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

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

Kitchen Service!

My oven has been non-functioning for several weeks now. I guess I took this valued appliance for granted, I don't anymore! I have had to come up with meals that do not require an oven. I love to bake and I have missed it. Crock pot or Stove top? Hhmmm? Wonder if the coach and the girls would mind eating cereal for supper? Hah! I can assist in saving your life in the ER, assist in delivering a baby, bake a really good cake. Just don't expect good results with something like fixing an oven. :) This would be my husbands department.

After prodding the coach  to finally look at the oven, he said it was the heating element that was out and he would order the part and fix it. I love my husband dearly. He has added so much to my life. He thinks anything can be fixed with either bobbed wire or gray tape, so I was surprised that he didn't attempt it!! What can I say, an Oklahoma farm boy, born and breed!! I still pray for him! Grrrrh!

Just a tiny obstacle that I have to overcome. It's so frustrating when just the littlest of things quits or malfunctions. It throws everything else into a kink. I often wonder if I am being tested with these little pesky occurrences? I could pray all I wanted for the oven to start working again. Knowing that it was the heating element that was ruined, I knew that it was going to take actual physical labor to have it up and running again. That's life, isn't it?

I come from a family that had a deep passion for cooking and baking. I spent many harvest days in the kitchen with my mother, aunts and cousins. I watched as these women served the people they loved through preparing meals. They loved every minute of it and so did I, watching, learning and listening to them. As a wife and mother, I love to prepare meals for my family. When I serve them, I am also serving the Lord. The limited time we have during ball season as a family is precious and valued. Its very important to me and I do it with a giving heart. I think about Mary and Martha welcoming Jesus into their home. Martha was so busy preparing the meal and Mary sat a Jesus feet. Each serving him in their own way. I think my oven went out for a reason? I needed to be spending more time at Jesus feet and he found a way to get me there. :)

Have a blessed day, Anita