The Ultimate Gift

I learned a special lesson recently, one I won’t quickly forget and one I have promised myself to frequently share.  I hope this true little story touches your heart the way it did mine. 

            When I am on the road for work, I often have to back my car up to delivery docks that are invariably located next to the most heinous smelling dumpsters.  I recently had the misfortune of parking next to one that produced a smell I am convinced could burn nose hairs!  Additionally, this dumpster was leaking horrendously foul water teeming with wiggling maggots and frantic fruit flies.  Disgusting would have been an understatement.  Surprisingly, out of this scene, I caught a glimpse of something beautiful.  

            From behind the dumpster I heard the faint meowing of a cat.  Soon a young, silver and white speckled cutie emerged, filthy, and hungry.  Saddened, I knew that all I had in my car was a box of crackers and a chocolate granola bar.  For some reason I remember hearing that it was not good for animals to have chocolate, so I opted for breaking the crackers into small pieces and put them on the ground for him.  When I came back outside, I noticed he had eaten all of my crackers and was now washing them down with the nasty maggot water.  I felt terrible, so I went back into the store and bought him his very own jug of cold milk!

            I put the milk in a bowl from my car and tried to give it to him, but he ran back to the dumpster water.  I thought that since we already became friends through crackers that he would definitely want my milk.  Strangely, I would put the bowl down and whistle him near, only to have him inch close and then run back to that sickening dumpster water.  This went on for some time.  Finally, I put the bowl down and walked away far enough to make him comfortable, but close enough to be in his sight so I could see what he would choose.  From a distance, I saw him stick his little head into the bowl and take a taste of the fresh milk.  He was caught off guard at first and taken aback by its cold goodness.  Quickly, he was face planted and indulging in what was probably his best meal in days.  This time he did not go back to the maggot water!

            This incident taught me a valuable lesson.  For a long time I was like that cat; I knew that there is something better in this life, a healthier way to live. However, I was often more comfortable swimming around in my own form of maggot water- hurtful habits, bad relationships, terrible attitudes, and an overall lifestyle of dissatisfaction, rather than truly trusting and believing in my heart that there is something better.

             Then I started thinking about how I offered this cat a free gift, something healthy and beneficial, yet he didn’t want it.  When faced with the risk of coming to me and chance drinking what I put in the bowl, he would get frightened and run away.  He did not trust that what I offered was good for him.  When he finally surrendered and gulped down the milk, he learned that nourishment I offered far exceeded the putrid alternative the dumpster provided.  I never forced him to drink that milk.  He chose to and he had all he needed. 

            This is how God offers us the ultimate gift through His Son Jesus.  We know God is there and we know how to reach Him, yet when it means that we have to make a choice or change a lifestyle to fully experience what He offers, we retreat back to the maggot water or old hurtful behaviors and remain miserably comfortable.

That cat did not wish the milk into existence.  He had to believe that it was there in the bowl, have faith to try it, and then trust that it was good for him. 

            This Christmas my heart is heavy.  I know the pain that the Holidays often bring.  I once cringed at the thought of Christmastime because it reminded me of how empty, lonely, and sad my life had become.  No gift that I could have unwrapped during that time would have made my heart feel any better.

            With the economy struggling and with the daily news not making things any brighter, my guess is that this Christmas may be a tough one for most both emotionally and financially.  Yet, the gift that most people really want cannot be bought with money. Wouldn’t we all like to have real Peace, Joy, and LOVE this Christmas? When I finally received God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, my feelings and attitudes started to change.  

            The Baby in the manger is not just some cute Christmastime story character.  He is a real documented historical figure: One that performed miracles, One that crowds saw crucified, and One that eye-witnesses saw resurrected from the dead and historically documented.  Truth is, He did all of this to offer us a free gift.   

            Like the free gift I offered the cat which would make him healthy, happy, and satisfied, he could not receive it until he believed and trusted- God offered us His Son Jesus, if we would just believe and truly trust in Him.  “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand,” (John 10:27-28).  I did not force the cat to accept my gift.  He had to choose to trust me.  Jesus will not force us to trust Him; He gives us the choice because love cannot be forced.  Just believe and unwrap His splendor this Christmas!  

His gift will never disappoint.

 
Yummy Chocolate Bark Recipe.  Makes a Great Gift!

Ingredients:

25 Oreo cookies

3 cups white chocolate chips or semisweet chocolate chips (can do half of both)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (use with semisweet chips only)

To Make:

Line a 9-inch-square baking pan with waxed paper. Coat the paper with nonstick spray; set it aside. Pour the cookies into a large bowl and break them into small pieces.  Melt the chips in a large microwave-safe bowl according to the package directions. After chips have melted add extract. Remove from the microwave and quickly fold in the cookie pieces with a spatula. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan and spread to about a 1/2-inch thickness. Refrigerate until solid, about 1 hour.

Remove the bark from the pan and carefully peel off the waxed paper. Set the bark on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the bark into 12 bars for wrapping or 24 triangles for boxing.  Store in an airtight container.

ALL…

A Gift Worthy of Thanks.

            What happens when those ads and those commercials stop touching our hearts?  What happens when we don’t feel the hunger that the famished little boy with the Santa belly feels? What forms when we grow annoyed at the media attempts to raise money for those in Haiti, Africa, and Japan? We forget.  We forget where we live, what we have, and Who is distributing it all. We forget to be thankful.

            The following data from Poverty Facts and Stats, and Trak-In, will help you remember:

·         Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names.

·         Close to half of all people in developing countries suffer at any given time from a health problem caused by water and sanitation deficits.

·         For the 1.9 billion children from the developing world, there are:

            640 million without adequate shelter (1 in 3)

            400 million with no access to safe water (1 in 5)

            270 million with no access to health services (1 in 7)

·         In developing countries some 2.5 billion people are forced to rely on biomass—fuelwood, charcoal and animal dung—to meet their energy needs for cooking. In sub-Saharan Africa, over 80 percent of the population depends on traditional biomass for cooking, as do over half of the populations of India and China

·         Millions of women spend several hours a day collecting water.

·         Having access to a bathroom means a person is more fortunate than 2.5 billion people in Asia Pacific and Africa who lack sanitation facilities.

·         Having electricity makes a person more fortunate than 1.6 billion people who do not have access to electricity.”

(Anup Shah -http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats)

(Arun Prabhudesai-http://trak.in/tags/business/2007/12/20/indian-people-fortunate-futurescope-quiz/) 

            With these facts, are we pushed toward gratitude?  We have all we need in the United States.  Yet, so often we are stuck in attitudes of dissatisfaction.  If we focus on what we are without or what we must attain, we will never know the joyful blessing that comes from being thankful for what we actually have.  What is it like to be the famished child in Ethiopia?  Living here in this country, to be alive at all, is a privilege and a blessing from God. 

 Every moment of our lives truly is a gift.

            My eyelids open to light peeking in; I am awake.  My hair gets stuck in the brush and I feel the tug; I can brush my own hair with my own hand, the tug hurts and I feel the pain.  He made the coffee strong. I smell its bold aroma and I can taste its needed jolt.  I pull supper out of the freezer, finish last minute cleaning, miss my workout and am two minutes late to work again.  Children laugh at the bus stop; I can hear their joy and breathe in the nostalgia.  The leaves have turned, the colors mesmerize me; I get to see and experience the seasons change.  Dinner is served, the warmth of the shower relaxes, and my head hitting the pillow brings peace… 

I must give thanks because I understand that:

Waking up to experience a new day is a gift because tomorrow is not promised.

Brushing my hair is a gift; some have lost theirs.

Smelling bold coffee and tasting its goodness is a gift; some can’t afford coffee or even open their mouths to taste it.

Having supper to pull out of the freezer, a home to clean, the ability to exercise and a job to arrive at are all gifts worthy of thanks; I’m sure that’s what the famished boy would tell us too.  We need hearts of gratitude.  What needs to change is not the amount of things we have in our possession or the successes we have accumulated, but rather the amount of thanks we store in our hearts and the perspective from which choose to look.

Being constantly thankful is not easy but it will always change our perspective.

A Blind Perspective.

“I, who cannot see, find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch.

I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf.

I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough shaggy bark of a pine….

I feel the delightful, velvety texture of a flower, and discover its remarkable convolutions; and something of the miracle… is revealed to me.

Occasionally, if I am very fortunate, I place my hand gently on a small tree and feel the happy quiver of a bird in full song….

At times my heart cries out with longing to see these things. If I can get so much pleasure from mere touch, how much more beauty must be revealed by sight.

Yet, those who have eyes apparently see little.

The panorama of color and action which fills the world is taken for granted…

It is a great pity that, in the world of light, the gift of sight is used only as a mere convenience rather than as a means of — adding fullness to life.”

~Helen Keller (www.aholyexperience.com)

Make this Thanksgiving more than a holiday.

            If we could see like Helen Keller or talk to the little boy with the bulging belly, we would understand that Thanksgiving is not just a holiday but a lifestyle.  In a season that has us anticipating Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and Black Friday Sales, can we dig a bit deeper, slow down a bit longer, and spend concentrated time looking at what we have, being truly thankful for it?  Tomorrow is not guaranteed to any of us; making today, and all that is in it worthy of great thanks! 

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name." 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 KJV.

“It’s when all fails that His love never fails —

and this is why we are a people who can always give thanks.”  Ann Voskamp

Rust … Is Ugly!

            I will never forget my first ten speed mountain bike.  It was pink and gray speckled, with handle bars that went straight, instead of looking like the horns of an antelope!  This bike really was something.  My dad and I had spent a full day pressing little colorful neon decorations onto each spoke.  While riding my bike, I could hear them clank up and down, while spinning round and round uncontrollably.  Cool was an understatement…for this bike.  Unfortunately, I left it out in the rain one too many times.  It truly was a sad day when I went outside only to find that my shiny spokes of silver were now shades of brown, red, and orange, colors that definitely did not enhance my bright neon spoke decorations.  My treasured ten speed was not so cool anymore…my bike spokes were ruined.

            A bit more recently, my husband and I were spending the day with some friends.  Their little boy was outside playing in the rain when he dashed through the door to unfold his tiny, muddied hand dropping a palm sized dump truck right onto the table.  “Mommy, this one has metal and it can’t be in the rain!”  From a lesson learned in the bath tub, he remembered that metal toys and water do not mix.  The result can be rusty toys that are no longer worth playing with.  

He understood that rust can ruin something special to him, and he wasn’t taking any chances…

            Rusting is a process that takes time to develop.  One small droplet of moisture reacts with oxygen in the air and causes a chemical reaction to steel and iron.  Over time, an acid is formed from dirt/dust mixing with the chemical reaction, which eats away at the metal, ultimately forming… ugly rust!  

Have you ever had anything ruined by rust?

            I started to think about how our hearts, intentions, and attitudes often seem clean and shiny.  When we are treated right and everything is going how we want it to, it’s easy to have that appearance. Then, one droplet of soggy hurt after another, and we begin to tarnish with layers of fear, anger, and bitterness. The longer we hold on to the hurt, or whatever it was that offended us, the closer we get to irreversible rusting.  What happens is something like this; I used to get stuck in self-pity.  The ‘poor me’ game in my head, often overwhelmed my heart.  Before I knew it, my self-pity turned into blame, which turned into un-forgiveness.  Before long, I was in cruise control taking strolls down Envy Dr., Bitter Blvd., and Anger Ave., only to come to a screeching halt on Whoa-is-Me Lane!  What started as a way to talk myself through a hurt or injustice done to me, ended up keeping me in a whirl-wind of ‘someone owes me something’ bad attitudes and negative outlooks.  Left like this too long and rust takes over permanently- or the hurt becomes the attitude, and the attitude becomes the person. We often convince ourselves it’s just who we are, when really it is what we let our lives, circumstances, undealt-with hurts, and feelings determine who we will be.  When you allow your hurt to cause you to be dishonest with yourself or others, you harbor bitterness and let ugly rust form on your heart. This is dangerous, but reversible.

Rust can be prevented.

            When dealing with actual rust, the most obvious prevention is to avoid moisture.  When dealing with the rust we let form on our hearts, there is a measure of prevention that is 100% effective yet often unused.  Honesty & Forgiveness. Normally, there is a ‘someone’ who did ‘something’ that caused an initial hurt.  If we never forgive that person, they stay with us all day long in our minds.  Replaying the offense in our heads, we bring them to breakfast, lunch, dinner and then right into bed with us because we think so much about the hurt they caused.  The longer we hold on, the more time we give for rust to take over.  But, if we forgive and truly let go of the hurt, piece by piece and layer by layer, we begin to see ugly rust lose its grip on our hearts and emotions.  We have to be honest about the hurt, even if it is one that we caused ourselves.  Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is the one that looks back at you in the mirror.

Don’t let rust ruin what’s valuable.

            The little boy knew that rust could ruin his prized dump truck, so he took precautionary measures.  Similarly, we need to know that rust, or not being forgiving, can ruin what is most valuable to us- our well-being and our relationships.  Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends (Proverbs 17:9).  Hopefully, we too can protect that which is valuable by utilizing honesty and forgiveness- preventive measures that truly work.  If rust is allowed to develop over a lengthy period of time, it can take ten times that amount of time, to get rid of it.  In the long run, we only hurt ourselves and miss out on the good in this life when we hold onto pain.  Thankfully, the Lord is good, ready to forgive, full of unfailing love…for ANYONE who asks for help (Psalm 86:5).  We can trust that the Lord will forgive us, help us to forgive, and ultimately clean the rust off of our hearts if we ask Him too (1 John 1:9).   “I’m sorry,” starts with I, and “I forgive you” starts with I too.  It is a personal choice.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

‘Dump Cake’!

Because of the dump truck that caused me to think on rust, I offer this incredibly easy and interchangeable recipe.

1 package white cake mix (or preferable flavor) 1 package instant turtle pudding mix (Try any pudding mix) 4 eggs, beaten 2/3 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cup white sugar 1/3 cup water 1 (8 ounce) container sour cream 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (Can add extras; heath, coconut, peanuts etc.)

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease and flour a Bundt pan.
2.	In a bowl, mix the white cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, vegetable oil, sugar, and water. Gently fold in the sour cream and chocolate chips. Pour batter into the prepared Bundt pan.
3.	Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to cooling racks

What's In A Name?

Smith. Jones. Williams. Did you ever wonder where your last name came from? I did! Recently, I tried to look up this information so I could offer you some fascinating history. Although it may not be necessarily fascinating, it is quite interesting. Here is what I found:

In Europe, surnames began to be used in the 12th century… In the 13th century about a third of the male population had a given name of William, Richard or John. To uniquely identify them, people began referring to different Williams as William the son of Andrew (leading to Anderson), William the cook (leading to Cook), William from the brook (leading to Brooks), William the brown-haired (leading to Brown), and so on. Eventually these surnames became inherited, being passed from parents to children.

Broadly, most surnames fall into four categories.

o Surnames derived from given names include Johnson, Williams, and Thompson...

o Occupational surnames refer to the occupation of the bearer. Examples include Smith, Clark, and Wright.

o Locational or topographic surnames are derived from the place that the bearer lived. Examples include Hill, Woods, and Ford. See place names.

o Surnames derived from nicknames include White, Young, and Long.

(http://surnames.behindthename.com/glossary/view/family_name)

This is such a seemingly simple explanation for where all those last names may have originated. I found this too easy to accept and I realized why. From my perspective, my last name tells a plethora of information about me. Because of my last name, Butkovic (maiden), most knew me as Thom and Nancy’s daughter, Tommy’s sister (which made me a little cooler in school because he was 5 years older than me), or so & so’s friend. My dad always told me, “your name is a good one, wear it proud.” It was, I did, and still do but my name would soon be embellished by another; ‘LaGra’s Josie!’

My grandfather, Lorenzo (Larry) LaGra is a hard working business man, with over 30 years being spent here in Bedford. LaGra’s is known by many as the name of our long standing jewelry store in downtown Bedford, or as the name of the Sicilian tomato products on many store shelves. Thankfully, my grandfather allows me to run our food division for him, hence, ‘LaGra’s Josie.’ To this day, he is known for being trustworthy, willful, helpful and generous. It is an honor to represent this name and my grandfather, whose legacy is a great one. ‘Butkovic’ and ‘LaGra’s Josie’ defined me for a very long time, but God had yet another name for me. Soon I would marry, take on a new name and lineage. This name is one that intimately tied me to another human being and all that he is connected to, forever; my husband Jason Valley, and I am so grateful. Names have meaning and often define us.

One of the most famous dramas ever written depicts how the power of a name can be defining. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the last names of the characters are extremely important to the overall theme: Montague and Capulet. Their story is based upon the profound question that Juliet asked, “What's in a name?” Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2). Even though their last names connected them to their family, traditions, and lifestyle, they would not let it define them internally or change their love for each other. We know that this story ends tragically, yet they broke free from tradition and societal pressure to risk being together. Names often dictate our actions.

Of course thinking on this would leave me to ask, ‘What’s in your name?’ I often hear people say, well I can’t help it, I am a _______! Fill in the blank either with a last name, first name, ethnicity, position or ‘title’. We sometimes use these ‘names’ as a license or explanation for the way we speak or act. I admit I have used the old, ‘I’m a female’ in defense of my driving, or ‘I’m Italian’ in defense of my need to cook for forty in our home of two! My point is this, our names say a lot about us, but they do not say everything. Does your name accurately depict who you are in your heart? Names can change.

Although I am Josie Butkovic, LaGra’s Josie, and Josie Valley, when I truly let go of my familial traditions, societal expectations and actually decided to have a real relationship with Jesus Christ, my name changed yet again. Why? Because the Bible says, “That anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; and a new life has begun in Jesus Christ!” (2 Cor. 5:17). Oh how His name causes a reaction…and a life change! When you read the name of Jesus, what is the first thought you have? Does it make you uncomfortable or joyful? Something about His name moves us all… Sadly, His name is often a part of a tradition, used in vein, or plain out silenced. When I accepted His name to be stamped on my heart and life, His love and promises overwhelmed me. His name offers more than any other name ever could. What’s in His Name? He Is The: True God, Almighty, Creator of All, Upholder of All, Everlasting Father, Beginning and Ending, Alpha and Omega, First and Last, Eternal Life, and Son of the Highest. He Promises to Be Our: Savior, Hope, Brother, Portion, Helper, Physician, Healer, Refiner, Purifier, Master, Lord, Servant, Example, Teacher, Shepherd, Keeper, Feeder, Leader, Restorer, Resting-Place, Peace, Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and our Redemption. WOW, and that’s just some of them! I am grateful for all the names I treasure here, but they only temporarily tie me to a trait, lineage, or legacy. Choosing His name makes me permanently a part of and accessible to His promises, His traits, and His Home! All we need is in His name.

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver.” Prov. 22:1.

His Name, Like His Promises, Never Change.

Watch Worthy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehmv2UObaVs&feature=related
http://www.blueletterbible.org/study/parallel/paral19.cfm


NO NAME DESSERT! (You can name it yourself depending on what fruit you use!)

1 pkg. of Strawberry Jell-O (or whatever flavor you like)
1 pt. cottage cheese
1 c. Strawberry fruit (whatever canned or Fresh fruit you like)

Prepare and cool Jell-O. After Jell-O has started to firm a bit add cottage cheese and fruit. Mix well. Chill. Great as a salad or dessert.

Freedom Isn't Free... But It Is A Choice

We rarely ask, but he has a name. We would never know, but he has a story. We can’t miss him, slightly hunched, the proud elderly gentlemen with the decorated hat and vest. He usually stands outside of Giant Eagle passing out those little red flowers in exchange for a donation. Faithfully, he stands post. He is a Veteran of War.

As a “thank you” for the small amount of change I put in his bucket, he eagerly gives me that little red flower he calls a ‘Buddy Poppy.’ Until recently, I never contemplated all that the little flower represented. I learned that these little trinkets of thanks are normally assembled by disabled veterans. They construct and pass out these Poppies to raise money for hospital costs and other needs. However, there was something about these ‘Poppies’ that touched my heart even more…

“In the World War I battlefields of Belgium, poppies grew wild amid the ravaged landscape. How could such a pretty little flower grow wild while surrounded by death and destruction? The overturned soils of battle enabled the poppy seeds to be covered, thus allowing them to grow and to forever serve as a reminder of the bloodshed during that and future wars.”
http://www.vfw1733.org/buddy_poppy.html

I came to realize that as this ‘Poppy’ is handed to me, so is an opportunity. In that split second I can briefly connect myself with a part of the history that has given me my freedom. The one handing me this ‘Poppy’ may be one of the men who experienced the first United States draft registration during World War I. Maybe he aided in rescue efforts after Japan’s surprise assault on the U.S. air base at Pearl Harbor. Sadly, he could be one who returned home after Vietnam, reject and scored by many who would never understand his experience or sacrifice, and never even try to. These who stand outside of businesses with red flowers in hand, have a story. They are each a thread woven into the fabric that has made the comforter of freedom under which we all so easily lay.

‘Buddy Poppies’ will forever remind me that feeble hands, once strong, fought so that my hands would never have to. Freedom is never free; there is always a cost; it is called sacrifice.

As I was thinking about this, something in an email that my Aunt Jamie sent me last week, really hit home; “Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.” This is very true, except that Jesus died for our freedom too. Our soul’s freedom…

Many of us never realize that as free as this society allows us to be, we are still slaves to negative thoughts, habits, addictions, and memories. We can be as free as streakers at a baseball game, but if our souls are in bondage, we never truly experiencing freedom at all. We can be held in bondage by fear, regret, shame, bitterness, doubt, anxiety, jealousy, loneliness, stress… the list goes on and on. WE ALL HAVE something that keeps us from being utterly free. Thankfully, God’s Word tells us that Jesus came to set the captives free! (Luke 4:18). We are prisoners of war, battling against ourselves and so many outside influences. Until we surrender and allow Christ to truly change our hearts, we will always be a prisoner to something. We have to choose to love (and trust) Him back and accept the freedom He gives to experience true ‘soul freedom.’

What the ‘Buddy Poppy’ is to the Veteran (a symbol of sacrifice, dedication, and liberty), the Cross is to Jesus Christ and to all of us who choose it, a symbol of love, completion, and ultimate freeing freedom.

THANK YOU & GOD BLESS YOU!
TO ALL WHO HAVE, WHO ARE, AND WHO WILL SACRIFICE,
YOU ARE REMEMBERED AND APPRECIATED.

‘POPPY’ SEED CAKE
Ingredients

• 1 Package of Yellow Cake Mix
• 1 Box of French Vanilla Instant Pudding
• 1 Egg
• 1 cup of Water
• 1/2 cup of canola oil
• 2 teaspoons almond flavoring
• 3 Tablespoons of Poppy Seeds

Baking Instructions
Preheat oven to 350. Spray a Bundt Pan with oil and lightly coat with sugar (It won’t stick to the cake). Mix all ingredients and pour into Bundt pan
Bake for 40-45 minutes
Cool for about 20 minutes then flip on dish- A nice glaze would compliment this well!

THE ROYAL WEDDING

The Royal Wedding

To be a princess…

Standing in front of a full-length mirror, she saw herself, a bride. Dressed in lace, decorated with jewels, and trailed by a beautiful veil, she would soon be a princess. Did she always dream about becoming a princess? As a little girl, did she twirl in pretty dresses and pretend to be swept away by her Knight in Shining Armor? On April 29th, many of us day-dreamed about being Kate Middleton, or should I now say, ‘Her Royal Highness Princess William Arthur Philip Louis, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, Baroness Carrickfergus.’ Wow! In one day, she went from a commoner to Royal Highness, Princess, Duchess, Countess, and Baroness. What a title!

In my own daydream, I remembered a box full of beautifully worn and torn old prom dresses that I used to play with in our childhood basement. They were my mom’s dresses from the 70’s. Bold multicolor striped, magenta, green shin length, long-sleeved burgundy lace, these dresses were anything but spectacular, but to me and my girlfriends, these were not just old prom dresses; they were ‘special’ dresses that could transcend us from my Garfield Heights basement in 1987, to a Royal Ballroom wedding celebration for us and my our very own ‘Knight in shining armor!’ I laugh when I think back to those times in the basement. Little girls almost always dream about being somebody’s princess.

Humbly, I realize I have been so very blessed to feel like somebody’s princess… three times.

I started dating when I was three years old. Really! My dad took me out once every couple months for the entire day. He called it, ‘Queen for a Day.’ The date began with breakfast, followed by a trip to the beauty salon, and finished with a grand finale like the Goodtime III or the Bolshoi Ballet. I will never forget those ‘Grand Finales.’ My dad sure is something. The entire time we were on our date he would open all doors for me, pull out my chairs before I sat, never let me walk on the outside of the side walk (in case a car jumped the curve he walked closest to the street) and he would insist that any man worth marrying would be sure to do the same. He was right. My husband did all of those things on our first date, and he continues to do them to this day. His selfless love and commitment to me is what makes me feel like a princess; for the second time.

Still, there is someone who’s Royalty and Kingship has actually given me the truest title of Princess Josephine. Really, I AM A PRINCESS! Oh now don’t be jealous, this King would be more than happy to make you His princess too. I’ve been on a poem kick. Here is one to help you understand.

Oh to be a princess
Someone’s real Cinderella
The Grand Ballroom, a big white dress,
And just the perfect fella’.

Red carpet, glass slippers, with jewels that glisten and shine
First class, fine dining
and to know it was just all mine

That Someone would find me the fairest
More than any other one before
To think that I was the one and only
His Royal heart would adore

Then I understood…

The One who sought my heart
Was the One who put it all together
He knew that I was flawed in many ways
But none of which He wouldn’t weather

With immense joy He pursued me
Showering me with precious gifts, patience and love
I knew His heart for me was different
Only to understand it was from above

No Earthly man could ever
Love in a way so pure and true
This Love is unexplainable
Because Love equals You.

Ladies, we can be thankful that God is a gentleman and anxiously awaits an invitation to be the King of our hearts. We at least can agree that we all have that same burning desire to be genuinely loved; even though we are often unlovable. To be perfectly frank, although they love me the best they can, even my dad and my husband cannot fulfill that love I desire. You know why? We were purposefully created with a part of our hearts that would never be satisfied by any earthly object or being. Our Creator intended to make us, His creation, with unfinished hearts. He did this to know that He wasn’t forcing us to love Him, but rather giving us the choice. See, relationships worth having are never forced, they’re chosen, agreed upon, and then continuously worked on and nurtured. A relationship with God, a true King is no different. He gave us a choice to choose Royalty and be made whole, or to remain unfinished in constant pursuit of love (1 John 4:10, Romans 5:8). Only love from this King can ever satisfy the heart of a princess.
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8”

HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD!
You’ll never know what our relationship means to me. Thank you for being my first date, setting a Godly standard, and ALWAYS ENCOURAGING ME! I love you.

Easy Recipe for Chicken ALA “KING”

1 pkg. frozen peas (10 oz.)
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. minced onions
1/4 c. minced garlic
Dash of red pepper flakes
1/4 c. all purpose flour
1 c. chicken broth
1 c. milk or light cream
2 c. cooked diced chicken
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Cook peas, drain and set aside. Place butter, onion, garlic and red pepper flakes in a 3 quart glass casserole dish. Cover and microwave 2-3 minutes or until tender. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in chicken broth and milk. Microwave 3-7 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. Add peas and remaining ingredients. Cover and microwave 5-7 minutes or until bubbly. Stir once during cooking. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve over rice or egg noodles.

Update & Article

In trying to better understand the blogging world, I have been taking a break to learn and collect information on how to improve my writing and blogging efforts. I am thinking about starting over in a sense, and I am also looking at the benefits of wordpress in comparison to blogger.  I know God has put something on my heart, I want to be accurate, effective, and faithful with how I share it.  Until I get this together, I may be on here only briefly.  For anyone who reads this, please pray that I will hear Him and follow through. Thank you!  Here is the last article I wrote for a local column.  Hope it blesses you!

Mother ‘May’ I?

Do you remember that childhood game, Mother May I? One lucky individual got to be the caller, ‘Mother’, and keeper of the privileged porch position, while all of the other kids asked from the sidewalk for precious steps to come near to her. They’d inquire, “Mother, may I take three steps forward?” ‘Mother’ could say yes or no, or instruct to take one bunny hop forward or three baby steps back. There were all sorts of steps: giant steps, umbrella steps, baby steps, and I recently read that there were Cinderella steps too! Only ‘Mother’ determined everyone’s steps, picked who was next to gain that favored position, and directed at what pace they would attain it.

In a sense, this game is very much like childhood. Depending on the parenting, moms greatly influence how their children will develop in life. Many never know the influence of an actual birth mom but experience childhood with foster/adopted parents. Some never enjoy a ‘mom’ at all. Yet, everyone, no matter how they were parented, has someone influence their childhood and ultimately play a role in how they now live their adult life. Not every mom is a June Cleaver clone. ‘Mom’ could be the elderly neighbor lady that showed you how to sew and cook. ‘Mom’ could be the loving lady at church that followed you as you grew, offering words of wisdom whenever the opportunity was present. ‘Mom’ could be the teacher/coach that invested quality time, effort, and sacrifice to see you succeed. ‘Mom’ could be the grandma that took over. ‘Mom’ could be Dad! ‘Moms’ are those that gently and lovingly came along side of you to help you through life as a child, adolescent and an adult. They were there even when you were not obedient, lovable, or receptive. Think of the ‘Mom’ in your life… now wait, that thought right there, the one that just warmed your heart- what did your ‘Mom’ do that let you know you were genuinely thought about and loved?

I have to tell you about my mom…

Mother?

May I keep toys to myself, never offering to share?
NO you may not, you better not dare!

May I steal this candy, and pay for it another day?
NO you may not, and your monthly allowance just went away!

May I call my brother names, he called me something bad.
NO you may not, get in that room, I’m getting your dad!

Mother?

May I wear a short skirt and shirt too tight?
No you may not, unless you want a fight!

May I drive with my friends and stay out late?
NO you may not, and you’ll wait ‘til 40 to date.

May I skip school and try a cigarette?
NO you may not, and I’ll teach you a lesson you’ll never forget.

Mother?

May I change my major or quit for a while?
NO you may not, this is just a test, a perseverance trial.

May I call off work for no reason at all?
NO you may not; it’s a measure of character, but at this point it’s your call.

May I fight with my husband and just leave when I’m mad?
NO you may not; we believe in commitment, though I’m sorry you’re sad.

MOM

May I tell you thank you for all your selfless guidance and love?
Your determination to see me make it is a gift from God above.
May I close with my indebtedness for your life of sacrifice?
You offer me all you are, and for that there is no price.


I truly do not have enough space in this paper to write all that I thank the Lord for when it comes to my mom. He picked her as the one to give birth and raise me, on Sept 16, 1982- and I am so very humbled and thankful that He did.

He could have picked someone that would have abused or abandoned me. He could have picked a teenage girl, who was unwed and claimed virginity, while she displayed a big ol’ baby bump, only able to give birth in an area that housed smelly animals… wait, He reserved that kind of girl to deliver Him… God in flesh, Savior of mankind, and Creator. Could you imagine being a mom like Mary? She birthed the One who created her! Kind of crazy if you think about it. Mary accepted the responsibility of being a mom who would never have final authority over her Son. She would never be able to stop Him once He decided to leave. She would have to suffer immense ridicule from those who thought her Son was weird, crazy, and unstable. Sadly, she would have to painfully watch her Son go through a horrific death and ultimately she would have to trust her own Son to be the Savior of her own life. Mary probably never heard, ‘Mother May I’?

Unfortunately, kids can be unruly and moms can disappoint- Thankfully, there is One who promises that NO MATTER WHAT, when we trust Him, He will always love, protect, comfort and provide more than any earthly mom can. Psalm 68:5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God... (Great verses- Psalm 27:10, Job 29:12)


May 8th is Mothers Day.
Let the ‘Mother(s)’ of influence in your life know that they are
appreciated, respected, and loved.


“My Mom Hall of Fame”

Angie Gangale- Compassionate and Giving Grandmother of my husband (and me). Loyal and Loving Mother of two. Always teaching me so much.

Philomena Valley- Selfless and Dedicated Mother of four boys, including my husband (God Bless Her), and always Wonderful to me.

Marcella Butkovic (Late) – Tender and Kindhearted Grandmother of mine. Patient and devoted Mother of six. Taught me much about stick-to-itiveness.

Josie Graceffo- Encouraging and Nurturing Grandmother of mine. Compassionate and enduring Mother of four. (Gram- You will never know how thankful I am for all you do/done for me and our family).

Nancy Butkovic- Amazingly understanding, unselfish and generous Mother of two. I Love You Very Much Mom! I hope you like the poem. Happy Mother’s Day!

6 Word Mania, I Tell Ya!

Once again I am feverishly pursuing the scholarships graciously available through

Cecil Murphy and the She Speaks Team for the She Speaks Conference.

This scholarship is through the She Reads ministry and it really is an amusing one.

Here are the requirements:

In 6 words tell your story… That’s right, the WHOLE ‘she’bang!

From start to finish, just six words to bedazzle em’!

Ernest Hemingway did:

Baby Shoes. For Sale. Never Worn.

Therefore, I can too. So can you! If you’re interested at throwing your hat in the mix, and attending an amazingly God centered Spirit lead women’s conference, check this out!

To the hard part…

Deciding on my overall ‘she’bang, however, was not easy.

                     My story is less than typical.

                                              More than redemptive.

                                    And everything necessary in between.

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

A Few For Fun!

FAIRYTALE ASPIRATIONS. DUNGEON. HAPPILY EVER AFTER...

CINDERELLA DREAMS. CINDERELLA’S HANDMAIDEN. HIS CINDERELLA…

= Reflections of my formative years.

VACANT. PARTIALLY AVAILABLE. NOW OCCUPIED…

= Reflections of my heart.

WASN'T SURE. WAS ASSURED. NOW INSURED…

= Reflections of my growth.

HELP! SEEKING CARPENTER. NEEDING PLANKS REMOVED…

= Reflections of my attitude.

Settled,
 after five billion hours of these little six word rockets blasting away in my brain,

on this one.

DELICATE CRYSTAL. SHATTERED PORCELAIN! CLAY POT…

= REFLECTIONS OF HIS PLAN.

I lived my life my way.  Pursuing the American dream, one heartache at a time...

1st- A Delicate Crystal.

Saved at 5 yrs. old

Fairytale Princess

Enamored Over Love Stories

2nd- Shattered Porcelain!

Lost...

Testimony, to popularity.

Money, to night life.

Dignity, by choice.

Hope, after 11 year break-up.

Isaiah 64: 8 NIV

Yet, O LORD, You are our (my) Father. We  are (I) the clay, You are the Potter;

we are all  (I) the work of Your hand.

3rd- Clay Pot

Humbly Surrendered to His Sovereign Molding...

My pursuit of the American Dream was a painful and expensive one.
I cry when I think about life as the delicate crystal.
I cry because my Loving Father knew well my heart then.
He helped my find my way back to those original desires.
He gave me a love story far beyond
ANYTHING my imaginative mind could have created.
My husband, a prince, loves Jesus and He loves me.
I love Jesus and am now content being His clay pot.
May I always ponder the cracks that keep me bowed.

Loved this idea, again thank your for forcing growth! 

Prayers and Peace to you as you make your decision!

Deep Desire to Be Deeply Desired

My pursuit for love was a relentless one.

I never thought myself desperate. Yet, glimpses in the review mirror show otherwise…

Knuckles white from my grip on the wheel, my hands start to loosen and I look up.

There in the rearview-

I see her- long brown hair in a bow, dress slightly swaying, and insistent on interrupting every adult conversation in progress. Front and center she takes the stage, or the patio ledge. With hairbrush in fist and hand on hip, from the top of her lungs an offbeat in tune rendition of –

“On the Good Ship Lollipop”- pours out so heartily.

They clap and cheer. She is delighted.

Their approval was all that mattered. Desperate.

Head is down. I tightly clutch the wheel again.

Thinking of that little girl reminds me of all that life has changed.

She was bold, fearless, and magnetic.

Confident just as she was…

Apprehensive, I cannot help but lift my eyes one more time to the rearview.

There she is again starry-eyed, seventeen, and helplessly writing love notes. A pretty, popular, high school cheerleader and homecoming queen, she holds many titles. He is a football player, handsome, and admired. He took her love notes, read them, gave them meaning for a long while,

used them, and handed them back to her in pieces.

Just desperate for the title of being his- she sacrifices much.

This glimpse from the past hurts a bit more than the previous.

Feelings of vulnerability, rejection, and loss fill my heart as tears fill my eyes.

I glance away from the rearview- it hurts.

Suddenly warmth fills me, I am calm and safe.

My chin is lifted, not voluntarily, and my eyes again peer through the rearview.

In a deep gaze, I see something quite different.

Long brown hair in a bow, dress slightly swaying, and I take the patio stage
with hairbrush in hand.

There is no audience except for the Silhouette of One.

I finish my performance eagerly awaiting praise.

The Silhouette is clapping, however I can’t hear it.

The Silhouette has an endless bouquet of roses, and boxes of fine chocolates but I fail to see any of it.

I put my head down.

My chin lifts. I stare.

There she is again starry-eyed, seventeen, and helplessly writing love notes.

He took her love notes and handed them back to her in pieces.

As I look further, I see the Silhouette with papers in hand.

Many papers wrinkled and taped, but whole.

My love notes.

He waited to lavish me with flowers and chocolates following my grand performance.

He kept every love letter with anticipation to show me His.

The truest gentleman and lover of my heart.

Yearning only to be my deepest desire.

Delight Yourself in the Lord and He will give your hearts desires' to you. Psalm 37:4

He knows and loves our hearts.  He desires to truly fill them.

 

I post my heart hoping to connect yours with His- 

The One who graciously walks around our hearts and patiently waits in our thoughts-

 just to be desired.

 

I have to be honest.  This entire blog is product of a burning desire to share His deeply satisfying love to the species that craves relationship most- women. In pursuing these scholarship opportunities, this blog was birthed.  As I started to follow and read from all of the women's blogs involved in this pursuit, the Lord was doing a tremendous real work in my heart.  Because of these opportunities, I have learned so much so quickly.  There is a whole world of information out there that I never knew existed.   In one month I started a blog, submitted an article for a chance to be published in P31's great magazine, am teaching myself to tweet (kind of), found a friend, and wealth of resources:  Cecil Murprhy's Writers Blog, and Holy Experience, are just a couple.  Who would of thought?  But you know what I am learning most, through visiting the blogs of these women and gleaning wisdom from their stories- anything that is truly beneficial to another person, is only that which He has whispered clearly in their hearts- nothing extra.  As He leads, He works.  I pray that He will lead and trust me to be a tool He uses to touch the hearts of women.  Do you desire the same?  Check out the She Speaks Conference.  I have to already say thank you to the She Speaks community, I have been forever blessed in this pursuit.  Thank you for pushing me forward.  Ann, your post broke me. Thank you- If you haven't seen it, you need to; and you can also apply for this scholarship-HERE Thank you for this opportunity.