Musings by Melissa

It’s been a number of years since we had been invited to any graduation open houses, but this year I think we ended up going to five or six of them.  And of course, that left the question: What do we give for a gift?

Eek!

Those of you who know me know that I hate feeling obligated to find a gift for someone.  I’d much rather give a person a gift “just because I saw this special widget and it reminded me of you.”  But alas, sometimes gift giving must be done, and graduation open houses are one of those times.

So, what to give…  Money’s always a sure bet, but that always seems like a cop-out to me.  Besides, most of these kids weren’t going on to school, and I really didn’t want our gift to be used to pay for gas for their car.

Tangible things usually seem lame to me.  A lawn chair?  Really?!? 

Gift certificates are appreciated, but impersonal.

(Can you see why I struggle with gift giving?!?)

Well, we hit on a good idea that both Wayne and I liked.  We gave each grad a magazine subscription to a magazine that God has used to strengthen our faith on numerous occasions.  It’s the “Answers” magazine put out by Answers in Genesis.  Yes, it was a bit more than we usually would have spent, but every other month each grad will be reminded that we are praying for them and wishing them the best in whatever it is they have decided to do– whether that be further education, work, or the military.

So, the next time you need to buy a graduation present, consider giving a magazine subscription.

Now, what to get my daughter for her 11th birthday…

Hey, I just found out that one of my all-time favorite songs has two verses that I had never heard before.  Here’s the whole song…  Enjoy!

It Is Well With My Soul

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Horatio Spafford

Just when I wonder what could possibly come down the pike next, something comes up that just makes me shake my head in amazement.  Take last night, for example.  We had a group of people from church over.  After most of them left, one of them stuck around to show us his Apple iPad.  Good grief!  What next?  I mean, this isn’t like some MegaMeeting Webinar Software or a fancy knife!

And then I hop online and someone had sent me a link to a new camera.  With this camera and the accompanying software, I could take a blurry picture and in just a click of the mouse (once the picture is loaded into a computer or phone), the picture would be in focus.  This is supposed to be just as big a change to the photo industry as when cameras went digital.

Wowza!

And I’m left shaking my head, sitting in my rocking chair, and wondering, “What next?!?”

We know many people who are older.  Our church has many older people in it.  (Although they are not called “older,” but rather “Senior Saints.”  ~smile~)  Our parents are getting older as well.  (And I suppose I’m not a spring chicken anymore either.)

As people grow older we tend to loose a little bit of our mental capabilities.  Hence, we tell the same stories and jokes.  We go to the basement to get something, only to forget what we went down to get once our feet hit the bottom stair.

But, it’s when people get older that they need to make major decisions.  Decisions about when to retire.  Decisions about where to invest that 401k.  Decisions about health care and medicare supplement plans.  Decisions about whether to downsize in home.  Decisions about when to move into assisted living.  Decisions about when the permanantly hang up the car keys.  Decisions about funeral arrangements.

All of these decisions are major ones.  They either cost a lot of money or they will greatly affect the way that person lives out the rest of their days.

All that to say this, if you know an older person who is having difficulty making decisions, please help them sort these things out.  Simple things like paying bills, can be overwhelming for seniors.  We’ve all heard stories about seniors who were “taken for a ride” because some slick-talking person told them they needed to buy something.  Stay involved in their lives.  They’ll definitely be glad you did.  (And so will you!)

I have a love/hate thing with getting gifts for people.  I have feeling like I *have* to go out and find a gift for someone.  I’d much rather surprise that person with a special meaningful gift when I see something I know they’d enjoy or appreciate.

For example, my husband’s birthday is this coming week.  I have no idea what to get him.  Oh, I suppose I could go get him some band saw blades or perhaps a new chain for his new chainsaw.  How special would that be?!?  LOL!

No, I’d rather wait until I’m at the store or out hitting a few yard sales.  I *know* I’ll find something this summer that he will thoroughly enjoy.  But whatever that thing is, I haven’t stumbled upon it yet.    ~sigh~  And his birthday is Thursday…

I was on my way home from getting groceries, and I saw it again…

A young teenage (maybe!) girl was walking along the sidewalk, trying to light a cigarette while the wind was blowing.

Whenever I see something like that, I go through the complete range of emotions.  Anger, frustration, sorrow…

I wish I could pull that young girl aside and show her a picture of my great aunt.  This aunt was a beauty when she was young, but years of smoking and drinking made her age beyond her years.

I often wonder what young people are thinking when they begin smoking.  Are they that concerned about peer pressure?  I realize they’re not concerned at all about smoker life insurance rates, but they must know the harmful effects that smoking has on them.  They must realize how expensive smoking is.  I’m sure they all know people who have struggled to quit smoking. 

Argh.

So, why even start?

Some things I doubt I’ll ever understand…

I love all the seasons.  Maybe it’s because I live in Michiagn where we have definite seasons.  I think of my friends who live in the South, and I wonder if they appreciate the beauty of the changing seasons as much as I do.  Anyway, I love all the seasons, and here’s why…

WINTER:
sledding
stillness
stars
fireplaces
hot chocolate

SPRING:
flowers
new life
Easter
gardens
bike rides

SUMMER:
vacations
camping
cotton candy
fire pits
swimming

AUTUMN
raking leaves
campfires
apple cider
crisp air
wood stoves

Ah… seasons… what a beautiful thing!

I read a quote the other day that has really stuck with me.

What if I woke up today with only the things that I thanked God for yesterday?

I think it speaks for itself.

One of my friends is house shopping.  Her house is being torn down to make way for a new road.  So, she needs to find a new place to live.  And she’s faced with the age-old question.  Do we build new or try to find an existing house that will meet our needs?

There are pros and cons to both sides.  Some people shy away from “old” homes because they think they will need a ton of repairs.  Sometimes they do, but I’ve also known people who have spent lots of money on garage door parts and parts for the garage door opener, even though their house was brand new just a few years ago.

Yes, most older homes need updating… new windows and doors, more insulation, etc.  But builders often put cheap windows and doors in homes in order to keep the cost down.  Same with insulation.  And who wants to buy new replacement windows when the existing windows are only a year or two old?!?

Some people embrace older homes because most older homes have a bit more character.  The trees in the yard are established.  The neighborhood is more “settled.”  The yard is in and perennials are often usually planted. 

So, it’s a tough decision… buy new or buy old?

By now someone would have to be living under or rock (or in a third world country) to not know at least some of what’s going on in Japan.

What a trail those people are enduring!  First, an earthquake.  Then a tsunami, and now the threat of a nuclear meltdown.

I’ve decided to post some links to some of the footage that has pulled at my heart and prompted me to pray a bit more earnestly for the people of Japan.  May these clips prompt you to do the same.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/japan-quake-2011/beforeafter.htm