Saturday, September 25, 2010

Birthday Reflections



All of us have wished from time to time that we were born in a different time or place. At least, I KNOW I have. However, as hubby and I stopped for dinner and the night in the state of my birth,  I realized that there wasn't a better time or place for me.

41 years ago,  I was only a few hours old, fighting to stay alive in an incubator, due to being born 6 weeks early. My parents were told it was going to be an uphill battle because my lungs were NOT fully developed yet.  They were also told that the fact that I was female gave me a fighting chance, from what I understand from morality rates at the time, odds were AGAINST male babies at the same age of gestation.
I was born at a military hospital, with a full team of military doctors and nurses watching my every breath. Years ago, I saw a  letter( tucked into my medical records)  that was written by the base commander to my dad. It said in part " The entire base is praying for her"
How cool is that to read? Would the same sentiment exist  now? Would I even be alive if born elsewhere or earlier?  NOT sure the answer would be yes.  That's kind of sad isn't it? With all the advances that have been made in 40 years, seems like we have gone backwards in certain areas.  I am positive that I would NOT be here if I was NOT born in the USA, as  most other countries are even further behind in technology.  In another era, would my life be considered "worthy" because of the problems I would have so therefore I would be "expendable"?  That is also sad to think about. Isn't that what makes this country great? Our differences?

Obviously, I have survived and it has NOT been easy. I've been teased, picked on, told I'm NOT a person, still have breathing problems(especially in winter) and other issues, mostly with walking, but I have survived to become a "productive" member of society( I hope.)  I will ALWAYS be grateful to the men and women who helped me survive that first crucial month of my life. I will ALWAYS be grateful that I was born in this country. I will be ALWAYS be grateful that to GOD all life is precious. He saw something in me that he could use and I'm glad I'm here to be able to.

So, while we may wish we were born in a different time or a different place, think what the world might be like if you weren't in it.  I'm betting that you'll realize what I did.



Jeremiah 1:5 (New King James Version)

5 “ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;
      Before you were born I sanctified you;
      I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Storm Clouds and a Sunset

Why do I like living in a truck? Because I never know what I will see.  Earlier this week, in the midst of chaos going on I felt peace and calm.
Deciding to take to walk I noticed the sky. In one part of it, there were these mean looking clouds:
Even looking at these, I didn't feel scared. Just looked like GOD was getting ready to wash something he thought needed cleaned.
It did pour a little later, but I was already back in the truck by then.  Boy, did he clean!!!! The air smelled so nice after.









Before I went back to the truck, I walked a little further and saw this:

Thought it was interesting how that one cloud looked like it had a ready made path straight to heaven.
Seeing this beautiful sunset was reminding me that today is almost over and tomorrow will be a better day.
My heavenly father was right and I needed to know that on this day.






Through all our storms, be they because someone hurt you, misunderstood you, or just expects you to fix their mistakes, remember that GOD understands and he is there. He wants to help us, we just have to ask.






Matthew 11:28-29 (King James Version)


 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Labor Day

What is Labor Day? It is supposed to be a day to honor the American Worker, although to most the original meaning of the holiday has gotten lost.  Majority of people now just think of Labor Day as the "unofficial" end of summer.  This end of summer means one last weekend trip before the kids go back to school. For an OTR trucker living on the road, holiday weekends are NO picnic. Extra cars and people mean extra stress. As a wife of a trucker, it is MY job to make his job easier, whether that be getting him food and something to drink, making sure he has good directions( most of the time, they aren't) or just being there in the seat next to him if he needs a hand to hold. To be honest that's the part I love the best, just being there, as there was a time when it was the LAST thing I wanted.

This weekend is special to us because it is also our wedding anniversary. 17 years ago, we were joined in the eyes of GOD. At the time, I didn't realize all that meant. I thought that meant that I could still do what "I" wanted, or what my parents wanted. If I had a problem, I ran to my mom instead of talking it over with the man I had promised to love forever.  It wasn't until a few years later, after almost losing him that I realized I wasn't being the wife he needed and GOD wanted me to be.  It has taken time  and some hurt feelings but hubby and I now have the relationship  some can only dream about.  Marriage is a covenant, not a contract.  The dictionary defines the word contract as "an agreement between parties for doing or NOT doing a specific task( usually written).  Covenant is defined as "a SOLEMN pledge between two parties(like a husband and a wife). Once I realized the difference thanks to a very dear friend, there was NO where else I wanted to be than by his side.

This is my first attempt at a blog and it might be too deep but I think it needs to be said more often.
I hope you will continue to read my stories.

7“FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER8AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9“What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”   Mark 10: 7-9