night my husband and I went to the Family Christian Store so that I could buy some Christmas things for my grandsons. While we were there my husband picked up a few films for us to watch. One of them was entitled, "The Ultimate Gift".

This past Saturday night we decided to watch that film together. It's not something that we usually do on a Saturday night. As a matter of fact, it's not something that we ever do on a Saturday night. Saturday night is a work night for this Pastor, and it is a time when I usually devote myself to preparing our dinner meal for Sunday and packing up my church bag so I am prepared to teach and fully enjoy the Word of God being preached to us on that day.

But this past Saturday night, we decided to do something different. We decided to watch this little film together, and what a wonderful film it was! The story is about a spoiled young man and how he comes to the point of earning an inheritance. The film was sold at the special price counter at the Christian book store ~ $5.00 was all my husband paid for it.

My husband and I both enjoy films that cause us to think about life, the choices that we make, and our Lord who wants us to live sober minded and be careful about the choices that we make. We had such a nice time together. Such a very nice time together.

As the film was ending and the credits were being given, I couldn't help but think about a gift that was sitting under the Christmas tree upstairs. It was a gift that I wrapped all pretty earlier in the day for my husband. I even put a beautiful gold bow on top. Wrapped up in the box was a special little gift that I had ordered for my husband many months ago.

It was a special gift. A very special gift. A gift that I knew my husband would love to have, and one that cost me a great amount to buy.

"You know one wish that I have?" I said to my husband, mimicking what the people in the film had just said a few minutes before. "My wish is for you to open up a special gift that I have for you upstairs."

"It is," he said to me, not at all surprised that I would say something to him like this. After all, he has lived with me for the past 28 years . . . he knows how excited I get about this whole season of getting and giving people special Christmas gifts.

"I do. It's a special gift. A very special gift. And I want you to open it when we are alone and no one else is around."

"Okay," he said, surprising me because of the fuss he didn't give, "I'll do it. Let's go upstairs and I'll open it."

So we went up the stairs and I handed him a small box with a gold bow on it. He held it in his hands and he looked at me in a special way.

"Open the box. This is something that I have wanted to give you for a very long time."

He opened the box and inside he found a beautiful Marine Corps Commemorative Ring.

For a minute or two, we just sat there in silence as he held the ring box and meditated on the specialness of this unexpected gift.

"It fits me perfectly," he finally said, "And it's nice. It's so nice. It's such a nice looking ring. It even has the DI emblem on it."

"I know. I had them put that on there because that's what you were doing when I married you. Look, it even has your initials and your dates of service etched in the inside of it."

"Wow, this is really nice. This is really, really nice," he said as he reached over and gave me a big hug and a passionate kiss.

"This is my small way of thanking you for everything you have ever done for me," I said with tears swelling up in my own eyes, "You have been so very good to me. Thank you so much for all you have given to me and been to me."

We just stood there and embraced. Sometimes silence is the very best way to speak.

My husband is a great man. He has done so much and been through so much. And yet, he keeps on keeping on. He is one of those winners in life. He is victorious because he refuses to quit. I wish I could give him the sun, moon and every one of the stars that hang in the sky. But those aren't mine to give. Only God is able to give those gifts.

So, for now, I've just settled for giving him something simple . . . and pretty special . . . something I knew would be used to remind him of something very precious to him . . . a Marine Corps Commemorative Ring.

Merry Christmas to my faithful Pastor husband, who for twenty-one years served his life as a United States Marine. From your loving wife . . . who wants you to know that she appreciates you very, very much ♥.

Hayden & the Christmas Decorations

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:49:00 +0000

Hayden discovered the Christmas tree this past Sunday. Even though it has been up for a few weeks, Sunday was the first time he paid any attention to it.

I had to laugh as I watched him from the corner of my eye grab a glass Christmas ornament off of the tree, pull it apart, and then attempt to chew on the metal clip and throw the ball part across the room like a grenade.

Hayden is all boy. There is nothing even remotely girlie about this little boy :).

Even though we rescued him from choking and causing a glass catastrophe in the living room, I couldn't help but want to leave him alone again and again and watch him with the tree. It was so much fun just watching him interact with all the different ornaments on the tree.

Later on that day I pulled down this beautiful musical nativity snow globe (that a friend had given me a few years ago) so that I could shake it up and show the boys how neat it was. Conner thought it was neat, but Hayden thought it was something extra special. When I held it in front of him so that he could see it real close, he leaned over and kissed the globe, then he touched the angel on top and kissed that too. It's almost as if he knew how special the angel and the nativity was. Maybe in his little heart, he already does know.

We love you Hayden. God has made you our own little Christmas angel this year ♥.

Her First Church Home

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:18:00 +0000

Just about every Sunday night at our church Pastor Dave has someone share the testimony of how they got saved. Last night we heard from our dear friend Karen Smith, and it was a very, very moving testimony indeed. I'm so thankful that Pastor Dave came up with the idea to do this. It has provided all of us with such a special opportunity to be able to understand and get to know each other in such an "up close and personal" way.

After Karen finished sharing her testimony with us, I leaned over to my friend Lisa that was sitting to the left of me and asked her how many years she has been coming to our church.

"It's been six years," she said.

"Wow," I responded, "It's already been six years. I still remember the first time you came. You sat right back there." I told her as I pointed towards the middle section of our church.

"You know, this is my first church home. This is the only church I have ever attended. I'm pretty lucky, aren't I," she said.

And when she said that, tears immediately filled my eyes as the weight of responsibility began to quickly fill my heart.

Her first church home and the only church she has ever attended. My husband has been the only Pastor she has ever had, and I am the only Pastor's wife she has ever known. For me, this was a very overwhelming thought. Even though I was raised a Catholic and had attended church all throughout my growing up years, I still remember the little Baptist Church where I was saved at the age of twenty-three years old.

Antioch Baptist Church was its name. It was a small church of about forty people pastored by a man named Roger Hoosier. He was such a nice and patient man. He was the one who gave our family our first Bible. I remember his wife being a kind and gentle woman, quietly supporting him by taking good care of his home and children as he did God's work.

That first Bible believing Christian church was so important to us. We saw it as a piece of Heaven on this earth. We felt so important as we became involved with it. We did whatever we saw that needed to be done. God used that first church to plant a seed of service in us that would continue to grow into a strong tree that is now being used in our church to grow others under. For me, this was a very overwhelming thought.

My husband is her first Pastor. I am her first Pastor's Wife. It has been under our ministry that the seed has been planted in this dear woman's life.

As I was sharing this with my husband this morning, he reminded me that there are so many people in our church just like Lisa. This is their first church home and the first church that they have ever attended. Once again tears began to fill my eyes as the weight of responsibility once again began to fill my heart.

Being the wife of a Pastor of a Bible believing Church is such a great privilege and opportunity. It is a privilege to be the one who encourages the Man of God as he brings the Message of God to the hearts of so many people who desperately need to hear the Word of God . . . some like Lisa who walked into our church and heard it for the first time . . . and some who have come like Karen who had heard it so many times.

And it is a great opportunity for Me too . . . to be used as a tool to love people unconditionally, encourage them joyfully, and to help them grow biblically.

God used that little conversation last night to sober me up and mature me. I have always been sure that God called my husband to do a great work here, but as I talked with Lisa and listened to the testimony of Karen last night . . . He reminded me of the special work that He has given me to do here as well.

Gramma Always has Bananas

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 03:46:00 +0000

A few days ago Conner asked his Mommy for a banana.

"I'm sorry Conner, we don't have any more bananas right now," she kindly told him.

"Let's go to Gramma's Mommy, she ALWAYS has bananas," he said in reply.

I have been thinking a lot of what a privilege it is to be able to live near my only two grandchildren. Every weekend they join us for Sunday dinner, and I always get to visit with them before and after every church service. Sometimes I even get to play with them during the week.

Grandchildren are such a blessing. It's like having your children all over again without any of the burden of having to correct them :). It's so fun to play with them, to listen to the sweet things that they have to say and to watch them interact with others from day to day.

The other night my husband and I watched a Christian film entitled, "The Way Back Home." It was a story about a young man who remembered who had developed the wrong priorities in life and rediscovered the right ones when he took a trip back to visit with his Grandma at her home in the south. As we were watching it, my husband leaned over and said to me, "That will be Conner someday. Someday he will be a grown man coming back home to visit you when you are old."

And then he said this, "It's so important for those of us that are older to stay the same. The younger ones in the family need us to make sure that we stay the same and don't change."

The Grandma in the film was a sweet Christian woman who had suffered a stroke. And even though she was not as strong physically as she used to be, her spirit was still strong and it was her strong spirit that was used as a light to lead the young man back to the solid ground in life where he needed to be.

"Let's go to Gramma's house, she ALWAYS has bananas," my little three year old said to his Mommy the other day. At this age his thoughts of me are warm and fuzzy and fond. I have the things he likes, and because of that, he thinks of me as someone that likes him too.

More than anything I want to be a good Gramma to him and his brother that is following close behind him. I want to be an example of someone who is kind and loving and good. I want to always have my home filled with things they love, my heart filled with joy to see them when they come, and the time to really listen to them when they talk and be able to sit down and play with them with thy are around.

Being a Gramma is a great privilege . . . and as I was reminded by my husband last night . . . it is a great responsibility too.

Married to a Man I Enjoy

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Today is my husband's day off and we enjoyed doing so many things together today.

We started off our day reading the Bible and praying together. My spirit has felt heavy lately and spending this time with God and my husband was just what I needed.

Then we spent some time "winter cleaning" some of the rooms of the house. We did stuff like clean behind the stove, refrigerator, dust the top of the kitchen cabinets, wash all of the tea stuff that sits on top of them, cleaned out the light fixtures, dusted the ceiling fans (we have really high ceilings), scrubbed the floors and shoveled the deck (we have been getting some snow around here lately and it was a good idea to shovel now, before things get too deep!).

After we worked around the house for a few hours we headed to the mall area and did some Christmas shopping. I finished all of my shopping and I think my husband did a little bit of his. When we came home my husband built a fire in the fireplace and I made us some cinnamon rolls that tasted so warm and delicious.

If you would have asked me many years ago (while my children were growing up in the home), if I would ever enjoy living in a home without children at home, I probably would have told you no. My husband and I both loved being parents to our daughters and having a house filled with their presence as they were growing up.

But now that they are grown up and gone, we are enjoying this time together too. It's a different kind of wonderful time we are enjoying nowadays as our times together are filled with slower mornings, smaller mealtimes, sweeter snacktimes, and just hanging out without anyone else needing to be fed, changed, or entertained.

I'm so thankful to be married to a man that I enjoy being with ~ and that he reminds me regularly that he enjoys being with me too ♥.

Emmanuel, God with Us

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:23:00 +0000

Last year my husband gave me Willow Tree's Nativity Set for Christmas. It was something that I really wanted, and when I opened the box, I was overjoyed that he had given it to me.

I love the Christmas Story. I love the reminder that the birth of Christ has been foretold by the prophets and that it actually came to pass in such a miraculous way. I love the thought of miracles, and I love the peace of knowing that when God sent Jesus to earth, He sent Him as our Emmanuel, which being interpreted means, "God with Us."

As my husband was putting the decorations away last year, he asked me what I would like to do with the Nativity Set.

"Could we leave it up? It looks so beautiful on the mantle."

"Sure, I guess," he said, then he asked me this question, "Do you think it is kind of strange to leave up a Nativity Set all year?" I mean, after all, as a Baptist preacher he is well aware that Jesus coming as a baby was only the start of His ministry ~ what He did as an adult and on the cross is really the significant part.

"No, I really don't. You see, to me, the Nativity scene is special because it reminds me of a very comforting truth found in Matthew chapter one . . . they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Every time I look at this beautiful Nativity set that you bought me, I am reminded that God is with me."

He continued to pack up all the other Christmas decorations and put everything away, but the Nativity Set stayed up, and to be honest with you, its message has brought me comfort during every month of this year.

In January its message strengthened me when my Dad was suffering stroke after stroke. Don't be afraid, the little Nativity Set reminded me, God is with Him.

In February its message comforted me when my oldest daughter turned 27 and she was discouraged because she wasn't dating seriously at the time. Don't be discouraged, the little Nativity Set reminded me, God is with her.

In March its message supported me when I became ill with pneumonia for the first time in my life and had to miss attending Pastors School with my husband and church family. Don't become anxious about this thing, the little Nativity Set whispered to me, God is with you.

In April and May its message comforted me when I went through my first shoulder surgery and suffered through the worst pain that I have ever experienced in my life, and then had to endure the stress of painful physical therapy sessions three times a week. Don't be overwhelmed, the Nativity Set reminded me, God is with you.

In June its message encouraged me as the relationship between Kina and Jonathan grew stronger and we could tell that they were falling in love. "See how good God is?" the little Nativity Set silently shouted to me, "I told you God was with her".

In July its message brought peace to me and the precious heart of a dear friend as she buried her son that passed away. Because of Me, the Nativity Set reminded us, the young man was able to get saved and is walking on the streets of gold in Heaven today.

In August its message brought hope as my husband and I celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary with a special tour of different places in Michigan. Faith is the victory, the little Nativity Set reminded me ~ God has been with you, and you have become a happy Christian couple because of Him.

In September its message comforted me once again as I experienced the painful recovery of yet another shoulder surgery this year. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me", the little Nativity Set silently sang its sweet message to me, reminding me that because God is with me, I am never suffering alone. And then it turned around and encouraged me when my daughter called to tell us that she got engaged to the man she loves. Emmanuel, God is with us.

In October its message fortified me as I took a group of women to Ladies Spectacular and then trusted God for the strength to encourage Moms of grown children in a talk I gave at that ladies meeting. Remember, when you are weak, God is strong, the little Nativity Set reminded me, as it stressed to me the importance of God being with me during this time of needing supernatural strength.

In November its message caught me off guard when I encountered serious complications following what was to be a simple operation to remove a kidney stone. God is your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, the little Nativity reminded me as I saw God not only be with me, but be with the doctors that were taking care of me as well.

And this month, as I continue to gaze into the meaning of the little Nativity Set that is now sitting on top of the desk in my home office, I am reminded of the truth that God has spoken to me in II Corinthians 12:9, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

As I think back about the many events that took place this year, I have come to the conclusion that this was a most wonderful year. A most wonderful year? What? Am I crazy?

No, I'm not crazy, I am just a woman that has become convinced, from the message that has been spoken to me from this beautiful little Nativity Set this year, "That neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Emmanuel, God with Us. He is with you, and He has been with me too. Through the ups. Through the downs. Through the spinning of wheels and going round and round. The Nativity reminds us that His name shall be called Emmanuel, which being interpreted, is God with us.

Productive Days

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:57:00 +0000

Monday morning I woke up and decided that it was high time that I began to do my own work around this house again. So many people have been so helpful (especially my daughter Sabrina and our cleaning lady Dana), but no matter how helpful people are, there is nothing like doing your own work yourself.

I have not been officially "released from light duty" so I have been working slowly through my housework 'to do' list.

On Monday I mopped the kitchen and hallway floors, dusted the living room, dining room, office and kids room and swept and cleaned the laminate floors. I also washed a couple loads of towels and made dinner. I started the afternoon off with physical therapy, and by the end of the day I was spent, but it was a good spent. I took a hot bath, some pain medicine and went to bed at an early hour.

Today I have been able to do four loads of laundry, dust and vacuum my room and the whole downstairs and embroider aprons for the hospitality ministry and work shirts for the maintenance department at church. Later tonight I will type up my Sunday School lesson and Bible Study notes for Friday.

Tomorrow my plans are to clean both bathrooms and the laundry room. That should just about cover all the rooms in the house for now. I might even try going grocery shopping in the afternoon :).

On Thursday I have physical therapy again and my goal is to get my hair trimmed and finish my Christmas shopping on that day. We'll see how well I am holding up by then :).

It has been so long since I have enjoyed genuine productive days working around this house. It feels so good to be back in the swing of doing my own house work again.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off to the Caribbean We Go!

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, in January it's off to the Caribbean we go!

This past September, our church family pitched to purchase us a trip to the Caribbean as an surprise gift to celebrate Pastor Dave's 8th anniversary at our church. Our son in law Jeremy was responsible for organizing this, and I want to publicly thank him for doing this.

I am so excited about this vacation! I have been to the Bahamas once, but I have never been to the Western Caribbean area. I love to see new sights. I love to enjoy vacation time with my husband. And we both enjoy the wonderful feel of warm weather ~ especially smack dab in the middle of winter.

Last week we mailed off the stuff to get our passports. We should be getting them back in a few weeks. Our summer clothes are within arms reach, and come the middle of January ~ let the packing and traveling begin!

God always takes care of those that serve Him in such a special way. No matter how much money my husband gives away each year (to the church or to the people of the church), God makes sure that there is always a way for us to get away for some rest and refreshment at least twice a year.

I'm so thankful for such a kind and giving church family. They have been so generous to us. We love and appreciate you so very much!

A Kindred Spirit

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:42:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I began talking to a young lady who was being cared for on the physical therapy table next to mine. The physical therapist that works with me said that this young lady needed some encouragement, so I thought I might try and make a friend out of her while I was there.

As I began talking to her, I found her to be a delightful young lady. She seemed happy and positive and a sweet young bride to be looking forward to her wedding day that was coming up in a few short months.

"I didn't know you were engaged," our mutual physical therapist said to her one day as we were laying on our tables side by side."

"Well, you never asked. Mrs. Julie asked me about it, so that's how she knows."

The fact that she is engaged is not the only thing I have learned about this delightful young lady in the past many weeks . . . I have learned that she is a born again Christian too.

As we were working on the machines one day, I asked her what she was planning on doing with her master's degree when she finished her studies.

"Oh, probably work in some counseling center," she said.

And then a few minutes later, when no one was around, she leaned over to me and said, "I would really like to work in a Crisis Pregnancy Center helping people who struggle with those issues, but I don't dare say that around here, because . . . well, you know how everyone around here thinks."

I knew exactly what she meant. As much as I have tried to enjoy my time at physical therapy this year, it has been so discouraging to listen to all the talk about people living together, going to bars, the loud rock music and the crude jokes that are passed.

I thought it was precious that this whole worldly environment bothered my young friend too.

Then one day, as we were talking about God, her upcoming marriage and church, our physical therapist looked at us and said, "Boy, you two sure have seemed to hit it off."

"That's because we both love Jesus!" my young delightful friend shouted.

"That's right," I shouted too. And then I looked into the eyes of my physical therapist that I have been witnessing too for the past eight months, "We are kindred spirits because we both love the Lord."

When I said this, my physical therapist, who is a very nice typical worldly lady just looked at me with a little mist in her eyes and said nothing. She knows that she needs the Lord. It's just so hard for her to let go of the world.

A few minutes later, my dear young friend was told to do some yoga move on the mat on the floor. She looked up at me and whispered, "I don't like anything to do with yoga. They say that it has to do with some eastern religious stuff and I'm totally against that kind of stuff."

I smiled at her and thought to myself, "And I'm totally FOR Christians that love God like you do!"

As I was getting ready to leave that day, my young friend shouted, "Bye BFF!"

In all my years of living, no one has ever called me a BFF. As a matter of fact, I wasn't even sure I knew what it meant. But after asking around, I have come to learn that it means Best Friends Forever.

Best Friends Forever. That's what me and my new delightful young friend have become since we both love the Lord and are not ashamed to show it.

"O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together." Psalm 34:3

Spiritual Conversations with a Silly Little Boy . . . Well, Sort Of

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:53:00 +0000

"Mommy," little Conner said to his Mommy the other day, "Will you tell me about Jonah?"

"Sure Conner, I will tell you about Jonah." And she told him about Noah.

"Will you tell me about Noah?"

"Yes, I will." And she told him about Noah.

"Will you tell me about poop?"

"Why not?" And she told him about poop.

"Mommy, will you tell me about God?"

"Yes, I would love to," his Mommy said. "God is the creator of everything and He lives in Heaven and He loves you so very much."

"Does he love ALL of me?" Conner asked in his sweetest little three year old voice.

"Yes, he does. God loves all of you."

"Even my bo*bies?" Conner said with a grin and a giggle. Bo*bies is his new shock word and he is enjoying every moment of saying it.

"Yes Conner, God even loves your bo*bies," his Mommy replied with a sigh. I'm sure at this point she was starting to think this conversation needed to be replaced with eating a snack, playing with trains, or something that would bring some sense back into the thoughts of this silly little boy.

"Mommy?" Conner asked again, "Will you tell me about Jesus?"

"Why certainly. I would love to tell you about Jesus." And then she went on to tell him about how Jesus came to earth as the Saviour of the world. How all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. That the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

And then she told Conner about how he could trust Jesus as his Saviour and how he could someday live forever with Jesus in Heaven after he died.

"Conner, would you like to live up in Heaven with Jesus someday?"

Conner thought about it for a few moments and then said . . .

"Uh no. I think I would rather live at Collin's house instead."

:)

Special Prayers for a Special Man

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:08:00 +0000

Today at 11:30 a.m. my daughter's father in law will have open heart surgery. The surgery is scheduled to last all day long and maybe even into the night. Because Jerry's stress testing and EKG showed that he has experienced three heart attacks previous to this, the surgeon has made it clear to the family that this procedure is risky. There is a chance that his heart will not be strong enough to endure.

This a fearful day for Jerry and Emmy. They are wonderful Christian folks, but like you and I, they are human folks. They are trusting the Lord, they have accepted His Will . . . but still, there is fear.

They need our prayers. Would you join me in praying for this dear man today? Pray that God's mercy would overshadow him and the surgical team that will be operating on him. Pray that God will strengthen his body. And please pray that God will strengthen the spirit of his precious wife that will be in the waiting room close by.

My son in law has the best parents. These are those "salt of the earth" kind of people. They are wonderful servants at their church. They have been so kind and good to our daughter. They are so loving to the grandkids. They are such good friends to others.

Yesterday was Jerry's birthday. He spent the day with his family. He asked the doctor if he could enjoy one more birthday celebration before he have this surgery. The doctor agreed.

But today is the day. My husband will go over this morning and pray with him. I'm sure his Pastor will be there too. Jeremy and Sabrina will be there too.

I will be here . . . praying and praying and praying. Thank you for your willingness to pray with me today about this too.

*Update: Jerry came through the surgery fine and is now in recovery. PRAISE THE LORD, PRAISE THE LORD, PRAISE THE LORD. Thank you so much for praying. "The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much."

Hayden & the Potty Chair

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:28:00 +0000

Last night our telephone rang a little after 10:00 p.m..

"It's Sabrina," I said.

"How do you know?" my husband answered as he walked towards the phone.

"It's her ring."

I have my telephone programmed with special rings for each one of my family members. Sabrina's sounds like a bird chirping because I always called her my "tweety bird".

"Hi Sabrina," I heard my husband say as he picked up the phone, "Really? That's great! Here, tell your Mom the good news."

"Hi Sabrina," I said as I was handed over the phone.

"Guess what Mom? Hayden went poo in the potty chair!"

"Wow! That's terrific! He is such a smart little boy. Only 15 months old and is already going poo in the potty chair."

Grandmas and a Mommies get very excited about things like this.

"How did it happen?" I asked.

"I saw that he had that "look" like he had to go, so I just took his diaper off and sat him on the potty chair. Then I showed him how to strain his face and push and they he did it. It was that easy. After he was finished I gave him an M& M and a few minutes later he was ready to do it again."

Sabrina is onto something, because Hayden will do anything for an M&M.

"That's amazing. Good for you. Good for him. That's great. Thanks for letting us know."

"Isn't that great about Hayden going poo in the potty chair?" I asked my husband after I hung up the phone.

"It sure is! He is an amazing little guy! Such an amazing little guy."

I guess Grandmas and Mommies aren't the only ones that get excited over these kinds of things . . . Grandpas (and probably Daddies) get excited over them too :).

Parenting Advice from a Three Year Old

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:44:00 +0000

"Mommy," Conner said to Sabrina one morning a few weeks ago, "You don't need to sp*nk me today."

"I wasn't planning on it unless you did something naughty."

"Well, the Bible says that you shouldn't sp*nk your children."

"As a matter of fact," Sabrina said in response, "The Bible says that I should sp*nk my children." And then showed him in the book of Proverbs where it said that.

"No it doesn't," he retorted. Not even showing him God's Word could convince him it did :).

Then the next day she was holding baby Hayden and Conner looks at her and says, "Mommy, that's my brother, and you better be nice to him!"

"I am nice to him," she told him.

"Then you better not sp*nk him!" he says in return.

Sabrina just looked and smiled. Obviously the consequence of all this obedience training has been starting to weigh heavily on this little fellows mind.

Then a few days later Conner walks up to her and says, "You don't need to sp*nk me today."

"I wasn't planning on it," she tells him, "Unless of course you are planning on being naughty."

Seeing that this tactic didn't work, he tried a new one when he got up the next day.

"Mommy, thank you for sp*nking me."

"I haven't sp*nked you today."

"I know, and you don't need to either."

Funny little fellow. Already trying to work his way out of needing to be corrected for his transgressions.

Then at Sunday dinner this past week she tells me that now when she has to give baby Hayden a little swat on the hand Conner runs up to her and says, "Good job Mommy. You are doing a good job as a Mommy!"

Children say the funniest things. And I'm beginning to think that three year old little boys seem to say the funniest things of all :).

Of Course I Work

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:05:00 +0000

As many of you know, I have been in and out of many, many doctor offices, physical therapy sessions, and hospital admission stations this year. As I have been reflecting over the past ten months of being in and out of these places, one thought has amused me ~ every time I have had to fill out some sort of questionnaire with them, I have had to explain to them that "Yes, I Do Work."

Here is how the conversation always goes . . .

"What is your occupation and who is your employer?"

"My occupation is home keeper and my employer is my husband."

"Oh," said with a everything they can muster into a kindhearted glare, "So, you don't work."

"Of course I work. I work at home for my husband."

"But you don't get paid for the work, do you?"

"Sure, I do. I get paid every week. And in addition to my weekly pay, I receive monthly room and board, medical and dental coverage, a new wardrobe twice a year, access to a beautiful car, and two weeks of paid vacation. And that doesn't even include my Christmas bonus :)."

At this point they usually smile, and agree with me that I have a pretty good job. One time a lady even told me that I had the BEST job because in her eyes mine was the most important work.

To which I told her, "No, mine is not the most important work. Everyone's work is important. What you do is just as important as what I do. That is why we should all work hard and do things well. But I do appreciate your acknowledgment of the fact that, yes, I do work."

You know, I'm not one of those home keepers that has an axe to grind with anybody. I don't go around making an issue of home work being the hardest work, the only work, or the only important work.

But I do believe it is work. And because I believe that it is work, I do my part to stand for the right of having it recorded as so in the paper work that I must file and the interview questions that I must answer.

Whatever God has called you to do, be proud of what you do. Do it with diligence and do it with excellence. Give yourself a reason to stand and be counted when asked if you work.

"Of course I work," I always answer when the question is asked, and then I tell them, "My husband is my employer and I work at home. Been there for the past 28 years. The pay is great and the benefits are out of this world." :)

Sunday Dinner with Baby Hayden

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:58:00 +0000

I've been learning something about Hayden and his eating habits over the past few weeks since we have been having family dinners together on Sundays . . . Hayden doesn't mind eating savory food as long as he can feed himself . . . and he doesn't mind being fed if you are feeding him something sweet!

This past Sunday we had lasagna (made by my dear friend Donna Parker), and I gave Hayden a fork and a small piece that I had cut up and he ate the whole thing one "forkful" at a time!

Hayden is amazing with the fork. For a one year old, he has amazing hand and eye coordination. What he isn't able to stab with the fork, he picks up with his opposite hand and puts it on the fork so he can eat it.

But when it comes to eating ice cream, M&M's, or even pumpkin pie (as we learned this past Sunday) ~ Hayden is happy to sit still on your lap and open his mouth wide :).

Hayden has the most adorable personality. He notices just about everything and points to things that he wants and things that he sees that aren't right. The Sunday before last I forgot to put the gate up before he came, and when he walked in the foyer and saw the stairway open, he looked up at everyone, pointed his finger and grunted as if to tell us, "Hey, you forgot to put the gate up today!".

Children are a blessing from the Lord, and grandchildren are such a special blessing ~ that's for sure!

Elmo & A Big Chicken

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:57:00 +0000

Yesterday Sabrina and her family joined us for Sunday dinner and I had the opportunity to sit with Conner at the kitchen table during the meal time.

"Gramma," he began, "I'm so thirsty. Can I have something to drink?"

"Yes, you can," I told him, then I asked him what he would like.

He wanted apple juice. Of course.

So I reached in my cupboard and grabbed one of the disposable cups with a straw and lid that I had purchased for him to drink from and poured him a drink.

"Gramma, who is this on the cup?" he asked me.

"It is a picture of Elmo and Big Bird," I told him.

"No, this is not a picture of Elmo and Big Bird," he said to me so matter-of-factly, "It is a picture of Elmo and a Big Chicken."

I couldn't help but start laughing. I find the practicality of a three year old little mind absolutely hilarious at times.

"But they call him Big Bird," I said.

"No, he's a big chicken. This is Elmo and a Big Chicken."

:)

Then later on in the day while we were eating an apple together the refrigerator made a loud noise.

"What's that noise Gramma?"

"The refrigerator just made a loud noise."

"Is there someone in there?"

"No, there is no one in there."

"I better go see. I think there is someone in there."

So he walks over to the refrigerator and opens the door very slowly and looks in.

"It's fine. There's nobody in there."

I just started laughing again. He hasn't figured out yet that a person couldn't exist two seconds shut up in the refrigerator.

This reminded me of a time when Kina was just three years old and we were driving in the car and we passed by some farm area where everything smelled real bad. She looked at us real funny and then asked my husband, "Daddy, is there a dog in the car?"

I just laughed and laughed then too. Didn't she think she would have known if there was a dog in the car? Didn't she think she would have seen him at least once? :)

Little kids say the funniest things, and one of my favorite past times for many years has been to just sit around with them and listen to them ♥.

No Littering and No Shop-Lifting

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:48:00 +0000

A couple of Wednesday nights ago, as Sabrina was getting Conner's car seat ready for me to use, I said to her "No littering!", teasing her as she brushed little cookie crumbs out her car door and onto the new parking lot pavement at the church.

As soon as I said this, Conner piped up and began to shout very loudly, "No littering! No littering Mommy! Pleeeeaaasssse! No littering Mommy!"

"What was that all about?" I asked Sabrina, wondering why on earth Conner reacted like that.

"Oh, we have been learning lessons on not littering lately," Sabrina said so matter-of-factly, and we have been learning lessons about not shoplifting as well."

"Not shoplifting?"

"Yes, Conner is quite the shoplifter. Just about every time we walk out of a store lately, he has something in his hand that we didn't pay for."

"Oh."

So I told him, "Conner, you can't just take things out of the store without paying for them. That is called shoplifting. Then he tells me, "But I wanted it." Well, you can't have it if you don't pay for it. That's shoplifting. And shoplifting is stealing and you will get in big trouble for doing it. To which he says to me, "Let's go pay for it, because I want it." And then I have to tell him, "No, we don't always get what we want. You must ask for it and mommy must pay for it BEFORE you take it out of the store." "Okay mommy," he says," so then we have to go back into the store and put it back. It's all a big hassle, but it is worth it to teach him to do what is right."

No littering and no shoplifting. Funny lessons to be teaching a three year old little boy.

Funny lessons, but important lessons too . . . because someday that three year old little boy is going to grow up to become a twenty year old young man . . . and his littering and shoplifting won't be a cute little matter. As a matter of fact, it will be a grave, big matter that will cause him to get fined, thrown in jail, and will make him a great burden to society.

Good citizens are not just made, they are trained. Trained to obey the laws that are laid out around them ~ whether they feel like it or not.

I'm thankful for young moms, like Sabrina, that take the time and make the effort to train their little ones to do what is right, so that when they are grown, they will know how to live right.

"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." Proverbs 14:34

Surgery Complications & Thankful on Thanksgiving

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:48:00 +0000

On Tuesday morning, at 6:00 a.m., my husband and I arrived at Hinsdale Hospital so that I could have my kidney stone removed.

It was supposed to be a routine surgery that would take about an hour, and when it was all said and done, we should have been home again by noon.

But the surgery turned out to be anything but routine, and the past few days have been very overwhelming . . . to say the least!

The kidney stone was impacted and infected. It had to be shattered and a part of it pierced a hole in my ureter tube. The doctor had to put in a long stent. And when the anesthesiologist tried to bring me out of my sedated state, my body did not cooperate so they put me on life support!

Life support! Isn't that crazy?

My husband was so frightened, and my Dad who just flew in from Florida was home all day alone. Poor things. This was a very unsettling day for them. For my daughters too.

While I was on life support I couldn't move or breathe, but I could hear ~ and the sweet anesthesiologist kept apologizing and saying over me, "I'm so sorry, I didn't know. There was no way I could have known. You don't have the enzyme it takes to bring you out of this, I'm so sorry, I didn't know."

So badly I wanted to say something to calm him down and comfort him, but of course I had no control over my physical body.

But what did make me laugh inside was after a few minutes of listening to the doctor talk to me about how sorry he was about all of this, the little nurse standing next to me says to him, "Would you just be quiet already! You are going to scare this lady to death saying things like that."

Apparently she understood that even though I couldn't move, I still could hear :).

Hinsdale Hospital is filled with such nice and helpful people. They couldn't help that so many things go wrong. Sometimes that is just the way it happens.

Around 5:00 p.m. I was finally released complete with a pile of instructions, two medications and a catheter and the b*g ~ something I was sure that I would never in my life be able to deal with.

But guess what? I'm dealing with it and everything is going to be okay. I'm in quite a bit of pain, the stent feels like someone is stabbing me in the side. I'm running a low grade fever and I have spent most of the time in bed resting.

My daughter Kina, who is in Nebraska visiting with Jonathan's family for Thanksgiving, called me late Tuesday night with great concern and a couple of funny questions. "Mom, I love you and I was so worried about you. Were you afraid? And did you see a bright light or anything?"

Through a smiling face I answered, "No, I didn't see a bright light or anything and no, I wasn't afraid. Just uncomfortable. All I felt was very uncomfortable."

Please continue to pray for me. Pray that everything will run clear and I will be able to survive the next three weeks until this stent comes out :).

Today was Thanksgiving and we had invited a group of friends to join us this year. I want to publicly thank my Dad, husband, Sabrina and our friend Jennifer for cooking all the delicious food . . . and my dear husband for doing all the clean-up! What an amazing team they were, and from the sounds of chatter and laughter that I heard from my room, it sounded like everyone that came over had a wonderful time.

I also want to thank my friend Robin in California who sent us a beautiful Thanksgiving floral arrangement, and the sweet ladies of my church for the new dress suit that they purchased for me, the nice card they all signed and the "bear claws" which I am looking forward to eating soon! What a wonderful Thanksgiving surprise! Thank you all for being such good friends.

Well, this is about all I can handle for now. I pray that each one of you enjoyed a wonderful day with your family and friends as well. May God bless and encourage you.

Love & Prayers, Julie

Smudges on My Make-up Mirror

ladiesofgrace@cleaninter.net (Mrs. Julie Fink) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:34:00 +0000

"Ohhhh Dave! Why do you always have to put your finger prints on my make-up mirror? It drives me crazy to see these smudges on it all the time!" I say as I express myself rather ridiculously from time to time.

And each time I rant and rave about this, he always responds in the same way.

"You should be glad that I make smudges on your make-up mirror. I know many women who would give anything to see their husband's fingerprints on their make-up mirror."

Of course he is right. On my prayer list right now are the names of many women who are heartbroken because their husband has passed away this year or left them in divorce. If these women had to do it all over again, I'm sure that they would not ever want to complain about such a petty thing.

And yet, so often I do. So often I let my feathers get ruffled over the most ridiculous things. So often so many of us do.

Every week I hear women complain about the socks that HE left on the floor, the mud that HE dragged in, the things left HE left in his pockets before his things went into the wash, the way HE doesn't pick up after himself, doesn't play with the kids, won't take out the trash, doesn't buy her nice things, and the list goes on and on.

So many of us complain so much about such little things, don't we?

Today I am sitting still before God and thanking him for the wonderful opportunity he has given me to be a wife to a good man. To a man that is a good provider, a good father and grandfather, a kind husband, a Christian servant. But even thought he is a good man, I must always remind myself that he is a real man. And real men do real things that will sometimes annoy me . . . like making smudges on my make-up mirror.

And when that happens, I must remind myself to remember how blessed I am that my husband even wants to be around to do that. When I really stop to think about it, I have so much to be thankful for . . . and so very little to complain about.

And the same probably goes for you, too.