It's My Birthday

I've had such an interesting week. No, nothing exciting or big is going on but I am perplexed by people's expectations. I don't even know what else to type about that so I'll move on. The week started with Memorial Day on Monday. Johnny and I ran in the American Heroes 5k in Arlington. The race was kicked off by a BlackHawk helicopter flying down the street, right at us. We are training for a half-marathon, the White Rock in Dallas in December, so the 5k was a great way to keep our training on track. I hope to find a 10k around September or October that fits our schedule. We are running the half this year because I really want to run a marathon before 50. You know, one of those bucket list things. With my birthday today I am fully aware that 50 is not that far away. Yikes, I can remember when 50 sounded so old and I most definitely don't feel old. Well, except for the soreness in my legs after the 5k and, well, a few other minor things like not being able to read without the drugstore reading glasses.  That is frustrating - to look at a page and just see blurry images. Or, trying to read my twitter or fb on my cellphone without the reading glasses. Ugh! (Yes, I tried the multifocal contacts but they just didn't work for me.)

I am looking forward to today. I picked family game night for my birthday. That's what I value the most other than the awesome privilege of serving God and being His child -the time with my husband and kids is precious, especially with 2 going to college this year. I don't take it for granted at all anymore.

I gotta run - literally, I'm training for a race! Live your dream, pursue God, love your family!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Graduation #2

I found this picture of Jessica when I was going through lots and lots of old pictures for senior slide show and graduation table. It was a graduation from preschool in 1998.

And this is one of Jessica's senior pictures from this year. I could bawl my eyes out right now but I'm too darn tired. I've woken up every morning for at least 2 weeks thinking about graduation and graduation parties. It's been a lot of work, for heaven's sake. And, I would not change a thing or take away one minute of it. Maybe that one minute when... well, you don't want to read about that...

I've had a couple of good cries over the past couple of weeks, though. Man, time flies when you're having fun. Or, time flies when you are living life. Looking at old pictures and thinking about all the great things that have happened over the last 18 years of Jessica's life has been a great joy. That girl has kept us busy! She was always playing a sport. I found pictures of a little bity girl playing soccer and baseball. Even in high school she has played volleyball, golf, and ran track. Not every year except for basketball. That's the one she really loves - basketball. She has been involved in so many activities including this year being President of the Student Council, co-mascot & pep rally co-host, and co-commentator of the weekly update. I am not sure who is going to be able to fill Jess & Chris's shoes after this year!

Yesterday was the big day. We had family time with presents & lunch then we went to the actual graduation. That was followed by not one, not even 2, but 3 parties. First, there was the party of our family friends, followed by Jessica & Jared's graduation party, followed by the all-night party with just some of the senior class, the graduates. I'm not sure how that last one ended up because I had to sleep. They were all gone by the time I woke up this morning. According to facebook, it was a success.

I woke up this morning in a bit of a fog. You know, when you can't really remember what day it is at first or what you are supposed to be doing that day. I had to force my mind to remember that graduation was over and there is nothing to be done for it. (except the clean-up and that can wait) I do have 2 mission trips in June that I am planning and a writing project that Johnny and I are working on. Oh, and that half-marathon I am training for and the 5k I am running in tomorrow.

Life goes on - things end and new things start. It's bittersweet. I feel incredibly blessed to have an amazing family and some great friends. Many days I feel like God is better to me than I deserve. Even in those hard, long days I know for sure that His presence is real and my hope is secure.

James, the writer of the New Testament book by that name, wrote this, "You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." (James 4:14, in part) This vapor is having one great ride.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Rollercoaster Days

We were within 48 hours of the high school senior registering for classes at Oklahoma Baptist University.  Choosing a college was a breeze for the oldest - the first college that sent an acceptance letter to him was it. We have been a little back and forth with Jessica. She has had a couple of friends who came home after only 1 semester of college so she doesn't want to make a mistake. Anyway, on Thursday Jessica received an email from DBU with information about a new degree plan. We were on the phone making an appointment to visit with the professor and at DBU meeting with him before the afternoon was up. As a result, Jessica is now planning to go to Dallas Baptist University and we will be the proud parents of 2 Patriots this August. Whew!

We are less than 3 weeks away from graduation and are busy making party plans, graduation plans AND planning for the summer as well. Which includes vacation plans and mission trip plans. I've been having trouble sleeping - not because I'm worried or anxious but simply because there are sooo many things going on.  On top of that, Josh is moving back home today for the summer. It's so rarely the 5 of us and just the 5 of us that I am cherishing these days.

There's too much to do today to be blogging so I'm out!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

How do YOU define success?

Last Sunday my Life Group (Sunday School) class lesson was from the 1st chapter of the Old Testament book of Joshua. In that chapter, God was speaking to Joshua as he took over leadership of the Hebrew people after the death of Moses. In verse 7, God encouraged the people through Joshua to be careful to do everything God said and to follow His law so that they would have success wherever they went. I made the point to my ladies that God does not define success the same way our culture does or maybe even the same way we might.

To my youngest son, success might be defined as passing the driving test. Yes, my youngest is now a licensed driver and I am out of the momma taxi business. Maybe that is a sign of success, I don't know. To my middle child, success might be finishing her senior year strong and going to the college of her choice in just a few short months. We will be packing her up and moving her to Oklahoma Baptist University in the thriving metropolis (I typed sarcastically) of Shawnee, Oklahoma, just 3 1/2 months. For my oldest, success might be sticking with a major for a solid year in college and even planning to keep the same one into next school year. Only, he's added a master's degree program but we are still trying to get him out before #3 starts college. Now, that would be success!!

How do you define success? Is it related to your career or your family, personal ambition, material possessions?

How do you think God defines success? Ahhh, now that's a good question! Then this one - where does your definition of success intersect with God's?

These are just thoughts I am pondering today. It's so beautiful outside maybe I'll just take my thoughts out there. All I know is this, if I had created this day - one of the most perfect weather days ever - I would count that a success!

Serving the King,

Jeanette

Passion Week and Good Friday

I have been looking over the passages in the Gospels related to Passion Week during my personal Bible study this week. On Monday, Jesus cleansed the temple and cursed a fig tree. Jesus said, "My house shall be called a House of Prayer; but you are making it a robbers' den." He quoted Jeremiah 7:11 where the prophet, Jeremiah, warned his listeners that they were dishonest with themselves and with God by going to the temple and practicing religion but not living it out in their daily lives. I think it is similar to what the writer of Hebrews (unknown to us) scripted in chapter 6:11-14. I once heard Will Graham call the kind of believers written about there as "spiritual dwarfs." It's time to stop drinking milk and get to the good stuff, the solid food.

On Tuesday, Jesus was back at the temple having conversations with the religious leaders. They questioned Him and He taught truth. They (the religious leaders) were out of their minds with anger and frustration. They were plotting how they would stop Him but they had to calculate how they would do it and get the people who were believing to go along with it. Matthew 21:46 records that "they feared the people, because they considered Him to be a prophet." They had yet to believe He was all that He said He was and is. Some would never believe. Jesus desperately wanted to save. In Matthew 23:37 He said of Jerusalem, "How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling." (emphasis mine) Those last 3 words are chilling to me but I have to wonder how often have I also been unwilling.

Also on Tuesday, Jesus had the conversation with His followers about the end times. They asked, "How will we know? What will be the signs?" Are we still asking those questions? I think so. We see the wars and rumors of wars, the famines and earthquakes that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24. I mean, for real, are we having some crazy weather things going on in recent years and even weeks? I love Luke 21:28 (I heard Francis Chan quote this verse recently), "But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Amen and amen.

There are no recorded events in the Bible for Wednesday. I wonder what Jesus did. Did He eat a good meal and go out to play football with the kids like we might do on a holiday? Did He spend the entire in solitude with the Father, in preparation for the days ahead? Of course, we don't know. But, the next days would be intense and He knew it.

Thursday - the Last Supper and those last precious hours with the disciples before the arrest, trials, and crucifixion. Jesus had been preparing the disciples for what was to come. They still didn't get it. "I will never deny you," Peter said. "We would never abandon you," they all agreed. Do you think their own words stabbed them in their hearts as the events of the crucifixion unfolded, as they looked at Him upon the cross? Then there's John 17, the High Priestly prayer - the Son of God's intercession for His people. It is intense. He spoke, He prayed, His desire for people of all time - that by knowing Him they would know God and that God would be glorified.

And then Friday, Good Friday. The events that woud follow started with a kiss, the kiss of betrayal from one that had been so close. Have you felt betrayed by someone who seemed so close? The events that would follow were harrowing and ended with the lifeless body of Jesus wrapped in burial clothes, placed in a tomb, and the stone was rolled to cover the opening. In the pitch black, the human body of the incarnate One, the Savior of the world, laid dead.

It wasn't over - Sunday was coming. Sunday is coming. Oh happy day! 

Good Friday is one of the most important days in the life of the believer but, Hallelujah, it's a day that leads to THE most important day that we celebrate - Easter. The price was paid on Good Friday but the benefits are eternal. Praise His name.

Serving the only One who has the power to save,

Jeanette

Sixteen Candles

Yesterday the baby of the family turned 16. Yeah, the youngest is 16 - amazing. I was excited to go to Rally last night and hear his band because I missed it last week. It was awesome, as usual. They are getting ready for Easter Sunday. Because our sanctuary will be packed on that Sunday, we will have an overflow room in the gym. There will be live music in both places then the sermon will be simulcast into the gym.

I am really so proud of Jacob. He's amazing on the drums, even if I am his momma. It's his passion. He's a deep thinker, too, but I don't think most people expect him to be because he's also really funny, the clown. He loves music and music trivia. He's intensely compassionate and sensitive to the downtrodden and the underdog. He's loyal and smart. He does not want to stand out or be the center of attention - unless, of course, he's playing the drums or being funny. 

Last night after church some guys came over and we had an ice cream cake that MawMaw purchased for the big day. Turning 16 is big stuff! Jacob won't get his driver's license for a couple of weeks then I will be out of the momma taxi service. Wow, that's weird to think about after being at that job for 21 years. Another milestone for the Dickersons family.

In the meantime, we're trying desperately to get wisdom teeth out and make college plans, mission trip arrangements, and reservations for our family vacation. We are just a month and a half away from graduation and school being out. I'm starting to ramble so I think I'll just end here.

Serving the King,

Jeanette

To Better Enjoy God's Creation, My Dear

I didn't see it and really don't know much about it but there was recently a new movie about the old story of Little Red Riding Hood. I think it was sort of edgy and dark. Anyway, I was thinking about the old story, the way we used to tell it. Remember when Little Red Riding Hood encounters the wolf dressed up like her grandma and she asks about her big eyes and the wolf replies, "Better to see you with, my dear."? And so on about other facial features. Well, this blog post is not really about that at all...

We recently purchased a convertible. It's a little, red Volkswagon EOS and it's simply fantastic. My youngest thinks it's showy and he is unwilling to ride with the top down, though I've made him do it a time or two anyway. It is a little conspicuous but it is totally fun to drive and ride in. The night the moon was closer to the earth than it's been in years - a Saturday night a few weeks ago - Johnny and I went out for a drive and then sat in a parking lot with the top down just to look at the moon.

I love the outdoors and enjoying God's creation. That's one of the biggest benefits of the convertible -- better to enjoy God's creation, my dear! The wind blowing in my hair, the sunshine warming my skin - I love it!

The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1

Springtime in Texas is the best time to enjoy God's creation. I've been out in my yard seeing which plants made it from last year and enjoying seeing them in bloom again this year. I've planted a few new ones and have been getting my garden ready for new herbs and vegetable plants.

And, I've been out there thanking God for His provision and His faithfulness. He really is so good.

Hey, get out there and enjoy a little sunshine and creation!

Serving the Creator of it all,

Jeanette