Everything DOES NOT Happen for a Reason

Does everything “happen for a reason?”  It assumes a Higher Being began spinning into motion--and then ordained--every event that befalls us for His purpose.  It’s cliche and is often used as a phrase to bring comfort in tragedy.  However, I would surmise that very rarely do those words bring comfort.  

“Everything happens for a reason” is biblical, right?  Not exactly.  Often Romans 8:28 is quoted and interpreted as such but let’s take a closer look.  The New International Version reads like this: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.”  No matter what happens, God WILL take it and make it work out for us, but don’t twist this verse and imply God chose to bring a tragic event to pass.  

Would a loving God Who sent His Son to die for us so that we might live the “abundant life” (John 10:10) be the cause of famine, natural disaster, the holocaust, incest, death of a child, victimization, and abuse?  Absolutely not.  Can He prevent such horrific events and, if so, why doesn’t He?  Because of His absolute love, there is freedom.  Because of our freedom and resulting sin, this world is broken.  I like the words of James Preston, “Man chose to go his own way, and the consequence of that was dramatic. The world broke. We now live on a planet that is afflicted with disease and tragedy not because God is causing these things to happen, but because we, in our disobedience in the Garden of Eden, caused the planet to go into a frustration. A brokenness. And now, this planet is crying out for its liberation. To return back to its original plan of perfection.”  Since Adam and Eve, the world has never been the same.  

Let us not curse or blame our Father God but, rather, look at ourselves and our sin.  Because of sin, there is drunkenness that causes the fatal car accident.  Because of sin, Hitler’s mind was warped and millions of Jews were murdered.  Because of sin, our planet is no longer the perpetual Garden of Eden and tornados, hurricanes, and tsunamis destroy land and lives.  Again from Preston, “The reality is, bad things do happen in this world. But God isn't pleased when these things happen, let alone causing them to happen! Not everything happens for a reason. God does not cause tragedies. They happen because we live in a fallen world, and He weeps with us.”  

Not only can we be assured “that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him,” but what has been lost, destroyed, and broken can be totally renewed!  Joel 2:25 states, “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.”  This is not only literally referring to Israel’s crops of old but can be applied to us today.  Although we must live with the consequences of sin, when there is repentance God brings abundant blessing that more than compensates for what was lost.  Only God’s grace can take what is broken and restore it with new life.

The next time you are about to hastily say “Everything happens for a reason” to that one who is walking through what seems to be the very shadow of death, might I encourage you to instead simply remind them if they draw near to God, He will draw near to them (James 4:8).  

Spring is Around the Corner!

Spring is right around the corner and I have been creating a spring banner for my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/HeavenandEarthDecor?ref=hdr_shop_menu .    Take a look-see!  Two different sizes are available in this shabby-chic, burlap and vintage-like fabric bunting.  If you like what you see, I would be happy to customize any number of fabrics to your satisfaction.  Thanks for looking!

2015…Year of Productivity

Over the last couple weeks, I've been thinking about how this coming year could be different than the last.  2014 brought a huge change for our family, moving from Arizona to Oregon.  Because we are in temporary housing and most of our belongings have been in a semi truck for the last three months, I've felt a bit displaced, not having my "things."  In that displacement, I've gotten lackadaisical and, quite frankly, fluffy.  Yep.  One would think with this fresh start and opportunity to make a grand first impression I would be psyched to be at my best in every component of my life.  But for some reason I haven't been all that motivated, which has translated into being a bit lazy and poochy. But I want more for myself than just existing and making myself comfortable.  That is why I declare this to be my year of productivity!  

This is not a new year's resolution.  Rather, a month-to-month focus of intentionality.  A fancy little way of saying each month I will be intentional in an area or two of my life--some serious and some just plain fun (or should be).  This is in the hopes that after 30 days of concentrating on a specific area, it may become a habit, or at the very least, a more natural part of my life.  And after 12 months, I hope I can say I have found I have thrived rather than simply existed.  

I haven't finalized my year-long list.  It may ebb and flow from month to month.  I will not be legalistic and think I've failed if I miss a day here or there.  But I do hope to jot down throughout the month what I've learned through the process and what I feel I've accomplished.  Although I will be sharing my intentions and progress on this blog, it is ultimately for my own accountability.  Some of the intentional areas of focus will likely be personal, but I will try to be as transparent as I feel comfortable with the purpose of holding myself accountable and tracking its effectiveness.

My thoughts as of this first day of January 2015 are the following:
* Walking/running
* Prayer for my children/husband
* Pinterest/crafts
* Cooking
* Organizing
* Writing my book(s)
* Gratitude
* Random Acts of Kindness
* Playing with my kids
* Photography
* Finding answers to the many questions I have

Some of these may seem silly.  I mean, really, what mother needs to schedule time to play with her kids or cook meals for her family?  Well, to be honest, those are not my fortes.  I tend to not be fully engaged with my kids.  My mind begins to wander and I wish I were somewhere else.  And planning meals long enough in advance to actually allow something to thaw on the counter ahead of time is almost unheard of!  I tend to have to throw something together last minute, and only enough to get by.  Unfortunately, my family doesn't get a fullllll meal including a meat, veggie, starch, and salad much more than Thanksgiving.  Ok, so it's not quite THAT bad but let's just say any effort in the meal-prep area would be a good step forward.  My hope by the end of the month is that I will have found I actually enjoy preparing meals for my family and that new-found joy will continue to some extent throughout the year.

For January I hope to either walk or run a bit each day.  (Day 1 and I walked around the neighborhood!) But why stop there?  I may as well begin the year off right with what is MOST important and combine these efforts with PRAYER--praying specifics for my family. Yes, although I am a pastor's wife, it doesn't mean praying comes easily for me.  I catch myself praying generically quite often and don't put in the time my family deserves to cry out to the Lord on their behalf in the many areas which affect them. I plan on praying for each of my kids and husband individually in a wide range of specifics, but then tracking those prayers in my personal journal.  Throughout the month I do intend on using this blog to jot down results.

So rather than "resoluting" for an entire year, I'm going to bite off a chunk at a time, month to month.  I'm excited about the possibilities and transformations that are waiting to be claimed in 2015!  How about you?  Anyone want to join me?

January 2015 Family Letter

January 2015

What a difference a year makes!  A year ago we were lounging by the pool in 80 degree weather.  Today the six of us are cozy in a 1400 sq. ft. rental home.  From the desert of Arizona to the desert in northeastern Oregon.  From a staff position at one of the denomination’s largest to lead pastor at a church of less than 200.  But we couldn’t be more thrilled!!!

Eric has been a youth pastor for 25 years and over the last year our hearts had been stirred to look into the lead pastorate.  God clearly directed and we have now enjoyed six weeks at Hermiston Church of the Nazarene!  

Gabrielle (18) graduated from high school and is now taking on-line classes.  She is still battling her gastrointestinal issues but her symptoms have far improved from a year ago.  We are so very grateful.

Because Graydon (17) was homeschooled this year, he was able to work at a golf course.  Along with continuing to earn personal records running, he has enjoyed learning the sport of golf.

Gideon (13) had the honor of pronghorn antelope hunting with his Grandpa Kagey in August in southern Oregon.  Not only did he harvest a beautiful buck but it looks like Gideon will end up as the youth record holder in Oregon as well as have his name published in the Boone & Crocket record book.  (For those who are interested, his antelope scored 88 6/8.)  It has been mounted into a shoulder mount that we will get to hang on our wall!

Geric (6) is in the first grade and had been homeschooled until we moved to Hermiston.  He is attending a small Christian school and, although it’s an adjustment for his introverted and shy personality, he is doing very well.

I am loving watching Eric flourish in ministry by using gifts, talents, and creativity he hasn’t been able to fully use over the years.  Quadding, kayaking, and hunting are loves of his and northeastern Oregon seems to provide ample opportunity!

Because Geric is now in school, I look forward to fulfilling some of those dreams I’ve had over the years such as writing and photography.   I've already enjoyed leading worship and doing some stage design while here in Hermiston.

We have seen God’s faithfulness and blessing numerous times over the year and thank Him for His guidance and direction.  We anticipate with great expectation the days ahead!  

May you celebrate this new year with anticipation and hope and may you recognize Christ’s love for you! 

Church Platform Design, Tree Stumps

My husband and I wanted to create a beautiful platform for our first Christmas Eve service as lead pastor. Rather than placing pillar candles simply on pedestals, I thought how nice if we had tree stumps. After searching the web, I found how I could create lightweight, yet realistic-looking "stumps" fairly inexpensively.

It was really quite lovely when the house lights were dimmed, the Christmas tree lights were turned on, and the candles were lit.  

I made a total of six varying sizes.  Although it was a fairly simple project--and very forgiving--it took me roughly a week to complete the project.  Here are some step-by-step instructions.

Materials needed:

* Concrete form tube

* Insul-foam sheet (approx. 1 1/2" thick)

* Great Stuff gap filler

* Box cutter

* Filet knife

* Pen

* Newspaper or paper towels 

* Papier mache 

* Brown spray paint (2 shades)

* Dark brown acrylic paint

* Several sponge brushes

* Paint can stir sticks

* Spanish moss

* Green spray paint (optional)

* Hot glue gun

* Brown Sharpie

I headed down to Home Depot and chose the 12" diameter form tube and one Insul-foam sheet.  I was able to create two "stumps" from one form tube and one foam sheet.   Since I didn't want my stumps to be the same height, I cut the tube off of center using the box cutter.  No need to be exactly straight along the top.  

Next, press the bottom of the tube into a corner of the foam sheet to leave an indentation of the circle.  You may also use a pen to trace along the inside of the tube.  Cut out the circle slightly inside the indentation using the filet knife.  This circle will be the top of the stump.

Now it is time to cut the base.  You may want to use your pen to sketch a rough shape.  Remember, stumps are not symmetrical and have roots.  Again, using the filet knife, cut out the base.  Use the knife to shave off the hard right edges to help it look for natural.

As seen in the above picture, press the tube into the center of the base.  You may want to use the box cutter to help create the indentation.  Press the tube into the foam as well as you can, preferable without going all the way through.  It does not need to be deep.

Out of the scraps of the foam sheet, make "roots" from a rough triangle shape having a 90 degree angle.     You may want to cut the hard edges off of these.  (See photo below.)

The purpose of my stumps was to hold candles--like a pedestal.  This is where the paint can stir sticks come in.!  They are the perfect size for the 12" diameter tube.  Using the box cutter, cut four slits approximately 2 inches down from the top, two slits directly across from one another.  Using a level may be helpful but I found eye-balling it worked well for what I wanted.  

As you can see from the above picture, now comes the fun part!  Take the Great Stuff gap filler and spray it where the tube and base come together and continue up the side of the tube.  This will be the bark!  Remember, bark is very natural--anything goes!  Be sure and go around the slits where the paint stir sticks exit the tube.  

The first stump I did was COVERED in the spray foam but doing that used more than an entire can.  I figured I would try leaving some gaps on the next one, which I actually ended up liking the end result better.  Adhere the side "roots" to the base and the tube by using the spray foam on the edges.  

Wait for the Great Stuff to dry.  It really doesn't take more than a few hours but I let it dry over night just to be sure.  

The next fun part is to papier mache!  I used the most economical version of papier mache--flour and water!  1 part flour to approximately 2 parts water.  Use a whisk  and get it nice and smooth, almost like pancake batter.  It's a bit messy so be sure and put something under the drips.  This step will definitely take overnight to completely dry.  I only used one layer.  

After the papier mache is dry, it's time to paint!  I spray painted a medium brown as the base color.  You may need two coats.  Then I used the darker spray paint to give definition in the indentations to give the look of shadows. Be careful to spray up and down.  No rhyme or reason necessary.  After these coats are dry, I used a sponge brush and used the dark acrylic paint to lightly brush up and down here and there so simply give a very natural look of varying shades.

Done!!!  

Actually, not so fast!!!  It was still missing something!  Ahhh….moss!  I headed down to the Dollar Tree and picked up a bag of spanish moss.  It was too grey for my liking and, since I needed it to show up at a distance on a platform when house lights were dimmed, I decided to spray paint the moss hunter green.  

By this point I was excited!  It had been a week long process and I was about ready to put the finishing touches on the north side of the stump!  Hot glue strips of the spanish moss in several of the indentations, along some of the roots and base, and at a couple places along the top.  

Oh!  One more detail!  What is a tree stump without tree rings?!  Use a brown sharpie and draw rings.  (I forgot to take a picture of this after I was done.  I guess I really was excited!)

Just add candles and VIOLA!

Here is the finished product!  Six of them!  My husband likes them so much he wants to keep one to be used as an end table in his rustic, outdoorsy-themed office.   Since the form is a solid tube, we will be able to stack these for storage in a closet and bring them out for various events.  I could see them being used for fall or winter-themed occasions, in addition to our Christmas Eve service.

I could so see some evergreen boughs around the base of these and even under the candles!  They served our purpose beautifully--to create a beautiful atmosphere to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Senior Photos

Once Upon a Time...

Once upon a time, on a brisk November day 1961, a baby named Rodney entered the world.  He grew and filled the hearts of his parents with joy and pride.  He gave his heart to Jesus and walked closely with Him--leading in example and word--pointing the way of Truth to others.

One beautiful, sunny day, Rodney and his darling wife were said to be glowing, as they interacted with coworkers on the beach for a day of fun and laughter.  Not long after they left the festivities and headed for home, evil crossed their path and snatched their lives into eternity.  What looked like the end to witnesses, was just the beginning as Rodney took the hand of his wife and walked into the everlasting life for which they both lived.  Left behind here in death, their jubilant, inspiring lives, continued pointing the way for others to know Christ.  A lasting legacy--a towering cross--stands today for thousands of people to see each day.

After more than two decades, when only a few people were left who remembered Rodney on a regular--even daily--basis, a baby boy was born to Rodney’s nephew.  In memory of the uncle he barely remembered, this father named his son...Rodney.  

Right away it was realized Baby Rodney had some problems with his tummy, but nothing the doctors couldn’t teach his parents to do in order to take the very best care of him.  Many sleepless nights the parents stood vigil at a hospital bed or prayed without ceasing during a surgery.  Eventually little Rodney was able to go home to a warm welcome from four excited siblings who already loved him very much.  

Because of Rodney’s extra needs, Rodney’s parents made many decisions which affected the whole family--moving homes, changing schools for the siblings, and job changes for both of Rodney’s parents.  Yet with all the sacrifices, the family was all happy to make the adjustments for the love of their lives.

One trait family and friends and strangers alike all noticed were Rodney’s piercing eyes, seeming to look deep into ones soul.  His large, bright blue eyes would fixate on the eyes of another and hold its gaze.  It has been said by more than one that this transcending trait seemed to be so deeply full of wisdom that it was even startling.  It was as if he would look right through ones eyes into the very heart of that person.

After some months, the family seemed to get into a routine and Rodney seemed to being doing quite well as the months crept closer to his first birthday.  But shortly after this momentous and celebratory occasion, Rodney needed to go back to see his specialist.  He was a very sick little boy, but after about a week in the hospital, the doctors said Rodney was fine to go home.  Upon arriving home, Rodney enjoyed special family time, including playing airplane with his daddy on the floor.

But those happy moments were short-lived.  Rodney developed a fever and was noticeably  very uncomfortable, although he couldn’t say a word.  His mommy and nanna began driving him to his doctor, but it quickly became apparent Rodney was struggling with every breath.  Still in the car, with his mommy holding him close, Rodney took his last labored breath.  News of his passing spread quickly to his daddy and others, and horrific unquenchable grief shrouded those closest to him.  Yet, Rodney was finally pain-free.  Never having walked on earth, he surely ran and leaped into the arms of Jesus, the One Whom he was surely looking for in the souls of those he met.  

It wasn’t long before little Rodney stood before another familiar face...his great uncle.  After a moment of recognition, the larger Rodney must have swept the younger one into his arms and enjoyed showing his namesake around the Kingdom they both now called Home for all eternity.  

The best is yet to come for both of them as their bodies become new and perfect, and as they anticipate welcoming into the Kingdom those who love them beyond words and ache to see them again.

And they truly lived happily ever after.