15 years

Yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of Thayer's death.  The date mostly cruised past with just a few texts from friends, and my precious brother-in-law, remembering the date.  I somehow didn't even mention it to my boys until just a few minutes ago. (Sorry, guys.)   

For the past several years I keep referring to 2008 as a lifetime ago. 
It really was.

At work today, it occurred to me that I met one of the funeral directors for the first time, 15 years ago- this week!  Not that we would have remembered meeting..... I was completely in shock when he sat with me...and he has met hundreds of families over the years.  All I know is that he was the one who made the arrangements when Thayer died. 
And here I am, employed at the same funeral home that assisted our family 15 years ago.
What a weird circle of events.   

I walked my neighborhood yesterday and thought about how my life is completely not what I expected it would be, yet it's exactly how it's supposed to be.  
I don't try to think about what things would be like if Thayer were here.... because it would be impossible to piece together an imaginary future based on what Thayer and I had envisioned for our lives.  We ALL know that life never goes as planned, so we must continually find joy in our current circumstances.  
I am so appreciative of what God has done for me and the boys through the years, placing us right where we are supposed to be in 2023.
Blessings upon blessings.

Wish you were here, Thayer. ❤️

marriage

I have a young friend who is getting married on Saturday to a guy she has known for about four months.  I think she has probably gotten some shade thrown her way because of the short timeline.  I must admit my initial reaction was surprise. 
Ultimately, who can pass judgement on someone else's timeline?   
I hear her talk about the prayer, counsel and support they are receiving from family.... and I hear her talk about her fiancé.... about how he supports her, encourages her, prays with her.  They have had the big talks about life and their future plans.  
They are already miles ahead of the people who sign up for that Married at First Sight TV series. :)   The odds are probably in their favor, and I can bet they'll be married longer than most folks these days.  I'm happy, hopeful, and excited, for them as they start this new life together.    Congrats, you two!

I think back to when I was first married, at age 21.  Waaaay back, when getting married young was cool.  I had two babies by the age of 25.  I'm sure some people thought we were too inexperienced to raise kids.  We grew our family, rode the ups and downs of marriage, and made plans for our future.
Nine years later I found myself suddenly widowed, raising two boys. 
I had taken so much for granted, assuming that we'd be together until we were old and gray. My forever with Thayer didn't happen.  My plans, my timeline were all destroyed.

BUT....  The important thing here is that God knew the timeline. God knew that Thayer would be taken from us at the age of 37.   God knew I'd be a widow at age 31.  God had us marry and have those kids at the perfect time. It may have seemed too quick for us to have kids but God knew.   I am so thankful for the time we had as a family.

Fast forward nine years and I was blessed with a new husband at the age of 40.   Two husbands in one lifetime was something I had never considered.  

But God. 
He knew the timing.

Greg and I just celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary.❤️ It's true that time flies as you get older!
 As I sit here thinking about taking my time with Thayer for granted I am convicted that I tend to do the same with Greg.   I should know better!!  We fall into our routines and lose sight of just how much a blessing it is to have another person in our corner, someone to live alongside.   
I know, all too well, how quickly that can change.   
I'm so thankful for my second opportunity at this thing called marriage.   Life doesn't always turn out the way we planned, but God's plan is perfect. 
God's timing is always perfect.
Greg, I love and appreciate you!  I'm praying we'll be together until I'm old and gray. ;) I look forward to many adventures with you!  Let's make the most of our time together. 💕

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 NIV

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

input

Lots and lots of podcasts.   I listen to a podcast every morning as I am getting ready for my day.  I  listen to a podcast when I take my daily walk.  I listen to a podcast as I clean the house or do yardwork. I have a carefully curated set that I listen to each week.   

I love listening to podcasts, which is why I was taken aback when God recently said, 

"Stop.     Listen to me".   

I started a study on Spiritual Disciplines and quickly realized that my weekly routine does not easily incorporate time for Solitude.

I, like most people, have learned to drown myself in podcasts, television, music, YouTube, and social media.  There seems to be constant input, all of the time, everywhere.   
We are berated with some sort of input everywhere we go - music in stores, televisions in restaurants, commercials at the gas pump. 
These inputs are not necessarily bad in themselves but they can easily become a distraction from the most important input of all.... God's voice.

I just finished reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis where Screwtape was mentoring Wormwood on ways to win souls for the devil.   He talked at length about how simple it is to distract souls.....very small distractions, just enough to separate a soul from God.

Let's just say that the demons must be celebrating as of late.   We are a society of distractions.  

I want to turn the tide.  I refuse to let the demons have their talons in me.

I've been inspired to spend more time in solitude, anticipating God's perfect input.
I'm listening, Lord.

Matthew 13:9
He who has ears, let him hear.

                                       

visiting

After months of anticipation we made it over the pond to see Lucas!!  Here's a rundown of our days:

England trip to see Lucas, 2023

Lucas met us when we landed, and navigated our public transport for the entire trip. He was a great host 🙂 I am SO proud of Lucas for making a home for himself, and being so comfortable, in a foreign land. My heart was so happy to see him.

Tuesday, July 25: Arrived at LHR 10am-ish.  Hotel, McDs for lunch, nap, Camden Market, Japanese-from the market for dinner, gelato

Wednesday, July 26: Rada for breakfast, London Bridge, Borough Market (Humble Crumble), Kensington Palace, Soho, Chinatown, BBQ dinner at Bodeans, Les Miserables. (Seeing my all-time favorite musical in London was surreal. I loved every moment!) side note: upon leaving the play was the only rain we had during the trip. So thankful God blessed us with lovely weather!

 

Thursday, July 27: Coffee shop, lunch at Five Guys, train to Lucas’ house, Lucas and Jill to base for groceries, Japanese for dinner in Lakenheath, watched Fight Club

Friday, July 28: Slept in, train to Cambridge, walked around, lunch at Subway, circled Jesus College, Cambridge Botanical Gardens (beautiful place!!), Pizza Hut on base for dinner, watched Moon Knight on Disney+

Saturday, July 29: Slept in, went to Lakenheath base, did laundry, went to Mildenhall base, early dinner at Amigos in Bury St. Edmunds, watched Moon Knight. (Amigos is "voted best Mexican food in the UK".... and it was fantastic.)

Sunday, July 30:  Slept in, watched Moon Knight and Young Sheldon, went by base, dinner at the Bull Inn in Mildenhall (fish and chips, sticky toffee pudding)  Watched The Terminal.  Watched WandaVision

Monday, July 31: Train to Norwich (we really liked Norwich), chicken lunch at Nandos, walked around Norwich castle (it was closed for construction),  Played mini golf at Putt Putt Noodle, Icees and bubble tea at mall,  Pizza at Zizzi for dinner, train back to Lucas’, packed and watched Young Sheldon

Tuesday August 1:

Up at 4:15am, Left Lucas’ house at 5am, Breakfast at McDs,  Train to London, Underground to LHR, Flight out at 12:15pm,  Arrived in Charlotte 4ish EST.  Arrived in Lynchburg@ 9:45pm Total travel time from door to door= 23 hours.

Greg survived his first overseas adventure!  :)

Additional thoughts about the UK: -London was almost identical to New York City. I'm NOT a big city person, so I wouldn't need to go there again.

-A very diverse population. It was neat to see, and hear, so many cultures being represented.

-The food was underwhelming. Greg missed sugary drinks (there is apparently a sugar tax in England so things tasted "off".) We were surprised to see Five Guys, McDs, KFC, Pizza Hut and Subway were on every block.

BUT.... -There were very few obese people. (due to the fact that things seem "healthier" AND the fact that people WALK everywhere. The obese people, myself included, were clearly from America.

-Paper straws. everywhere. Can you feel the cringe? Aspects of society were very "environmentally friendly".

- America could do some catching up.... but not with the straws, please.