In Memory of Edith!

Today, with a cup of tea in hand, I sat out on our deck and reflected on the last couple of weeks. WOW, what a whirlwind! Dan received a phone call from his sister telling him his mom had unexpectedly taken a turn for the worst. This was on Saturday, and Monday morning we received another phone call telling us to come home. She died at 7:00pm and we arrived at 1:00 am, 6 hours later. His brother and 3 sisters were waiting for us in her room. Everything was left untouched. She laid asleep in her overstuffed chair with a blanket tucked around her neck. The family left the two of us to say our good-byes. I watched as Dan gave her one more hug…one more kiss…and one more time he whispered in her ear, “I love you, mom.”…even though they had said good-bye the day before. She had hoped she would be able to celebrate her 96th birthday June 30ieth, but she didn’t quite make it.

As I sat looking out over the horizon from my deck, I reflected on what she left behind…her jokes, her wit, her choices, her habits, her circumstances in life, her family…all of which will echo down through the generations to come. What did she mean to me and to others? Where did she leave her mark? Was it meaningful? Was she happy? Did she make a difference?

My thoughts couldn’t help but turn inward. What about the legacy I am leaving behind? Am I living my life with the end in mind? What are the things about my life that will echo down through the generations? How I want my life to finish should be reflected in how I am living it today. What do I see? Do I like what I see? Before I die who do I want to be? What do I want to do? What do I want to have? Who do I want to help? What do I want to enjoy? What do I want to leave behind? OK…OK ENOUGH!!! Too much food for thought!

Edith Butkowski at 95 years of age left behind 6 children…30 grandchildren…59 great grandchildren…and 9 great-great grandchildren. Her life and Godly character impacted her family, her friends, and her community in so many ways. Her life was all about serving others. What an incredible legacy!!! Did she make a difference? Yes, in so many people’s lives. She made a difference in my life… She gave me Dan!!

The New Eve

This summer a friend and I are facilitating a study on the book, “The New Eve” by Robert Lewis. God brought together a multi-generational group…women of all ages, all seasons, and walks of life…perfect for a study like this. Now as you well know, along with diversity comes a mixture of thoughts, views, opinions, and convictions…because each person sifts life through their particular world view. Needless to say, there has been lively conversations…healthy though. J

The book focuses on the “3 Core Callings” God gave to all women, found in Genesis 1: 28 and Genesis 2: 24

Leave and cleave (Seek a deep, lasting companionship with a man)
Be fruitful and multiply (raise up and launch healthy, godly children)
Subdue and rule (advance God’s kingdom on earth in ways specific to your gifting)

Robert Lewis states it this way, “In genesis you find what I call universal “core callings” for every woman. By “core callings” I mean purposes God has in His mind for you as a woman – purposes around which everything else you do and choose in life finds its rightful place and order of priority.”

There was much conversation last week…but the thought I was left wrestling with was, “Why did God give all women these same “core callings” but didn’t give all women the same opportunity to marry and have children? Some women are able to fulfill only one of their “core callings” in life. This doesn’t make sense. OK all you sweet connections out there…any thoughts? I’m Pondering…….

Celebrating 35 Years Together

Picture this 35 years ago…four bathing beauties basking in the sun in the backyard of my home in Story City, Iowa. My sisters and I were experiencing the “calm” before the “panic”. I was getting married the next day. It was so peaceful as we listened to the wind whistling through the trees, and felt the cool breeze, putting us all to sleep. A couple hours later we woke up in a panic…I was burned to a crisp. What in the world was I thinking? I guess creating a memory took precedence over having common sense …which is often the case with me. The next day I painfully eased my arms into my long-sleeved wedding dress and prayed like crazy I wouldn’t peel before the ceremony, which by the way lasted an hour and 45 minutes.

That was 35 years ago…its hard to believe we just celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary, June 2nd. Sitting at the restaurant we began to reminisce the past 35 years together…the fun, laughter, hard times, good times, 5 girls…infancy, childhood, youth, adults…births, education, marriage; ministering in Clarksville (Tn.), San Bernardino (Ca), and Little Rock (Ar.). We talked about love, memories, trust, loyalty…and on and on…and on and on we went. Our life together has been so rich.

But we also talked about how it is harder now to find time to celebrate. It is just the two of us…no one giving input as to how we should celebrate our anniversaries…our birthdays…our holidays...all the milestones in our lives. But does it really matter…it would be much simpler to let them pass by unannounced. Did I really just say that??? OH YES IT MATTERS!!! This is the time we need to dream together…evaluate where we have been , where we are now… and set new goals for where we want to be 5…10…15 years from now. Very important years are ahead of us personally, in our marriage, and with our ministry. We must keep dreaming and celebrating life together!

I made a “sweet connection” 35 years ago to the “love of my life”. And that connection grows stronger everyday...and will continue to grow "till death do us part”!

My Sweet Connections

“My Sweet Connections” …don’t think for a minute that I randomly picked this title out of thin air…not a chance. Considering all the different dynamics that make up my life I wanted to come up with something that addressed it all…the “perfect” title for my blog. I pondered, processed, evaluated, reflected, examined, meditated and prayed over this name. Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? But now you have a peek at my personality…nothing is ever simple. I always want everything to be perfect…now do you see why it has taken me so long to begin blogging?

My life is full of sweet connections with the people I love…my God, my husband of 35 years, my 5 daughters and their families, and all the people God brings into my life to make it rich, more meaningful, and full of purpose. All these “sweet connections” energize me, challenge me, excite me, encourage me, and love on me. Blogging about the people I love is my way of honoring them and our growing relationships.

Also, I have sweet connections with life’s circumstances, both hard and easy ones, that mold and refine my character, growing me into the person I want to become. Blogging about these life lessons is a constant reminder to me of where I was, where I am today, and where I want to go with my life. Sound selfish…like blogging is all about me? I hope not! Because I want to make it all about you!!! As I share about my life, I hope you will feel that “sweet connection” and be encouraged, challenged, and energized by the things I say, as I am sure I will be, through your responses.

So I have landed the plane…”My Sweet Connections”…what do you think????

Starting At Square One

Hello out there,

My daughters say it is time that I connect myself with the “real world” and learn how to be technically savvy so I can be relevant. Technology intimidates and scares me on several different fronts. It’s hard for me to figure out, it can become all-consuming and take over my life, it exposes me to the world at large… just to name a few. But it is time I put my fears aside and dive in. So please bear with me as I explore this “new phenomena” (to me anyway) of blogging.

I have a dear friend who has encouraged me all year to begin a blog. She invited me to come to her house for my first class of “blogging 101”. She along with her daughter hooked me up and before I knew it I had a personal g-mail account, and a blog site that was set to go. I then met my daughter at Coffee Beanery and she helped me set up a Facebook account. Nothing like immersing myself!
I know, this is just the beginning…I have much to learn. I can’t get on the WEB where we live so it will mean hiking into town about 2 days a week But…IT IS A BEGINNING! YAY ME! It is a day to celebrate!