Reaching towards Proverbs 31

Buried in the Stuff

2011-07-23T21:57:00.001-07:00

This will be a quick one for now. I have been dealing with hoarding, both watching the reality shows as well as having the reality set in my life as well.

My parents have stuff all over the place, they are slowly getting rid of it. As my dad wants to be ready to move to a retirement place, but my mom is fighting some of this process. She will deny that she keeps things that are not something that is wanted or needed anymore. From a plastic rocking horse my oldest son ( who is 23 now ) had when he was around three to a box of misc. household goods that I once was given by my mother in law from my first marriage. This is a process working out as my sister, as well as my dad have been slowly telling my mom that these things are not important anymore.

The next part of this is my in-laws home, it is structurely suffering, and there are now rooms in which you can not physcially get into. The stuff isn't just a little but it is a whole lot. Unlike my parents who are digging out of it all, it is remaining the same if not now growing. I am not sure as I haven't been around as often with this as with my parents. To compound the issue my father in law recently has passed away, my mother in law is in failing health and Andrew ( my husband now ) is the only child. His mom lives on the east coast and we live on the west coast.

The whole family, my parents and siblings, as well as myself and Andrew have asked for years for my inlaws to move closer to us. As there is no family and just a small circle of friends where they live. But they don't want to leave the house, the stuff in it, or have help with it. So we struggle with what to do in this situation, as it is tough on the budget to go back to check on her often. If we don't check on her things happen that are not good.

So for now we are buried in the stuff from my inlaws including the seven typewriters, to the HUGE stack of VCR that are out of date, as well as nice things like Four fine china sets that are servings for twelve. In the middle of this is dust, dust bunnies mega sized, spider webs, plaster with serious mold and water damage issues. This now marks the next chapter of my life, as we discover what is needed to convince my mother in law to leave the stuff behind people are more important.To the fact of what happens if she dies living in this house with the stuff.

I will cronicle as much as I can the process of this whole hoarding, collecting or whatever you want to call it until then consider how you can simplify your life.

Digging out for now-

Kathy

2011-01-13T07:54:00.000-08:00

taro the shiba, haters gonna hate

The one slang word I think is way over used is, hater. As first of all this isn't a word, and if it is it's more like Ebonics.

Then the word is so general that you can use to explain why you dislike someone just because. You don't even have to give a reason, as hate is such a strong word to begin with. Hate is a word that brings about feelings that are to contain and so it is with the word hater as well.

Lately I have seen this word used to describe anything that doesn't agree with a persons views. And I don't like the trend that I am seeing with the use of this word. As you can disagree on a view without having hate as an issue. But with the use of hater that isn't an option

What happened to the art of debate, and the act of reasoning? As an old fashioned debate would do more to level the playing field and calm people down then the use of the word hater.. As for now when people state views, if the other doesn't agree with then they are a hater. It is time to bring back the debate, as it is healthier in the long run for sociality. So for me the word hater should be taken out of the dictionary.

Gentle or harsh?

2010-09-29T23:18:00.001-07:00

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This has been happening for awhile now, we have birds that are called scrub jay's in Oregon. And a family of them live near my home so during the day off and on I will see them fly by, eating, and generally just being birds. I have enjoyed watching them for a long period of time, but for my Sun conure "Shiloh" it is another story. As these birds will taunt and tease him often during the day, and if my windows are open Shiloh can hear the calls.

To me the calls of the jays are nothing but a little sharp cackle but to Shiloh they are different. As at first he just gets nervous and then finally he will scream at them, which in turn will have them call out even more at him. Shiloh is a typical Sun Conure so his voice is loud and annoying at times. And if he gets worked up by the jays it is hard to calm him down. He gets louder and louder until your ears hurt from his calls. Finally I will have to take him out of his cage and calm him down from the terror the jays have brought into his life.

Speaking softly to him, and just holding him calms him down. It takes time to soften the blows that the jays have done to Shiloh mentally. But finally after several minutes he will be sitting happily on me, preening himself, and making soft noises to me. I have noticed he needs to be reassured that the calls he has heard will not harm him. Just as it is like Shiloh and the jays, we too get noises and words that scare and hurt us. And we need to have someone calm us down, speaking softly to us to let us know we are loved and cherished.

Things that come out of our mouths can ether harm or heal. As it is shown with Shiloh and the Jays. As the bible states, in Proverbs 15:4 ........ " the tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit". Shiloh was being teased and hassled by how the jays mocked him, but how I edified him brought him a calm spirit. And as people need to do the same to others, be gentle on how we speak to others, not condemning or harsh in our tones. As we can do more in the long run by being gentle in spirit.

Blessings-

Kathy H

Appreciation

2010-09-29T07:45:00.001-07:00

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What I do best is to support my husband daily. So for me everyday is truck driver appreciation day. Also I appreciate the drivers out there who run the loads in, making sure I have the items I need to get by day to day. I am honored by the men and women who I have met over the period I have been in trucking. Here are some that come to mind: Asia, Terry, Ben, John, Susie, Vic, Steve, Karen, Mike, Wilson and Dean to name a few. These people are humble, abrasive at times, funny, loving, supportive, to the point and no matter what they are the spirit of the truck driver.

So yes there are those who say that the spirit of the "white knight of the road" is dead and has died long ago. Their are some who claim there is nothing but corruption in the trucking industry that seeks to undermine people. And yet I see it alive and well. As for the people in this industry, I may not agree with all they have to say or do. But I do have one thing in common with them, and that is the love of 18 wheels, and the open road. I may not be able to drive due to health issues. But I too love traveling for miles on end and watch the world pass by in the passenger seat of my husband's Kenworth.

So for me I will seek out and find the unity in trucking that I thought is lost. As what matters most is people. And the people I have on my heart are the ones who drive these highways and byways in this world. I hope to meet more like the people mentioned above as this is the spirit and unity in trucking that has been in hiding. So I will be seeing you out there from time to time on the road, be safe and keep the shiny side up always.

Kathy H

Untitled

2010-09-28T22:24:00.001-07:00

For a long time now I have held things in and got distracted from the very thing I wanted to do. And that is to show the world, truckers and their families that we are not all the stereo types that you normally see in the movies. Or are nothing like the driver talk you hear from time to time in the driver's lounges in your local truck stop or company terminal.

Yes my husband and I are wanting the public to understand the way you get your groceries and electronics to the store. But we are not screaming how unfair it is and we are mistreated by all. I have had great experiences from other drivers, shippers, receivers and the general public. It all falls back treat people like the way you want to be treated. Often I see people unsure of us until we are honest, open and have a smile. Sometimes we will have the bad apple, but that is few and far between.

And the one time we did have someone who wasn't kind to us even when we followed their instructions. I stepped up to the plate and took it to an higher authority in the company. And am pleased to say I did make a difference, not by screaming and shouting. But with a professional business letter, stating the facts and asking if the company would look into the issue. My husband returned to this shipper just last week, and the reception was quiet different then when I wrote the letter. Which was a praise for me, as I am pleased to see that the companies who work with the truck drivers are willing to help if spoken to in a professional manner.

Someone told me that I reminded them of a Aesop's fable called the "North wind and the Sun". Both tried to remove a mans cloak from him, first the wind tried. It blew and blew but only got the man to bundle up even more. Then the sun had his turn, and with gentle warmth and a smoothing touch the man removed his cloak and fell asleep. I personally don't want to be the wind, as we have had too much of that sort of thing in the trucking industry. But I want to be that gentle spirit, and the cup of cold water. So I will go back to the calling I have had several years ago, and be that calm person that I know I am.

Never again will I let circumstances become such a way that I act in ways that I am not comfortable with. So off with the mask that I placed on so that I could fit in. I don't need to fit in, as I am who God intended for me to be. And I will speak up for the American Truck Driver the best I can and in the way I see that is fitting to this profession. As it is what my husband, and many others whom I look up to do each day, without complaint and with a willingness to get the job done would want My hats off to each and every truck driver out there, stay safe, and run true.

Kathy H

New letter, tried a template

2010-09-28T20:38:00.001-07:00

Here is a new letter I did for a yahoo group I am in was rusty at making this as it has been awhile.

Kathy

Untitled

2010-09-28T20:35:00.001-07:00

Rules of the Road

2010-03-02T14:50:00.000-08:00

Ok, this is a different spin on the Christian faith. It is almost like a parable.

There is some rules to the road, when walking or traveling in faith.

1. Read your Bible.
2. Pray often
3. Rely on the Holy Spirit.
4. Walk in faith
5. Let love have it's way.

Just like there is rules to follow when you are driving as a truck driver. You need to follow basic rules as a Christian. It is easy to get distracted like you do when driving on the highways. But we as Christians need to remain focused, there is so many strange teachings and thoughts as of late.

So we need to know the basics of the Christian faith, as that is what will get it us through. We need to know what are scripture teachings, and what are just off the wall thoughts. As it is easy to get drawn into strange teachings that claim the works of the Christian faith but fall flat when compared to the Word.

Walk true with all you do, as that what the Lord would want us to do. You can have your ears tickled by all sorts of things, but those things will feel good in this world. But lack when it comes to salvation, know the Bible, Pray often in the Spirit, rely on the guidance of God, walk out your faith and show the world love.

As this all sounds easy make sure that this is done with the knowledge and wisdom from God alone. Christian beliefs have been mixed into all sorts of other teachings, including New Age, Buddhist, and pop physiology. God's ways are not the worlds ways nor His thoughts our thoughts. Walk true, run the race and show the light of God to the world. Don't let the world take your light from you, or make you loose focus of God. As Christ should be our focus always.

New creation

2010-01-26T15:24:00.000-08:00

Looking back at my life, it has made me realize that I have changed over the years. Life's ups and downs, the friendships I have gained and lost, as well as the change of places I lived all added to my life and who I am today.

Would I have chosen the path I am on now in my twenties? And the answer is no I wouldn't have. Nor would I have even imagined that this would have happened to me. Marriage, Divorce, marrying my best friend, child birth, moves to new places and the list could go on. All these things have made me up to be who I am today.

But in the bible it states that as a Christian we are a new creation. I have posted my testimony yesterday, and it got me to thinking. I didn't even touch all that happened in my life. If I were to do so, I think I would shock and amaze some, and get others to change their view of me forever.

My actions, beliefs and responses to things have in some things radically changed since my twenties. My view of abortion has taken a u-turn, take for instance a button I wore showing a coat hanger and saying on it "never again", this I had gotten from planned parenthood. It has since then been tossed away about 2 years ago, as it laid hidden in a desk drawer. And I would never dream of ever getting another button like that.

We are hid in Christ, the old is gone. So my past is just that my past. The experiances make up who I am, but my trust in Christ. As blotted out my mistakes, and just like after a rain storm a rainbow comes. Now my life is different then it was. And for that I will praise God, as he took a broken pot and gave it life.

PS: the image on this posting was from 2005, alot has happened since then.

My Testimony

2010-01-25T16:22:00.000-08:00

It has now been 10 years since the moment Christ became my Savior, I thought it would be time now to state my testimony. So here it is in the raw.

I was raised in a Methodist home, but never really understood or wanted to know salvation through Christ Jesus. As I was reluctant to go to church, and didn't bother to really even understand it. I was a pew warmer to put it bluntly.

At the age of 16 I got to know my first husband, he was raised Jehovah Witness. My parents were against it, but never explained why it was against what they wanted for me other then they didn't do birthday's, Christmas and had issues with blood transfusions. So at the age of 23 I finally married him against my parents wishes.

During that time what little belief in the Lord God I had left me vanished. And along with my ex husband I declared that I was atheist. This lasted for several years, that is until around the time my second child was born. Still feeling empty and without purpose I followed my ex into the Wiccan belief system.

It was an easy fit for me, and I fully went into this belief. I had runes, did several different tarot card readings, and even would do it for those who would request a reading. I believed and would purify my home from evil spirits. And even did the idea of good and bad karma. I know now those 'evil" spirits were actually the movements of God and the workings of the Holy Spirit.

During this time my ex found another woman,started to see her to have an affair. He believed that he was a soul mate of this woman. And one Easter Sunday he called me and told me he wouldn't be home that day. As he was going to be moving in with her. This shook my world, and that of my boys. Something ( I now completely believe the Holy Spirit) told me that I needed to leave my ex. I don't think it was by chance that this happened on Resurrection Sunday, as now I don't call that time Easter.

That very day I told him that I didn't want to live the way he wanted me too. And a divorce would be filed by me. It was a huge step on my part, as it was a very abusive relationship. So I changed locks, and told him to get his things out of the apartment in which we lived in at the time. It became a hard and bitter divorce, to this day my sons still have hurt feelings from. If anyone tells you divorce is easy they are only lying to themselves.

During that time I started to cling onto some of the few friendships I had built when I was still married. One of these friendships was that of my current husband. We would meet for coffee or a meal and just chat for hours on end. And had gotten to know each other on what was known as "online chat boards" during the beginning of the internet craze.

Quickly it turned from friendship to a dating relationship in which we moved in to be with each other. And saw nothing wrong with this. My boys were the ages of 3 and 7 at the time we got married by a Unity pastor. Which is more New Age then it is actually Christian in belief. The Christian Pastor we wanted to marry us wouldn't as he told us we needed to repent from living together. So against the wishes of the minster who married us we took on the traditional vows of husband and wife, something you don't see often anymore.

We went to unity and unitarian type churches for most of the early years of our marriage as it fit into our sins at the time. During this time, my husband asked me to get rid of the tarot cards, as they made him uncomfortable. So I chose to burn them in the fireplace we had. When this happened, the cards would blow out, even after placing lamp oil on them to get them to lit. And when finally the fire took, I heard some of the most ungodly screams and cries from the stack of cards. This terrified me and I mentioned this to my husband. My first taste of Spiritual warfare and I wasn't a believer at the time.

Finally the end to the new age/ Unity season of my life came about at "church" one weekend. They would allow the children during the service time to just wander about doing what ever came to mind. One day a little girl walked up to my youngest son, and proceeded to hit him several times. I asked the mother to get her child to stop, and her reply was " it's ok she is just 'wilding'." Needless to say we got up and left that service never to return at that moment. As we felt that wasn't a proper way to raise a child.

At the time this happened one of my family's relatives passed away, and we went to the memorial service at his church. This was a mainline church that had much of the similar actions and services that I recalled as a child. My husband was raised atheist, so it was all new to him. This whole adventure, that we were going through. But he was comfortable with going there. So we attended and enjoyed the fellowship offered there at this church.

Soon after this happened, we were able to get our first home. And a move was in order, so we found another church in the same denomination like the one we were use to. Little did I know that this church was moving in the spirit, and they added pentecostal beliefs into the services. This is when I first heard someone speaking in tongues. And December 1999 I excepted Christ at the same time my husband did at this new church.

Soon my husband had a job which he wasn't able to attend Sunday services there but we had the strong desire to go to church each weekend. As we couldn't get enough of the Lord in our lives. Between being a step family and adjusting to being a married couple. Christ had become our rock and foundation. So we sought out a church which would proclaim Christ like we now knew Him.

This search strangely brought us back to the very Pastor and church that refused to marry us four years earlier. It was a Four Square church, and we remained in that very church until our move out of Washington and down into Oregon four years ago this year. Growing in the spirit, and becoming born again all happened at this church. And I remember this part of my life often with fondness.

I had prayed during the time I was at this church to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Needless to say at the time I prayed this prayer nothing happened. But God loves to catch us off guard, and during a time in which my husband was in surgery for a dental issue I was praying in the waiting room. To look up and notice everyone in the room with me was looking at me, and had moved away.

Only then did I realize that I was speaking in some strange tongue. And quickly knew what had happened. Shocked by what took place I left the building for a long time Finally going back in to check on and get my husband after his ordeal. I still laugh at how God will take you out of your comfortable places to place you where He wants you to be. As this is how he has done in my life ever since this certain time in the Dentist office.

I have had many adventures since I moved down to Oregon, but have never forgotten how God never forgot about me. Even when I didn't want to recognize that He even was the creator of Heaven and Earth. I have seen many things in the spiritual world, and I know for a fact there is a battle for souls that is going on. God is calling me into a place in which I will know more about the calling I have felt I have in my life. Until then, I will run the race set before me, and reach out to be that Proverbs 31 woman who is so highly respected by her husband and family.

God Bless and thanks for reading this until the end. But in reality this isn't the end, as God will continue to work in my life until I meet Him face to face.

Jesus is better then Santa

2009-12-05T14:17:00.000-08:00

OK, so I know this is a chain email, that has most likely gone around for a couple of years. But they read this last night at a women's minstry Christmas party last night. And I really enjoyed this reminder for this Christmas.

WHY JESUS IS BETTER THAN SANTA CLAUS

Santa lives at the North Pole …
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh …
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year …
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies …
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited …
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then
enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa …
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap …
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is
“Hi” to the little boy or girl, “What’s your name?” …
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He
know our name, He knows our address too. He knows
our history and future and He even knows how many
hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly …
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO …
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says “You better not cry” …
JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care
for you.”

Santa’s little helpers make toys …
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs
broken homes and builds
mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but …
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree …
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.

It’s obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about. We
need to put Christ back
in CHRISTmas, Jesus is still the reason for the
season.

Yes, Jesus is better, he is even better than Santa
Claus.

New outlook, running the race.

2009-12-02T08:58:00.000-08:00

This is a new view on this blog. And unlike the other blog I have this one will focus on my personal life and my faith.
As I run the race set before my by God, my inner struggles, outward groaning, and the call God has set before me is worked out here. This was a year of the valley, and I am getting through it. And in this valley I found Christ never left me. Doubt, fear, loneliness, anger, hurt, and bitterness all met me in this valley.
But also at every turn my Lord Jesus was there in the background waiting for me to lean into him. At times His child fought before leaning into Him, but now I have learned to stand firm, and count on His guidance. His ever present guidance and love is this just for the asking, not to far away.
Between critics, family struggles and illnesses, learning to be one with Andrew as well as being apart from him. These trials have all stretched me, and had me grow in my faith. Now I can say I am a different woman, wife and mother then I was a year ago. And it is for the best. I am at a loss for anymore that I can say now. And have a posting to do on the other one. So for now I will close. God Bless.