A look inside: The Reason Why

Sunday, November 2, 2008

The Reason Why

This picture alone sums up the reason why our family goes to the Retirement Home every year on Halloween

If you look closely, you can see a tear in this man's eye. As I watched from a distance, I saw his face light up when Daniel sat down on the couch next to him and struck up a conversation.

It brings so much joy to these wonderful people to see the kids each year . We always leave feeling so glad that we took the time to go. This year almost didn't happen. As October 31st started to creep up, I told Jon it was literally impossible for me to get everything ready this year, and I just didn't think we could go. He reminded me of how much it means to the elderly people and how it's just as important for our kids as well. So Big Daddy (as he likes to call himself) took over! Calling the retirement home, arranging a time for us to come and how many gift bags we would need to bring. Multiple shopping trips with a 3 year old in tow to the Bible Book House, Walmart, Targt & Winco. Then he and Olivia stuffed 105 gift bags full of goodies...I didn't do a thing! So thanks to Jon, we didn't miss out on any of this:

I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.... Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me. (Matthew 25, The Message)

Yep, it's November 2nd, so as promised, here's your Psalm & Proverb for the day :)
Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. ~Psalm 102:1-2

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. ~Proverbs 2:6-8

9 comments:

Lindsay said...: Tears! Oh how awesome it is that you do this!! God uses your family every year to minister to these people and that in itself is just ASWESOME!!

Have a GREAT day!; November 3, 2008 at 5:28 AM
Glory Laine said...: A few things...
Thing # 1-
I love that you guys do this every year. This totally pulls at my heart strings and the lasting effects that this example has on your children is surely going to shape them into lovely adults.

Thing #2-
I love that you were able to tell Jon that you couldn't do it all. And I love that because Jon is a great leader in your home or (big daddy) he took on the cause. What an example of a healthy marriage!

Thing #3-
I triple love that you are blogging everyday.; November 3, 2008 at 1:11 PM
Stefanie said...: Liz,

So glad you are BACK! Missed you and your family.

I like Becca, love you annual Halloween tradition.
The kids looked super cute too.

Good luck on the everyday thing :) Good for us! (hard on you!!)

Stef; November 3, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Rachel said...: Welcome back! I've missed seeing everything that you and your beautiful children have been doing. I hope you are doing okay...sounds like you might have your hands full right now. I want you to know that I appreciate being able to read your blog everyday this month. Being stuck at home all day every day...I am your captive audience.I hope things slow down for you...if you want them to.; November 3, 2008 at 2:25 PM
Lindsay said...: This is a wonderful tradition. You're right....little children have a way of reaching people's hearts, and the elderly can be so lonely. What a wonderful gift you gave them!

I'm so glad you are back in the bloggin' world, too!; November 3, 2008 at 7:05 PM
Michelle said...: Ditto to all of the others... I was so moved by this same post a year ago(I can't believe that I have 'known' you for a year!!!) Your family is a BLESSING. :); November 3, 2008 at 7:48 PM
February Jill said...: Welcome back Liz! I've missed you.

I adore this tradition and I LOVE your little Sarah Palin walking around campaigning. You got her hair just right!

Jill; November 3, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Valerie of Momia said...: I do so enjoy taking Makayla to the retirement home where her great-great grandmother lives. They love the company of children! My two favorite visits were Valentine's Day where 18 month old Makayla dressed in a poofy pink dress handed out homemade valentines to the residents and Easter when she handed out (sugar free!) candy.

You know what you're doing, Lizzy and children, is making a difference. You can see it on the residents' faces!; November 4, 2008 at 4:52 PM
Tiffany said...: Ummm, this post made me teary-eyed. I NEVER thought to start such a tradition and it is SUCH a good idea! It speaks volumes. You just may have inspired many to steal your idea!; November 6, 2008 at 7:02 PM

Words to Remember

"Christ's followers cannot expect better treatment in the world than their Master had. Let them not promise themselves more honor or pleasure in the world than Christ had. Let each live a life of labor and self-denial as his Master, and make himself a servant of all; let him stoop, and let him toil, and do all the good he can, and then he will be a complete disciple."
~Matthew Henry,
English Pastor 1662-1714

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess."
~Martin Luther King

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
~Jim Elliot

"I am a missionary, heart and soul. God Himself had an only Son, and He was a missionary and a physician. A poor, poor imitation I am, or wish to be, but in this service I hope to live. In it I wish to die. I still prefer poverty and missions service to riches and ease. This is my choice."
~David Livingstone

"I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others do the same. "
~C.S. Lewis

"I want Thy plan, O God, for my life. May I be happy and contented whether in the homeland or on the foreign field; whether married or alone, in happiness or sorrow, health or sickness, prosperity or adversity - I want Thy plan, O God, for my life."
~Oswald J. Smith

songs with meaning

If you hear one of these songs playing while visiting my blog, here is why it is so special to me:

I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman: I would listen to this song as a young teenager and dream about finding a love like this song describes. Guess what? God gave more then I ever dreamed.

Any Song by Keith Green!!! I first heard Keith Green as a young child and knew all his songs by heart. As a teenager, I loved his music because he is so honest and authentic. I also read his autobiography when I was in my teens. He is one of my all-time heroes! I remember my friends laughing at me when they were in my car, wondering why I would be listening to songs from the 70's. Yes, the music is cheesy, but the lyrics are simply amazing!

How Could I Ask For More by Cindy Morgan: My senior year of high school I was on homecoming court with four other girls, who were all good friends of mine. We all picked this song to be played during our ceremony. I still love this song!

Have I Told You Lately by Rod Stewart: The song Jon and I danced to at our wedding. I smile every time I hear it.

I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me: This song was played at Brian Ditchen's memorial service. Brian was Jon's cousin who he grew up with, and who I went to school with, and he was a dear friend. He passed away in March of 2004 in a tragic plane accident, he was only 28. It shook the core of our faith. The only comfort came from knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, who Brian lived his life for: Jesus Christ. He was a dedicated believer, and we can't wait to see him again. Every time we would hear this song, it touched us deeply, it still does. Heaven has become very real to us.

The Scientist by Coldplay: My younger brother, Ben, sang and played this song on the piano at my brother Jeremy's memorial service. Jeremy passed away suddenly in September of 2004, he was only 31. Once again our faith was shaken (see next song)....

Cry Out To Jesus by Third Day: Whenever I hear this song I am reminded of my brother Jeremy...."To everyone who's lost someone they loved, long before it was their time, you feel like the days you had were not enough, when you said goodbye....cry out to Jesus" I am reminded to turn to God in the midst of my pain and loss, and it's OK to go to Him with my questions

We Will Dance by Steven Curtis Chapman: My current love song. It so beautifully describes mine and Jon's relationship.

I'm Not Cool by Scott Krippane: This is Daniel's song.Not in a mean way. He absolutely loves this song and sings along with it every time. The funny thing is, it describes him perfectly.

She's a Dancer by Phil Keaggy: This is Sarah's song! It so sweetly reminds me of Sarah...."she's a dancer, she loves to dance, she's a singer, she loves to sing, she's a lady, walkin' round in mama's shoes, standin' tall in mama's shoes" Sarah has also been caught singing into the bathroom mirror. And when she was younger she put on many "dance performances" for us in our living room.

Olivia by Phil Keaggy: Obviously Olivia's song! I've sang this song to her since she was a tiny newborn. She knows the words and sings along now. Whenever I put this song on, she stops what she's doing and gets a big smile on her face, and says "my song!"

Beautiful by Bethany Dillon: OK I'm 32 now. And sometimes when I look in the mirror, the depression creeps in. I don't look like I did ten years ago, I don't see a beautiful young woman looking back at me. And that can get you down sometimes. This song reminds me that true beauty is who I am in God's eyes. I could be perfect in every way on the outside and yet not be beautiful in the eyes of God, and when it's all said and done, my life would have been lived only for myself. I want to be beautiful in God's eyes, I want Him to look inside my heart and smile, and most importantly, be pleased.

Who Am I?, The Voice of Truth, and Praise You In The Storm by Casting Crowns: All three of these songs are very special to Jon. These are three of his all-time favorites. These songs brought him close to God when he was going through a hard time in his life.

I Am by Nicole Nordeman: The first time I heard this song was at a Women of Faith conference. She played it live on the piano. It was so beautiful and moved me so deeply. God is truly my "I Am", He has been my one firm anchor through every season of my life.