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July 21, 2008
Sir Elton John
So, I'm off to see Elton, live in concert right here in Vermont! I love his music and saw him and Billy Joel in concert together seven years ago in Montreal. A very dear friend and I, who saw him together last time, are heading out tonight to see him again.
The tickets sort of came to me unexpectedly. I bought tickets earlier this year to see Toby Keith in August then I heard about Elton, but soon realized it would be quite difficult and expensive to get tickets to see him so I didn't even really give it much more thought.
My boss had actually bought tickets to Elton, but planned to sell them on ebay for oodles of money. She had also purchased two tickets for another co-worker who had planned to actually go to the concert then decided nearly last minute she didn't want to go and just wanted to sell them for what she had paid for them. I overheard this conversation and was like, "You have tickets?" And she did, pretty decent seats too so I called my friend Val and said, "Hey, you want to go see Elton John again?" and she said, "You mean SIR Elton John." and I was like, "Oh, yeah, sorry, SIR Elton John now." and she said, "SURE!"
So, were off. I must say I really enjoyed him last time in concert and I especially LOVE him at the piano! And my boss never sold hers on ebay so she will be there as well.
We'll also get some shopping time in as we will be in the big B where there are lots of stores and I don't get out much these days, esp with gas prices the way they are. So we'll do some shopping, have some dinner and then go to the concert which is expected, by the way, to draw over 10,000 people! For little old Vermont at some fairgrounds, that is quite a crowd!
The girls survived camping in tents for almost an entire week. They got home Saturday and poor Hannah is still trying to catch up on her sleep! They had a really good time and it was good for them and us.
Today, the oldest one takes her first driving lesson with her instructor. I've never seen a kid SO excited to get her license. I don't remember being that excited about it, but she is. She's gotten to this point in her life that she CANNOT wait to spread her wings and fly. She is certainly independent and wants to excude her independence. Part of me is ready for that and another part is not.
I think I've raised a pretty good kid, she's headstrong for sure, but I can only hope and pray she always uses her sense and whatever mistakes she makes she will learn from them. I see a lot of myself in her, most of that is good, I think?
Posted by tracey at 07:41 AM | Comments (0)
July 19, 2008
A glimmer of Grace
Seeing others through Grace, that hurt us and disappoint us is not an easy thing to do. It's actually quite difficult at times.
How do you find Grace in someone or something, that has caused you heartache and despair. Someone who constantly feels resentment towards you no matter how good you have tried to be towards them.
I'm pretty content with the person I have become. At nearly 40 years of age I feel I have made some pretty good strides so far, made LOTS of mistakes too, but have tried to learn from these mistakes and move on. Sometimes though, it is hard for me to move on or let things go because sometimes it's just always the same stuff I'm trying to let go of or move away from. I think I have let a lot go, more than I use too, I try and overlook the little annoyances and keep my eyes set on the good. It's not worth getting upset over every little thing in life right?
I'm NOT perfect, far from it. I do have my opinions, my beliefs, but I don't think I try to shove that down anyone else's throat or at least I'm pretty sure I don't. I'm a hard worker, always have been. What I have I have earned on my own and with no handouts. I don't expect them. I wasn't raised that way. I mind my own business and allow that to others so long as their business isn't causing me distress in some way, directly or indirectly. I go to work everyday, raise my kids and have tried to teach and instill in them the most important virtues in life which I believe are honesty, respectfulness, modesty, purity, justice, generosity, perseverance, loyality and patience. (That last one I struggle with ALL the time!)
I raised my oldest daughter on my own for the first 8 years of her life. I worked full time as a licensed practical nurse and we lived three years in the same apartment and during this time I traveled every other weekend to a University 90 miles each way, to study towards my RN degree. Being a single parent was tough financially and I wanted things for my daughter that I couldn't always afford, sometimes I would charge these things and that was a mistake! But...those bills too, did eventually get paid.
I met my husband in 1997, moved in with him in 1998 and we married in 1999. We have lived in the same home ever since. Another daughter came into our lives in 2001 and completed our family. I graduated with my associates degree in nursing the year we married and have continued to work full time and provide for my family their basic needs and for others in my life things they need and things I have wanted to do for them.
I don't ask alot of anyone except kindness and respect and this I especially ask of my children and I don't think that is asking too much?
I don't expect privileges and indulgences, and I certainly don't feel entitled to exploit other people without any trace of reciprocation. I really try to just go about my own life without causing a lot of grief for others. I don't believe I display any nasty behaviors that would be considered emotionaly stressful to others. I am not entitled to anything in this life, but a little common decency and respect.
I try and remember everyone near to me during difficult and good times, holidays and just visiting because I want to visit and not because I need or want something in return.
I've been told it's better to look for the good in others even if it's buried deep. I've been told we will see the Grace in others if we look hard enough. Sometimes there is only a glimmer that is quickly extinguished! But it is still there, somewhere.
So I try to do this. I look for this in everyone even when I have reached the end of my rope with some. Life is short. I have seen the end in many during my 20 years of nursing. To go out of this world without respect, without grace, without dignity is very sad and I pray for those who persecute me now, from my past and those to come. For Grace is the dignity we harbor in ourselves of who we truly are and can become.
So, I feel very strongly it is not wise to be envious of what others have in life and then become vehemently critical of them when you have just tried to give some positive criticism in hopes that they too will search deep within themselves for that glimmer of Grace... and somewhere...find it.
Posted by tracey at 08:40 PM | Comments (0)
July 12, 2008
Exactly my thoughts!!!
(blog entry from Internet cafe...)
Is God Sovereign Over THAT?
God has been reminding me that since He is Sovereign over all, then He is Sovereign over what family I was born in to. That might sound a little simple, but when you think of how easy it is to "go down the road" of reflecting on the past and holding on to those things that have been hard, it is easy to get into them mindset that there was some kind of mistake along the way! To look back over the years and remember those things that have been hurtful, or not handled correctly, can cause me to become tempted to give into bitterness and resentment.
There was a time that much of what I did as a parent was done with the attitude that I wanted things to be different for my children than they were for me. If I am not careful my focus can be on "how I'M going to do it 'differently' rather than "How does God want me to do it?"
God has been changing my perspective on this, and I am so grateful. I find that if I am focused on God, rather than what I perceive to be the "mistakes" that were made in my own childhood, I experience such peace! As I look back over the years I can learn so much. I can learn from the good and I can learn from the bad. I can be a better mom as a result of the good, and as a result of the bad. There are lessons from both. It is so encouraging to know that God uses both the good and the bad in our lives, and that they can both serve to make us better if we can see them as God sees them. Not only is it encouraging and freeing for me personally but it encourages me to know that my children will be able to look back on their lives and see the good and the bad, and that God will use it ALL for their good.
As easy as it might be for me to slip into "remembering" and use THAT as my standard for what I do, I am praying that God would constantly remind me that the only standard I have is His Word. If I seek His face and do things the way He tells me to do them, that will be enough.
"Thank you Father, that Your Word gives me everything I need for life and godliness, and that when I focus on YOU I can be confident that YOU will help me to be the best mom I can be! Thank you that YOU show me such mercy when I "mess up" as a mom. I pray that I would see my own parents through eyes of grace!"
Posted by tracey at 08:38 PM | Comments (1)
July 11, 2008
Personalities and the summer time!
Without God in our lives things can get pretty complicated. More so then when He IS in your lives. Then throw in all the different personalities we have, envy, resentment and social skills and it makes for a BIG mess!
I try to be as family oriented as possible, I love my family, I want only the best for them and this includes my extended family as well. I've always been at the hub of family. I have especially enjoyed geneaology and have spent hours on this research. I love get togethers and just time spent with one another.
I'm starting to wonder though, why I enjoy this so much? Maybe I shouldn't. I guess I need to back off, make some room and continue to pray for all my LOST loved ones, as there are MANY.
The Devil has a hold at this moment, think he always has actually. So prayer is in desperate need.
The summer, actually, is turning out to be ok despite the choppy start. The girls are off to camp next week with some very dear friends. They will attend their church's Vacation Bible School this year and then spend the rest of the time camping in tents at a campground. Should be a good time for them both and to be with fellow believers is a PLUS!
Our weather has been good, finally cooled off a little and that nasty humidity has let up for the moment.
Hubby and I plan to enjoy our "kidless" time next week and work on our new shed/garage and visit with his brother and wife and maybe have dinner out one night with them as well.
I can't believe it's getting to be that time again to start thinking about school starting and clothes and all that! Our summers just go by WAY TOO fast!
But I am blessed for all I have and all there is yet to be. Time will and can, only tell.
Posted by tracey at 10:14 AM | Comments (0)
July 05, 2008
Bullies
DEFINITION OF:
1. a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people.
2. Archaic. a man hired to do violence.
–verb (used with object) 6. to act the bully toward; intimidate; domineer.
–verb (used without object) 7. to be loudly arrogant and overbearing.
To treat in an overbearing or intimidating manner.
To make (one's way) aggressively.
noun
1. a cruel and brutal fellow
CRUDE:
–adjective
1. in a raw or unprepared state; unrefined
2. lacking in intellectual subtlety, perceptivity, etc.; rudimentary; undeveloped.
3. lacking finish, polish, or completeness
4. lacking culture, refinement, tact, etc.
5. undisguised; blunt
6. Obsolete. unripe; not mature.
All definitions of a person who is considered a bully and VERY crude. And this pretty much sums it up for me. I just wonder though, is this behavior inherited or learned? Or, maybe it's both...I'll have to do some further research.
Let's just say, having someone like this in your extended family is NOT a lot of fun.
Posted by tracey at 08:31 AM | Comments (0)