I'd love for you to join me in Thirty Days of Gratitude! I'm serious! And we're starting today, November 1st. Sorry I didn't think of it earlier, but my mind was literally in "Hibernate" mode during this past week! The entire last week of October was "productionless" for me as far as my personal life was concerned, and it suddenly hit me today that it is November - - - wow - I will sound soooo old for saying this, but WHERE has the time gone??

Several years ago now, while living in Minnesota, I began using the month of November to demonstrate either verbally or in writing my gratitude to those who have touched my life in one way or another. Don't get me wrong, I think we should be grateful every day of every month, but I know for myself that I sometimes need to focus on remembering that "God and others are actually responsible for the achievements in my life." (Friends from Northland Camp and The Wilds - Character quality lists - - - remember that one for "humility"?) In recognizing that fact, I think sometimes it's important to acknowledge it in either verbal or written form - partly for the sake of the one who may be wondering at that moment if what they have done or what they have taught you REALLY mattered.

Before a letter can go out of my office, I make certain that at least one other person proofreads it. In the case of something going out to the entire organization, I have a minimum of two people proofread it or look it over before it is sent. I consider myself fairly competent in the area of grammar and extremely particular in the area of presentation. However, much to my embarrassment, the item sent to others for a "second look" often comes back with many corrections or suggestions written in red.

This afternoon I proofread something for someone and thought, "How could she have let this go? Didn't she see these GLARING errors?" It was at that very moment that I thought about why errors like that occur.

When I write something, I know what I mean to say. My mind thinks through the words, the sentences, the paragraphs, and the page, and my fingers begin to serve as the tool for getting the words from mind to screen (or page, as the case may be.) The problem comes when my fingers get ahead of or fall behind the thoughts making their way out for the public to read. The end result is that things get messed up - words become misspelled, words are dropped from the middles of sentences, and emotions felt in the heart are poorly represented by the end result of the written words.

We ALL make these mistakes at one time or another. It's inevitable. So in reality, the problem is not so much that the mistakes occur, but that we don't see them. Our minds jump over neglected letters and even fill in the missing words. Our emotions are expressed in our minds as we re-read our own thoughts.

Enter the proofreader. And the red pen. And the careful teaching and explanation about the markings as a means of helping the writer not to make the same errors next time. The end result? A carefully-crafted page with words that look like they should and mean what they were written to communicate.

So what's the big deal about proofreading? Well, my lesson from today's "red-pen moments" served to remind me that I need to apply Psalm 19:14 to my writing as well as to my spoken words. The verse states the Psalmist's prayer as he asks the Lord: "let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." I do not wish to minimize the holiness of God in any way, but in essence, I was reminded today that God must be my "Proofreader."

How many of us post things on Facebook that we later regret? Our emotions run from ecstatically happy to woefully depressed, and our Facebook or blog postings reflect those extremes. I've been guilty of it far too many times. During those "yipes - - - what-was-I-thinking" moments, I am grateful for the "delete" option. Yet if I would have paused before posting and asked the Lord to let me see my words through HIS eyes, I might have made better choices that could have prevented the use of "delete."

So I guess the way I'm choosing to apply these thoughts are in the following ways:

1. "Let the words of my mouth" - I try to write the way I would speak, but I will strive to be certain that I am speaking in a way that pleases Christ. That means even if something is funny, it is still appropriate, properly-timed, and not unkind or ungodly in nature.

2. "And the meditation of my heart" - My motive needs to be to honor my Lord and Savior. I used to read MANY posts each day talking of God's grace in trials where the emphasis was on the one facing the trial and the comment sections attested to that. I have done it myself. But I desire to leave the reader or listener thinking not of how miserable my sorry little life must be, but of how God's grace is truly "more than enough!" Am I known for my pain or for being a demonstration of His grace?

3. "Be acceptable in Your sight" - In every setting, every thought and every word must make it past His "red pen."

4. "O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." - I can't do this just because I want to. I must daily choose to ask Him to allow the strength He provides to take my thoughts, words, and motives and let them be a channel for His love.

Yes, there will undoubtedly be many red markings on words that I speak and on the words I intend to write - even on Facebook - but I trust that before I ever select "enter," I will run the words past the Master Proofreader.

If you've read my blog very often, you know that you've normally been able to read it - very often! Lately, however, my life has been reminiscent of the childhood game "Upset the Fruit Basket." Hence the title of today's entry. Warning: I have a dear friend who chides me about being "verbose," and I'm afraid I won't disappoint today, for my heart is full, and the page is empty - almost as if asking me to make up for lost time. Read what you wish, skim the paragraphs as you wish, but allow me to share what I've been learning lately.

I like to feel comfortable. Who doesn't, right? But I'm a comfort-seeker of the highest degree. While I love new adventures, and yes, even taking risks, I love even more knowing that it's all going to be okay in the end. I love the adventure as long as I know where it will end and what will be required along the way. As for the risks, I love taking them if I have weighed the possible outcomes, decided they were within my “risk-taking parameters,” and then personally have chosen to take the risk rather than having it thrust upon me. Yes, I know. If those are the “rules,” – well, actually, if there even ARE rules – then I am neither adventurous nor a risk taker. I like to feel comfortable. I want the fruit in the basket to be ripe, shiny, perfectly edible, and picturesque – at all times.

So let’s start with the pear. One of my favorite expressions to use when things change unexpectedly is “it all went pear-shaped.” If you look at a pear, you’ll know what I mean – it’s like the bottom fell out – and things landed in a big heap. At the end of February, my world went pear-shaped. I was just able to see my way through a very real “physical funk” which was the result of my major surgery last fall. I finally wanted to be around people again, and could do more than just function by “compartmentalizing” my days. It was like I finally felt like “Brenda” again – and I was glad! Then on a Friday afternoon, my boss came in and informed me that, due to financial constraints, my job position was being eliminated and being replaced with a part-time position with no benefits. He handled very bad news very graciously and in a godly manner, and for that aspect of it I will always be grateful. From that point on, I think I only heard portions - “You can stay until June 30^th” – “If you find something else, take it whenever they need you” – “Nothing you did” – and the rest sort of all ran together – it was like I was listening to the teacher in the Charlie Brown specials.

Next let’s look at the mango – my favorite fruit EVER! Now in order to incorporate this into my story, I will need to continue with the verbosity for which I am known and loved (ha ha) by telling you why mangos are my favorite fruit – but I will keep my verbosity brief - - - wait, is that an oxymoron?? Oh well - - - In 1993, I went to the Philippines with my parents. We went to a small Bible College in Iloilo City – Doane Baptist College – my father spoke to the students for a special week of chapel services, my mother spoke in special sessions to the female students, and I was privileged to help with a musical group that would be coming to the US that summer. It was there I learned how to choose, cut, and eat mangos! For one of the chapel services, a large choir sang, “Lord, Let Me Serve” – the first I had heard that song. While they were rehearsing, one of the teachers leaned over and told me, “Most of those students will graduate from here and will make $50.00 a month – at the most - serving the Lord in small churches in the hills. So when they sing those words, they mean them.” I think of those dear servants of God every time – honestly, EVERY time I eat a mango!

One day early in March I stood in the grocery store selecting my weekly stash of mangos, and began to cry. Not a boo-hoo cry, but the kind where you find yourself in the middle of Meijer with a tear running down your cheek, and you suddenly want to abandon your grocery cart and head straight for the car so you can cry it all out before the Lord. It was at that moment that the beautiful singing of my Filipino friends rang out in my memory – and caused me to realize that I was in the place of needing to make that song real in MY life – to sing the words and really mean them. Yes, another item for my fruit basket of life lessons.

People are longing to learn of the Savior;

Children are growing not knowing He cares.

Lord, let me tell them about your compassion.

Lord, where can I be used?

Chorus: 

Lord, let me serve; Lord, let me follow.

Give me a place and a purpose to fill.

Teach me to serve; teach me to follow.

Use me to do your will.

Lord, let me serve where ever You need me.

Make me a vessel through which You can flow.

Give me a mission, a place of fulfillment.

Lord, where can I be used?

Ready and willing to give You my talent;

Show me the task and I'll serve You today.

Give me a passion to work for Your glory.

Lord, where can I be used?

Lyrics: Linda Lee Johnson - Music: Tom Fettke

But God doesn’t leave us there. In His infinite, sovereign mercy and wisdom, He knows the end of the adventures we are called upon to take. In ways far above what I could ever ask or think, He has provided a new area of ministry for me in which to serve Him with the talents and abilities He has given to me – for everything, EVERYTHING, I have, is from Him. Starting on June 1^st, I will be privileged to serve on the staff of Brookside Baptist Church as Executive Administrative Assistant to the two senior pastors. As of the writing of this verbose posting (you were warned!!!), I have no housing, am cashing in some retirement to pay for the moving truck, and may end up driving the moving truck myself! In the midst of very dear friends on both sides of the move, I have never felt more “alone” and “uncertain.” But I am reminded of the story that earned strawberries the final role in today’s title.

I’m not sure that I’ve got the facts right, but it goes something like this - George Mueller, known for his faith in the provision of God, once told that he prayed for oatmeal for breakfast each day. God provided. Then Brother Mueller looked around and realized others were eating strawberries with cream for their breakfasts. He was disgruntled until he realized he had not ASKED God for strawberries and cream. Yes, he changed his prayer. Yes, he got strawberries and cream!

When it comes to my future housing and to all things related to the move, I’m reminded tonight to pray for strawberries and cream. I can’t WAIT to see what God does – just because He can!

Well, my friends, if you’ve made it this far, 1) you need to get a hobby! and 2) you’re truly a friend! I guess I’ll close by using a take off of the over-used saying, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” and tell you the lesson I am being reminded of in all of this. Instead of focusing on the fact that my carefully-planned, carefully-arranged, comfortable basket of fruit got “upset,” I am choosing to rejoice as God creates this amazing fruit salad which allows me to “taste and see that the Lord is GOOD!”

It's so cliche to say "Wow, can you believe it's already the end of February?" but.... Wow, can you believe it's...? More than 30 of you have been "Walking-Reading-Writing" this month, and you have inspired me to do the same! It made what can sometimes be a rather dreary month a little more enjoyable, and for that I thank you!

So here's how it works - Since there are generally a few people who can't report until mid-week, you have until the end of the day on Wednesday, March 4th to report your minutes or your point totals. However, remember that the contest ends at midnight tonight - although I hope we all CONTINUE walking, reading and writing! I'll post the winners by Sunday, March 8th!!!

It's time for the next Saturday "Shout Out" - a way of sharing things that I think are worth sharing! Today's shout out goes to Whisperings Solo Piano Radio.

My niece Janelle wrote to me about this great internet station, and I'm thankful that she did! It's a great "background" station for work, home, or just personal listening! The mellow music is a nice blend of sacred and secular "sets" that are calm, relaxing, and unique. It often gets a response such as "I really like that music you're playing. What CD is that?"

A few days ago I wrote in my status update on Facebook that I was listening to and enjoying solopianoradio.com, and several friends decided to check it out. One friend even said her kids fell asleep to it right away - two days in a row! - in their hotel room! Others said they tried it and are now listening to it at work or at home.

When you go to the website, you'll notice a few options that you have. You can pay a small fee, become a member, and avoid commercial interruption. You can also choose to listen to it for free, either via the mp3 free stream, or via Windows Media free stream. The only "commercials" in the "free" option are when the announcer comes on briefly maybe once or twice an hour to tell you that you can become a member. So I choose the "free" route when I'm only listening to it at work.

So, check it out, listen, and enjoy!!!

In June, I had some minor physical aches and ended up at the doctor's office (Okay, it was a kidney stone, and it was more like the emergency room!) which led to a visit to another doctor, which led to some minor surgery in September, which led to major surgery at the end of October. For someone who hadn't been to the doctor in, well.... several years, this was a whole new world for me.

After the minor surgery in September, I met with the physician's assistant who informed me that I would need the major surgery - and should plan to have it soon. I truly am one who, though a situation might make me sad, and it might make inwardly think "that's not fair," I truly think, "I can complain or groan until I'm purple in the face, but it won't change anything, so I just need to deal with it." That's how I felt when she talked with me. It stunk to need the surgery; but the bottom line was that I needed it. It didn't mean that tears wouldn't come - and soon - but for the moment, there were details that needed my attention regarding scheduling, medications, etc.

I went out to my car, turned the key, and the CD I had been playing before I went in for my appointment switched to the next song: "Psalm 121." I listened to the words reminding me that "my help cometh from the Lord," and the tears came - not for my own sorrow, but for this amazing joy that the God of David was still the same God providing help and unfailing love! I wrote the words of the Psalm on a 4x6 card, and kept it in the front of my planner.

The morning of my surgery, my mom came to my room and said, "I just want to share with you the Psalm I read this morning - it was very encouraging, and I want to read it to you - it's Psalm 121." Not ten minutes later, my dad said, "I want to share a verse with you that might be a great comfort to you today - it's from Psalm 121." The Lord used His Word in a very pointed and specific way in my life at that time.

I finally wrote about it today because I recently made some photo cards with one of my favorite pictures that I took at Spearfish Canyon in South Dakota - and I used Psalm 121:1-2 under the picture. I've been sending this card this week, and got a call today from someone who said how much it meant first of all to get a card in the mail, and secondly, the verses had been a great encouragement to them in a time of need. It's amazing what a little card can do. Sorry this was so long, but this chapter has become a treasure to me!

Three VERY important things today - make SURE you read #3:

1. HAPPY 84th Birthday to my wonderful dad! I love you bunches and bunches!!!

2. It's Thursday (Recommended Reading Day), so I'll just tell you for pretty much the "umpteenth time" that you should read Alexandra Stoddard's THE GIFT OF A LETTER if you haven't done so already. It's one of those great little inspiring books that truly motivates you and also gives you great ideas for letter-writing! Pretty much on my "Top Ten Forever" books!

3. Here's the biggie as far as WRW Month goes (though my dad's b-day is THE biggest thing today!): Tomorrow, February 6th, is Wear Red for Women's Heart Health Day. So here's the scoop. IF you wear red on Friday, February 6th, EVERY POINT that you earn will be DOUBLED!!!!! All three of the things we're emphasizing this month are either good for the health of your heart or the joy in your heart, but let's take it one extra step by wearing red to show public support for this worthwhile emphasis! (By the way, if you do your "Walking" part of WRW Month at a mall tomorrow, be sure to stop in at Macy's with your red on, and they'll give you an extra 20% off!!! Three cheers for Macy's!) Even if it's only red nail polish, a red headband, or a red belt - Wear it! (Be sure to tell me that you wore red when you send in your points!)

How are you doing on your Walking - Reading - Writing so far? If you haven't joined us yet, please do. Just check the post from February 1st for all the details! Points can even be retroactive to February 1st from whenever you start!

So do you think your schedule doesn't allow for all of these things? Think again! Here's today's little "mini-tip" - adapt it to your own schedule and your own routine! It's not original - more of a motivator than an idea! 

I've gotten hooked on a tv show on Tuesday nights - but I refuse to be controlled by a tv show for two hours!!! So.... tonight while I watch, I'm going to do some exercising, and then I'm going to make some cards for some people at my church who are sick or just need an "I'm thinking of you" note. My goal is to have the exercise done, the cards made, written, and then stamped by the time the show goes off the air.

Most of you have at least one show you watch each day, a favorite CD you listen to, or a radio talk show you like to have on while you lounge on the couch. So why not earn some points, feel like you've accomplished something, and brighten someone else's day in the process?!

Then of course you'll want to spend a few minutes doing some reading as a reward for your efforts!!

February 2007 - We tallied the number of miles walked by all participants - for a grand total that would have gotten us all the way to China, Spain, and Tanzania! If I remember correctly, there were about 30 participants.

February 2008 - We tallied the number of letters/emails sent by all participants - yielding in great results which truly did make it "The Month of the Letter." The prizes were awesome, if I do say so myself, and the 30+ participants worked hard to earn them.

So..... It's February again!!!! I've been thinking, and thinking, and thinking.....(please, no sassy comments here!), and decided on five options. I've changed my mind about four times - and ended up combining three of my favorite things to come up with "WRW Month!" So read carefully, join in whole-heartedly, make your February a great one - and earn some great prizes in the process! I'd love to have more than 50 people participating this year - so..... tell a friend!

WRW Month

W = Walk - You get 20 points for every 15 minutes that you walk OR every 15 minutes that you exercise! Minutes will be rounded to the nearest 15 for point calculation (i.e. 20 minutes counts as 15; 25 counts as 30). Walk or exercise five days in one week (Sunday - Saturday), and get a bonus 25 points!

R = Reading - You get 20 points for every 15 minutes that you read! Once you finish an entire book, you will get a bonus 25 points!

W = Writing letters - You get 25 points for every card or letter you send in the mail. I made these worth more points because you have to spend money to do it. However, I want you to think of how great it is to get a personalized card or letter in the mail - and ask where else could you hand someone four dimes and two pennies and ask them to take something to another state and deliver right to your friend's front door for you?!

It's that simple this year - - - no additional break-downs, no odd amounts.

So here's how it works - You can send me your points via the following: email me, leave a comment on the blog posting for that day, post on my Facebook wall, or send a Facebook message. I'll keep an Excel spreadsheet with a running total! Participants' names are not posted unless you give me permission to do so.

Oh wait - I suppose you want to know the prizes:

Remember that you can combine all three areas for LOTS of points!!!!

1st Place: $50.00 gift card + one "surprise gift"
2nd Place: $25.00 gift card + one "surprise gift"
3rd Place: $15.00 gift card + one "surprise gift"

Gift card options will be offered to the winners at the end of the contest: Target, Amazon, Shutterfly, BP Gas, Visa

Please join in, and check back daily for fun ideas, quotations, and thoughts about the three contest areas! And start sending in those totals TODAY!!!

Today is my first "Saturday Shout-Out." I probably won't do it every Saturday, but I'm planning to occasionally give a "shout-out" to a business, a bargain, or a brilliant idea that catches my eye. While working in retail for several years, I realized that the best possible advertising comes through word-of-mouth, by clients that have had a great experience telling their friends about it! On the flip side, I also know that bad experiences are passed along just as quickly! So I hope to simply share my own good experiences in these areas with the purpose of passing along helpful information!

This week's "Saturday Shout-Out" goes to www.snapfish.com. I happened to watch the end of the Oprah show one day (which, yes, I do watch occasionally when the topic is such that I feel I can watch it!), and saw that Snapfish was giving away a free photo book - all you had to do was go to one website, get the "code" and then use it at checkout on their site. I had seen these books advertised, but didn't want to pay the cost of $29.99 for the really nice one. Well, now I didn't have to pay the $29.99! I made the book, realized just how wonderful their whole system was, and now, I have to literally STOP myself from using the site too often!

Mind you, I'm not giving them a shout-out for the free book - - - I'm giving them a shout-out for their clever advertising which got me to their site in the first place - and for the quality work and great deals they run which keep me coming back. Not only is the site easy to use, but you can also save shipping charges by picking the items up at your local stores, as listed on their site. Too cool! Too easy!

In this same post, I'm giving a shout-out to www.shutterfly.com for the exact same reasons. Their site is easy to use, they run fantastic specials, and registering, creating, and paying are so easy that I'm enjoying using the bargain items as gifts to others and to myself.

So if you're in a creative, gift-giving, organizing, scrapbooking-would-take-too-much-work, kind of mood - head to these sites! They truly deserve my first "Saturday Shout-Out!"

The front photo book was a gift, the second one I made for myself.

My 2009 Planner from Snapfish - I don't go anywhere without it!

"Indiana" Note cards I just made with Shutterfly - great gifts, and fun cards to use!