Joyful Transformation

I found the perfect cure for the funk…. I planned a trip to the beach. Last minute fly by the seat of your pants kind of thing. I got home from church last night and ask David if there was any reason we couldn’t go to the beach for the weekend. He didn’t know of one, so we are off. My mood is GREAT!!

Happy New Year everyone! I will be back in touch on Monday

Today I am in a funk. Can’t put my finger on what is causing it. I don’t think it is post-holiday depression, I just never get all that fired up about the holidays. I think I am just feeling a little lonely maybe a little old. The years do seem to tick off at a faster and faster pace.

I think I am somewhat overwhelmed by what all I need to do. I am neither a stupid person nor a lazy person, but I just can’t seem to get it all together. My tax records are piled up in envelopes waiting for me to sort them from the junk mail in my cabinet. I can’t ever seem to catch up at work even though the volume of work is nothing like it was this time last year. My closets are over filled at home and I just never seem to get around to getting groceries or preparing a whole meal at home. This all frustrates me. I know that I must simplify, at least I think I know it, I sure don’t act like it.

I know that the very nature of all my blessing should so overwhelm me that I couldn’t possibly feel down about anything, and yet I do. I know that God will forgive me and love me anyway, but I just don’t feel joyful. I can think of many things that bring me great joy but my attitude is not joyful.

Funks come and go maybe this one will go soon.

Jonathan is recovering nicely. He will be in the hospital for about a week. The family has decided not to press charges.(this has changed, charges have been pressed and the cousin is on the run) I know that my life has been sheltered and I am grateful for that. I don’t understand how this is considered normal behavior. Thanks for your kind words and encouragement.

Last night I was reading one of the four books I am currently in. This one spoke of simplifying by cutting out things that aren’t bad in our lives but just are not the best things. I am wrestling with that this morning. I know that there is way too much “stuff” in my life and I desperately need to simplify. I am just not sure where to cut. I have made an effort to cut back on the ministries in which I am involved in order to concentrate my time on just a couple. This book spoke of 80% of the things which take our time and attention are not important or vital and we should rid ourselves of these things and just concentrate on the 20% which is profitable whether in business or in our personal/spiritual lives. This is a toughie for me. I guess I will have to get out the T-Charts and figure out what needs to go. I realize that this is a concept my life can benefit from I am just not sure how to implement it.
Got any ideas?

One year ago today my daughter was married. My brother performed the ceremony and all of my family was home for the event. Derek & Mary were expecting but they were part of the wedding party as well. The wedding was beautiful and went off without much of a hitch except that Joseph’s dad showed up quite intoxicated. He is an alcoholic and just can’t ever seem to get it under control. Fortunately he was only a weepy drunk and just wanted to cry a lot. I felt sorry for Joe, but knew that he and Diana were getting what they wanted, a chance at a life together. We are blessed to have him as part of our family. He loves my little girl and will take good care of her.

Yesterday Derek & Mary had one more Christmas dinner to attend on her mother’s side of the family. Mary’s brother and one of her cousins got into an argument, it escalated and they took it outside. Mary’s brother was preparing to throw a punch when the cousin pulled a knife and stabbed him. Now I have spent Christmas day in the hospital before when my dad had chest pains, but never have I experienced this type of trauma. Jonathon was taken into surgery with 6 holes in his small intestine. It looks like he will be o.k.

Peace on earth…. Yes it is nice to say but we forget that this earth is still ruled by the prince of darkness. We have to remember that we are not at home and we must look forward to that home. I did have a wonderful Christmas season, but I would give it all back to keep this tragedy from happening. I don’t want my son, daughter-in-law or my grandson to have to experience these things, but I know that I can’t stop it. I can pray for God to shield them and He will to some degree but we can’t escape that we live in a world filled with sin. How great is the challenge to be a light in the midst of this darkness.

It has been a beautiful day in Alabama. The temperature got up to around 50 degrees and the sun just ended its majesty by slowing setting over the lake. The water was still and quiet and the now bare trees allowed for a wide panoramic of the beauty on display. Just yesterday I had commented on how ugly it could be outside this time of year. I love it when God shows me. His beauty is everywhere; sometimes you just have to look harder.

Christmas is over. It was good for our family this year. I enjoyed it as much as I have in a long time. Last year was a blur since my daughter was married on the 27th of December. It was hard not to have my brothers and their families at home. They were missed and my sarcasm seems to be bubbling over since I was not able to let it all out with my brothers. I will try and keep it in check.

I feel the time of year coming on that is a little dark and depressing. Football ends, baseball is not ready to start, it is too cold to get outside much but you are sick of being in the house. I am not ready just yet to make my resolutions for the year. It amazes me when I look back at this time last year and realize some of the things that were so important to me then are not even part of my life anymore. I praise God that my spirit has been fed this year and that I continue to grow. I long to grow more and know that if I seek God with all my heart I will find Him. That will be the biggest part of my resolve for the year, but hey it is only December 26th. I have DAYS to make this list.

12th Day of Christmas
12 Drummers Drumming

Drum Roll please....Unto you this day a Savior is born.....

Merry Christmas to all!

11 Pipers Piping----- I just read that this represents the 11 faithful disciples. I didn't know that. I was going to make some remark about noise and pipes and yada yada yada, but I like to think about the 11 faithful disciples. No, not the 11 perfect disciples, but faithful. See we can achieve that faithful, but we know we cannot be perfect. Thank God, no one in heaven has ever asked us to be!

It's here folks; Christmas Eve. This is the day when most of the gift giving happens for the Gossett family. I am excited to have my family together. I am sad that my brothers won't be able to come home to make my mother's family complete but am comforted to know they are healthy and happy.

Enjoy your family this day! Remember those less fortunate and I think it is o.k. to count your blessings. After all those are a gift too!!

10 Lords a Leaping

I can’t think of a time my true love would send me ten Lords a Leaping. I mean we are talking about hot guys, right? I can’t picture my husband sending them to me, unless of course you are talking about an NFL video with great catches being highlighted.

I truly only think of one Lord in my life and I think of times in His life when there was leaping going on. John the Baptist leapt in Elizabeth’s womb when he heard Mary’s voice. I can picture Jesus leaping over rocks and such on his way to Jerusalem as a young boy. I am grateful that Jesus didn’t leap off the temple when the devil tempted him to do so. I guess Peter had to leap out of the boat to walk on the water, and then Jesus probably had to make a bit of a leap to catch him and get him back in the boat. Mary leapt up and ran when she heard he was asking for her after Lazarus had died. Peter and the boys probably did a little leap when they ran off and left our Lord outside Gethsemane. But ultimately our Lord leapt out of the grave defeating the final enemy, death itself. Wow! We should be the ones leaping with joy, he conquered death for us! Praise God!

Nine Ladies Dancing

I am following up on the Joy/Celebrating lesson tonight. I think I need to be one of those nine ladies dancing. Work stuff is creeping up in my life and robbing me of my joy. I was thinking this morning that the thing I do that makes me the happiest during the working day is taking the time to post to this blog. Silly I know but take your joy where you can find it. Joy/Celebrating is a discipline. I have to get my butt of my shoulders in order to experience it. I was thinking in the shower this morning that I was not living in the present and not being filled with joy like I want to be. (Do you have profound thoughts in the shower? Makes for big water bills.) So maybe for today I really need to concentrate on the Nine Ladies Dancing…short break…I went to get some coffee and I told everyone including those who have made my blood pressure go up, that today was Ladies Dancing day and guess what? I feel better already. See there is something to this celebrating thing.

Enjoy this day, even if you have to make yourself and ponder on these wise words from Tommy Smothers: “If you don’t know what you are talking about it’s hard to know when you are finished”

Dance today!!

Eight Maids a Milking.

Today I am “milking” my brain for answers. I don’t know if I have eight full thoughts but one that has hit me early this morning. I was reading a devotional by a person who said they don’t celebrate Christmas as the birth of Christ but do not have a problem with those who do. Now I think I understand where “we” came up with our posture on Christmas, but today I wonder if we should be surprised that people want to take mention of God and creation out of schools and other secular walks of life when we as a church have taken Christ out of Christmas. I don’t understand how taking a contrarian’s stand on something meant to honor our Lord and Savior makes us more holy or more right and I certainly don’t see how it makes us attractive to others. If we are to be light and salt should one of our goals not be to be attractive as we reflect Jesus in our lives? I have accepted this stance most of my 40 something years, on the outside, but I have always questioned the wisdom of such a stance. Oh well, you all have read and heard enough about this, me too, but I have never really considered how we have expectations of the world that we don’t even place on ourselves.

One of my calendar devotionals today (yes I was four days behind) said “Fastings and vigils without a special object in view are time run to waste.” This was very timely for me for two reasons (I am still milking here, bear with me). First I read in Joe Cook’s blog where he talked about the fact that his Church did a three day period of fasting and prayer for their building project. The results were phenomenal. I love the thought of putting this much time and discipline into something that really matters. Second my friend Terri is having her surgical procedure tomorrow and must fast (clear liquids, popsicles, jello only) today. In the spirit of friendship I offered to fast with her. I have no clear object in view, but only mean to support her by trying to share in her discomfort. Tomorrow, she will be on her own, but today I can support her by fasting with her. Of course I will lift her up in prayer tomorrow, but and I do mean but, the rest is up to her and her Doctor.

My sweet husband picked up the last two Christmas gifts yesterday. I cooked supper while he was gone for the first time in a really long time. It was a great night for hot chili.

Four days left! Are you ready? I have not even seen “A Wonderful Life” yet. Maybe I will get to see it soon. Have a great day and remember, you can’t make milk if you don’t chew the cud!

FIVE GOLDEN RINGS
Six Geese a Laying
Seven Swans-a-swimming

Got a little behind on my 12 days of Christmas. I spent the fifth day with 5+ golden Hours of babysitting for my sweet Matthew. I bought myself a new photo printer for Christmas and I have been having a blast printing off all of these wonderful digital prints. Maybe for me it should be 5 Golden REAMS!!!

The sixth day was spent at a Christmas program at Seventh Street Baptist church. I really wanted to go to a Christmas program this year so when Derek & Mary asked me to go with them I couldn’t refuse. I like so many of you was raised in a church where Christmas was never equated with the birth of our Savior. Never made a lot of sense to me but there it is. My church still does not formally recognize and celebrate this as the purpose of the holiday, although we will sing the occasional Christmas song now and have the stage decorated with poinsettias. So, I knew I would have to go elsewhere to have a Christmas program. While I enjoyed a production that would rival a lot of small theatres in Alabama, I left there feeling a little let down. Yes I had “watched” a very good production (fake snow and everything), but I had not participated in worshipping. I went back to my church for traditional services last night. I am not a big advocate of Sunday night preaching, but I needed to feel the love and community of my own church. Maybe sometimes you have to get away from the comfortable to appreciate it.

Today is fitting to be Seven-Swans-a-swimming. I am the only loan officer at work. Three on vacation one out sick; so I am swimming hard to keep my head above water. Not only am I handling my loans, but those of the officers who are not here. I did go at lunch and buy Matthew a red wagon for Christmas. I think that completes my shopping. There are a couple of items I still have to pick up, but I am done. All is wrapped and under the tree, whew, that is a relief. My cards went out Thursday and I even bought some groceries last night, for the first time in a couple of months.

Hope you all are intending to enjoy this week! It is going to be great! Oh and I finished Revelations today! Two years in a row I have made it all the way through the Bible! I am behind on reading blogs so don’t be surprised if you have a late comment from me! I am thinking about you all though! Merry Swans a Swimming….

Today is Four Calling Birds… We have become a people that like the whole “calling” thing. In the spirit of Mike Cope’s blog I think that cell phones should come with a book of etiquette. But I guess I am a “calling bird” this Christmas. I bought my husband a new cell phone (yes a camera phone) with a new provider; one that actually provides uninterrupted service without being right under their tower! (oops I am sounding cynical…)

Last night I had an outing with a very special friend. We had a good time eating, laughing and talking. I told my husband it would be my last night out till after the 1st of the year and he said “and then you start right back up”. Yeah, pretty much. I love being at home but I also love spending time with special friends! My life has been blessed with many good friends; I hope I am the kind of friend that deserves their friendship!

Well if today is day four- that means 8 more days!! Are you getting excited yet? Do your eyes light up at the sight of Santa? There is so much excitement in the unknown. Aren’t you glad the “great unknown” holds the best excitement yet for us? Me too!!

Today is Three French Hens….. I am not real sure in the difference between a French Hen and any other hen, perhaps they are just a little more rude and selfish. Anyway I think I will just have some French Fries!!

Yesterday was a wonderful day of shopping. The mall was not crowded so I had a great time! I purchased a lot of things but still have a few to go. When I start getting them wrapped and under the tree I should really feel festive!

Last night we talked about joy and the discipline of celebrating. We had a lively discussion and even sang “I wish I was an Oscar Meyer Weiner” as an example of how celebrating even small things can make you feel wonderful! I gave credit to Matt Elliott for the article I quoted on the difference between happiness and fun and found out that our minister’s wife Celia Owens knows him. Small world Matt! She said she was in school with you! You know how special she is.
Thanks to all for your input and suggestions. I didn’t feel like I got across the importance of Joy so I am going to do a mini lesson on celebrating next week and follow up by reading “The Christmas Pageant” from Val’s family blog. You my blog family have been a great resource as well as great inspiration this season. Thanks!!

Today we get Two Turtle Doves.... How about a chicken biscuit from Chik Fil A?

I am taking the day off to hopefully finish my shopping. I must go to the dreaded MALL. I have been elected to get the gift for the boss and that is the only place they have it.

I guess the effort to truly try and enjoy Christmas is making me very aware of those who are struggling to find any joy in the season this year. I want to say "perk up it's Christmas", but I have been there so many times I understand all too well. I do think though that it strengthens my resolve not only to enjoy this year, but to try and always be joyful. People are just waiting to be pulled down, they will gladly jump into the pit with you; but they don't expect joy, it catches them unaware. Who knows it might just rub off.

Celebrating the gift of our Saviour should bring us complete joy!

Father, forgive us when we forget how precious that gift is! Help our joy to be complete in You!

Last night we had a “Grandma Shower” for our friend Sharon. She is expecting her first grandchild in early January. Some of you can relate to how much stuff you need, especially when your children live in another town. We had such a good time and Sharon received some great baby gifts.

I told you that I am teaching on Joy this week. One of the disciplines we need in our lives to obtain joy is celebration. Last night we celebrated. For a couple of hours our lives were uncluttered with worries and problems, we were together celebrating good news and good times with a wonderful friend. I think it safe to say that we all left there feeling joyful. God has blessed us with so many gifts, lets honor Him by Celebrating every day!!

Today is the first day of Christmas.

“On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree.”

I am not real sure how to incorporate the partridge/pear tree thing, but this year I am going to enjoy TWELVE days of Christmas. When my children were in their teenage years and some of the wonder of Christmas had worn off I decided to give them gifts for 12 days of Christmas. This became a real challenge to do without spending a fortune, but they got candy, socks, yo-yos, paddle balls and other inexpensive things. Part of the fun was I would make it a scavenger hunt. They would get numbered clues and have to find their gift. It truly was fun for all.

We have some hidden gifts in scripture that are fun to find, consider the ordinary shepherd in Luke 2: 8-17

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child.

I would love to have been a shepherd that got a telegram from an angel and a singing telegram at that. Something about the angelic choir calmed these men. They went from being terrified to running to find Mary and Joseph. Can you imagine a host from heaven singing praises to God for your benefit. I love verse 17 in the Message “Seeing was believing.” I want to see with the eyes of faith. I want to see Jesus. This year that will be what my Christmas is about.

Joy vs. happiness; one of the definitions I want to have for my class on Wednesday night. At its simplest I thought; happiness is walking into a room where my grandson is and see him light up in a smile when he sees me. Joy is having him as part of my life even though he does get ill, and spit up, and mess his diaper. Happiness is about the moment, joy is about the attitude.

What about it? Can you help me any with this one?

I fear sometimes if I had been an apostle I would have been Thomas. My brain is programmed to question, to investigate, to try and figure stuff out. So I must confess there have been times when I had trouble fathoming the whole flood thing. Not that I have doubts of the power of God, but the whole earth under water? I just questioned.

Well, the last couple of days we have been experiencing massive amount of that rain I enjoy so much. I think I have told you I live on a lake. Prior to the rain the water was down to winter levels, somewhere way under the 510 ft full pool mark. As of yesterday the lake stood at 514 ft. Now that’s a lot of water in a short time. Walkways to boat docks are under water, creeks are full and overflowing trees are barely peeking out of the water. So Donna the doubting Thomas, 40 days of rain would definitely put the land of Cullman under water so probably the whole earth isn’t such a stretch.
I love it when God teaches me and I actually listen. I still am going to enjoy the rain because God promised He wouldn’t destroy us with it again….Now fire, I don’t really like fire so much

Did I tell you that my tennis team won our division! We were actually undefeated. Made missing all that work on Wednesday mornings worthwhile. Here is our little group as published in the Cullman Times. I have cleverly pointed myself out to you..

Is there anything more relaxing than a steady rain? As I peruse my blogs this morning it is raining. If I wasn’t already at the office it would be hard to get out of the house. I don’t know what it is that makes a rainy day liberating. It’s like you don’t really have to get anything done, it’s raining. Our God is so awesome. He knows we need rest and rejuvenation and He knows that sometimes we are not smart enough to block off the time for it on our own.

Thank you Lord for the rain. Thank you for my life and my job and my family. Help me slow down enough to truly enjoy and appreciate them and you

Last night was our Ladies Christmas party at church. Our gracious sister Carol opened her home to us for a wonderful meal and great fellowship. We revealed our secret sisters last night. I decided I am not going to participate next year; I already have too much guilt in my life. I got my super gift from my sweet Secret Sister who has been SO good to me all year and suddenly the gift I had bought for my SS seemed small and insignificant. Now I know that it is not suppose to be about the gift, but I immediately started making plans to improve my gift since my SS was not there.

This morning it dawned on me; I am a prideful giver! I want to be the biggest giver; surely nobody can out give me!! Just one more case of me doing the right things but not having the right heart. This realization really hurts, I have even been prideful in my thinking, “I may not have everything down pat, but I am a liberal giver”. Can you say “Pharisee!” It scares me that I have so much work to do, and see, there I go again, I NEED to STOP and let God work in me.

Please Lord, work in me. Help me to know that all that I am and all that I have is because of you. I can never give enough back for all that you have blessed me with. Help my heart to become softer. Help me to become gracious when receiving and humble when giving. Forgive me for allowing pride to enter into my life once again

Happy Pear Harbor Day! I know many of you don’t recognize or celebrate this day, I mean it was a dark day in our nation’s history. But 29 years ago on this day my husband asked me to marry him. I guess you could say "He dropped a Bomb on Me" (ha!), so we celebrate Pearl Harbor Day. Celebrating beginnings can be a good time of reflection. I think you have to be able to look back to keep a relationship strong. Where have we come from, what have we survived, what have we done right, where did we drop the ball; great communication questions that spur you into the deeper things that relationships should be built on.

Last night I had a wonderful outing with a few good friends. We had a marvelous time, talking, laughing and of course eating. But it struck me during the evening that I sometimes keep my life like an episode of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”. I have certain doors that I keep locked off. You have to know the key to get me to open up. I am not sure why I am this way. Maybe I am just afraid of letting people get to know me too well. This wouldn’t be such a big deal, but sometimes I long for the release of just being real with my friends. I DO tell God everything, but sometimes I need the immediate response that I can see. My life has been blessed with a few special “best” friends. They have all been a true gift from God. I wonder though that when these relationships are lost for whatever reason if it scars our hearts and makes us unable to trust the next person that comes into our life. What do you think? Is your life an open book, or are you like me and keep your own “Chamber of Secrets”?

Friday they had to take my mother in law to the hospital with chest pains. David called and told me there was no point in me coming up there, they will only let two people in the ER at a time and he and his brother were there. She was later admitted to a semi-private room, again no room, just one guest chair.

I hate to prosper from the suffering of others and forgive me in advance for my selfishness, but I had a great time. I went home fixed a fire lit some candles and parked in my reading chair with NO TV!!! I really relaxed. I concentrated on NOT multi-tasking. I didn’t fold the clothes I got out of the dryer, I didn’t hunt the Christmas decorations, I found ways to really relax. I had a good time of study and of prayer, but I also started reading a book just for fun. I called a friend and yakked on the phone for a while. I feel guilty doing that when David is home. I slumbered some in my chair but tried to stay up until he got home. At 10:30 I gave up and went to bed, but made myself get up when I heard him come in. So I wasn’t totally selfish, right?

While true joy is found with friends and loved ones, sometimes we need time to just be alone. I must say, it was good for me!

I bought the first Christmas gift yesterday! For me this is EARLY! I also lit a candle over the fireplace last night, and yes the fire was going, warm, snug, happy, content; I sound like a stinking kitty-cat!!

Well, I was reading some more in “The Life You Have Always Wanted” by John Ortberg, and I am still on the chapter about hurry. (I had to slow down and soak this in, seems he was talking to me). So I am sitting in my chair, eating popcorn, watching CSI and reading this book when he says to me something like- Some people are in such a hurry and so busy that they eat while watching TV and reading a book!! All this time I have deluded myself into thinking I was a normal healthy woman because I can multi-task. Instead he would have me believe I just don’t want to slow down long enough to truly think about life, particularly my life, my spiritual life. Makes sense to me. How can I find where God wants me to be when I can’t slow down enough to listen to Him? Even when I am reading or studying, I forget to engage my whole mind. This whole hurry thing is going to take more than just one casual commitment or “motto for the day”. I am going to have to take this seriously. I will keep you posted on the “transformation”.

Wow! I bought my poinsettias yesterday and have them set out in my house! We also bought 10 for the office so it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. I am on the way to a joyful holiday season. I did have to complain just a little about the slow sappy Christmas music they were playing at the club this morning. It is really hard to get motivated working out to “The First Noel”. But all in all I am still on track. It is even cold here today. I had to bring a coat!

I do so love to be with our group of ladies on Wednesday nights. I am attempting to present discussions on the fruit of the Spirit, not only on what it is and how to get it, but the disciplines necessary to maintain a life filled with fruit. It is going to be quite a challenge, but something I started because of my need to do this in my own life. I was way over-prepared last night. This frustrates me because I know there is so much I didn’t get to bring out. Then I went home last night and was reading a chapter in the John Ortburg book I am studying which talked about hurrying. I am so guilty. He even said you had it real bad if you checked out all the lines at the grocery store and competed with the person who would have been you in the line you did not choose!! Hello, doesn’t everyone do that? I was also frustrated again yesterday by my lack of organization. So slow down and get organized; my mottos for today.

Aren’t you excited about Christmas?

It is December! How did that happen? I am going to have a great holiday season this year. It will be my first year as a Mimi. My first year to have both children married. This is the first year neither of my brothers will be coming home; the first year for a lot of things, some good, some bad. But it will be a traditional year in a lot of other ways. I am sometimes too much of a change agent. I love the new the bold the undiscovered, yet I also like the comfortable, the constant the tried and true.



Many years I have allowed myself to be too busy or too stressed to truly enjoy this time of year. I get on my high horse about people putting their lights up too soon, too much Christmas music, too much spending, blah, blah, blah. But I am going to be joyful this year. I am going to let Merry describe Donna! I am going to resolve to enjoy every moment (or at least SOME moments) of every day between now and Christmas. Will you join me? Let’s just have some fun!!!!!