SPARTAN COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS GRADUATION

Last night Honeybuns gave the commencement address for the graduates of Spartan College of Aeronautics located here in Tulsa.  I learned SO much!

I learned that this college has been in business since 1928 and boasts of over 90,000 graduates entering the aviation field. I learned that it takes an awful lot of hard work and even more cold hard cash to get to this point in a persons life.  As names were called and diplomas were received I learned that many already held positions in their field of interest.  Aviation companies have already snapped them up!

I learned that WOMEN enter this field and some as far away as Jamaica! She was a STAR pupil and simply delightful as she shared her story and motto, "where there is a will, there is a way," Her lilting accent endeared her to the audience. Hopefully we'll be able to follow her path now that the tassel has been flipped to the left side!

I learned that the professors out there are dedicated to seeing their students succeed and they're are deeply loved and respected.

The distinguished folks spoke, the audience laughed at the appropriate times, clapped and cheered at others.  It was a fun, proud night.  Pictures were taken with moms, dads, spouses and children.  One guy walked across the stage holding his precious little 4-yr-old daughters hand.  What kind of struggles had he faced as he studied, attended classes and flight training while parenting that cute doll baby?

I learned that I couldn't stop grinning as Honeybuns was introduced.  His very lengthy aviation career surely made those young minds wonder if they would EVER have such wonderful opportunities.  I was so proud of him when he gave his speech.  He did SO good. I snapped pictures and sent them to Andy and Philip, wishing they could see this moment live!

He urged them to be leaders in their families, communities and workplace, that only 10% would make it!  It would be up to them if they wanted to be included in that number.  He challenged them to become "surgeons" and not "butchers" as they worked, to be precise, to do their job absolutely correct 100% of the time.  Lives would depend upon their integrity and work ethic.  AND that THEY would be the ones to fly people into space.  It was GREAT!

I learned that I am a very proud wife, married to one of the 10% ers!  He does it GOOD, whatever he does!

CANCER

The big C word entered our family this week.  It's not been in our midst in my lifetime.  We have not prayed for, sat beside, driven to treatments, held hands, or made knit hats to cover bald heads for anyone in the Braner family thus far.  I've often wondered thankfully why we have been spared when we have watched so many friends endure that frightening experience.

 After a routine test it was discovered in the body of Honeybuns brother and the news has sent a shock wave through the ranks.  That word shouts STOP and THINK and RE-EVALUATE everything. Now, we don't know the stage of his disease, we don't know the prognosis, or the treatment plan just yet.  The possibility of surgery is being discussed soon. All are hopeful, praying and supporting, while waiting for more news. We are reminding each other of the many that have experienced this same diagnosis, received treatment for a while and are doing just fine today. There is no doubt that the whole family will help out in any and every way possible as he proceeds through appointments, consultations and treatments. Difficult days bring out the best in this family!

Meanwhile life as we know it has come to a screeching halt, and thoughts are racing through our minds.    It's a good thing to be forced to stop and take stock of what is really important, isn't it?
Suddenly bills,  petty conflicts, politics, diets, and the mundane tasks of every day life are put in their proper place.  It's time for "don't sweat the small stuff." And it's time to realize that ALL of us have but a few years on this earth but a LONG, LONG time in eternity. We will ALL face that  day sooner or later.  Where we spend THAT time is far more important than where we spend THIS earthly time.

This  time of reflection brings out questions for God , too.  Why cancer, why now, why him, why at all? 

And there are no answers to those questions. 

BUT, there is great comfort in knowing the character of God.

I know that God is good, all the time, that disease is part of this world we live in and HE has a plan that we do not understand and cannot see.  When CANCER surprises us and turns our world upside down, HE is not surprised.  HE is still the sure foundation even when ours is crumbling. HE has never promised us a life of perfect health, wealth and happiness but HAS promised HIS presence, grace and strength through it all, if we choose to trust HIM.  In times like these, faith in God becomes reality OR faith is ditched.  Do we only love Him when things are going smoothly?

We are praying confidently for complete, total, pain free healing.  And God can grant health if He so chooses.  BUT, if  HE has another plan, we will continue to trust HIM and look for the good that HE will bring out of it..  He makes no mistakes, His plan is perfect and when we get to the other side we'll understand it. He alone is the Almighty Sovereign One when He answers YES, but also when He answers NO.  Regardless of HIS answer, NOTHING can separate us from the love of Christ.

Not even CANCER!

"GCB "- Brand New Television Show

OK, I've had it!  I am LIVID!  Today I will not be tolerant! I just heard this news a few hours ago and smoke is still coming out my ears.

ABC has launched a new television series, titled  GCB which stands for "Good Christian Belles."  The comedy is based upon a novel titled "Good Christian B....." (rhymes with witches!)   The NEW title is a compromise but no one is fooled.  Perhaps softening the vulgar title some men with  a limited vocabulary often use referring to women fools some folks but not this gal. 

I am LIVID!  Did I already say that? 

I have NOT read the book and I have NOT seen the TV show.  Nope, don't have to. I can't get past the title.

(By the way, I am not alone, there are politicians and statesmen crying for a boycott of this show, asking ABC to pull it from their schedule.)

I'm just wondering if there would be any hesitancy  of cancelling if the title were,  "Good Muslim B......," or "Good Catholic B........, " or "Good Jewish B........?" Apalling, isn't it?

Evidently the show will portray women who PROFESS to be Christian that go to church on Sunday, sing in the choir, teach  children in Sunday School but live like the heathen during the week.  The whole premise is a lie....there is NO such thing as a CHRISTIAN  B........  Those two words CANNOT exist in the same breath.

Let's concentrate on the word PROFESS.  Yep, I agree, the Christian church is FULL of women (and men) that PROFESS to be believers in the virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, a.k.a. God in human form!  Words are cheap, lots of folks can use them for a variety of reason. Sometimes church attendance and membership is good for a resume, a social position or status in the community.  Family pressures must be included, as well.  The good Lord knows it happens often!
BUT...if a woman  (or man) is a TRUE believer her life is different, NOT perfect and never will be, but DIFFERENT.  Because she is a new creature in Christ, (I could quote verses here) because her sanctification is the responsibility of God, because sin is repulsive to her, because the love she has for Jesus is magnified in all her relationships, because she is quickly convicted of unkindness, selfishness and hatred and repents of it daily, she can NEVER wear the B word!

I'm going to assume the producers/writers/actors of this show know these true facts and promises from the Good Book and therefore must conclude that their purpose is to mock and degrade Christian women and convince those that are NOT Christian that they want no part of it. "The church is nothing but hypocrites anyway, right?"  Sure the hypocrites are there, but so are the genuine!

I know thousands myself!  Billions of GENUINE  believers have lived and served humanity throughout history and given their lives for the good of mankind.  ABC: Who do you think founded the great universities, hospitals, schools, charities?  Who do you think gives away their wealth, their health and sometimes even their children to mission work?  Who is the first on the scene of disasters large and small?  Not the PROFESSORS, but the genuine! 

(My anger must be a defense of all the genuine I personally admire from the history books and those that are my friends now.)

ABC, shame on you!  Until you're ready to include Muslim women, Catholic women, Jewish women, your mothers, sisters and wives, leave the believers alone!

Why would ANY woman put up with this?  We wouldn't let our husbands, sons, brothers, or uncles call us by that name, even disguised or in jest, why should we allow ABC to get away with it?

ALOHA

Well, who ARE those old folks?  Comparing this picture to the one taken ten years ago in that same place is a shock to my system. (Same dress!)  But growing older is a privilege, denied by many people that leave this earth way too young, so  I am thankful for every wrinkle and  gray hair! 

Maui, Hawaii is truly paradise!  Adding a fabuloso resort, great food, and no responsibility to the natural beauty doesn't hurt either. Boating out to visit the annual migration of thousands of hump-backed whales was nothing short of thrilling! Walking endless miles on pristine beaches, hiking up a volcano, going to sleep listening to the waves hit the shore, feeling the trade winds on our faces, watching ancient huge sea turtles swimming, and admiring local artists, are all  the things that describe the perfect vacation. We had a super duper good time!

(Getting to and returning FROM that island in the Pacific is another story that I'll no longer think about!)

The Island atmosphere is laid back and easy.  No pushing and shovin', no concerns about time or schedules. Lovely smiling people were everywhere.  It is very tempting to fa niggle a plan to move there permanently. What a dream!

An endless vacation!  AH, Bliss!

But today reality calls!  The laundry has to be done, dinner prepared, errands to run, friends and family to check on, business appointments to keep!  I'm glad to be home, there's NO PLACE LIKE IT! 

Maui again some day?  Hope so!  Maybe in another ten years! I'll save the dress just in case!