One O'Clock

If a normal lifespan is one day and we are born at Seven A.M. then tomorrow I pass One O'Clock.

It's not a milestone birthday by any conventional means. It's just a numbers game I made up when I was very young. And, for me, tomorrow I am officially beginning the afternoon of my life.

That's fine with me. I am a sinner saved by grace. Since I surrendered my life to Christ every day has been a gift from Him that I do not deserve and I strive to live fully for His glory.

As a new creation I now live without questions and without shame and without regret. I pray God allows me a full lifetime to see my daughter grow up and to help my husband all of his days, but I fully acknowledge that my life is hid with God in Christ and I pray His will be done most of all. Each day has been a gift and will continue to be a gift until the Lord calls me home.

So, when I was young(er) and made up my little numbers game, I thought I was only good at being young and it would be such a pity when I "passed noon". Now I know the truth and I pray I spend the afternoon of my life spreading the Gospel and being spent for Christ.

God Is So Good

A while back at the end of a Sunday worship service the pastor had us sing the song God Is So Good.

You know the song:
"God is so good
God is so good
God is so good
He's so good to me!"

Though it was a beautiful moment of worship and the voices filled the sanctuary, something bothered me. That last line stung my thoughts for several weeks. I started noticing the phrase popping up  everywhere. I even wrote in my journal that it seems that when Believers speak of some good circumstance in their life they give praise to God by ending their story with "God is so good to me!" We even say it around my house... we'll have a little unexpected income followed immediately by a major car repair need and when praising God that the need is already met we exclaim, "God is so good to us!"

Amen! Yes, He is good to me. To us. He never leaves us nor forsakes us! Keep praising Him!

But, what has stuck in my craw since that chorus played is that God is good. Period! If we say 'God is good to me" when we are healthy and have no looming burdens and the kids are behaving and we like our current circumstance, then what is God when we can't get what we want or when we're mistreated or when we're staring down the barrel of a chemo syringe? If God is good when your circumstances are good then the flood gates of doubt are wide open when circumstances are less favorable. I've seen it happen with Christians so many times. Things get tough, they doubt God. It's wicked.

The truth is God is good. It's who He is. And the truth remains regardless of our circumstances or feelings. That is why it is the Truth.

God is so good!

Joyful Blue

I love this date! Every year through the sneezing spring and heat wave summer I dream of October 15th. First frost has destroyed my mortal enemy, Ragweed. The humidity has lifted. The air is clean. I soak it in so deeply that I can get high just breathing. (Apologies to my Fundy friends, but I'm *really* excited today!) I'm going to bask in the windows-down, slow-floating-leaves beauty beneath the joyful blue of October 15th!

When Nine Hundred Isn't Enough

"So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years; and he died." Genesis 9:29

I wonder about the first few generations to live on earth. They lived so long - hundreds of years. Imagine!

Mostly, I wonder if on their death beds they looked at their children and with tearful reflection said, "It goes by so fast!"

Drive Fast and Eat Cheese

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." ~ Helen Keller

I have an adventurous spirit. I was an exchange student in high school and spent my senior year ten thousand miles from home. I've hiked, I've rappelled, I've snorkeled. I've jumped out of an airplane at 14,500 feet. Why 14,500 feet? Because the rest of the group jumped at 12,000 feet. I've slept under the open sky in the Australian outback and awoken by a wallaby licking my toes. I've been chased through the New Mexico desert by a rattle snake. While spelunking in Illinois, my face shared the crevasse in a rock with a massive spider. I've been rescued from a drunken crowd by security while onstage playing music on an American college campus, and I've recorded with a former Beatles producer. I've been sprayed in the face with Windex by a Maori in New Zealand, and I've accidentally started a small fire on a plane in Japan. (They're very forgiving.)

My adventures haven't always been about seeking the thrill. And, I'm not always smart. I signed a marriage certificate as a teen because I thought it was the perfect ending to a fairy tale. And it was. The ending.

In the workplace I've had normal jobs, and I've had jobs that got the response "I've never seen a girl doing _____!" Those have been my favorite. Girl bass player, girl pizza guy, etc. It invites adventure. I'm not after danger. I've always been street smart for a white girl from the burbs; my Dad made sure of that. He taught me the dangers that lurk and how to watch out for them. Good thing, because I've never been tough. I've got tattoos and piercings, but that doesn't mean I'm tough - it means I shouldn't allow myself to get bored.

Which brings us to the present... today I looked up "adventure" using the dictionary app on my iPhone. Granted, I'm on day 8 of bronchitis, so I'm not quite myself. But, let's face it - no matter how sweet the sweet parts of motherhood are, it still did to me exactly what I was afraid it would. It made me boring. The overwhelming desire to protect not only this innocent little being I was given, but also her only mother, has my hands planted firmly at ten and two o'clock. The big adventure in my life is laundry. I enjoyed the miracle of pregnancy. I accepted the challenge of infant care with no prior baby knowledge and came out victorious. I navigated the minefield of toddler dangers, and stuck to my guns through the "2's". Now, we have a routine. Stability. Exactly what I've been trying to build. Yet, all I want to do is drive fast and eat cheese.

So, this is my new challenge. I'm older, wiser, more mature, and have good reason to wear a helmet at this point in life, but I'm definitely seeking my next adventure. Stay tuned to see where all this leads...

Heckman Family Reunion

We had an unofficial family reunion yesterday as most of my Dad's family gathered to surprise him with a 60th Birthday Party. He knew something was up during the months of planning and secrecy, but since the only date we could get everyone together was a few weeks after his birthday, I think he was surprised, especially by how many people came.

I'm also experimenting with black and white film (remember film?), so here are a few snap shots of the family:

Left to right: Rachel Keith, Marty Keith, Keely Keith, Ian Myers, Ashley Myers, Kevin Heckman, Sara Heckman (holding baby Colten), Bryan Heckman, Van Heckman, Pam Heckman, Cherine Heckman, Rick Gomez, Rod Heckman, Darla Gomez, Cody Evans, Michelle Heckman (holding baby Jax), Brendan Heckman, Talitha Oettinger, Michael Oettinger (holding baby Lucy).

My parents: Pam & Rod Heckman

My Dad and his siblings: Kevin, Cherine, Rod

Me and my siblings: Keely, Brendan, Darla, Talitha

Thanks to everyone who came - from near and far - to help celebrate my Dad.  He really enjoyed it!

Marty's Amazing Belt Buckle Collection

My life is currently a full, beautiful blast of energy and motion. Still, I must pause to showcase one of the seemingly random collections in my home. May I present... Some of my husband's belt buckles:

This is a unique handmade belt he commissioned last year. It's a replica of the belt worn by the character Bo Duke on the television series The Dukes of Hazzard. Marty actually met John Schneider once and asked him about "the" belt. The buckle currently on the belt is from an antiques store. "The" buckle will be made soon, I'm sure.

Now for some of the buckles:

My Record: Two Years, Six Days

Today is a special day for me. I have now lived in my present home longer than I've lived anywhere in my life. My record: two years, six days. Not just a record in my adult life - this is the longest I've lived in one home in my entire life.

I wrote a blog once listing the many places I lived as a child, but for the past 17 years, I've been mostly in the Nashville area.

Anyway, my current home feels like home. As much as any earthly home could for me. I know my citizenship is in Heaven. There awaits my inheritance. My hope. Then, I will truly be home.


"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20

14 Monkeys Saved

My 3 year old daughter was in the bathtub this evening playing with a Barrel of Monkeys. I kept hearing, "Father, Son, Holy Spirit." Splash! "Father, Son, Holy Spirit." Splash! "Father, Son, Holy Spirit." Splash!

"Honey, what are you doing?" I asked curiously as each monkey was ceremonially dunked.

"I'm bath-tizing my monkeys, Mom."

Mamas Pick the Mood

My 3 yr. old was a little difficult yesterday. She often watches me while she does something she knows she's not supposed to and waits for my reaction. This is not new. The new part is: when I told her not to do it she added a very whiny, "But Mahhhhhh-ahm!" That is "but Mom" in the loudest, whiniest kid voice you can imagine.

So yesterday, after hours of nothing but annoyance, correction, annoyance, correction I left the room, and prayed that God would give me strength. I instantly thought: do something funny. So, I walked back in like drum major in a parade and sang a silly song. She laughed until she got hiccups and we went on to have a wonderful and fun evening.

God reminded me that when my child is stuck in a bad place it is I who must make a change. I can either freak out and yell at her and we can have turmoil, or we can find a way to enjoy each other. I'm the Mama, I pick the mood.

Mamas pick the mood. Great reminder, Lord, thank You! I wonder how many other Mamas forget that. Surely, I'm not the only one :)


"The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish pulls it down with her hands."
Proverbs 14:1

1973 Volkswagen Beetle

A person, once very close to me, often said, "You can learn something from every person you meet. Every person has some grain of knowledge you will never otherwise learn. Find out what they know and learn it."

That was the only grain of wisdom that I learned from that person. That and about cars. I love cars. I love pre-computerized cars. I love working on them. I love the purr of a properly timed engine. I don't have mechanical opportunities in my life right now, as old cars and young kids don't mix for busy mommies. And, I may never fix up an old car again, but I have fond memories.

The first car that was actually mine was a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle. I loved that car. She broke down a lot. Sometimes I knew what was wrong, and sometimes I had to push her. She flooded a lot when parked and I'd have to push her out of the space, let her roll a bit and pop the clutch. Brilliant! I miss that car... and I learned something.

Is This a Luna Moth ???

I saw this big guy clinging to the bricks on the Borders building in Cool Springs. I've never seen a moth like him before. Does anybody know what he is, and if he's migratory? I think he is a Luna Moth, but I'm not sure.

Superhero Parenting

Yesterday afternoon in the car my three year old was displeased with the overcast sky and asked, "Mommy, would you turn that light on, please?"

I looked at the dashboard searching for the light she referred to and responded, "What light, Sweetie?"

Pointing up through the back window she said, "The one up dare."

"The sun?!" I asked in astonishment.

"Yeah, that one!"

I chuckled at the abilities my child endows me with and said, "I cannot control the sun, but thank you for thinking I'm that powerful."

She is at such a sweet age. She has so much faith in her Daddy and I that she doesn't even question the supernatural power she believes we possess. We'll be sure to use those powers for good.

No, I can't control the sun or the sky or the boy who was mean to her on the playground. But, I can control myself and never yell at her or belittle her or shun her. Yes, I will use my powers for good and not evil.

John Martin Keith

I adore my husband. He adores me.
He adores the Lord. I do, too.

Worship is beyond singing and playing musical instruments in praise to God. It is how we do everything in our lives. I adore my worshipful husband. I am happy to follow a man who follows the Lord.

I once thought the Bible was so degrading to women and Christians were just controlling each other. Then, God in His irresistible grace redeemed me and gave me His Spirit. Now, in the Bible I see every answer to every question in life, and I can honestly say What godly woman wouldn't happily submit to a godly man?


"The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish tears it down with her own hands."
Proverbs 14:1

Psalm 23 (like you've never heard it before!)

My Baby reciting the 23rd Psalm at 2 years old.

Oh, Oswald!

I just read this in My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers:

"The author who benefits you most is not the one who tells you something you did not know before, but the one who gives expression to the truth that has been dumbly struggling in you for utterance."

Bulls eye!

I've gotta read that again...

Yep, it hits the target of my own experience with the same precision each time I read it!

Dust

I am filled with love for my Lord.

I've typed and deleted a paragraph twice now. It seems I can't articulate the one thing that has never changed since the day I poured my heart out to my Maker and said, "Here's my life. You can have it if you want it."

He wanted it.

I've not taken my eyes off Him since.

Still in awe.

It seems I can chatter about nonsense, complain about inconveniences, muse about irony and boast about my sweet family, but my words will never do when I want to express my love for the Lord.

Maybe that's because I can't get over His love for me.


"For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust."
~ Psalm 103:14

Do Trees Make The Wind Blow?

The trees in this area are currently ablaze in all their deciduous glory. I can't help but to stare up at the reds and oranges, maroons and crisp yellows set dynamically against the clear blue sky.

Something else has caught my attention and, unfortunately, I must depart the wonder of this pumpkin-scented autumn to question the mountains of mulch.

Every tree in my pristine suburbia is laced at the ground with a fluffy bed of cypress mulch. The dark brown circles each tree in a shadowy circumference like the dot of an exclamation point. It's not just the delicate, non-native trees that are blanketed in the smelly shreds of former forest flesh. It is also the mighty oaks, hickories and maples indigenous to the naturally beautiful terrain. Nature now pushed behind the boundaries of this plastic paradise.

How did this happen? Has this practice been D.I.Y.ed into normalcy?

Cypress mulch is stinky, using it depletes natural cypress forests turning them into wastelands and it is usually covered in non-native fungi that spot the leaves of the very trees it supposedly protects. Then, mulch-lovers have to re-pile again next season.

I'm not an activist, nor do I have a personal vendetta against mulch. It's just that when I was a kid trees simply grew out of the ground. I just wondered if they still can.

Redemption

Imagine a cute little squirrel with big, round eyes and a fluffy tail. She's a girl squirrel, so give her pretty eyelashes, too. Now watch the squirrel hop into a barrel of acorns. She eats and eats until the proverbial barrel is empty. There she sits sad and remorseful at the bottom of her empty barrel. What does she do, but look up from the darkness to the light of the bright, blue sky.

Yep, I'm the squirrel and my redemption story is a classic tale. God allowed me in my gluttonous zeal to consume every last ounce of self-fulfillment until the barrel of my life was empty. Then, in His kindness, God did not give me anymore ME. Instead He gave me mercy. He called me and I looked up to the Light.

I surrendered and He redeemed me!

Are you depleted yet?

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Moving Wasn't Normal Then

I love to make lists. I find lists fun to make and comforting when completed. I was thinking today of all the moving my family did while I was growing up. Sometimes we lived in a town for a year and a half, sometimes six weeks. Realizing that I attended 14 different schools before college, not including two years of homeschooling, I thought making a list of my moving adventures would be a challenge.

Let's see...
Born in St. Joseph, Missouri then...
Tucson, Arizona...
Cypress, California...
Tucson, Arizona...
Maryville, Missouri (a farmhouse near there anyway)...
Phoenix, Arizona...
Tucson, Arizona... (two houses)
Topeka, Kansas... (two houses)
Maryville, Missouri...
St. Joseph, Missouri...
Port Neches, Texas...
Clovis, New Mexico...
Lafayette, Louisiana... (two houses)
Paducah, Kentucky...
Houma, Louisiana...
Hendersonville, Tennessee...

Then, I chose to spend a year as an exchange student to Australia. After two more long-term stays in Australia, I've made 12 moves as an adult, but in the same general area, so that's not as fun to list.

The best part of moving as a kid was by far setting up my new room. The best part about moving as an adult is by far setting up my new place. I love where I'm at now and prefer to never move again. Maybe I'll just rearrange the furniture when the newness wears off!