We will all be forgotten

I have a real fear of Dad being forgotten.  That is something I just can't bear.  Yet, when I really think about it, I know we will all be forgotten one day.   The Bible tells us not to love this world because this world is not our home; we are merely passing through.  I know my dad sojourned for almost 94 years, but he is home now, more alive than he ever was here on earth.  That does not mitigate my pain, though.  In time, people will forget him.  In time, those who knew him will pass away, too. There will be no one left to remember him.  But,  he will always be part of every day I tread here on this earth.  I will never forget him. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Today as we celebrate Thanksgiving I am ticking off the things I am thankful for.....and it is quite a long list.  This has been both a year filled with blessings and trials, but I will focus on the blessings.  

Veterans' Day

Today in the United States we celebrate Veterans' Day in honor of all those who have protected, served, and those who have given their lives to keep America free.  I am remembering my close family members who served:

• My dad, Staff Sgt. Holland R. Williams (USAF RET)
• My brother, Lt. Col. Myron E. Willliams (USAF RET)
• My uncle, Lt. Commander James E. Williams (USN Deceased)
• My cousin Lt. Col. Michael E. Williams (USMC RET/VIETNAM VET helicopter pilot)
• My cousin, Lt. Commader Cynthia E. Williams (USN RET)

In Remission

Today, July 11, marks my three years since I have been in cancer remission.  You can read about it here1 and here  Even though I ended up going through 6 months of chemo as a precautionary measure, the oncologist told me I was in remission from the time of my colon cancer surgery on July 11, 2007.  It is a miracle because the tumor had perforated the colon wall, which was what was causing the severe pain.  Any natural thought would be that the cells had spilled into the bloodstream, then.  They had not, though.  The cancer was confined to that area.  Praise be to God!  He never left me. 

Signs of a Decaying Society

Key points from today's sermon really got me thinking:

6 Signs of a Decaying Society:

1. Marriage loses its sacredness
2. The traditional marriage ceremony is diminished as couples today often don't even know what the words mean
3. Feminist Movement led to a decline in the birthrate
4. There is an increase in disrespect for authority and parents
5. Increase in juvenile delinquency
6. Increase acceptance of homosexuality as the norm and immoral sex in general

As a public school teacher of 22 years, I can say I am in the trenches and see how much of this has impacted teenagers daily.  I teach 7th grade and have seen two pregnant 8th graders this year.  They are not ashamed but rather proud.  Our government makes it entirely too easy for these girls to procreate like rabbits.  I've seen many in my career, but what took the cake was two years ago I had a pregnant 6th grader.  They are pretty much imitating their parents.  Our country is in a mess, and as my pastor said this morning, it has been gradual.  When I started out 23 years ago, it was not this bad.  Lord, help us.

Blooming Where You are Planted

I am a follower of moneysavingmom.com, as many thousands of people are.  Crystal's post this weekend really hit home with me.  I must be honest and say I don't really like what I do for a living.....nor do I like where I do it.  Having said that, I *do* believe it is what I am meant to do and I do it very well (by all my evaluations)----I just don't like it.   To me, there is an abundance of unnecessary stress for very little in return.  I believe God used her post "Learn to Bloom Where You are Planted" to speak to me.  For a couple of years I have felt I was where I was meant to be; I just didn't *like* it.  Now, I will try to approach it with a different attitude.

Have you ever felt this way?  While you didn't really like where you were, you knew you needed to *bloom* there?

New Blog Recommendation

If you are a Christian, I highly recommend my pastor's wife's blog, http://motheringfromtheheart.blogspot.com/. She tells it like it is from a biblical perspective.

Blessings

Ok, so this is January 3; perhaps this is too late, but I don't think it's ever too late to count blessings. As I was driving over to pick up my son yesterday from his week-long visit with my parents, I had the chance to slow down and think. Part of the drive over there is construction on a scenic highway and the speed limit is 45. It gave my mind a chance to slow down as well and ponder my blessings for 2008.

1. My health recovery
2. My son's and parents' health
3. Financial blessing in the area of extra work in light of health bills
4. My home's protection (remember the burglar I caught?)

God is good, indeed!

God's Faithfulness

God's faithfulness continues to amaze me. So much has happened in my life that He has protected me from. I am meditating on these verses this weekend:

Psalm 40:13-15: "Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;
O Lord, make haste to help me!
Let them be ashamed and brought to
mutual confusion
Who seek to destroy my life;
Let them be driven backward and
brought to dishonor
Who wish me evil.
Let them be appalled because of their
shame,
Who say to me, 'Aha, aha!'"

Prayer Plant

This prayer plant started out in a small plastic pot in July of 2007. When I was in the hospital for my cancer surgery, some colleagues at work got it for me. It was small enough to rest on the hospital room table. About a year ago, I had to transplant it into a slightly bigger pot. When the weather turned colder last November, it moved into the garage for the winter. (Since I have pets in the house, I have no house plants near them.) Recently a co-worker gave me two really big fake terra cotta planters. The other day I transplanted this plant yet again. It has tripled in size since I got it. Soon, it will be time for it to go to the garage for yet another winter. This plant remains a symbol to me of God's faithfulness in the wake of my cancer. It has continued to thrive as I have.