Ever since I can remember, as a very little girl, Vacation Bible School (VBS) was always a major and memorable part of my summers. Vague impressions....of marching into the cool sanctuary on a hot, summer day, singing "Onward Christian Soldiers", creating those valuable "works of art" out of the wonders of yarn and macaroni, memorizing Scripture verses, playing hot and sweaty games outside and coming in for cookies and Kool-Aid...drift in and out of my mind anytime "VBS" is ever mentioned.
But, most of all, I remember the sweet ladies, and a few men, at my church who worked so hard every year to make our dreamy week of VBS adventure come true. Miss Wanda, Miss Eula, Miss Shirley, my Momma, and more...they are forever etched into my mind and my heart. The treasures they gave to us children in the church and our invited guests each of those years have remained with me throughout my entire life.
It has been an honor and privilege for me over the past few years to assist in some tiny way with VBS at our church now. My part is always very small, and my sincere thankfulness goes to the ones who really do all of the hard work. What they do is absolutely immense and immeasurable! They put months and months of planning, designing, training, brainstorming, organizing, and prayer into this vital ministry of the Church, and they never get the gratitude they deserve - though I know that they don't do it at all for the praise of men!
Things have changed a lot since the 1970s, and VBS definitely looks a little different these days! Lifeway and other organizations come out with slick new themes and materials that have it all down to a science! They know how to get the attention of the children, not an easy accomplishment in these days of texting, Facebooking, instant messaging, handheld games, WiFi, and more. Even the youngest of children, like my own 3 year old, are experts at Angry Bird on their parents' smart phones! And one other big change, at least at our church, is the number of men who are involved in VBS! From food service, to teaching, to safety and sound/video - they are there in huge numbers and really involved, and I KNOW that speaks volumes to our children!
Being really honest here, I will tell you that when I first experienced the huge production that VBS has become, I thought, "Wow! This all seems so contrived and artificial! And, isn't it just 'too much'?!!! I mean, are we at VBS or is this "High School Musical"???" However, after participating these past few years, I must admit, these organized programs really seem to "work". By the end of the week, all of the kids (and the leaders!) are singing and dancing to the Word, and it has been written on our hearts, and is abiding in our thoughts! If you can keep a secret, I'll tell you something. Being quite honest - I LOVE IT! I can't get those catchy tunes out of my head, and the meaning truly does sink in. Shhhhh! Don't you go tell my little secret to anyone!
Now, before you go thinking I'm all "saintly" like the good women (and a few men) who joyfully led VBS in my childhood days of yore, I must confess that every year I volunteer to help with VBS, not out of the goodness of my heart, but out of guilt that my kids are a participating and it is only right that I "do my part". And it's TOUGH! Whether you are helping with the refreshments, which have come a loooooooooooong way since cookies and Kool-Aid, leading crafts, or assisting with teaching Fifth Graders, it is WORK! And sometimes the kids are hard to control, and loud, and you wonder if they are getting ANYTHING out of this. Is it all a big waste of time, energy, and money?
But here's the thing that never fails to amaze me: Somewhere, during the seemingly non-ending week, these kids start growing on you. And you start becoming really impressed with how, contrary to what seems to be happening, they are really learning things. They are memorizing Scripture. They are repeating the Bible stories back to you, with understanding. The songs and the motions have become more than cute little routines - they have meaning, and they have become Worship.
And most of all, you have fallen in love with these young children...and they have become a treasured part of your heart...and the prayers you have been sending up to God for a "successful VBS" all the sudden become very personalized, with specific prayers, for specific children.
And on that last night, you find yourself laughing and loving them, and your poor heart is just overflowing with the hope that all of the seeds that have been sewn this week are taking root, deep root, into their sweet hearts. And you pray that someday, these young ones, "In their righteousness, ...will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory." (Isaiah 61:3)!
And then...the next night, when it is all over, and your own children are hopping around your home singing their favorite Vacation Bible School songs, and you are sitting in your living room writing your blog and thinking of all these children, you might just find yourself crying, missing those crazy kids, and realizing that from this point on...these young ones have become a part of your heart, forever.
For me, VBS doesn't end after the ice cream sundaes on the last night. Nope, for me, I realize that I have been changed, and I have been given a new challenge, a new ministry -to continue to lift these young ones up in prayer for the rest of their lives. I pray the Lord will grant me the endurance and the will to remember to do just that.
Everybody say Yeah Yeah Yeah YES to Va Va Va VBS!!! :)
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Prayer: Tarrying at a Promise
"Tarry at a promise, and God will meet you there." - D.L. Moody.
Having so many friends and loved ones suffering with health issues and other problems right now, I've been feeling a little bit overwhelmed as my prayer list continues to grow daily. I pray for each one on that list, but I still feel helpless about their situations and I keep wondering, what can I do for them? Take a meal, visit, run errands, etc...? Yes, those are all nice things. But, my heart yearns to make a real difference in their situations.
But, I know that prayer IS the answer. And I do pray. In fact, when someone requests prayer, or when I feel led to pray for someone, I try not to hesitate, I try to pray for that person right away. How meaningless, and scary, even, is it to promise to pray for someone, TELL them you are praying for them, and yet never do it? I have often wondered how many “prayer promises” are out there that are never really filled.
So, I do pray for others, often and on a regular basis. However, sometimes lately I have felt that my prayers were "lacking" in some way. Not that they are lacking fervency, or aren’t sincere. But for some reason, I was just feeling that when I prayed, it was to God who is "way up there"...and I was wondering if my prayers were really making a difference. Are they being heard? Am I praying the "right" prayers? I mean, I pray for the will of God, and yet I know that often times I find myself praying for what I want, or what others have requested me to pray….and then “cover it” with a hastily tacked on, “but above all, I pray for Your will, Father!” Is that appropriate? Probably not…at least not always.
I have been longing for more of the presence of God when I am praying. I long to have His reassurance WHEN I pray, WHILE I am praying….reassurance that He is there, close by, listening, hearing my prayers, and answering them. I trust Him for the answers, no matter what they are...but my concern is how can I KNOW what those answers are?! How can I REST in the assurance that He is listening, answering…?
Well, after some prayer, thought, and reading on this subject, I have been reminded of the importance of praying "intercessory prayers"...in other words, praying through the Bible, through God's promises in His Word! When we pray God's promises, we pray with the answers in mind. He promises, we believe. This is faith. When we pray His Word, we are praying by faith, knowing, by this faith, that He is working His will in our lives and in the lives of those for whom we are praying.
I have such a desire to learn to pray the promises of God more, and they are right there in the Scriptures! Why haven't I made the Bible my prayer book before now? I have even heard it said before that we should never pray without reading the Bible, and that we should never read the Bible without praying!
I am making an effort every day to pray with my Bible, through my Bible, and to memorize His promises in the Scripture. If you are doing the same, I would love to hear about your experience with this. What promises of God have held special meaning in your prayers? Are you feeling the presence of God? Are you feeling the reassurance of His answers through His promises? I love that God has told us that CHRIST is the ULTIMATE YES! ALL of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ, Who is the Word!
“You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, my word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” - 2 Corinthians: 17-20
It would be a privilege to pray for you! If you would like for me to pray for you, please don’t hesitate to let me know your concerns. I promise to pray God’s promises for you!
Blessings!
Tron :)
Having so many friends and loved ones suffering with health issues and other problems right now, I've been feeling a little bit overwhelmed as my prayer list continues to grow daily. I pray for each one on that list, but I still feel helpless about their situations and I keep wondering, what can I do for them? Take a meal, visit, run errands, etc...? Yes, those are all nice things. But, my heart yearns to make a real difference in their situations.
But, I know that prayer IS the answer. And I do pray. In fact, when someone requests prayer, or when I feel led to pray for someone, I try not to hesitate, I try to pray for that person right away. How meaningless, and scary, even, is it to promise to pray for someone, TELL them you are praying for them, and yet never do it? I have often wondered how many “prayer promises” are out there that are never really filled.
So, I do pray for others, often and on a regular basis. However, sometimes lately I have felt that my prayers were "lacking" in some way. Not that they are lacking fervency, or aren’t sincere. But for some reason, I was just feeling that when I prayed, it was to God who is "way up there"...and I was wondering if my prayers were really making a difference. Are they being heard? Am I praying the "right" prayers? I mean, I pray for the will of God, and yet I know that often times I find myself praying for what I want, or what others have requested me to pray….and then “cover it” with a hastily tacked on, “but above all, I pray for Your will, Father!” Is that appropriate? Probably not…at least not always.
I have been longing for more of the presence of God when I am praying. I long to have His reassurance WHEN I pray, WHILE I am praying….reassurance that He is there, close by, listening, hearing my prayers, and answering them. I trust Him for the answers, no matter what they are...but my concern is how can I KNOW what those answers are?! How can I REST in the assurance that He is listening, answering…?
Well, after some prayer, thought, and reading on this subject, I have been reminded of the importance of praying "intercessory prayers"...in other words, praying through the Bible, through God's promises in His Word! When we pray God's promises, we pray with the answers in mind. He promises, we believe. This is faith. When we pray His Word, we are praying by faith, knowing, by this faith, that He is working His will in our lives and in the lives of those for whom we are praying.
I have such a desire to learn to pray the promises of God more, and they are right there in the Scriptures! Why haven't I made the Bible my prayer book before now? I have even heard it said before that we should never pray without reading the Bible, and that we should never read the Bible without praying!
I am making an effort every day to pray with my Bible, through my Bible, and to memorize His promises in the Scripture. If you are doing the same, I would love to hear about your experience with this. What promises of God have held special meaning in your prayers? Are you feeling the presence of God? Are you feeling the reassurance of His answers through His promises? I love that God has told us that CHRIST is the ULTIMATE YES! ALL of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ, Who is the Word!
“You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, my word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” - 2 Corinthians: 17-20
It would be a privilege to pray for you! If you would like for me to pray for you, please don’t hesitate to let me know your concerns. I promise to pray God’s promises for you!
Blessings!
Tron :)
Monday, January 24, 2011
A Blast From Walt Disney World Past!
So, when did I first fall in love with Walt Disney World, you ask? The month after it opened - and here's the proof!
These photographs were taken during my first visit to the Happiest Place on Earth in November, 1971, about one month after its official grand opening.
I was only two years old, and if the looks of delight on my face prove anything it's that you are never to young to enjoy Walt Disney World!
This first photo was taken at the Transportation and Ticket Center, I believe. Check out the groovy threads on that band, man! Far out!!!
This next photo was taken as we were getting ready to board the Ferry Boat for the ride across Seven Seas Lagoon to the Magic Kingdom Entrance (the lovely lady holding me is my Grandmother):
Here we are, crossing the Seven Seas Lagoon. It was always our family tradition to ride the Ferry over at the beginning of the day, and the Monorail back to the parking lot when the park closed:
Just for grins, I thought I'd post this photo of me on a trip to the Magic Kingdom when I was a senior in high school. We are in just about the exact same location as the photo above!
In this next one, my parents have rented the stroller (check it out! They've come a long way on strollers, haven't they?), bought me my first pair of Mickey Ears, and we are enjoying the journey back in time on Main Street, U.S.A.!!!
Our first character sighting, ever! Brer Fox and Brer Bear - you don't see those guys too often anymore. I wish I knew exactly what was going through my mind at this moment - whatever it was I'm sure it was a mixture of amazement, imagination, and sheer delight! Dreams and story books coming alive!
There are more of these photos to share in the next blog post. I hope you enjoyed them! I'd love to hear your comments if these have triggered some of your own memories of the parks as a child, or if you have noticed any changes in the parks since it opened from these pictures.
There are so many things that have changed in the 40 years (wow!!! FORTY!!!) since this first visit of mine. Some things I deeply miss, but most are for the better. I do know that what NEVER changes in WDW are the attitudes, imaginations, and optimism of the amazing people who work hard to create a place where we all have opportunities to make incredible memories that will last a lifetime!
Looking forward to sharing more of the magic with you!
Blessings!
Tron :)
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
These are a few of my favorite things....
As some of you are aware, I underwent gastric bypass surgery on December 16, 2009. Since that time, I have lost over 170 pounds...something I never imagined happening, much less in one year's time!
I know that this is all a blessing from the Lord, and, therefore, I am not trying to boast about my own accomplishments. Through all of the health problems I went through before the surgery, through the surgery, and now through the weight loss, I believe the Lord has led me each step of the way. He has blessed me, and I am able to say that I have been able to praise Him through every situation in my life, good or bad, and I will give Him all the glory for any and every "good thing" in my life!
I do plan to share the entire story of this journey with any of you who are interested in reading about it on this blog one day, hopefully not too far off in the future. It's going to take me some more time, though, to be ready to get through it all, to "screw my courage to the sticking place" and just put it all out there for the world to see! It's been a long, crazy, heart-rending, lesson-learning, life-changing journey, and I want to do it justice in sharing it with you...so please bear with me a little longer as I continue to get it all into words for you.
In the meantime, though, I've been getting lots of questions about the process, stuff like: "How was the surgery? How was the recovery? What is your typical daily diet/exercise program like? Any regrets? etc..." I am happy to answer any question I possibly can about this, and like I said, I hope to answer many of them through my writing on this blog in the future.
So for now, I thought I'd start sharing a few tips, as they occur to me. I would also love to hear any and all feedback from anyone else out there who has gone through this, and would be especially happy to hear any of your tips!
Today, I'm going to share my "TOP 10 THINGS I CAN'T DO WITHOUT SINCE SURGERY". Even if you haven't had Gastric Bypass Surgery, I highly recommend all of these things...based on my own personal experience. They are healthful, and they are GOOD, and you may just find a way to work them into your own daily nutrition plan.
(I am not being paid to endorse any of these products, they are simply my favorite things at the moment.)
10. Activia Light Fat Free Peach Yogurt: I eat this for breakfast EVERY morning!
9. Adora Calcium Supplements: I recently found these dark chocolate chews, and consider them one of my daily "treats"!
8. String Cheese:- For a great high-protein snack, Frigo String Cheese (mozzarella) is my fave!
7. Morning Star Black Bean Burgers: I eat these for lunch several times a week, sans bread, but I like to melt pepper jack cheese over it and add a few dashes of Red Hot or salsa...yummy!
6. McDonalds Fruit & Yogurt Parfait: This is about the only thing I can eat from McD's, but that's okay, because it is delicious!!! I'm never disappointed on missing out on the burgers & fries!
5. Diet Snapple Peach Tea: A great alternative to water when I need something "fruity" to quench my thirst. Not crazy about aspartame, but every now and then...
4. Pure Protein Bars: I've tried 'em all, and this is my favorite. High quality protein, low carb, low sugar. Great meal substitute, or between meal snack.
3. Breyers Carb Smart Almond Bar (Ice Cream): Okay, I confess, I have one of these almost every day! Love 'em and thankful they were invented!
2. Syntrax Nectar Lemon Tea Whey Protein Powder: THIS, I cannot live without! I have to make sure that I get tons of protein every day, and I have been drinking this stuff, two scoops in a big glass of water and crushed ice, EVERY DAY since the beginning of all of this. I actually like the taste, which is kind of like Nestea Instant Tea with Lemon, and I sip on it throughout the morning, until it is time for lunch. Somedays I even have an extra glass (1 scoop) in the evenings, just for kicks and giggles. ;)
1. Okay...my all time favorite meal BEFORE the surgery, AND AFTER! I can still eat this, but in much smaller amounts. This usually makes about three or four meals for me now...which is wonderful! CARRABBA'S ITALIAN GRILL - CHICKEN BRYAN! OH YUM! Grilled chicken, topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomotoes, and a lemon-butter sauce, and cooked veggies. I don't even ask them to go light on the butter - it's a treat, and I eat very small portions (about 3 ounces at a time), so I can enjoy it, and boy do I!
So, these are my current faves! I honestly don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. Food is something that fuels my body these days, and I try to make sure that every bite/drink packs in as much nutrition as possible. I hope you'll share some of your faves with me!
Blessings!
Tron :)
I know that this is all a blessing from the Lord, and, therefore, I am not trying to boast about my own accomplishments. Through all of the health problems I went through before the surgery, through the surgery, and now through the weight loss, I believe the Lord has led me each step of the way. He has blessed me, and I am able to say that I have been able to praise Him through every situation in my life, good or bad, and I will give Him all the glory for any and every "good thing" in my life!
I do plan to share the entire story of this journey with any of you who are interested in reading about it on this blog one day, hopefully not too far off in the future. It's going to take me some more time, though, to be ready to get through it all, to "screw my courage to the sticking place" and just put it all out there for the world to see! It's been a long, crazy, heart-rending, lesson-learning, life-changing journey, and I want to do it justice in sharing it with you...so please bear with me a little longer as I continue to get it all into words for you.
In the meantime, though, I've been getting lots of questions about the process, stuff like: "How was the surgery? How was the recovery? What is your typical daily diet/exercise program like? Any regrets? etc..." I am happy to answer any question I possibly can about this, and like I said, I hope to answer many of them through my writing on this blog in the future.
So for now, I thought I'd start sharing a few tips, as they occur to me. I would also love to hear any and all feedback from anyone else out there who has gone through this, and would be especially happy to hear any of your tips!
Today, I'm going to share my "TOP 10 THINGS I CAN'T DO WITHOUT SINCE SURGERY". Even if you haven't had Gastric Bypass Surgery, I highly recommend all of these things...based on my own personal experience. They are healthful, and they are GOOD, and you may just find a way to work them into your own daily nutrition plan.
(I am not being paid to endorse any of these products, they are simply my favorite things at the moment.)
10. Activia Light Fat Free Peach Yogurt: I eat this for breakfast EVERY morning!
9. Adora Calcium Supplements: I recently found these dark chocolate chews, and consider them one of my daily "treats"!
8. String Cheese:- For a great high-protein snack, Frigo String Cheese (mozzarella) is my fave!
7. Morning Star Black Bean Burgers: I eat these for lunch several times a week, sans bread, but I like to melt pepper jack cheese over it and add a few dashes of Red Hot or salsa...yummy!
6. McDonalds Fruit & Yogurt Parfait: This is about the only thing I can eat from McD's, but that's okay, because it is delicious!!! I'm never disappointed on missing out on the burgers & fries!
5. Diet Snapple Peach Tea: A great alternative to water when I need something "fruity" to quench my thirst. Not crazy about aspartame, but every now and then...
4. Pure Protein Bars: I've tried 'em all, and this is my favorite. High quality protein, low carb, low sugar. Great meal substitute, or between meal snack.
3. Breyers Carb Smart Almond Bar (Ice Cream): Okay, I confess, I have one of these almost every day! Love 'em and thankful they were invented!
2. Syntrax Nectar Lemon Tea Whey Protein Powder: THIS, I cannot live without! I have to make sure that I get tons of protein every day, and I have been drinking this stuff, two scoops in a big glass of water and crushed ice, EVERY DAY since the beginning of all of this. I actually like the taste, which is kind of like Nestea Instant Tea with Lemon, and I sip on it throughout the morning, until it is time for lunch. Somedays I even have an extra glass (1 scoop) in the evenings, just for kicks and giggles. ;)
1. Okay...my all time favorite meal BEFORE the surgery, AND AFTER! I can still eat this, but in much smaller amounts. This usually makes about three or four meals for me now...which is wonderful! CARRABBA'S ITALIAN GRILL - CHICKEN BRYAN! OH YUM! Grilled chicken, topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomotoes, and a lemon-butter sauce, and cooked veggies. I don't even ask them to go light on the butter - it's a treat, and I eat very small portions (about 3 ounces at a time), so I can enjoy it, and boy do I!
So, these are my current faves! I honestly don't feel like I'm missing out on anything. Food is something that fuels my body these days, and I try to make sure that every bite/drink packs in as much nutrition as possible. I hope you'll share some of your faves with me!
Blessings!
Tron :)
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Year Resolution, or Not?
Happy New Year! So, how did you ring it in? We rang in the New Year with a bang – taking our two year old to the Emergency Room, screaming with a painful ear infection! Yippee! It’s okay, at least we got off to a great start with our friends there…they know us by sight at this point. And, he's doing fine now, thankfully.
So, resolutions! Ugh! Whether or not you are one who makes resolutions, it is certainly one way to separate us all into two neat little categories. Into which category do you fall? Are you one of those who has your resolutions set well before Christmas and it’s just a countdown to January 1st , when you can actually start documenting your success in keeping them all, checking them, one by one, off your carefully printed, laminated list? Or, do you fall into the group which laments that there is even such a thing as a resolution? Maybe, like Paula Deen, you refuse to even make them because you know you won’t keep them and the thought of making one just adds stress? Is that you?
I must confess, I have been in both categories over the years. I have always been an “achievement-oriented” person, one who sets goals and strives to achieve them, usually with a modicum of success. Some years, when I feel more confident than others, I am extremely resolute and revel in making goals to achieve. And, I have to admit, many times this lands me in a sea of depression when I realize, less than a week into the new year, that I have not managed to keep even one of them. Other years, I have lacked confidence in my ability to achieve right off the bat, and have not even bothered with the whole process. And, usually, when the latter is the case, I become even more depressed, eventually, at the realization that I have such a low opinion of myself.
This year, however, I find myself in a completely new realm, one that I have yet to fully understand or define. I have been feeling particularly optimistic these days, and with that optimism comes a desire to achieve more. The other day I said to my husband, “I want to do something amazing in 2011! This is the year I really want to do something fantastic with my life,” to which, my husband gave me a truly bewildered look, and replied, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!!!!”
It took me a moment to figure out his response. But then, it hit me. The year “2010” was an absolute watershed year for me. Had I not realized that?
Let’s take a quick look back at just some of the events and achievements it held for me: I had gastric bypass surgery and lost over 170 pounds in less than a year, completely changing my life forever; I have a wonderfully blessed life being privileged to stay home and raise my two sons; I have been able to go back to work part-time in student ministry, which I adore; I am privileged to serve on the Board of Directors of an amazing, growing ministry within my community; and, last, but not least, I have been honored to be selected as a part of the 2011 Walt Disney World Moms Panel! As my sister-in-law put it into perspective for me, if the WDWMP was the only thing that had happened in 2010, that would have been over the top enough for most people!
After this realization took hold of me, I laughed out loud! The Lord had really just put it all into perspective for me. I have always been one to plan. I love being an organizer – of events, vacations (especial vacations to Walt Disney World!), weddings, parties, and my days. I’m a “nerd with a book”, carrying my planner/calendar around everywhere I go (still resistant to using my smart phone to do it ALL for me, yet). However, through the trials of the past few years, the Lord has been teaching me to live one day at a time, to lean on Him, asking for guidance and direction from Him, and then being patient enough to wait on Him for clarity and answers. I have realized that it is truly difficult, sometimes, to discern His will. Just because something seems to be the “right thing” to do when it first presents itself does not always mean it is the right thing to do, according to God’s plan. However, sometimes the drive to achieve super-cedes my patience level, and I have been unwilling to wait upon the Lord for His true guidance. Or, I often just assume that I already have His “go ahead” permission, without truly knowing.
Currently, I am reading the book, "Counterfeit Gods"*, by Timothy Keller. The subtitle is “The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters”. This book underscores how individuals and society try to find fulfillment in false hopes. For me, this really hit home, very personally, when I read pages 73 – 74:
“Achievement is the alcohol of our time,” says Mary Bell, a counselor who works with high-level executives. She goes on: “These days, the best people don’t abuse alcohol. They abuse their lives…You’re successful, so good things happen. You complete a project, and you feel dynamite. That feeling doesn’t last forever, and you slide back to normal. You think, “I’ve got to start a new project” – which is still normal. But you love the feeling of euphoria, so you’ve got to have it again. The problem is, you can’t stay on that high. Say you’re working on a deal and it doesn’t get approved. Your self-esteem is on the line, because you’ve been gathering your self-worth externally. Eventually, in this cycle, you drop to the pain level more and more often. The highs don’t seem quite so high. You may win a deal that’s even bigger than the one that got away, but somehow that deal doesn’t take you to euphoria. Next time, you don’t even get back to normal, because you’re so desperate about clinching the next deal….An “achievement addict” is no different from any other kind of addict.” In the end [says Keller], achievement can’t really answer the big questions – Who am I? What am I really worth? How do I face death? It gives the initial illusion of an answer. There is an initial rush of happiness that leads us to believe we have arrived, been included, been accepted, and proved ourselves. However, the satisfaction quickly fades.”
As I read this, I realized that, in my desire to constantly achieve, or in my own words, “do something amazing with my life”, I am actually making success, and the false sense of security it brings, an idol (as Keller puts it). I know, as a Christian, that only God can provide this security. What I am REALLY pursuing is God, not just "success", and not just "security". I am in pursuit of God, Himself - and realizing this, truly knowing this, changes everything! It is my prayer that I can apply these changes to the way I live my life.
So, what does this mean? How do I ‘ring in this new year’ now? Does all this mean I need to make resolutions, or not? I don’t think that it matters whether or not I am the “type of person” who makes resolutions or not. What matters is whether or not I am the type of person who will make changes once I have realized what a great debt has been paid for my life.
So, I do have a “New Year Resolution”, but it has changed from my desire to just “do something amazing or fantastic with my life”. It is much simplified. My resolution is to simply pursue the Lord: to honor Him with my whole life, to ask for wisdom and discernment in all decisions, to learn more deeply to be patient and wait upon the Lord, to be more thankful, and to find contentment with my circumstances, whatever they may be.
A wonderful, powerful scripture from the Bible says this all very well for me. From Philippians 4:11-13: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
I believe that 2011 is going to be all that God has promised life to be. He hasn’t promised us a life without trouble, but He has promised us help in those times of trouble. Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
May the Lord bless you and keep you in this New Year!
Love,
"Tron"
* Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters, by Timothy Keller. Published by Dutton, a member of Penguin Group (U.S.A.) Inc. October 2009.
So, resolutions! Ugh! Whether or not you are one who makes resolutions, it is certainly one way to separate us all into two neat little categories. Into which category do you fall? Are you one of those who has your resolutions set well before Christmas and it’s just a countdown to January 1st , when you can actually start documenting your success in keeping them all, checking them, one by one, off your carefully printed, laminated list? Or, do you fall into the group which laments that there is even such a thing as a resolution? Maybe, like Paula Deen, you refuse to even make them because you know you won’t keep them and the thought of making one just adds stress? Is that you?
I must confess, I have been in both categories over the years. I have always been an “achievement-oriented” person, one who sets goals and strives to achieve them, usually with a modicum of success. Some years, when I feel more confident than others, I am extremely resolute and revel in making goals to achieve. And, I have to admit, many times this lands me in a sea of depression when I realize, less than a week into the new year, that I have not managed to keep even one of them. Other years, I have lacked confidence in my ability to achieve right off the bat, and have not even bothered with the whole process. And, usually, when the latter is the case, I become even more depressed, eventually, at the realization that I have such a low opinion of myself.
This year, however, I find myself in a completely new realm, one that I have yet to fully understand or define. I have been feeling particularly optimistic these days, and with that optimism comes a desire to achieve more. The other day I said to my husband, “I want to do something amazing in 2011! This is the year I really want to do something fantastic with my life,” to which, my husband gave me a truly bewildered look, and replied, “ARE YOU KIDDING ME???!!!!!”
It took me a moment to figure out his response. But then, it hit me. The year “2010” was an absolute watershed year for me. Had I not realized that?
Let’s take a quick look back at just some of the events and achievements it held for me: I had gastric bypass surgery and lost over 170 pounds in less than a year, completely changing my life forever; I have a wonderfully blessed life being privileged to stay home and raise my two sons; I have been able to go back to work part-time in student ministry, which I adore; I am privileged to serve on the Board of Directors of an amazing, growing ministry within my community; and, last, but not least, I have been honored to be selected as a part of the 2011 Walt Disney World Moms Panel! As my sister-in-law put it into perspective for me, if the WDWMP was the only thing that had happened in 2010, that would have been over the top enough for most people!
After this realization took hold of me, I laughed out loud! The Lord had really just put it all into perspective for me. I have always been one to plan. I love being an organizer – of events, vacations (especial vacations to Walt Disney World!), weddings, parties, and my days. I’m a “nerd with a book”, carrying my planner/calendar around everywhere I go (still resistant to using my smart phone to do it ALL for me, yet). However, through the trials of the past few years, the Lord has been teaching me to live one day at a time, to lean on Him, asking for guidance and direction from Him, and then being patient enough to wait on Him for clarity and answers. I have realized that it is truly difficult, sometimes, to discern His will. Just because something seems to be the “right thing” to do when it first presents itself does not always mean it is the right thing to do, according to God’s plan. However, sometimes the drive to achieve super-cedes my patience level, and I have been unwilling to wait upon the Lord for His true guidance. Or, I often just assume that I already have His “go ahead” permission, without truly knowing.
Currently, I am reading the book, "Counterfeit Gods"*, by Timothy Keller. The subtitle is “The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters”. This book underscores how individuals and society try to find fulfillment in false hopes. For me, this really hit home, very personally, when I read pages 73 – 74:
“Achievement is the alcohol of our time,” says Mary Bell, a counselor who works with high-level executives. She goes on: “These days, the best people don’t abuse alcohol. They abuse their lives…You’re successful, so good things happen. You complete a project, and you feel dynamite. That feeling doesn’t last forever, and you slide back to normal. You think, “I’ve got to start a new project” – which is still normal. But you love the feeling of euphoria, so you’ve got to have it again. The problem is, you can’t stay on that high. Say you’re working on a deal and it doesn’t get approved. Your self-esteem is on the line, because you’ve been gathering your self-worth externally. Eventually, in this cycle, you drop to the pain level more and more often. The highs don’t seem quite so high. You may win a deal that’s even bigger than the one that got away, but somehow that deal doesn’t take you to euphoria. Next time, you don’t even get back to normal, because you’re so desperate about clinching the next deal….An “achievement addict” is no different from any other kind of addict.” In the end [says Keller], achievement can’t really answer the big questions – Who am I? What am I really worth? How do I face death? It gives the initial illusion of an answer. There is an initial rush of happiness that leads us to believe we have arrived, been included, been accepted, and proved ourselves. However, the satisfaction quickly fades.”
As I read this, I realized that, in my desire to constantly achieve, or in my own words, “do something amazing with my life”, I am actually making success, and the false sense of security it brings, an idol (as Keller puts it). I know, as a Christian, that only God can provide this security. What I am REALLY pursuing is God, not just "success", and not just "security". I am in pursuit of God, Himself - and realizing this, truly knowing this, changes everything! It is my prayer that I can apply these changes to the way I live my life.
So, what does this mean? How do I ‘ring in this new year’ now? Does all this mean I need to make resolutions, or not? I don’t think that it matters whether or not I am the “type of person” who makes resolutions or not. What matters is whether or not I am the type of person who will make changes once I have realized what a great debt has been paid for my life.
So, I do have a “New Year Resolution”, but it has changed from my desire to just “do something amazing or fantastic with my life”. It is much simplified. My resolution is to simply pursue the Lord: to honor Him with my whole life, to ask for wisdom and discernment in all decisions, to learn more deeply to be patient and wait upon the Lord, to be more thankful, and to find contentment with my circumstances, whatever they may be.
A wonderful, powerful scripture from the Bible says this all very well for me. From Philippians 4:11-13: “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
I believe that 2011 is going to be all that God has promised life to be. He hasn’t promised us a life without trouble, but He has promised us help in those times of trouble. Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
May the Lord bless you and keep you in this New Year!
Love,
"Tron"
* Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters, by Timothy Keller. Published by Dutton, a member of Penguin Group (U.S.A.) Inc. October 2009.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Next Adventure - 2011 Walt Disney World Moms Panel!
This Thanksgiving was truly a time for me to express my sincere gratitude to God...for faith, family, friends, good health, and so much more. I know I have been blessed far above what I could ever deserve, and yet, in the midst of all of these blessings, I have been so humbled and excited to have also had one of my fondest wishes become reality! I have been selected to serve on the 2011 Walt Disney World Moms Panel! For this lifelong Disney fan, this dream come true has been almost too surreal to take in.
What is the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, you ask? It is an online forum where "Moms" (and a few Dads!) answer your questions and offer advice about family vacations to the Walt Disney World® Resort. Disney knows that Moms trust other Moms for advice on the latest and greatest ideas and products for their families and loved ones. And Disney has capitalized on that knowledge by implementing the power of social media marketing to assist their guests who desire to plan the most wonderful, magical, memory-making trip they possibly can to Walt Disney World!
The official website of the panel is http://www.disneyworldmoms.com/, and it describes the Moms Panel this way:
"Disney realizes that the person who serves the "Mom" role differs from family to family. These "Moms" have been selected to be panelists because they have demonstrated an excellent knowledge of Walt Disney World® Resort. Being familiar with the Parks, Resort hotels, dining and entertainment, shopping, and recreational activities, they can offer the help and tips you need to make your vacation planning a snap.
The views expressed in the Walt Disney World® Moms Panel are those of the panelists, who are independent contractors, and may not be factually accurate. These views are not intended to reflect the opinions of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online, its affiliates, its management, its agents or its employees. Panelists have received/will receive a trip to the Walt Disney World® Resort for their participation on the Panel." (that last line is in the interest of "full disclosure")
Like I said, this is a dream come true for me! My first visit to WDW was when I was two years old, in November of 1971, the second month of the park's opening year. (Yes, that's me in the photo above, "hanging out" in the wooden pillory stocks on Liberty Square with my Grandmother on my first visit! My mom is actually standing behind me, holding me up. :) ) My parents were huge fans, and they passed their passion for Disney on to my sister, brother, and me. Walt Disney World, and now the resorts in Vero Beach, Florida and on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (since my husband and I joined the Disney Vacation Club ten years ago,) have become our family's "home away from home" as we look forward to taking time to make magical memories together as often as we can!
I have traveled to WDW more than 50 times (yeah, actually WAY more than that) in my life, and have experienced many different types of vacations there...trips as a child, a teen, a honeymooner, a business conference attendee, in large groups, alone, girlfriends' getaways, taking my own babies (as young as four months old!), and for many types of celebrations - such as birthday, anniversaries, graduations, baby's first trip, reunions, holidays, and more! I've stayed in the parks, out of the parks, at the beach and driving to the parks. I've eaten at most of the restaurants in the parks and resorts, shopped at nearly every shop, and stayed at almost all of the resorts within the property. I've ridden all the rides, seen almost all of the shows, and even danced on stage in front of Cinderella's Castle in one of them!
If it sounds like I've done all there is to do at Disney...well, that's just it - I haven't even come close! Disney has so much for everyone to enjoy, and I've only grazed the tip of the iceberg!
One of the things that I have learned along the way is that it is important to plan for your trip to WDW ahead of time. I've become pretty experienced in planning our family trips, and as a result many of our friends, and even folks I don't know, have asked for my help in planning their trips to Walt Disney World. I love to do this, and that is the reason that I chose to apply to the Moms Panel...so I can continue to help others plan their magical vacations to WDW, but in an even bigger and better way!
I do want to say, though, that as important as it is to plan your trip, you must also remember to be very flexible, and allow for the unexpected, such as rain showers, baby nap times, toddler meltdowns, and your need to just sit down and put your feet up. And please, please, please promise me that you will make sure that you are not so adamant about sticking to your "schedule" that you fail to take the time to notice the unique and magical beauty within Walt Disney World that truly makes it the "happiest place on Earth"!
In less than two weeks I will be traveling to Walt Disney World once again, only this time as a guest of Mickey Mouse, himself! I will be attending the Walt Disney World Moms Panel Training from December 10th - 14th. I have heard that it is "the experience of a lifetime"! Over the next year on this blog, I plan to share the excitement of this experience with you, as well as some of my favorite Disney moments, memories, and tips with you. I also look forward to reading comments about YOUR favorite things to experience at Walt Disney World! I hope you will join me on this journey! I know that we will have so much fun exploring and learning more, together, about my favorite "laughing place" - Walt Disney World!
See ya real soon!
Tron :)
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Giving Thanks with Family
Well, my friends, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am proud to say that we survived another "Extreme Porter Family Thanksgiving"!!! My mother cooked the most fabulous meal for us, once again! We stuffed ourselves with turkey, cornbread dressing, gravy, ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans AND green bean casserole, cranberry salad, broccoli casserole, corn, dinner rolls, fruit, pumpkin cake, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream! We couldn't have moved another muscle if we wanted to. That's why it was so hard to find help cleaning up the kitchen, ahem....
With all of us there, there were eight adults and nine grandchildren: my parents, James and me and our two boys, my sister, her husband and their three kids, and my brother, his wife and their four. For some reason, when these normally well-behaved cousins all gather together at Nannah & Poppa's, chaos rules! It is wonderful to see them all together, and we are so thankful and blessed that they all love each other so much. We treasure our time together, even though it can get a little crazy at times.
It's inevitable when we get together, that the noise level will continue to rise until it hits fever pitch...and then it starts coming back down to normal as we settle into the evening, playing games, watching favorite movies together, "enjoying" our extremely important philosophical discussions on religion, politics and life in general. As Dad builds a magnificent fire in the fireplace, and the children begin to fall asleep in their sleeping bags for their annual Thanksgiving night sleepover at Nannah and Poppa's, we are blessed to sit back in comfort and warmth, counting our blessings, especially the blessing of being "HOME" with the ones you love, and those who love you.
One of the highlights of this Thanksgiving evening, besides my mom's incomparable cooking, was a story that my brother, Brandon, a pastor, shared with us at the table. He had recently shared this story with his congregation as part of a sermon, and the message that went with it was very convicting...
The story he shared was very personal, as it involved his children, and how one day they nearly lost one of them. A search ensued, and after what seemed like hours had passed (which was actually only minutes), they found the child... inside their car in the garage. As Brandon went into great detail describing the search, and the feelings that overtook him throughout that entire nerve-wracking, heart-pounding ordeal, we all couldn't help but break into tears, daring to imagine how it might feel to lose one we loved with all our hearts, and what we would do or endure to find them again. We would give up everything, we would do anything, we would go anywhere...just to find them!!! That passion for finding that ONE and bringing them home takes precedence over everything else that may have ever seemed of importance in our lives. Careers, jobs, fame, fortune, popularity, homes, cars, clothing, even food, ALL take a backseat and become negligible in importance in comparison to finding the ONE you love!
Then, Brandon described how that exact feeling is exactly what the Lord feels for each one of us...each and every one who is lost. His passion for each of us is no less than what we, as parents, feel. In fact, what the Lord feels for each of us is even MUCH more than we could even imagine feeling for anyone else! And, He feels that way for us no matter what our circumstances, no matter who we are, what we have done, where we have gone...the Lord passionately wants to gather us into His arms and bring us home into His loving care. He is "Home", a home full of grace, mercy, forgiveness and love. The Bible tells us exactly how He cares for each ONE, in Luke 15:4-10:
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
The rest of Luke 15 is the story of the Prodigal Son. In this parable, Jesus tells us how the Father rejoices when the lost son returns home, even after he has left home and squandered his entire inheritance on a sinful lifestyle. The Father's irrepressible joy is shown to us in the way he is STILL LOOKING for his son to come home. In fact, he is looking so hard that he actually SEES HIM ARRIVING from far off in the distance and RUNS TO MEET HIM! He embraces him, and calls for a celebration!!! Even though the son is begging forgiveness, and that his father will take him into his home as a slave, the father says "Nonsense!", and welcomes him back home as his son, with all the rights thereof!
That is how our Father in Heaven feels about each of us. He is LOOKING for us! He RUNS to meet us!!! He takes us into his arms and embraces us!!! He CELEBRATES our homecoming!!! And He brings us into the family as one of His own, as full and rightful heirs to His Kingdom!
How incredible is it to know that we have such a Father? Oh, how much we have to be thankful for, on this and every day!
My friends, I pray that each of you will understand the true PASSION that the Lord has for YOU, personally. I pray that you will seek Him, and turn from that vacant, senseless, passionless existence you are living and RUN HOME to Him! He is looking to meet you with open arms and celebration!
And I pray that each of you who already has come Home will feel the same PASSION for SHARING THE GOSPEL WITH OTHERS, the same passion that He has for bringing us home...let us share that and lead our fellow brothers and sisters to the Lord - welcoming them HOME!!!
May God bless you on this Thanksgiving!
With all of us there, there were eight adults and nine grandchildren: my parents, James and me and our two boys, my sister, her husband and their three kids, and my brother, his wife and their four. For some reason, when these normally well-behaved cousins all gather together at Nannah & Poppa's, chaos rules! It is wonderful to see them all together, and we are so thankful and blessed that they all love each other so much. We treasure our time together, even though it can get a little crazy at times.
It's inevitable when we get together, that the noise level will continue to rise until it hits fever pitch...and then it starts coming back down to normal as we settle into the evening, playing games, watching favorite movies together, "enjoying" our extremely important philosophical discussions on religion, politics and life in general. As Dad builds a magnificent fire in the fireplace, and the children begin to fall asleep in their sleeping bags for their annual Thanksgiving night sleepover at Nannah and Poppa's, we are blessed to sit back in comfort and warmth, counting our blessings, especially the blessing of being "HOME" with the ones you love, and those who love you.
One of the highlights of this Thanksgiving evening, besides my mom's incomparable cooking, was a story that my brother, Brandon, a pastor, shared with us at the table. He had recently shared this story with his congregation as part of a sermon, and the message that went with it was very convicting...
The story he shared was very personal, as it involved his children, and how one day they nearly lost one of them. A search ensued, and after what seemed like hours had passed (which was actually only minutes), they found the child... inside their car in the garage. As Brandon went into great detail describing the search, and the feelings that overtook him throughout that entire nerve-wracking, heart-pounding ordeal, we all couldn't help but break into tears, daring to imagine how it might feel to lose one we loved with all our hearts, and what we would do or endure to find them again. We would give up everything, we would do anything, we would go anywhere...just to find them!!! That passion for finding that ONE and bringing them home takes precedence over everything else that may have ever seemed of importance in our lives. Careers, jobs, fame, fortune, popularity, homes, cars, clothing, even food, ALL take a backseat and become negligible in importance in comparison to finding the ONE you love!
Then, Brandon described how that exact feeling is exactly what the Lord feels for each one of us...each and every one who is lost. His passion for each of us is no less than what we, as parents, feel. In fact, what the Lord feels for each of us is even MUCH more than we could even imagine feeling for anyone else! And, He feels that way for us no matter what our circumstances, no matter who we are, what we have done, where we have gone...the Lord passionately wants to gather us into His arms and bring us home into His loving care. He is "Home", a home full of grace, mercy, forgiveness and love. The Bible tells us exactly how He cares for each ONE, in Luke 15:4-10:
“If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
The rest of Luke 15 is the story of the Prodigal Son. In this parable, Jesus tells us how the Father rejoices when the lost son returns home, even after he has left home and squandered his entire inheritance on a sinful lifestyle. The Father's irrepressible joy is shown to us in the way he is STILL LOOKING for his son to come home. In fact, he is looking so hard that he actually SEES HIM ARRIVING from far off in the distance and RUNS TO MEET HIM! He embraces him, and calls for a celebration!!! Even though the son is begging forgiveness, and that his father will take him into his home as a slave, the father says "Nonsense!", and welcomes him back home as his son, with all the rights thereof!
That is how our Father in Heaven feels about each of us. He is LOOKING for us! He RUNS to meet us!!! He takes us into his arms and embraces us!!! He CELEBRATES our homecoming!!! And He brings us into the family as one of His own, as full and rightful heirs to His Kingdom!
How incredible is it to know that we have such a Father? Oh, how much we have to be thankful for, on this and every day!
My friends, I pray that each of you will understand the true PASSION that the Lord has for YOU, personally. I pray that you will seek Him, and turn from that vacant, senseless, passionless existence you are living and RUN HOME to Him! He is looking to meet you with open arms and celebration!
And I pray that each of you who already has come Home will feel the same PASSION for SHARING THE GOSPEL WITH OTHERS, the same passion that He has for bringing us home...let us share that and lead our fellow brothers and sisters to the Lord - welcoming them HOME!!!
May God bless you on this Thanksgiving!
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