Dear Diary

When I was 12, I received my first diary, a Christmas present from Mother and Daddy. If memory serves (and it usually does), I requested it. I was intrigued by the idea of a “place” to record my thoughts (especially my “private” thoughts—at that time, mostly about my new boyfriend, Russell Ford, the cutest and sweetest boy in the world, whom I had recently met at our new church where Daddy had come to pastor).

Oh, yes, I DO still have it (embarrassing though it may be to read the entries!).

I immediately fell in love with writing about my thoughts and feelings. As I said to a friend this morning, when explaining how I liked this whole “blog” thing: “I’ve always enjoyed hearing what I have to say!”

From that time, I have written about my life, not because I think it would ever be interesting to anyone else, but because the fact that I have always liked my life and wanted to have a record in years to come, was reason enough. Through the years, now as a mother and a grandmother, I do like to think that there will be others (family) who might be interested in reading my “record” in years to come. Just perhaps. But if not, that’s okay, because it has been (and continues to be) an enjoyable hobby for me!

I believe I had a diary just about every year from then through high school (1965), but if that is the case, the diaries did not all survive the years. I am left with two others (1964 and 1965), in addition to my first one:

In 1965 I got married and moved from diaries to keeping calendars (all those years and through the present) and writing in wedding memories album and then baby books.

Then I turned around and my husband was a school superintendent, I was a teacher (still keeping those calendars), and my children were in junior high. One day my husband came home telling this big tale about a salesman who had been in his office that day, talking about a personal computer (I had heard of “computers”—they were machines that were huge, hard to use, and were threatening to eliminate the need for teachers—that’s what I had heard, anyway).

This salesman had shown my husband how that the computer (he was obviously trying to sell to the school superintendent) had something called a “word processor.” This fantastical invention would allow someone to type a document through a keyboard, see it on a TV screen, then “save” it (I asked my husband where in the world it could be “saved” and how you could be sure it would not get “lost”) and then, you could “call it up” (that was hilarious to me…  “calling up” a document???—“Here document, come…here document…”) Then my husband continued to spin his fictional tale. Beyond that (a “saved” document that you could “call back up”—and it would come?), he said that the salesman showed him how that you could “go back in” to the document (again, hilarious….GO IN to a document?), make changes (corrections, deletions, insertions), and it would scoot the words and make everything turn out right in the end. Then you could re-save it, with those changes. Really? Puh-lease.

By this time, I was rolling. I said to my husband, “You didn’t buy that bill of goods, did you? I mean, you do realize this could not be true. Because if this were true, it would be one of the most amazing things on the planet, and I’m sure I would have heard about it—it would for sure have been on the evening news!” (I’m remembering how many papers I typed in college, using carbon paper, if I wanted a copy for myself, and how that if an error was discovered after the paper was done, I would re-insert the paper and painstakingly try to line it back up so that I could make the correction, desperately hoping the correction didn’t require me to go onto the next page, because I might have to retype the entire paper.)  So, this salesman had to be making it up, or, more likely, my husband misunderstood.

Well, the superintendent fell for it, and he bought a computer for the school, and one for me at home. Miracle of miracles. Seriously.

The first major project I wanted to do with this new miracle was to type all my life journals. I mean, really, to be able to “save” my writing, “call it back up,” edit it, oh, and I almost forgot the second part of the miracle—to be able to PRINT it? Are you kidding me? I’ll never forget the awe I felt the first time I sent a “print” command from the computer. I nearly fell over when it actually came out at the printer.

So, that’s what I did during the snow days that winter (there were a lot of them). I gathered together all my calendars, notes, even my old diaries, and began compiling them into my “life story.” Once I got caught up with it, I have continued to keep it up to date. Originally “saved” on 5.25-inch floppy disks, and then transferred to 3.5-inch disks, it is now hundreds of pages and stored (backed up) on three different hard drives. Titled “As I Recall,” maybe some day it will be printed and bound. Someone else might even want to read it. Again, if not, that’s okay. But, obviously, it is still a work in progress. It has become the family history record (what year did so and so graduate? who came to that wedding? etc., etc.).

At this point, my obsession with journaling may not be obvious. Read on. I currently have 7 journals or calendar/journals in process, in addition to “As I Recall.”

This is my “notebook” (first got the inspiration for keeping a notebook from reading a life-changing book, Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman, many years ago). My notebook contains a daily planner but also personalized sections such as Projects, Church, Quiet Time, etc.

I am happy to see this book still in print. I highly recommend it. 

These two are journals that I grab to pour out my thoughts, frustrations, plans to reorganize my life, problems I need to deal with, anything that I want to vent about—some of these pages get ripped out and tossed—these are not journals I want to pass on to posterity, but they do help me categorize my thoughts.

This little journal, with “The joy of the Lord is my strength” verse on the front, is a handy place where I journal all my thoughts about my hobbies/projects. For example, I record all my thoughts and ideas about the Heritage Albums I will do someday (if I can ever stop “planning” them and start “doing” them!) I record ideas I have for my projects.

This is my Prayer Journal, given to me by my son’s family. Once I started journaling my prayers and some devotional thoughts, it has become a habit that I want to continue, even after this little album is full.

This is a sample entry in the Prayer Journal. I write things, and I bring in documents or articles or printed devotional thoughts.

This baby is an experiment. I got this from an online store operated by a Christian lady who specializes in personalized calendars (to see her work, search for Much Ado About You), for those who like to actually write in a calendar, the old-fashioned way (by hand). I do like to do that, although I may be too dependent on Google calendar to make the switch. I understand it is not time-productive to keep more than one calendar, but I’m going to experiment with this handwritten concept for a while, just for fun. Because I can.

This is the new fun thing I LOVE!!—the Smash Journal. This gives me a place to keep “stuff” that wouldn’t make it into my scrapbooks.

This is a sample page from my Smash Journal (not going to be doing a scrapbook layout about “aging gracefully,” but it is something I think about and like to “write” about).

Speaking of scrapbooking, this is the hobby-by-nature for someone who is obsessed with record-keeping for posterity. It is the ultimate process/product, really, for those of us who love pictures as much as journaling. I started scrapbooking in 2004 and currently have about 25-30 albums, most all very full 12x12’s.

Oh, yes, I’m Cuh-RAZY about office supplies (in my life, AKA school supplies). This must be a genetic thing. My brother and I confessed to each other recently that we love to shop in office supply/stationary stores and can never leave without a new…..pen! How many dozen do I already have at home? But when you like to journal a lot by hand, the instrument does matter! This is my current favorite, TUL, Needle Point, Fine.

I have a hobby room where I do all my scrapbooking. But, this is my “journaling” area that is set up where we “watch” TV. I actually “listen” (to the Cardinals, or whatever Russell is watching) while I work on my Smash journal, or my iPad, or in my notebook, or write in one of my journals. So, this is MY “work area” for when we are relaxing in front of the TV.

So, that is the strangeness that all started with the “Dear Diary” of a 12-year-old girl!

Fantastic Fall Weekend at the Campsite

We FINALLY found a time on the calendar that we could get away for a couple of nights (Thursday morning through Saturday morning), traveling the short distance (1.5 hours) to our annual campsite in the Mark Twain Lake area. We actually got to “camp” this time, as opposed to the previous trips we have made there, to work on setting up everything. We got to choose our lot last fall, before it was even finished. We love it. It is adjacent to Corps of Engineers property, so it feels like we have our own woods.

This little “flower bed” that we put out at the entrance to our lot makes me feel “at home.” we just added some mums. I love mums. I love fall.

The little white sign says “Waterfowl Refuge.” From our lot, we can hike down to the lake, not too far away (we haven’t had a chance to actually do that yet).

Supper at the Camper

Ready to slice the potatoes (Russets this time, with skins on) and onion, to fry in the handy electric skillet, outside on the picnic table (we’ve moved on from the old days of cooking them on the fire). This is my job, while Russell grills the meat.

I like to start first with just the Vidalia onion in the hot shortening. Why? For the pure joy of the aroma of onions cooking outside!

Potatoes sliced on top of onion, salted and peppered. Mmmmmm…..starting to smell like camping supper!

Grilled pork tenderloin and sweet corn. Yum!

Potatoes almost done, too. Perfect timing!

After supper and dishes done, the perfect campfire, thanks to my man!

Next morning….

Coffee and breakfast cooked inside the camper. Russell felt compelled to take a picture of my personality (Type A?)….some of my favorite “things” handy—camera, iPhone, coffee, iPad with wireless keyboard, notebook/planner.

Rainy Day—not a problem for us!

After sitting under the awning, snuggled under a blanket, for a couple of hours listening to the rain, we moved out to the fire, which continued to burn in spite of the constant drizzle.

Sassi cares not where we are, as long as she can be on one of our laps!

While sitting in the drizzle, we got a hankerin’ for something sweet, so we roasted marshmallows right in the middle of the day. Because we could.

Evening Time

After several hours in the rain, we went indoors, enjoyed a wonderful supper of Cheddar Chicken Chowder, prepared at home (click on “Featured Recipes” link at top) and cornbread muffins.

Later that evening, we listened to the Cardinals game on the radio system in the camper.

Little snackaroo while listening to the game and reading our books (I was finishing the Albert Pujols book, and Russell was reading the Tim Tebow book).

It feels GREAT to need heat in the camper, as it seems only a couple of weeks ago that we were in the middle of a miserable heat wave!

Next morning, up and at ‘em, breaking camp and heading home. Great time!

Did I mention I love fall?

Happy Anniversary to Us!

I can hardly believe it when I hear myself say “46 years!” Wow! Yesterday we celebrated our anniversary in our typical fashion: a nice dinner out and a lot of reminiscing.

We realize that our relationship is a direct blessing from God. We thank Him for who He is in our lives.

This was one of our first times to be “together.” Russell and his family attended my 8th grade graduation. I know, disgusting, isn’t it? (I think it’s so cute that his jacket is buttoned crooked.)

For our 46th, the nice gift I received from my husband has been on my “wish list” for a long time: front-loading washer and dryer. I think I’m really going to love them. They were delivered and installed yesterday, but the installers didn’t do a great job with the dryer vent. When I dried the first load, hot air poured into my laundry room, giving the first clue to the disappointing realization that there was a huge rip in the dryer vent pipe. Not good!

Fortunately, my awesome husband and son put their heads—and their tools--together today, to come up with a great solution. It’s now even better than when the house was built six years ago!

 

Happy Anniversary to me!

Lingering Scent

Have you ever walked through the fragrance department in a store such as Macy’s or Saks? If you tend toward headaches caused by strong fragrances (like I do), you probably avoid that area if possible. On the other hand, if the fragrance is fresh and gentle, it can be uplifting. You realize you are in a good mood, but you may not even know the reason. Usually the fragrance is hanging in the air, and your mood may well be affected, positively or negatively, by that lingering scent.

I have recently been reminded that my attitude, my words, my reactions, my responses, can create a mood that is like a lingering fragrance. I have been asking myself what kind of fragrance lingers behind me—is it one that people want to avoid, because it gives them a headache, or is it a scent that lifts the spirit?

Do I want to be known as gentle, or harsh?

Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

There are characteristics that I observe in others. I make mental notes: When I see someone who has grace, mercy, compassion, humility, gentleness, genuine caring for others—I think, “I want to be like that person.” When I see someone who is harsh, critical, judgmental, self-centered, proud—I think, “Please let me not be like that.”

By nature, I fear I am the harsh and critical person. I do not want to be like that. I’m such a work-in-progress. Being aware of the goal is hopefully a step toward improving. But I know that only God can give me the characteristics I desire. So, I pray:

Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." (NIV)

Ephesians 4:29-32, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (NIV)

I like to think that I can make a difference in someone’s life. That’s probably a bit idealistic. But, at least, can I make a difference in someone’s day?-- by leaving a lingering fragrance that is sweet and uplifting.

Happy 9th Anniversary, RiverOaks Church!

Nine years ago, on September 8, 2002, a brand new church launched with its first public service. Having met in homes for a year, first as a Church Plant Team of 8, and then as a Core Group of about 30, the first public service was held at a high school in our town.

Planting this church was a vision of our son/pastor Mark Ford and his wife Kristy. It was a vision shared by my husband and myself. Our participation in this ministry, while inspired by our son, became our own personal calling, clear and surely from God.

That first service was attended by 117 people, the vast majority of whom we did not know, and who did not know each other. From that beginning, God grew a church. Very few of those original attendees are still with us (some are), but what started as a huge step of faith has become a healthy and thriving church family, making a difference for Christ.

Through the years, we have had many ups and downs. God continually reaffirmed our mission, and He saw us through all those hard times, and encouraged us during those times when we wondered if we could go on.

We moved out of the high school at the end of that school year. We have met in numerous locations, but for most of our history we have met in a leased building in a great location in town, our current meeting place, while we await God’s timing to build on 11 acres we have purchased.

Today we celebrated the 9th anniversary. It has been good to remember what God has done. Mark mentioned today that he had been just naive enough to be confident, in those days. But what I remember, clearly, is that his confidence came from God, and from his own belief that he was absolutely following an irresistible call—actually more like marching orders, from God.

After the service, we enjoyed a beautifully decorated cake, provided by our very special Youth Pastor.

Several people seemed to enjoy looking through my Scrapbook of “RiverOaks Church: The First Three Years.”

 

 

Our granddaughter Tory and the young man across from her (Jake) were in the third grade when we launched. Our grandson Conner and the young lady across from him (Maggie) were in the first grade. Tory and Jake are now seniors. Conner and Maggie are sophomores.

Pastor Brandon had also secretly suggested that our church folks send words of appreciation that he collected and presented to Mark today in a Treasure Chest. What a blessing and encouragement those words will be to Mark.

 

Thank you, God, for how YOU have shown yourself so absolutely HUGE in the work you have done through RiverOaks Church. The blessing of serving You is beyond what words can describe.

Sibling Sleepover

My sister Janene and her husband David (who happens to be my husband's brother), and my brother Keith and his wife Michele, came to our house for a Sleepover. The original plan called for a picnic at the park for Friday evening. but temperatures in excess of 100 degrees resulted in a re-thinking of that plan! We enjoyed the cool indoors and had a great time with good food provided by all. We managed to get a lot of visiting done between meals, snacks, and coffee!

YAY Me!!

This is a rather fun thing! I have a few blogs that I check periodically for either scrapbooking motivation, cooking ideas, and/or spiritual inspiration. I have recently discovered a site that I enjoy, especially for the recipes and the blog tutorials. On that site, kevinandamanda.com, a couple of days ago, I read her account of her visit to the Nutrilite farms, where she met the new spokesman for Nutrilite, Kurt Warner. She had this picture made with him:

After her account of the visit, she posted that the autographed football would go to someone who commented on her post (to be drawn at random). I commented (one out of about 250 who did). Yesterday, I received this email from Amanda:

Hi Barbara! You are the winner of the Kurt Warner signed football!
Please send me your mailing address to claim your prize.
Congratulations!

I quickly returned to the original blog post and found this (in case I needed further affirmation):

Oh by the way! See that football I’m holding up there in the photo with Kurt Warner? The one where I’m sweating and wearing yoga pants and workout clothes? I got it signed by Kurt and brought it back as a souvenir for a special Kevin and Amanda reader. Cause I love you guys. If you or someone you know would love this football, just leave me a note in the comments section of this post before midnight tonight. I’ll draw a winner on Thursday and announce it here on this post on Friday. See you then!

The winner of the Kurt Warner football is #203 Barbara Ford. Congrats Barbara! I’ve sent you an email.

I never win anything. I’m not the hugest football fan in the world, but I AM a huge Kurt Warner fan, so I’m plum tickled that I won this. I’m feeling very cool, as a matter of fact.

YAY ME!!!

Feeling Praise-ful

My Prayer Journal (gift from son’s family) has become a favorite place to record some of my thoughts and prayers. I wrote this today:

Today was a good day. I was so stressed about a situation, and though I had turned it over to God, I kept taking it back. Give God the stress, take it back, repeat cycle. That’s what I do so many times. I’m such a work in progress. But He was again patient with me, patted the top of my head and took care of it, as He always does. Now I’m just left with the feeling that I want to praise my awesome God.

While reading one of my books this evening, I came across these praises, and although they are given as suggestions for difficult circumstances, they are good prayers of praise for me today, recognizing that God is in control.

From Lysa TerKeurst, from Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl:

God, circumstances change, but I praise you because you never do.

God, I praise you for never leaving me.

God, I praise you for being trustworthy.

God, I praise you that you are with me in this moment, and you stand in my tomorrow as well.

*God, I praise you for being the wisdom I can lean on when I have none of my own.

God, I praise you for your love and your compassion that never fails.

*This is my favorite. It seems so many times I find myself asking God to help me know what to do in a situation where I truly do not have the answer myself. I am thankful that I do not have to know everything, and that I know the One who DOES have all the answers.

Today is just one of those days when my heart is full, of praise for my Lord and Savior.

RiverOaks 9th Annual Bapti-Q

Over 200 folks attended the 9th annual ROC Bapti-Q. This has become a favorite event since our launch as a brand new church in September 2002. During our nine years in existence, we have baptized 163 people, a number only significant because it symbolizes changed lives. Named by our pastor in 2003, this event, held at a nearby Christian ranch, combines a fun family BBQ and activities such as swimming and sand volleyball, with the celebration of baptism. Sunday evening 15 people were baptized, to publicly profess their personal decisions to follow Christ.

 

 

MORE is LESS

There’s a popular “saying” right now: “Less is more.” But, the thought that has come to my mind recently is that, in an important arena of life, actually, MORE IS LESS.

In our culture and in this time, there are more and more methods of communication available to us. But it seems to me that the more ways we have to communicate, the less meaningful communication is taking place. In the early days of my growing up years, other than face-to-face communication, we had the US mail.

When my husband was in Viet Nam 1968-1969, we had one way to communicate: letters. We poured out our hearts to each other, with handwritten letters (of course, I had a portable typewriter, but no one would’ve even thought to “write” a personal letter, especially a love letter, on a typewriter).

In those days, many of us (myself included) did not even have telephones (too expensive). When I first got married, I communicated with my family via letters (real ones, mailed through the US postal system). When I did get a telephone, I couldn’t use it for very much communication with my family, because they were long-distance, and I couldn’t afford to pay for calls. I SENT personal letters to my family, usually one per week. And wonder of wonders, I RECEIVED letters from all of them (parents, in-laws, siblings) as well. We knew what was going on in each others’ lives; we knew each others’ thoughts and feelings. We talked about the stuff of life—all in letters.

Fast forward about 45 years…

Now available are these methods of communication, among others:

US Mail (still)

Home phone (usually free long distance)

Fax

Email

Cell phone (with conference calling)

Texting

Blogging

Instant messaging

Facebook (with facebook IM, facebook email)

Virtual face-to-face with webcams

But, with all these ways to communicate, I truly believe there is less and less REAL communication taking place. I’m talking about stuff-of-life communication--NOT “checking in” from Starbucks, or posting someone else’s quote of the day, or making general status reports that are the same for all your “friends” whether they are close family members or acquaintances whom you don’t even remember meeting.

Next time you are out, look around. You will see numerous examples of “couples” who are sitting next to each other, or across the table from each other, who are EACH using a smart phone (texting, or playing games, or whatever). They may be interacting with someone else, electronically. But where is the meaningful communication?

No wonder so many relationships are in trouble—not just marriages, but also parent-child relationships, sibling relationships, and others. People don’t know how to communicate any more (generally speaking, of course). Why? Because they don’t practice. You may think of yourself as a great communicator because you post numerous times per day and have lots of “friends” and send and receive many texts per day. But, does your mother know how you FEEL today? Do you know how SHE feels today? Do your siblings know what you think about the important things of life? Have you had a meaningful conversation over a nice dinner out, with your spouse, lately? Do you remember the common courtesy of turning off your cell phone during dinner?

These days, words are flying. Primarily, they are flying electronically. There is no shortage of language being used. Multiple methods of communication are used each day by each of us. Think back over your day. Was your “communication” an investment in relationships? Or was it meaningless, for the most part?

I’m not suggesting that we revert to snail-mail letters as the only way to communicate (although I will say that e-cards and facebook wishes are no substitute for Hallmark cards)! Heaven knows, I’m as “big” on technical stuff as anyone—I have an iPhone, iPad, laptop, wireless keyboard, a blog, and I’ve been a queen of email since it first existed. But I do think that we could all be more aware of using communication tools more effectively (quality is still more important than quantity), and of remembering (and encouraging our children/grandchildren to remember) that the art of personal and real communication must not be lost.

Of course, there are those who stay up with the latest technology and still manage to keep up real and meaningful interpersonal-relationship-type communication. I certainly hope and pray that I am one of those. But I believe I am observing a widespread problem.

Oh, yes, there are more and more ways to communicate. But those methods are being used with less and less real meaning, in my view. It’s a loss to our culture, I’m afraid. Sadly, I believe, in the case of communication these days, more is absolutely less.

Special Day with Mother

Just put together a quick digital scrapbooking page about spending a special day with my mother. She's doing well after her total shoulder replacement surgery, but it's a lot harder-going than she expected. Our adventure at Wal Mart included my almost having to "fight" to get an electric cart, which was an absolute necessity for her. They were in short supply, and in great demand. I won!

Making a Difference in Nicaragua

Our son and granddaughter just returned from a fulfilling mission trip to Nicaragua. The journaling on the page gives details, but these are the kinds of things difficult to document on a scrapbook page!