Love Lives a Life Without Regret

The person that Jesus is has me feeling aware of him today.

Listening to a radio sermon by Chuck Swindoll, something he shared really struck me. He was talking about the character of Jesus and the fact that Jesus never had to apologized for anything, ever! He treated people in ways that never called for him to have to make amends. The words Jesus spoke were deliberate and with purpose. Truth be known, he only spoke when something needed to be said.

Jesus did nothing outside of his own character. He is our best role model. Today I am going to do my best to listen more speak less and look at people through the eyes of Jesus. I am touched by the thought that Love lives a life without regret.

I pray your day will be full of moments with Him. Let him speak to your heart today:)

John 17:13 (New King James Version)

¹³ But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

On the Other Side of the Fence...

If you have been reading my blog for a while you know that I work as an educator for the Department of Corrections. Recently a student came into my classroom. He is about the same age as my second oldest son. I could tell right away that he had a great deal of untapped potential. There was just something about him. He was serious about getting his High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) and he spoke to me in a very respectful manner. (Sad to say this is not always the case with my students).

Starting off with some practice tests in preparation for real GED tests, it became clear early on that this student was going to get his HSED with in a very short amount time. I assured him as I do all of my students that if he was willing to work with me, I would work with him to complete every test before his release. This gave us only about 6 weeks to work on it.

Sharing that he had gotten involved with drugs, this student explained that his life pretty much took on a life of its own, which led to his numerous incarcerations. He was sure to state his intentions of "doing things different" this time. When I asked him why he never got his High School Diploma he stated that he didn't care about school when he was in high school. From the sharing he did of his younger years, it was easy to understand how he could get wrapped up in the life he fell into.

His story is a very common one. However, having a student with his ability is not so common for me. Once he began passing tests, missing only one or two questions per test, the momentum was mounting. He completed the final requirements for completion of his HSED this week with the highest score of any student I have encountered in the four year period I have worked at this school.

Encouraged by his abilities and willingness to do whatever it takes, I asked him what college he intended to go to upon his release. To this question he said, "excuse me?" I told him he needs to use his mind to do something with his life. Simply put, I said, "You cannot waste your mind. You are far too smart not to use your intelligence." I then reminded him that not using his intelligence is likely the reason he ended up in prison and added if he really wanted to "do things different" as he had stated earlier, he might want to consider furthering his education.

I gave him some college catalogs along with a skills inventory so he could think about what he would like to do with his life. He took my leading very seriously and though he was taken back by the interest I showed, it was clear he was beginning to believe in the possibilities. He talked about the possibility of welding and perhaps an apprenticeship program.

Knowing his time was short I asked him some questions as to where he was going home to so I could give him information about programs in his area. He stated that he has no home and when he is released he is being dropped off at a shelter in a large city. I had heard of such cases, but have not encountered one personally. Here is this student who has no job, doesn't even have his HSED in his hand yet, wants to go to college and now he is expected to go make a life for himself without a home to go to. This was very disturbing to me.

In probing further I found out that his parents are deceased and all living relatives are in another state. This case bothers me so much. I question how the Department of Corrections can just put him out on the street with little to no support. This makes no sense to me. Aren’t we in the business of rehabilitation before integration of inmates back into society? The student himself stated that he would be better off staying in prison where he has a roof over his head and three meals per day.

The purpose of Corrections is not just to create a place for inmates to do time. Isn't it DOCs job to put the inmate's hand into the hand of the supports necessary to help him to become a contrubuting citizen in our communities?

My heart has been heavy concerning this inmate ever since our conversation. What does he have waiting on the other side of the fence? I woke up in the middle of the night with his face in my mind and I have been praying continually for the Lord to bring supports in the form of people who will help him. In addition I pray for his protection, that doors will open for him and he will find favor.

I would like to ask all of you praying people to take a moment to say a prayer for this individual, but not just for him. Pray for all those like him who will leave the Department of Corrections. Getting out of prison is a very scary transition for anyone to make, let alone having no place to go. The cards are stacked against him before he walks out of the gate. Lord protect him and lead him to your path for him I pray.

Relational Prayer

It seems I have been running into several reminders lately about prayer and the power of prayer, but not just the power of prayer, more importantly, my need of prayer.

This has me reflecting on an earlier time in my life when prayer seemed to come to me rather easily. It used to be that words would fill my mouth with little thought and my heart would be touched in ways I can't even describe. Today things are different because of circumstances I won't go into here. I have learned to accept that my prayer life has changed. I am coming to terms with the fact that prayer was something I took for granted when the words would so readily flow from a soft place in my heart and spirit.

Today I make the decision to be deliberate in making sure I am keeping this vital part of my life alive. Though I have been waiting for a touch from the Lord in this area, I realize now that it will not likely happen naturally; at least not as quickly as I had hoped;). Prayer for me is no longer attached to my feelings. In fact I rarely feel anything at all when I pray. My prayer life is now based on knowing and believing that God is who He says he is. Perhaps that as it is meant to be. One thing I know is that there is life in understanding the heart of the Father and the only way I know how to get a glimpse of his heart is though relational prayer.

Below you will find my quote for today on prayer. I hope it makes you think, at least a little bit. Won't you join me in my journey as I choose to pray with purpose, on purpose, for God's purposes? He is Faithful, Amen? Amen!

"You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed."

A. J. Gordon

Bitter Sweet Reunion

Raymie, Kristen and Jeremy

Monday Ray and I were home for the day and three fourths of our children were here also. Normally this would have been a happy occasion, but this time it was a bitter sweet reunion. Oh sure, it was fun to spend time with them laughing, eating, watching football, laughing some more and just hanging out. But in reality my heart was hurting knowing all the while that yet another of our four children would be moving 11 hours away.

The morning was a cold with overcast and a few sprinkles, but I woke up and realized the importance of spending time with my family and living in the moments the Lord had blessed us with. With my heavy heart, I spoke to the Lord concerning my attitude and it wasn't long before I made the decision to spend the day in the woods. What better way to be close to God and my family at the same time?
We took a drive just over 20 miles from our home, parked our cars; one at one end of the trail and another at the other end. Then we commenced on our four mile walk in the woods of Kettle Moraine State Forrest. This is such a beautiful time of year.

While in the woods I couldn't help but take a few moments to note the beauty all around me. The vibrant colors of Autumn captured my view and I in turn captured bits of it in these photos.

I love the contrast between the colors, and shades of gray

Jeremy and Joanna along the trail

Aaron, Kristen with baby on the way:)

Jeremy and Joanna again (close up) They are moving to Missouri:(

In the photo above you can see the trees so random with older lifeless ones lying about. I love the natural beauty in this shot

In contrast to the random trees above; it is obvious these trees were intentionally planted in rows. This created another aesthetic all together. I like it just as much as the previous shot, for different reasons.

Here we are in the woods, me and Ray

In this photo is my son Raymie and me. Raymie came home to help Jeremy and Joanna move. At least they are moving to the same state, perhaps the same city. At the end of our four mile walk stood Parnell tower. Don't let my calm appearance and smile fool you. I couldn't wait to get down from there. My knees were shaking all the while.

All in all it was a full and fun day. When we got home I had a pot of chilly all ready and waiting for us. God is so good. He helps me find joy in the simple things in life. I am blessed. Thank you for stopping by. I hope my simple life blessed you in some way today:)

More Wonderful Than Words Can Express

A warm touch from the Lord has blessed me this morning and I want to share it with those who might come and read. His love and kindness is so much greater than anything I can truly wrap my brain around. I take comfort and experience feelings of deep gratitude and reciprocal love as I realize and accept his love and devotion toward me once again.

Lord, your love is more than enough. Your grace is more than sufficient and your mercy far outweighs any hardship I have or will experience. I praise you as I accept You in this new day as Lord of my life. You are so much better than good.

If you have a few moments take a bit of time to read Psalm 139. The entire passage is so full. I am putting a tiny part of it here:) Love to all of you!

Psalm 139:14-18

¹⁴ Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
¹⁵ You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
¹⁶ You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

¹⁷ How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
¹⁸ I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!

15 Week Update on Baby Kissinger, AKA itty-bitty-betty

Below you will see a picture of my daughter Kristen, AKA Betty...she is in week 15 of her first pregnancy. We are very excited! :) The picture above is to give an idea of the actual size of the baby this week:)

I am truly amazed at how technology has changed since the days when I was having babies. It is astounding the things we know now compared to just 20 years ago. I am proud of Kristen for taking her pregnancy so seriously. I have given birth to four healthy children and pretty much thought I would be showing her to ropes so to speak, but oh no; it is just the opposite. She is teaching me things about the process of pregnancy that I had never even considered. God is so much better than good. I feel overwhelmed with joy in being blessed with this experience with my little girl all grown up. Life is such an amazing miracle! Praise the Lord!

Your pregnancy: 15 weeks

See the big picture

How your baby's growing:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

See what your baby looks like this week.


Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.

A Dog named TED!

Hello everyone. I pray all is well with those of you who bless me by stopping by. Today I am thinking it is time to share a little bit about our other dog. We have shared much about the Chihuahuas, but have said very little about Ted. above note the picture with the three of them. The little ones adopted Ted as kind of a big brother and he has been so gentle and sweet with both of them.


Ted is a our four year old Chocolate Lab. We found him at a yard-sale when he was about 8 weeks old. He and his brother were the last two of the litter. I will never forget my first sight of him, looking up at me through the bars of a cage with his big sad eyes. He was just adorable. We left that yard-sale without him, but the thought of his sweet face stayed in my mind for days.

About a week later Ray and I took a walk and saw that the puppies were still there in the same battered cage. We stopped and spent a few minutes playing with them. I paid close attention to their personalities because we knew we did not want an extremely energetic dog. That is a road we had traveled in the past and we were not willing to revisit it. When the cage door was opened one of them was very excited and seemed to have a lot of energy, while the other seemed a bit slower to move and even lethargic. I wondered if maybe something was wrong with him, but in playing with him found that he was playful, but in a more gentle and loving way.

We adopted the calmer of the two that day and to this very day Ted, (Ted E. Bear) has stayed true to the picture he first showed us. We went through some potty training trials, dog at large incidents and there was the stretch of time where teething was an issue, but in all actuality he is the best dog we've have ever owned. By about age 2 we realized he had become a pretty wonderful dog.

He loves to be wherever we are. Maybe that is because he thinks he is one of us. Ted E. Bear, AKA Brown-dog, is a true and loyal companion. I love my big brown dog.