Several times I have sat and attempted to articulate in writing, even a small amount of what I have been able to process since returning home from the Passion Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Each time I tried to write about my experience on the prayer team, however, I was unable. I love to pray, but I also love being around the young people, holding doors open for them and watching them absorb a few days' worth of the best and most anointed teachings they may ever have the opportunity to hear. I enjoy watching them lean in to learn all that they can, have their minds renewed, their hearts transformed, and experience Jesus like never before - many for the very first time. This year, however, I had the opportunity to pray for them from behind the scenes on the intercessory prayer ... View Post
Patient-to-Nurse Wisdom, “Please Pass the Chocolate Cake!”
For the past weeks, I've thought about what I would do differently in 2015. I stopped making resolutions in 2010, and instead had fun checking activities off of my life's bucket list, and attempting to learn some important life's lessons along the way. This year, aside from the yearly usual, "making health a priority," goal, I could think of nothing exciting or meaningful to plan. I'm home alone this New Year's Eve - First time ever since becoming an "empty nester." I thought for SURE I'd have thought of a list of at least 10 things to do differently in 2015, but it was almost 9 p.m., and I could think of NOTHING! So, I took a bubblebath. That's right. I took a bubblebath. As I lay there covered in bubbles, I began thinking backwards into all that took place in 2014, and the ... View Post
The ONLY Gift Worth Celebrating
Every morning on my way to work, I stop at the usual place, at the usual time, and visit with the usual clerk behind the counter as I order my coffee. She's a sweet woman, bubbly and friendly, and she always greets me as if she's genuinely happy to see me, looks me in my eyes, smiles, and tells me to have a blessed day when I leave and also gifted me with a custom face underwear!! But she also gives to each of her customers her daily dose of "unsolicited wisdom," as she likes to call it. I always agree to listen, simply because I really enjoy her, and so often her wisdom really IS just that - WISDOM! Yesterday, she suggested that if I had any younger children, to give them the least expensive gifts but personalized gifts for dad, as those from Santa, and the most expensive ones ... View Post
Lighthouse Pineapple Cake (by Judy & Brenda)
2 cups of flour 2 cups of sugar 2 eggs 2 tsp. baking soda Can of crushed pineapple in juice - not syrup ( large can - not the 1/2 size can - it used to be called a #2 size) Spoon mix completely - will be lumpy Bake in a 9 x 13 greased (Pam) pan at 350 for about 40 minutes - watch so that it doesn’t get too brown but is done While cake is baking, melt 1 stick of butter or marg. in a medium size pan. Add 1 c. sugar and 3/4 of a can of eval. milk. Boil 5 minutes - stir often. add 1 tsp. of vanilla flavoring. Poke holes in cake - all over - loosen the cake all the way around the edges. Pour mixture over cake. Cool and refrigerate. ENJOY!!!! ... View Post
When A Nurse Leave The Unit
It's early morning, and as I sit here gazing at my Christmas tree, I can't help but reflect on my last day of working in the ICU, and the goodbyes I said last night. In the center of the tree, in perfect sight is the Christmas ornament a nursing classmate bought me the year we both graduated. It was December 2006. January would bring with it not only a whole new year, but a new job working in the ICU, learning brand new skills, and forming many new friendships. How ironic that I sit here this morning and there in front of me is that same ornament reminding me of another new start in my life. I can't help but wonder what is in front of me now as another new year begins. There were so many "lasts" as I worked yesterday. Friends reminded me this would be our "last" shift together, ... View Post
Complain, Complain, Complain…… (STOP!)
My continuous, never-ending complaining about the exact same set of circumstances was what drove my friend (I'll refer to her as "Emma") to the point that she had to sit me down and TELL me, that this was a friendship she was willing, but sad, to lose. She would give me ideas and suggestions, and even encouragement on how my circumstances could change, and my life become a healthier one, (as well as that of our friendship), but the truth was, I had made "complaining" a habit.......... If she wouldn't listen, I'd just find someone who would. That's no way to live, let me tell you! That was probably about 15 years ago. Fast forward to now, I have come to cherish the occasional, yearly lunches with Emma, and her friendship and brutal honesty with me is what I appreciate most about ... View Post
Scrubbing the Floor (with God)
Flipping the "brew" switch on my coffee maker this morning, and heading to the basement to start a load of laundry was my intent. But when my bare feet hit the kitchen floor, and STUCK to it, a bucket, a wash rag, and a half-cup of Mr. Clean suddenly became more important than laundry. I dragged my kitchen chairs out into the hallway, and after sweeping, I hit my knees. Yep, I hit my knees. To scrub the floor, that is! There is no cleaner floor, than one that is hand-scrubbed on hands and knees. But there is also something about POSTURE that allows the Lord to get my full attention. There I was, down as low as I could go. I could see all of the splashes, all of the stains from dripped spaghetti sauce, sticky spots from spilled orange juice that I had somehow missed when I ... View Post
Mom, Dad, Why Are You Getting Your Hair All Wet?
I should be counting the days left at my job, in nervous anticipation of starting a new one, and in the sadness of leaving my comfort zone and people I know and love. I should be counting the days until my son comes home from college. I can't WAIT to see him, and throw my arms around him and give him a Mom-size hug! I should be counting the days until my trip out-of-state in January. But I'm not! (At least, for now, I'm not). Instead, I'm counting the days until Sunday, when my friends Jessica & Tim get baptized. I've not been this excited over a baptism since that of my sons. Jessica has asked me how to explain WHY they are getting baptized, to her young children, so I have been praying for the words to share. And praying, and waiting, and praying, and ... View Post