Ahhh...Forgiveness!

Things at our house have been fairly un-fun lately. 

But Sunday morning at Memorial was incredible! I know I will not be able to do it justice; you really had to be there! Long story short: Terry and Craig preached together. Craig was the youth minister at Memorial years ago and was fired. Obviously, that is not a fun situation for either side. To Craig's credit AND Memorial's, Craig came back to Memorial a few years later. He is now on staff again. Craig and Terry started out on opposite sides of the stage Sunday morning, each telling the story of the firing, the coming back, the on staff again. But the underlying theme was forgiveness. The more Craig talked, the more convicted I became. He spoke of festering in his anger toward Terry and the elders. Boy, that was me! I had been living in anger toward B and wallowing in it! He spoke of forgetting what is behind and striving toward what is ahead and thinking on such things that are pure, lovely, etc. As the invitation was offered, I told Doug I had to go. We walked up together. I had no idea that HE was responding too! So we confessed and apologized and the burden was lifted immediately! It's already changed how we deal with B together. :D 

So after church, I was talking to a friend about past hurts and not being able to forgive. I was reminded of my time in Virginia and the hurt and anger I felt toward someone there that I felt had wronged me. It's been 20 years!!! So I sent him a message telling him of my anger over all these years but that I didn't want to live in that any longer. (By the way, it wasn't anger I was living in daily, reliving what had happened, but every time I thought of my time there, the hurt would come up!) Anyway, just typing and sending the message was very freeing. But this morning, I heard back from him. The tears came as I read his apology and regret over what happened all those years ago. 

Forgiveness....it's a GOOD thing!!!

We had another wonderful reunion time in York this weekend! It was Doug's 25th class reunion from York College. It was so great seeing old friends, sharing old memories and making new ones! I have been blessed with many wonderful friends over the years; there is just something extra special about old friends! 

It's my most favorite time of year! When the temperatures cool enough to open the windows....Yesterday and today are the kind of weather I think I could handle year round! Cooler weather just makes me smile! I went for a walk this morning and in the shade got a shiver! :D One thing I need to be more conscious of though, is my husband isn't as fond of cool weather as I am. My motto is I would rather put on another blanket or sweatshirt than close the windows! :D He's a good sport though! Thank you, sweetsie! 

I am so blessed! I don't remind myself of that often enough!

Jason preached this morning; it was so good, as usual! Something he said really hit me in regard to my struggles with B: He was using Ephesians 6:11-14. He was talking about conflicts with people etc. and how the person isn't your enemy.

 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Eph. 6:12)

Then I read this in Josh Graves' blog:

"We only get one brief shot to make a difference in this world. Most of us might not have the opportunity (or burden) to impact the world to the degree of Eli Wiesel. I am certain, however, that with our very words, we can create and heal more worlds than we'd ever thought possible."

How much of a difference will I make when I stop thinking of him as my enemy and start realizing what a healer God  could use me to be in his life? 

Being a stepmom is still hard. I keep thinking it's going to get easier, but I'm not sure. There are times when it seems like it's getting easier, and then something happens that just slaps me in the face. The most difficult thing for me is how it hurts my husband. There isn't much I hate more than knowing that I have hurt or am hurting my husband. I think I'M in a no-win situation; he is even more so. Yet the selfish part of me keeps wanting him to see MY side. UGH! 

Well, we are home from our vacation! We had a blast in Detroit volunteering at the PGA Championship! The weather was FABULOUS! We didn't have to work until Thursday, so we spent Monday-Wednesday watching golf. We saw most of our favorite golfers and got some great pictures. We even saw Jim Nantz from CBS on Wednesday! Monday we ran into Doug Ferguson about 5 minutes after we got there. We got to have dinner with him Monday night and then saw him off and on while we worked Thursday-Sunday. It wasn't as busy as last year, but it was still fun! The people we worked with were really nice, especially our committee chairperson. Wednesday night, we met Eric, Natalie and Melaina Magnusson for dinner. Of course, Melaina took right to Doug! :D 

We decided that we will do well retired: we loved all the time we got to spend together!

I know, I know....It's been a while. :D

I have been having SO MUCH FUN finding old friends on Facebook! People I haven't been in contact with for YEARS! I just love it! And one of the most amazing things is that I have been finding people on other people's friend list. And I didn't know Friend A knew Friend B! The world is SO small, especially in the church. I LOVE IT!

I've been feeling rather blah lately and I don't know why. Things at our house have been busy, but good. We got B graduated. :D It's still hard to believe! It probably won't sink in until fall when he starts college. 

I'm really excited about starting our ladies Bible study tonight! 

But I am very weary of small group. We met last night to discuss what we wanted from small group. I froze. I didn't say a word. I wanted to, but for some reason, I couldn't. My husband was disappointed in me, which makes me sad. I really feel the need for a break, but I couldn't say it. I have a hard time voicing opinions that I SHOULD voice and a much too easy time voicing opinions that I should keep to myself! 

I am sitting here listening to the rain. It's kind of dark and dreary today, but the grass and trees are so green, it's not all that bad. I started to go out and run around some and then decided I would just come back home. So I have been surfing the Internet and catching up with old friends via Facebook. 

We spent a wonderful week in southern California last week. The first three days were chill time for Doug and I; boy, did we need that! It was so much fun to be away and just the two of us! We went to a See's Candies store which was one of the highlights of the trip for me! We put 600 miles on our rental car just driving up down the Pacific Coast Highway. The scenery is beautiful! On Sunday, we got to go to a Dodgers game which was so much fun! It was really hot, but the experience of being at Dodger Stadium was well worth the sweat! 

The rest of our week was spent enjoying the 65th Annual Pepperdine Bible Lectures. WOW! We heard some awesome speakers and were challenged to live the Sermon on the Mount. The singing was incredible. I love singing at the top of my lungs and still not being able to hear myself! We saw quite a few friends, old and new. 

Next week is graduation and we will celebrate our FIFTH wedding anniversary!! I can hardly believe it! Where did the last five years go?! It has been a fabulous ride!!!

The Lord's Prayer

This was too cute not to share. Thanks for posting, Tammy!!

Well, another Tulsa Workshop is in the books. It was wonderful to see old friends and hear great speakers; and the singing....oh the singing! It's my first memory of the Tulsa Workshop, walking into the Pavilion on Thursday night, the singing already started. I thought I had died and gone to heaven! I grew up in relatively small churches,  and to experience that many people in one place praising God, struck pure awe in me. 

Thursday night this year was another highlight for me. Free Indeed and Jerome Williams were leading worship. They called up Booker Murphy to join them. In 1982, he was the "old black man" leading singing that I loved. I was 18; he's not even old now, so I hate to think how old he probably was back then! (In fact, he was probably about the same age I am now!) The song I always associate with him is "I'll Live in Glory". Imagine the thrill that ran through me when that song popped up on the screen while he was leading!!! It was the best! To top it off, I saw he and his wife on Saturday and got to meet him and tell him this story. It truly was one of the highlights of this year's Workshop for me.

I was able to attend several classes this year, all good. Terry Rush, Dusty Rush, Patrick Mead and Josh Graves, Randy Harris....

I love the Tulsa Workshop! 

Boy is God working overtime this morning with reminders of His presence and that He alone is in control, no matter what I may think to the contrary! :o) I love how God works. From my calendar today that reads: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."  James 4:8  I have not been feeling particularly close to God lately. Oh, I still pray and read my Bible, the things you are "supposed" to do; but I haven't felt Him close to me. All morning long, I keep being drawn back to the calendar; it's like God is saying to ME: Danna, HEY! Just stay close to me and I will ALWAYS be there with you and for you. So then He draws me to read some blogs this morning. Lindsay and then Heather; and I am reminded again, that He's ALWAYS there....I just have to open my eyes.

Why is it that when you have the TV all to yourself, there isn't one thing to watch except the thing you would be watching if your husband were home?!?!?

WORKSHOP IS NEXT WEEK!!! I said this out loud to a friend today, and it caught me off guard. Not that I wasn't aware of the dates of this year's Workshop; I just couldn't believe it's NEXT WEEK!!! Workshop is one of my most favorite times of year. I have loved it since the first time I came to Tulsa in 1982, when I was 18 years old. What a privilege to get to be a part of this awesome event, not only as an attendee, but as a member at Memorial and then as co-coordinator for 2005, 2007 and 2008. I've already been dreaming about it, wondering who will be here, what old friends I am going to see. And last night I dreamed that no one showed up. :o( 

VALENTINE'S DAY!! I love it! It's a beautiful day today, although a tad windy. I'll take the wind anyday! After all, I lived in the true windy city, Oklahoma City, for many years!

I am so blessed! I have the greatest husband and friends in the entire universe!!!!

It's another dreary day. I never thought I would say this, but I am really ready for some warmer weather! And SUNSHINE!!! I don't think I would survive in the Northwest!

I've entered the world of Facebook. I have to say, it sort of makes me feel cool. :o) It's a really good feeling to know that people want to be your friends.

OK, OK....Since I have been tagged TWICE to do this, I figured I better get at it! And REALLY: Has it been since JULY that I last blogged??????


The Rules: Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.Share 5 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, ORShare the 5 top places on your “want to see or want to see again” list, ORShare 5 things you never pictured being in your future when you were 25 years old.Tag a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog. The tagees have a choice of which they want to do.

I'm gonna have to go with 5 places I would like to see or see again:

1) Niagra Falls~I am amazed by water falls and cannot even comprehend what this place must be like!

2) Whale watching in Maui~OH MAN! This was one of the most awesome experiences I have ever had! It was amazing....and it was really a God moment for me. Our experiences with God's creation are so....everyday sometimes, that I think we forget His magnificance! These gigantic creatures reminded me how small I am in the scheme of things, but what a GREAT and MIGHTY God loves ME!

3) Alaska~Truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

4) The Holy Lands~I would love to see with my own eyes places I have read about my entire life, places where Jesus walked and talked and loved people.

5) Waynesboro, VA~ I lived here for one year and treasure the friendships and experiences. (Can't say that I treasured the experiences at the time, but looking back, it was good.) It's a beautiful part of the country.

So....I will tag, Theresa, Shane M and Sandy.... :o)