Chapter 2... Ms. Perfection

Week 2!

Ms. Perfection... hmmm... do I know her? Why yes! Have I tried to be her? Yes! Do I still struggle with trying to be her? Yes! Do I know better than to try and be her? Yes! Did this chapter slap me in the face? YES! Can you believe that even after reading the chapter, I have lamented over writing the perfect post on Ms. Perfection? How crazy is that!

"About halfway through the service, I looked down at my crisp, clean white linen skirt. That’s when I noticed a glaring flaw in the plan. Right down the middle of my skirt, stretching from my left side to my right, was a bright, royal blue pen mark smiling back at me. Horrified at what I saw, I realized the only way to remove the stain was to take it to the dry cleaners. I couldn’t believe that after all my stressing and striving, the look I wanted to achieve that Easter morning was ruined with a mark from my son’s pen. So much for perfection, I thought."

After reading Lisa's description of Easter Sunday, getting everyone dressed in their matchy matchy outfits, Lisa admiring how pretty she looked, and then the horror of seeing the pen mark down her crisp white skirt - I recalled a photo that was taken of me and Jim for our church directory several years ago. I spent time finding the perfect outfits for us to wear. I did my hair, makeup, found the perfect accessories... we were going to have the most beautiful church directory portrait. Imagine my surprise when I previewed the photo... everything was in place. Hair - perfect, clothing - perfect. Nailpolish - oops... big chip in the nail polish for all to see! What a reminder! I looked so put together, but that tiny chip (that looked huge to me) reminded me of my imperfection. No matter how hard I tried, I was not ever going to be perfect. I can put a bow on the package, but what's inside is broken. Like the Christmas gift we received one year... it was beautifully wrapped. But when I picked the package up the unmistakeable sound of broken glass sounded from inside the package. It was so pretty on the outside, but broken on the inside. Trying to cover up my imperfection with makeup and nice clothes... well that's like trying to put a band aid on a gunshot wound. It's just not going to work.

Over the years I have learned to be real with people. I reflected on the question Lisa asked in the Bible Study section of the book:

"Search your heart. Is it more important for you to be seen as perfect in a certain area.. or seen as real?"

Lord, I want to be real. I am so glad that what you desire from me is to be real, not perfect.

First a Thank You...

My heartfelt thanks to each one of you that lifted our family up in prayer this past week after Jim's dad's passing. It's a bittersweet time for our family. The loss of such a wonderful man is sad, but we also rejoice that he was a Christian and is safe in the arms of our Lord. The mansion with many rooms... a room that was prepared long before the earth was formed just for Augie!

I have to share with you also another woodpecker story! Yesterday afternoon, Jim's brother A.C. had to leave to go back to Seattle. Jim's mom, myself, Jim and A.C. were in the driveway as A.C. was preparing to leave. Our woodpecker swooped from one tree to another and sat there and sang for us. Yes, God was telling us all would be ok. It was so sweet... our messenger... our woodpecker.


Now, moving on to today's post!

I mentioned before that our church is participating in a year long spiritual renewal program focusing on prayer. Today we have kicked off our participation in Praying 4 America . For 30 days we will be praying for a specific state(s)... praying for the leaders of the state, the churches of the state, and for the Christians of each state that they would be faithful witnesses for Christ, humble servants of God, and positive influences on society. We are also asked to lift up our President, Vice President and Congressional Leaders in prayer as well. We received a special Map of the United States that breaks down the 30 days and which states to pray for each day. Our country is struggling these days... many families are experiencing the hardships of high gas and food prices, the struggling economy etc. I myself have reflected on the events that have led up to what's happened on Wall Street and Main Street and these words from Matthew 6:24 came to my mind

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

The word "greed" was used many times in a television report as being one of the catalysts for the current situation in our country. As the years have marched on, God has been taken out of schools, meetings etc... there are people who want to take "In God We Trust" off of our currency. Has America put it's trust in money? Has America been serving 2 masters? Has America been worshipping the almighty dollar?

I pray that as Christian Amercians we pray for our country to get back on track. That we focus our attention to God as our provider not our investments...
Yes, we must be good stewards with the riches God has provided for us. Our monetary blessings come from Him.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~ Matthew 6:25-34

Believe me... I have prayed over those verses for years. I will continue to pray over those verses... I will pray them for the states in our Union. I ask you to do the same.

Do not worry dear friends... God will provide. Rely on Him when contemplating ALL of your decisions, no matter how big or how small. He is in control... even when we are not!

Today, being day 1 of Praying 4 America, we are asked 1.) To pray for a great outpouring of God's Spirit on America (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17)
2.) Pray for the President and Vice President, that their hearts would be guided by God, that their decisions would be wise, and that their leadership would be principled.

Well Done Good & Faithful Servant...

August C. Schwark
June 10, 1917 - September 22, 2008

My dear father in law was welcomed home yesterday morning at 6:15am. Yesterday was also our 18th wedding anniversary. Jim and I both said we could not have received a more wonderful gift than sharing our anniversary w/ our father's homecoming! We rejoice knowing he is with our savior!

I posted on Friday that he had taken a turn.. we are so grateful for the time we had this past weekend. Although his body was very weak, his mind was so sharp. On Sunday we got out pictures and walked through his life with him, from childhood to now. He knew all the pictures, when they were etc. It's a testament to also being so healthy up until now.

There are so many other wonderful moments that happened over the weekend. One moment I want to share today happened Saturday afternoon. My sister in law Ann and I were sitting on either side of my father in law. We had the front door to the house open. The front door has a storm door with a window. While we were sitting there relaxing a woodpecker landed on the tiny corner of the storm door window. It was absolutely amazing, as that is something that is just out of character for this type of bird. The tiny woodpecker sat there on the tiny ledge, looking in the window for a few minutes and flew away. When I say looking, I mean looking. Not like he was just resting there... he was looking in on us. Right after that moment, my father in law looked at me and Ann and said "I see them coming, they will be here soon." I truly believe that woodpecker was a messenger from our Lord, sent to speak to my father in law and to us as well.


I have to tell you, a downey woodpecker is now my favorite bird!

We had many more cherished moments that I will always treasure. On Sunday night we were all sitting around the hospital bed that was set up in the living room. He was struggling a bit by then. I read the 23rd Psalm which happens to also be the Psalm that my mother in law and father in law's wedding sermon was based. We prayed the Lord's Prayer, we sang Jesus Loves Me, Beautiful Savior and Abide With Me to him. What a blessing, to spend your last days at home, surrounding by loved ones, wrapped in the arms of our savior!

My father in law was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and servant of Christ.
I have included the link to my father in law's online obituary which will tell you a bit about his life and what his work for the Lord entailed. I will miss him like crazy, but as my husband said when he bent down to kiss his dad's forehead "I'll see ya later pop!" Yes, we have that promise! This is not the end... we will see him later! Glory!!!

Gracious Father, Your love never ends. When all else fails You remain to help, heal and make us whole. I thank You this day that in our time of sadness You give us peace, strength and hope. I thank You for placing me in this family and for giving me my Father in Law. He loved me as if I were his own and I am so grateful for the special relationship we had. Strengthen our faith and our our hope, for all time, through the all-sufficient grace of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Well done good and faithful servant, welcome to paradise! Amen

I know that my Redeemeer Lives! What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives who once was dead; He lives, my ever-living head!

He lives, all glory to his name! He lives, my Savior, still the same;
What joy this blest assurance gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!

Online Obituary & Tribute

Hit or Miss

Hello my dear blogger friends!

I will be hit or miss for the next few days... I am hoping to get some free time to finish up my 6 random things post as I was tagged by Kim as well as another post I have started about love.

My father in law has taken a turn for the worse. We know it is only a matter of no more than a week before he goes home to be with Jesus. The last few days have been bittersweet, but we have enjoyed many treasured moments as well. Family is so good! We are having to spend a lot of time at the house with my mother in law and father in law at this time, as well as juggle work, home etc.

I ask each of you to lift us up in prayer and ask the Lord for a speedy, peaceful release for my father in law. Losing him will be sad, but we know this is not the end! Praise Jesus that we have an eternity to be together.

I will be back as soon as I can.

Much Love,

5 Things...

Several of my blogging pals participated in this meme a week or so ago. I really enjoyed their lists so I thought I would play along. It looked like fun! If you haven't participated in the 5 Things about me meme - please do! It's so fun to learn about you gals (and guys)!

5 things under $5.00 that I couldn't live without:

My Lipstick
My Mascara
St. Ives Fash Wash
Garnier Hairspray
Red nail polish (toes only)

5 favorite movies

It's a Wonderful Life
Holiday Inn
The Passion of Christ
Steel Magnolias
On Golden Pond

5 favorite baby names I love

Phoebe
Annabelle
Ethan
Heidi
Gretchen


5 songs I love

In Christ Alone (w/ The Solid Rock) Travis Cottrell
Days of Elijah
Faithful to Me by Kathy Trocolli
American Pie - Don McClean (gotta have some secular music)
Blessed Be Your Name


5 life changing moments

The day I was married
The day my parents told me they were getting divorced
The day my first niece was born
The day my sister Jennifer found out she had breast cancer
The day I decided to become a Realtor


5 current obsessions (these are current, but have been ongoing and are not necessarily obsessions but I love to do!)

Decorating my house
Cycling
Snow Skiing
Bible Study
Indianapolis Colts football



5 places I want to go

Maine
Germany
The Olympics - someday, anywhere, summer or winter
Vermont
Greece

5 appliances or kitchen tools I could not live without

Coffee maker - gotta have my coffee
Kitchen Aid Mixer
My Cuisinart
Santuko Knife
My favorite saute' pan