There are several opportunities in my life for which I am grateful! Being a Christ-follower, being a mom (and, yes, a wife! 😊), being a college graduate, being a Norwex Consultant.  What?!?! Where did that come from?  Why do I say that?

 I recently overheard a person mention that his small business was ‘legitimate’ unlike those ‘MLM* people.’  Hmmm.  My first reaction was to be offended.  But he didn’t even know me or know that I was ‘one of those’ people.  Anyone who knows me knows that I hate to be the cause of wrongful disparagement to God, my family, my church, or myself.  I think that was the source of my reaction to this person’s statement. 

After mulling it over for several days, I concluded that it is human nature to think that things ‘outside the norm’ are strange.  After all, we run with the masses – or at least our peers.  But we are so blessed to be in a country of free enterprise and entrepreneurial-ness (Is that a word??).  The ‘norm’ in this country is for large companies to spend millions of dollars to advertise their products, to place them in ‘brick and mortar’ stores, and to pay their employees a set amount for their work (the lower, the better for the company’s bottom line) and for 'regular people' to flock to purchase.

Then, there are other companies (usually smaller) who choose to spend their ‘advertising dollars’ on benefits for their customers and representatives letting these people ‘spread the word’ about their products.  (This type of marketing usually requires that the products are above average in quality and/or effectiveness or the customers/representatives will not continue to promote them and the business will fail.)  Whether the products are clothes, cosmetics, kitchenware, or cleaning supplies they are usually things people buy one way or another.  Buying them from company representatives rather than brick and mortar stores is not worse.  It is just different.  There are actually some great benefits for the customer – a personal relationship with someone who cares and can answer questions, troubleshoot, and ‘make things right,’ if necessary.  (Granted, there are always people who give the majority a bad name.  But isn't that the case in ALL businesses?)

This business model has many benefits to the representatives, as well.  I am able to have a flexible schedule, to work as much or as little as I want/need, to take care of my customers, to build and train a team of friends who want to help others, and to be proud of the difference I am making in other peoples’ lives. (I am very proud that my company’s core values are: Integrity, Trust, and Respect.) Each of us has different ‘whys’ for what we do:  to support a family, to get out of debt, to provide additional educational opportunities for our kids, to save for retirement, to pay for vacations, to give to those in need beyond our current ability, to have a purpose in life, and on and on.  

Whether you choose to ‘shop’ in this manner or not, I hope that you will value these as legitimate, entrepreneurial businesses that make a difference in peoples’ lives.  And here’s to you, my sweet entrepreneurial friends, who represent many worthwhile companies across the country! 😊

*Multi-Level Marketing businesses are sometimes thought to be scams because they are confused with Pyramid Schemes which are actually illegal as they benefit only top-level people, offer no product or service, and make money only by charging a fee to sign up new members.  MLM Direct Sales Companies are legitimate as they make money by direct sales to the public.  They encourage their distributors to recruit new distributors and receive small percentages of those distributors’ sales for training the recruits and helping them whenever needed.  i.e. My company requires only ‘upfront’ shipping ($9.99) for its starter kit which can be earned for free over a period of 3 months or purchased for less than its retail value.   No matter how many recruits a consultant has, she/he must always maintain a direct sales requirement (meaning that they cannot simply make money off of others’ labors) and ALL consultants, regardless of level or number of years in the company, receive the same commission % on their sales.  

Remember that refinancing discussion?

Way back in August, when I first started this blog, I discussed the concept of refinancing our house.  You will recall that I had talked with a wonderful person with a well-known, reliable company who immediately said that we were approved and that she would start the ball rolling.  You might also recall that we were ecstatic to get our mortgage transferred from a ‘troublesome company’ that was next to impossible to communicate with!  Well, our new company found this out firsthand!!  (I’m always glad to hear that it isn’t just my paranoia speaking!!) 

Initially, we were told that because of the onslaught of people wanting to refinance at these low rates, our closing would not actually take place for almost three months (meaning November) and that they would appreciate our not ‘bugging’ them in the meantime, because they were working as quickly as possible.

So in mid-November, I finally emailed to ask the status, since we were going to be gone the week of Thanksgiving and I did not want to be the reason for not closing.  I received an immediate response saying that it was probably going to be the first part of December so our Thanksgiving absence was no problem.

Well . . . after four account representatives (each stepping up in company management) and six months, we will close!!  Yes, our new company had an unbelievably difficult time getting the necessary paperwork; we jumped through numerous hoops, and we all expressed our frustration directly to the ‘old company.’ (Not that they cared!) 

To the new company’s credit, they have kept the promised percentage rate (yes, there was going to be trouble right here in River City if that didn’t happen!!), even though interest rates have since gone up and we were initially told it was locked in for 90 days, and they have absorbed the expense of an additional appraisal because of the delay!!  Of course, we have lost the savings of that percentage rate over these last months, but, believe me . . . we are thrilled to finally close next Thursday.  Should I be saying, “I’ll believe it when I see it?”  No!  I am not going there . . .

Next time,

Karol

Choices

I’ve been thinking lately about how prone we are to make choices that seem to be easiest, most comfortable, most convenient, or even most fun . . . at least for the moment, even when it goes against what we say we believe.  (Yes, we all do it!!) 

"I believe that it is best to put money into savings every paycheck, but I really want (need?) to buy _______ right now."

"I believe it's best if I don't eat half of the container of ice cream, but . . . "  (Yes, I've done it!!)

"I believe my children need to have consequences for talking back, but . . . I'm too tired to deal with them now."

The sad thing about taking the 'easy road' is that we miss out on growing in ways we never imagined.

Danelle, a friend who was in youth group with our kids in Atlantic, recently posted the following on her Facebook page.  I asked for permission to post it here because I thought it was a great illustration of how we can be changed when we choose the more difficult path.  Thank you, Danelle!  (And thanks to the rest of you who are open to reading a much longer post!)

 

What if I had made a different choice...

by Danelle Zellmer Skartvedt on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 1:16pm

 Recently, I have been thinking a lot about a time over 7 years ago.  I remember standing alone in the Student Health Center in college with a nurse who was holding a manila envelope.  She looked at me and said, "Are you going to keep it or get rid of it?”  I remember in that moment, it was like a movie.  Time seemed to stop.  I remember thinking “It?”  "Wait, I'm pregnant?”  "I could get rid of it, I guess.” 

I was 21 and my fiancé didn't know I was there.  He wouldn't have to know and I could go on living my life in college.  Going out, competing and traveling with the livestock judging team, classes, etc.  But as I stood there, thoughts and memories entered my mind.  I remembered my childhood, learning to read, riding my bike, going to prom, all good memories.  I had been told abortion was wrong, but did I believe that?  As I stood there contemplating, I am certain that nurse thought I was crazy.  As I continued to think and weigh my options, I began to find a solid belief in my heart that this indeed was a child in my body - a baby who would live and grow and change my life.  I really believed at that moment it was a boy and a bond began in my mind, heart, and soul.  I wanted to protect this little being.  While I felt major anxiety over how on earth I would provide for a baby, I slowly felt a new feeling spreading over me...JOY!  I remember looking at the nurse and saying “I am going to keep him.”  She smiled and went on about her business.  I left that day and of course went through the natural responses to this kind of event; fear, disbelief, elation, joy, frustration, sadness, happiness, and peace.  I won't say that it was easy; there were many things that changed in my life.  Certainly, there were times when I wished I had not made the decisions I had made.  My fiancé-now husband, went through these phases and mercifully we seemed to be on different pages at different times.  He was a major comfort to me.

I realize that many women find themselves in this situation and no one is there to go through it with them.  My heart aches for you, I was and continue to be truly blessed to have a man who loves me and our children unconditionally.  I believe that your baby is loved so much already, that a way will be provided.  I don't write this kind of note to pass judgment or to shame.  I know now that in this situation women are often lied to and have no concept of the gift they hold within.  I believe we all fall short and only the One who set me free really cares about you and yours.  Please, know that there is hope and this is just the dark before the morning.  If you have already chosen this path and find yourself with unspeakable guilt and pain . . . please know your baby is safe.  He takes care of the weak and the fatherless.  Freedom is just a heartbeat away, call out to Him and find a peace you never felt possible. 

I remember, too, the feeling as I lay there after twenty-four hours of labor, ending with an emergency c-section, it was done.  I heard his scream and looked up to see a purple little life, gulping air and letting us all know he was not happy to have been yanked from his comfortable home.  As I watched him scream and slowly fell asleep from all of the medication and exhaustion, I remember feeling such peace.  My baby was safely here.  Later as I examined him, looking at his tiny fingers and toes, watching him breathe, I remember thinking what an amazing thing life is.  Flesh and bones, so small and delicate.  We named him Drew and took him home to our little trailer on Duff Ave.  I was so scared, so overwhelmed by it all.  Sometimes, I wanted to hide and not get up and deal with the screaming little baby in the middle of the night.  He was such a gift and yet it was so hard for me to balance everything.  Even in the midst of this anxious situation, I was changed.  Slowly, I realized I couldn't protect Drew, but the One who made him would!  I'll not sit here and say that life has been all roses and sunshine since that time.  However, with the sadness and struggles have come a faith that cannot be taken away.  I am weak, but He is strong and, oh, how He loves me . . . and you, too.                                                                                                                       
Drew, today.   Perfect 'choice,' Danelle!                                                                             

I have no excuse . . .

For not writing anything since Christmas!!  It's not because I haven't thought to write.  One time when I wanted to write I was exasperated - so I thought, "I don't want to write anything negative, so I just better not write anything at all!"  Another time I actually wrote a 'beginning of the year' kind of thing, but I must confess that I wasn't so keen on having to be accountable so I didn't post it!! (The truth is out!!)  Another time I just felt that what I had written was pretty boring so once again, not posted!

After all this long time, I decided that I needed to post something or just wave goodbye to the old blog!!  What have I learned during this 'dry' time?  Even the best writers (don't worry, I'm not grouping myself with them) write things that are never seen by others.  So, in that sense, I join their circle!!

I will comment that during this month+ we did get to see our sweet grandbabies.  So you will have to endure a picture! 

Aren't they precious??!

Tomorrow I will be posting a guest writer on this blog.  She has a story that is well

worth reading!

Hope you will be back!

Karol

It is Christmas Eve afternoon

and the snow is falling like powdered sugar here in St. Louis.  The fluffy little ‘Dark-eyed Juncos’ flock the ground leaving tiny footprints in the new-fallen snow.  While the vast majority of people are putting the finishing touches on gifts and food in anticipation of family celebrations tonight and tomorrow, Terry and I are enjoying the quiet calm and relaxation that comes with no additional people or responsibilities in the next two days - other than the anticipated Christmas Eve service!  It’s rather reminiscent of those ‘blizzard days’ in Iowa when everyone stays at home relishing a ‘forced holiday.’ 

Following a short trip to his office to make sure all the finishing touches are completed on his Christmas Eve message, Terry has a jigsaw puzzle started and is outside scooping the fluffy snow off the driveway.  After taking the ‘thankful-to-have-you-as-neighbors’ treats to houses around us, I am leisurely wrapping presents to be given next week.  Food is stocked and Christmas music quietly plays in the background. (Obviously, I don’t work in retail in which case I might be ready to scream hearing one more rendition of “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas!”) 

What strikes me is the time that we have had for our minds to linger on that night (whatever time of year it was) two thousand years ago when a young and ‘inexperienced’ (if you know what I mean) woman gave birth in a stable to the King-of-the-Universe and Savior-of-All-Who-Believe. 

Terry and I have had several conversations about all the ramifications this one event had on the lives of people, both at that time in history as well as all throughout the rest of time and eternity!  As I mull this over, I am struck by my tendency toward ‘busy-ness,’ when I realize that having the time to really ponder this is such a rarity!!  Thank You, Lord, for this moment of ‘slow-motion’ and help me to slow down much more often!

 

Don’t get me wrong, our lingering thoughts might be interrupted by sadness if we didn’t have the anticipation of celebrating with our family next week!!  And, so, the inevitable hustle and bustle of packing and traveling will come.  But today, I’m so thankful for this time to ponder, resulting in grateful worship of this amazingly generous and merciful God!   

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Karol

Midday, just today . . .

 we walked into a restaurant (I know, we do that far too often) just ahead of an ‘upper-middle-aged woman’ and one appearing to be a generation older who was leaning on her friend for support.  They were both ‘dressed to the nines,’ to use an old cliché – fur coats, large glitzy broaches, sparkly dangling earrings, hose and heels (and I am assuming there were equally dazzling outfits beneath the coats!).  The older woman’s hair was teased and bleached in a style befitting her age while the younger one’s was in hair-sprayed looping curls just a shade less ‘done’ than her friend's.

When we got to the restaurant door, Terry held the door for me to walk in ahead of him.  He waited holding the door for the following ladies while I walked to the next door (of the airlock entrance) and held it for them as well.  This was not something that took any thought on either Terry’s or my part.  It’s just a natural, second-nature thing to do.  The younger of the women said, “Why, thank you so much!!  That is so amazingly kind of you both to do for us!  Really, you must go on ahead of us . . . ”

I was somewhat stunned!  Really?!!  Is this such an uncommon thing?  It was no big deal!   I said, “No, please, we’re in no hurry . . .” and she gushed at our kindness.  I know that kindness is not this uncommon, but one never knows when you will be conveying it to someone who is unaccustomed to it!!  By the way . . . the restaurant was . . . Wendy’s!!!  

Today is Monday.  The dryer is running.  The exercise bike has been ridden (I wish I could say that with enthusiasm, but I can’t!).  The Bible has been read.  The prayers have been offered up.  The leaves cling colorfully on the trees in my yard.  The surfaces of my kitchen still wait for the accumulated clutter of the weekend to be cleaned up – put away.  The week begins; anticipating many interactions and conversations outside my home in the days to come.  But, now, on this Monday, I bask in the silence.  I eagerly anticipate the mundane house chores to be done and errands to be run.  I wouldn’t want every day to be like today – this Monday.  But today, it is a pleasure.

Next time,

Karol

I have been avoiding my blog site

I must confess that I have been avoiding my blog site this past week.  Not because there is nothing on my mind, but rather because I have been so aware of all the ‘bad stuff’ going on in this world and I didn’t want to write a sad or negative blog!!

On a personal level, several friends are dealing with cancer, or dealing with extreme marriage issues, or battling depression, loss of jobs, or incomes below poverty level.  Apart from God’s direct intervention, any one of these people could be feeling utter hopelessness!!  And that doesn’t even address the national and international crises that are prevalent today.

Last week, I was sitting in the Louisville airport waiting for Jamie to pick me up.  I had a book on my lap, although I was staring off into space.  Suddenly, I was aware – in my peripheral vision - of a child laughing and running in a circle around a woman who appeared to be his grandmother.  My attention was drawn to his mom saying good-bye to his dad.  It seemed that Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, and the little boy were taking a trip.

The little boy was running and laughing and, suddenly, I became aware.  His left leg was a flesh colored prosthetic with a brand-new tennis shoe on the foot and his right leg was one of those ‘titanium, bionic looking legs’ with a matching shoe.  He seemed oblivious.  And then, I noticed, as he grabbed his grandma’s shoulder bag and wound it around her, he had no hands!!  Just rounded stumps above the wrists!  Again, he was delightedly oblivious.  What a picture of things far surpassing a little boy with no hands and feet!! 

Are we able to delight in the joys of God in the midst of dark circumstances?  Are we able to say, “This is my life and I know ‘My Redeemer Lives!'?”  Are we able to rejoice that we have new strength (legs) which enables us to run as we were never able to before?  Can we get to the point beyond the response of, “Oh, that’s so easy for you to say!!”  That place where, like Joni Erickson Tada, we see that, apart from this circumstance, we would not comprehend the all-sufficient grace and power in our lives of the One who makes all things new?  Oh, I know, I’m wading in deep, deep waters right now.  Waters that are as far away as the Indian Ocean is from our mid-American homes to those who have only ‘inch-deep’ interest or even no interest in the amazing and personal God of the universe. 

I don’t pretend to have a strong grasp on this ‘place beyond.’  But I am seeing it . . . perhaps most vividly in the lives of those friends I mentioned earlier!  As Sam Storms writes in his chapter of the edited book of essays called,  For the Fame of God’s Name, “We are talking here about a deep, (not superficial or merely surface), durable (it sustains you in the worst of times, no less than in the best of times) delight (not merely duty or following God out of a sense of moral obligation) in the splendor of God (not in the stuff or goodies or achievements that occupy so many today) that utterly ruins you for anything else.” (p. 60)

And, so, this is the preoccupation of my mind these days!!

Next time,

Karol

I’m off to Lydia’s

Well, since the other two grandkids have just had their pictures posted, I can’t ignore grandchild #2!!  Lydia is nearly four months old already!!  AND I am on my way there tomorrow to spend a couple of days with her (oh, yes, and her mommy and daddy!!)  This will be the end of the Southwest Airline 39^th Anniversary Sale trips that I secured last summer!!  Cheaper than driving!!

Anyway, Lydia and I will do some cooking for the freezer interspersed with rocking and smiling and reading and eating and cooing and sleeping!!  More FUN!  I'm not sure I can take it!!

I certainly can’t wait until I can get all three ‘grandkins’ together for a picture.  Rest assured that, when it happens, it will be posted as well!!

Hope your Thanksgiving Month is started off with many thanks!!!

Next time,

Karol

It was only three days!

I just have to post the first pic of our beautiful new granddaughter (and Isaac's sister) Sophia Elizabeth, born Monday, October 25, at 10:58 a.m. weighing 7 lb. 14 oz. and measuring 20 ½ inches long! 

“Children are a blessing from the Lord” and grandchildren are a double blessing!!  (I know, that second part is not Scripture – just totally experiential!!)

Next time,

Karol

PS:  It's 51 degrees today!  Can we make it three more days without turning on the heat??  Well, at least Sophia is here!  We'll see . . .

What a delight it was last week . . .

 to visit Timothy, Sarah, and Isaac in Omaha!  Sadly, ‘fun’ is probably not a daily word in my life, but, boy, was it fun to play with, read to, tuck in, and watch Grandson Isaac and to see him interact with Mallah the neighbor cat! 

Isaac is approaching three and is amazingly imaginative.  (I know . . . this is a grandmother speaking!!)  This isn’t particularly surprising since both his mom and dad are improvisational actors!  The refrigerator is a ‘robot’ which he sits atop when his dad puts him there!  Not only is this cute to see, but it is quite impressive that the back of his pants are not black with that greasy dust that would certainly be the case if he were to sit  atop MY robot-refrigerator!  Sometimes he is ‘Curious George’ and his dad is ‘the man with the lellow hat.’   He bowls with golf balls, mimes a mean fastball, dances as a penguin would, and loves playing ‘hide and seek’ especially as a ferocious unknown animal! 

By the end of the next 10 days a new little sister will be arriving at Isaac’s house!  While I am convinced that this will be an incredible blessing to our whole family, I am even more convinced that this will be a wonderful, life-changing, and developmental essential in Isaac’s life!

Next time,

Karol

My living room is littered with Scentsy orders!

 

 I must say that I love Scentsy warmers and scents.  When I get a box (or three) with all the things that I’ve ordered for customers, I get so excited to see what everyone likes!!  ‘Paws’ for pet-lovers, ‘Yukon’ for outdoorsy types, ‘Nature Haven’ for bird-lovers, ‘Angora’ for the elegant, ‘Tribeca’ for the contemporary, ‘Twinkle’ for babies . . . and it goes on and on!   

Anyway, I am obligated to open each warmer to make sure that the beloved UPS man didn’t get too rambunctious and break any of them!!  (I had that happen once, so now I check!)  And then there is the sniffing!  I have smelled all 80 plus scents over and over, but when the order comes, I still find myself sniffing!!  “Oh, ‘she’ ordered Mochadoodle!!  I remember her saying how much she likes flavored coffee!”  “Mmm . . . just like laundry dried in the sunshine!”  “Ooo, Christmas is coming!!”  It’s just amazing how scents can conjure up past memories!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Scentsy (Yes, even though I love them, I think it is a corny name!) the best description I’ve heard yet is, “The scent of a candle; the safety of a nightlight.”  It is a ceramic warmer with a low wattage light bulb that warms specially formulated wax at a low enough temperature that won’t burn.  No soot, no evaporation, no burns if one becomes careless.  And best of all, every time I enter my house, I smile.  It smells so good!

So . . . I’ve had friends ask, “Do you make any money selling Scentsy?”  My answer is, “I would, but I tend to give warmers and scents away . . . to my kids, to fellow pastors’ wives (its clergy appreciation month, you know, and I appreciate their wives!), to the church office, to my husband for his office, to my friends, for baby showers . . .”  So, on one hand, I don’t make much money, but on the other I earn enough to give in a way I couldn’t otherwise!  So, YES, I make a bundle!!  J 

Next time,

Karol

PS:  If you want to SEE what I’m talking about go to my website:  karolschoenfeld.scentsy.us

After just arriving home . . .

from two days at a District Conference Pastors’ and Wives’ Retreat in Osage Beach, MO, I will turn around and fly out tomorrow to Omaha to help out with Grandson Isaac and preparations for his soon-expected sister.  Saturday will find me ‘winging’ back to St. Louis to greet friends who will stay until Monday.  Someday when I am old and tottery and unable to travel or do much of anything for others (except pray!), I will think back fondly on this time of life which is bustling with delightful opportunities.  Lord, help me appreciate each moment as it comes.

Next week!

Karol

Here’s what happened with the Neighborhood Brunch.

I bet you thought I forgot to give you the update on that brunch I hosted for our neighborhood women to get to know each other better.  You will recall that I had littered the neighborhood with flyers inviting the women to come and that I was suspecting that no one would (although Anna had said that she would have . . .)

Anyway, I

·        baked two kinds of muffins                    check

·        made apples and dip                                check

·        brewed coffee                                        check

·        had two ‘exotic’ kinds of fruit juice        check

·        got out the ‘good’ dishes                          check  (you guessed it – we don’t have china!)

And, of course, it takes these kinds of endeavors to force me to

·        clean my house                                        check!

The day arrived . . . the appointed hour (10:00 a.m.) came . . . and no one rang the doorbell!  You know, I wasn’t even disappointed!  I had said, “God, I think I need to do this, but YOU will have to bring the women!  And if You don’t, then OK, at least I tried.” 

I must confess to the world (or to the three people who might read this J) that I felt a stab of relief when no one came!  But . . . at 10:20, I was sitting in the living room watching and waiting and I saw Mary Ann, a neighbor in her eighties who lives across the street and down one house, gingerly walk across the street and ring our doorbell.  As I opened the door, she handed me a Lubeley’s Bakery Box which contained St. Louis’ famed Gooey Butter Cake and said, “Am I too late for the party?”  I said, “Not at all!  You ARE the party!!”

I think she felt a little sorry for me that she was the only one there, but I assured her that I would love to visit with her, as we really didn’t know each other.  She is a widow – we met her husband, Dan, just months before he died two years ago – and we talked about Dan and her daughters and her autistic granddaughter and about how the neighborhood used to be.  Then it was time for her to go.   

Was it a waste of time?  I don’t think so!  Now, I know Mary Ann.

Next time,

Karol 

Football Is In The Air!

I know that we are a little behind those of you farther north, so you’re probably thinking, “Duh!”  But this is the first week that the weather has made me think, “We need to go to a football game!!”  Yes, I look back fondly on those years of watching our own sons play football!  Even if they didn’t win, there was a wonderful camaraderie among parents and friends in the stands.  The band played, the team roared onto the field, the smells of popcorn filled the air, and a large portion of the community turned out for the entertainment of the week!!

So, that being said, we are going to our first high school football game since our move ‘south!’  We will watch Daniel and Thomas – two seniors from our church who play for the Kirkwood Pioneers – as they challenge . . . oh . . . some other team!!  We have the luxury of choosing to go on a beautiful fall evening to watch as they play their second game in their newly renovated stadium.  (And we have the luxury of not even caring who they play!)

Please understand that I have not forgotten all those icy-cold nights of sitting in sleeping bags to keep our toes from becoming frost-bitten or those torrential downpours when we sat in ponchos under tarps!  But, happily, we are not required to choose to go on those nights anymore.  (Even though, those very experiences helped cement that earlier mentioned camaraderie!!)  No, this Friday we go because it is beautiful football weather!!  Go, Daniel!  Go, Thomas!!  Go, Pioneers!!

Next time,
Karol

Liliana came to the U.S. . . .

from Romania three years ago this November to live with her sister and brother-in-law.  Soon after, these family members decided that she was not doing what they wanted her to do for them so they decided she would have to go back.  Although devastated by their abandonment, she determined that she would not go back!!  Left with little money and speaking little English, she determined to enroll in the local community college while continuing to work the part-time job allotted by her visa.  Her dream: to become a nurse.

Liliana came to our church with neighbors of her family members, our Russian (AND Romanian) speaking pastor and his wife!  Soon after moving in with a co-worker and her adult son, she discovered they were drug users.  Suddenly, the opportunity came for her to move into a church member’s home.  During those first months at church, she listened and learned and finally surrendered her view that there was no God!  She was seeing God work in her circumstances, through other people, and she finally came to the realization that He WAS real and that He had died for her sins and He truly DID care for her! 

God blessed her with additional hours at her community college job, gave her strength to endure a painful back injury and the opportunity to receive medical treatment.  For two years she often walked two miles to catch a bus to take her across town to her college – summer and winter!  She has since moved to another home nearer her college and worked hard to get her driver’s license.  She has faithfully paid back every dime of a loan she needed to purchase a car.  Liliana has continued taking pre-requisites for nursing – things like this semester’s Biomedical Ethics and Biology of Health & Disease.  (I can’t imagine taking them even in my first language!!)

And now, we rejoice with Liliana as she has recently been accepted and will begin Nursing School in the spring!!  Liliana, you are my hero!  Your perseverance is breathtaking!  We rejoice with you in what God has given you the strength to accomplish!!  (Have I mentioned that Liliana is in her forties with a 20 year old son back in Romania??)  Keep on keeping on, Girl!!

Next time,

Karol

I’m back again . . .

after several delightful days with our sweet and happy granddaughter, Lydia!

Isn't it amazing how tiny children change from one moment to the next!!

The last time we saw Lydia – at six weeks old in August – she was just beginning to learn to smile.  This time, only four weeks later, she is smiling and ‘talking’ (the correct baby-term would be cooing, but I’m sure she is perfectly aware of what she’s saying!) and is quite amazingly happy! 

What makes her so happy??  Is it the security that she will be fed?  Is it having lots of ‘snuggle’ time?  Is it just her personality?  I don’t really know, but it is great fun to watch and imagine as her little personality develops.  Anna and I wondered together at what she would become . . . what she would like and dislike.  Will she hate the feel of velvet – like her mommy?  Will she love clean and comforting scents like citrus and cinnamon rolls like her grandma?  Will she know all the names of birds like her daddy?  Will she have a passion to play golf like her grandpa?  Nah . . . ! 

Anyway, only time will tell and we will enjoy the adventure of watching her come to be the Lydia that God has made her to be!!

Next time,

Karol

My husband loves to golf . . .

To most of you who know us, this is not a sudden revelation!!  But I’m not sure that many people really get what golf does for him.  While he often plays for enjoyment with others, he is one of those guys who really doesn’t mind playing alone.  It seems to have a variety of benefits depending on his mindset of the moment.  Like . . .

1.   Stress relief . . . when he is frustrated with things at work (or rarely with things at home J) he seems to be able to gain a fresh perspective as he ‘talks to himself’ (or more likely God) on the course.  (I guess the mental health benefits outweigh the appearance of ‘crazy’ as he seems to be talking to himself!)

2.   Clarification . . . when he has a particularly sticky text for Sunday he often works it through as he ‘chips and putts’ in the great outdoors.
3.  Mini-vacation . . . as it seem to 'take him out' of his daily responsibilities and 'into a world-away' for just a few hours.

3.   Pure delight in God’s creation . . . he has actually been heard saying, “It was like being in a Disney cartoon today!  It was so beautiful . . . I was expecting Bambi and Thumper to come bounding out . . .”   

4.   Exercise . . . although I must say that is more in the past than the present as the golf cart is often required at courses here in the city!!!

5.   The Challenge . . . as he plays in his own private tournament (it might be the Masters or the US Open) doing the color commentary and play by play in his head.  (Yes, he might be embarrassed that I told on him . . . but he doesn’t read this so . . .)

At any rate, when anyone insinuates that playing golf is a waste of time (Yes, even you, John Piper!) I am thinking in my head, “No, you just don’t get it.  It keeps my husband sane and he somehow connects with God 'out there' . . . and I’ll encourage that any day!!”

Next time,

Karol

PS:  I really did ask him if it was OK to give away his secret in # 5!  I think he's fairly confident that not many will read this!! J

How Do You Get To Know Your Neighbors?

Have you noticed what a challenge it is to get to know your neighbors? It is SO easy for me to live my own life, do my own thing, and completely ignore those who live just feet (yes, in our little neighborhood it is just feet) from me in my own neighborhood.

So . . . I decided to do something about it!  I made flyers and left them in twenty doors inviting women to a Neighborhood Brunch at my house this coming Saturday morning!  I didn’t even ask for RSVP’s because I didn’t want to know ahead of time if no one is coming!!!  I will face it when it comes!!  (I don’t always deal very well with rejection!  J)  I did meet a couple of women on the street and handed them the invitation and explained that it was just to visit and get to know who our neighbors are . . .  Their reactions seemed somewhat stunned and non-committal and I must confess that I have thought to myself, “I don’t know if I would go if I was invited by a stranger!!”  (My daughter says she would!) 

So . . . we’ll see!  By the way, my husband says he’s proud of me for trying.  I think I’ve told you before that he is a good guy.

I will report back!

Karol

I have this friend . . .

Perhaps you were thinking, like my good friend Lois, "Where has she gone?  I thought she intended to write this blog-thing every day!!"  In fact, this is what my good friend wrote to me via email:

"So, it's like this - I have a good friend who started this fun blog.  I read each thoughtful and entertaining entry with great interest.  Then, for some unknown reason, the entries stopped.  I guess there must not be anything happening in the life of this friend.  And hopefully, "no" news is not "bad" news.  It can't be that she is too busy since all she has to do is be there for her husband, her children, her church, her customers, her friends, etc, etc, etc.  Well, maybe she is having writer's block and can't come up with a topic.  Yes, that must be it.  So, how about thoughts on golf, old (in length of time) friends, old (in age) friends, fall, football, someone who inspires you, someone you have watched grow in their faith, working in the nursery, meeting new friends, or preparing for a Bible study.  There probably are one or two other things but I seem to have developed a writer's block . . ."

Isn't she cute!!  THANK YOU, Lois, for your encouragement!!  I must confess that as I missed one day (funeral of a young mom at church) and then two (keeping kids for a family whose dad is ill) and three (prep for numerous teaching ops coming up) that I was thinking, "Who in the world really has any interest in reading your wandering thoughts anyway!!" 

Well, the rest of you have Lois to blame for the continuation of this writing experiement!!  And doesn't she have some great ideas to write about?!  In her honor I shout, "GO, STATE!"  (That's Iowa State for those of you who are wondering!) and look forward to posting new 'insights' - maybe not every day but more often - beginning today!!

Later,
Karol