Sunday, February 26, 2012

Viewing the Blessings of Life!!!!!

I asked the coach the other day, what he thought a "blessing" meant? How he viewed a blessing? I like to trip him up every once in awhile, and it makes things really fun for me at times. :) He is not a deep thinker, outwardly speaking and I am. His response, was simple " it's something good that happens." I went further saying what if the circumstances where much different and it was something bad, yet turned into something good? What about that? Would you still consider this a blessing? His response, "yes I would." Romans 8:28 " And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."

Each of us has stories to tell of trials, blessings, and battles that we each have faced in our lives. My mom had a saying in her kitchen that I still have to this day. " Happiness is found along the way, not at the end of the road!" I think it is how one views the circumstance and then the end result? I chose to look at daily struggles and trials as blessings. I know without a doubt that God does not withhold anything, unless he has something perfect in mind later down the road. I have been in those valleys of life and sometimes feel I am there daily!

 The coach and I have been praying for a very long time for direction and for God to open doors in our family and his job. Its very easy to look at everyone else and see their blessings but when you are feeling like nothing is happening, it becomes difficult to realize the blessings when they do come. Little or big!!A blessing is a gift!!! Be grateful and thankful!!! So many can't or won't ever realize when they are blessed and they miss it.

I love photography!! I am learning more about it everyday. I am always trying to capture that one beautuful picture. I might take hundreds of photos to find only a few that are breath-taking!! Well, my middle daughter Katie has a hidden talent that we have come to discover!! She shot this beautiful photo of the Northwest Oklahoma sky one evening at our house! This is a blessing to me!!!

Have a great day everyone, Anita

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Whirlwind

What a whirlwind couple of weeks!  Our lives have been turned upside down and inside out recently.  The emergency room has become our most popular stop lately.  My husband has had trouble the last couple of months and ended up in the ER last week.  Thank God the diagnosis was anxiety and everything checked out ok with regards to his heart, so far.  He is still set up to see the cardiologist and get a thorough check out so prayers for this situation definetly. 
And I woke up Tuesday with a twinge of pain in my left lower abdomen.  This pain gradually got worse over the course of several minutes and became a sharp, stabbing, constant pain that was unrelieved by any movement or change in position.  I walked from the bedroom to the bathroom and back again.  I tried to lay down, I tried to stand up, I tried to walk, I tried everything with no relief.  Nausea kicked in so I knew that trying to take medicine was out of the question unless I wanted to see it again.  So, high ho, high ho, off to the ER we go.  Turns out I have an 8mm kidney stone sitting in the tube just outside my kidney.  The chances of this thing passing are slim and the option I have is surgery to break it up and put a stent in my kidney.  Now, I don't mind the break it up part, I can deal with that just fine.  It's the stent from my kidney to my bladder that is the problem.  I know I should probably just not worry about it but, it is a major organ.  I have about 48 hours left to pass this thing on my own still so, we'll see what happens.
In church this morning our pastor talked about facing crisis.  Do we face it with fear or with faith?  I was very emotional this morning during our services and found myself tearing up during our song service.  A few hymns into the morning I trekked to the bathroom choking back the tears and frustration.  I am scared and have so many questions.  Being a nurse has not made this process easier because I have seen the other side of the situation and all the complications that can go along with a so called "simple" procedure.  I was feeling very sorry for myself, frustrated and afraid.  Needless to say, this sermon hit home and it hit hard.  So many times I have said how I don't want to go through all this and I am too busy to be sick or have surgery.  This may be God's way of saying slow down and trust me.  Psalm 122:8 tells us "For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, 'Peace be within you.'"  I am learning that satan will sneak into our lives wherever and whenever he can, and that I can handle this situation with God's help.  I have spent a lot of time in prayer and I am holding on to the fact that how ever the situation turns out, it is God's will for my life. 
Blessings to all,
Latasha

Monday, February 6, 2012

A Father's Love!!!!!

My oldest daughter finally had her ACL surgery on Thursday. I was surprised at how calm and relaxed she appeared. I on the other hand, I found myself on the other side of the fence. Being a nurse, I knew all the risks involved, and needless to say, I was a "nervous wreck!" We said a prayer and the medical team came to wheel her away. The time began to crawl as we waited.



Trusting these individuals with my precious daughter, her life and well being was difficult for me. I sat there and thought about how God would be holding her the entire time. He would be working his mighty hand through the physician and staff. I was in aw and comforted by the thought. I had surrendered her over to the Lord, long ago. Knowing I could never be with my children 24 hours a day, I knew that the Lord could! She was being watched and cared for when the coach and I could not be there for her. I knew this child was in wonderful hands.

When the surgery was over and she was in recovery, she had woke up crying and wanting her dad and I. What sweetness to our ears!!!! She doesn't remember much but her dependency on us and the need to have us very close was apparent to all. God had been with her, when we couldn't be. Now her earthly father was in full gear!!!! :) The coach doted on her every need. I watched as he never left her side and was just waiting for her next need and request.

I snapped this picture of the both of them. It touched my heart to hear her dad say, " honey, I am here. Its okay. Just rest and tell me what you need.  I love your very much." 1 John 4:19 "We love each other, as a result of him loving us first."




This is exactly how our Heavenly Father is! He waits on us, he never leaves us. He waits for us to come to him. He wants to hear our every need and requests. He knows them before we speak them. His love for us is deeper than we could ever imagine. What a comfort knowing that our Heavenly Father is with us through any situtation that we may be facing. We are glad its over and she is home recovering. Let the healing begin!!! :)

Have a blessed day, Anita

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Believing!

As I was watching the today show this morning I saw a story that really got my blood boiling!  Apparently there is a 16 year old atheist student at a Rhode Island high school that has won a lawsuit regarding a prayer banner at the school.  Now, I am a born and bred southern girl living in the Bible belt and I am at a total loss.  I understand that our country has the Constitution and that rights are outlined in it however, the right of free speech?  Doesn't that go both ways?  I understand from the research that I have done today in regards to this story, that the prayer banner has been hanging in the school since 1963 after it was written by a 7th grade student.  I don't read anywhere that the students were forced to recite this prayer or that they were asked to display it on themselves in any way.  So, how is this a violation of civil rights?  Someone help me understand this?  This young girl has gained national attention for her efforts in this "fight."

Part of me feels like young people are so lost today.  Is it that youngsters are reaching out for anything that "fills the void?"  Does atheism fill anything?  Is it an attention thing?

What I do know is that my family knows Jesus Christ and the sacrifice he made for us.  Proverbs 1:7 tells us "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."  Now, I am by no means an expert Christian and I have to go to God's word daily to learn and grow so, I do.  Some may ask, "how do you know there is a Heaven?"  I have to say, I trust in the Bible and God's word.  I personally know of people who have experienced Heaven.  I don't think they are wrong.  If nothing else, then we should discuss this topic with our children and families.  This can open the door to a great discussion and teaching opportunity.  I will pray for this girl and this situation.

Blessings to all,
Latasha

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Passing on the family legacy!!

I have been reflecting a lot lately about my life. I think about my sweet parents that have both passed on now. I think about the raising we had and the values presented to us, that my parents lived. It is biblical that we are to leave our children an inheritance. I think many people look at inheritance as STUFF, money, land, anything the dollar can purchase.

My dad was a very soft spoken kind man that did not share his faith, much less talk openly about it. He lived it daily! I never knew how clear this was to me until his battle with cancer. The journey that my dad took me down is still very vivid and precious in my mind. I saw a side of him that I had never seen before and I got to share the experience with him.

We were driving home from chemo one day and he told me, "honey, I feel like I am not going to be leaving you kids with enough." I said, what do you mean dad? He said, " I am not a rich man and I feel like I am not leaving you kids with what I could have." At this point, I wanted to cry!!! I just wanted my dad well and to be with us. I pulled up my big girl pants and thought I would save the crying for later. I told him, " Daddy, your measure on an inheritance to your children is money, land, and stuff.  You are looking at this all wrong! The inheritance that you and mom will pass on is ones more precious than diamonds or pearls. It cannot be bought!! You both showed each of us a life that is to be lived for Jesus! The honor that you showed the Lord, each other and your family. You lived this daily!! This inheritance will be blessed and passed onto your children and grandchildren. Yes, you are a very RICH and blessed man!" He smiled like I had never seen him smile before and you could see the peace surround him.

I miss them both so very much. I think about them often and wonder and hope that I am measuring up. I want to teach my children the things taught to me by both of my parents. I have a duty to pass this legacy and inheritance onto my children. What is your legacy in your family? What will you be passing onto your children?

Have a blessed day, Anita