MOPPING UP

This past Saturday was CHALK DAY for the "shes 13.com" campaign at our church!  It was great! (More events to come!!!)

The rain clouds held back and 22 folks came out to chalk sidewalks all over Tulsa. The goal was/is to make folks curious enough with chalk art on sidewalks/parking lots that they will then go to their computer to see what "shes 13.com" actually means.  The website shows  a brief video depicting how a 13 year old girl can very easily and quickly be coerced into Human Trafficking.

After greetings, smiles, small chit chat, directions and LOTS of fat chalk, the volunteers set out.

We drove to the designated parks, schools and businesses to pretend to be chalk artists for a few hours. Many folks would be educated through this simple method BEFORE the rain washed the message away.  I began receiving texts from volunteers who were visiting with hundreds of people all over Tulsa as "wannabe" artists scattered over several miles.

All was going well........UNTIL.....we met with opposition!

Earlier in the week the manager of a popular business, which shall remain nameless on this blog, gave permission to come to their store and chalk the entrances so their customers could read the phrase.  He agreed that our mission was commendable. I assured Honeybuns that we were going to that specific spot because the manager was so receptive and agreeable to the plan. We dutifully found the location and wrote the phrase 4 times, twice on the wide sidewalks and twice in the parking lot.

As we were about to leave the SAT. MANAGER ON DUTY at that store burst out the front door in a fit of rage! What we were doing?  How dare we put graffiti on the sidewalks! With the biggest smile I could muster I explained that we had permission to do so and the meaning behind the chalked phrase. I asked if I should make some phone calls to assure her of our honorable intent and the stores managers cooperation. NOPE! She wanted no part of that! She was livid, assuring us that she had heard NOTHING about this from "corporate," that now she had to have one of her employees take a bucket to this awful mess and clean it up. If looks would have killed we would have been goners! (Thankfully her angry look would not be frozen in time, or she would have been very sad to look in the mirror the next day!)

Honeybuns stepped up to the plate!!!!   He very calmly assured her that evidently there had been some miscommunication, that WE would happily clean up the chalk if she had a bucket of water.
She was no doubt surprised at that offer, and pouted off with smoke coming out of her ears. We waited. Startled  customers coming in and out of the store asked me for an explanation of the confrontation and I was able to tell them the story, that 13 is now the age when children are recruited into the sex trafficking industry.  All listened intently. Some had heard of the campaign and were surprised at the store managers reaction. (I praised the goodness of the store to them and the managers good intent at protecting the property!)

After a while a very young employee came outside with a bucket of soapy water. Honeybuns shook his hand, asked his name and quietly took the mop and bucket from his hands and proceeded to wash the chalk art off the side walks AND parking lot.

He returned the bucket to the manager, with more apologies. 

So....what happened there? Several things!

1. There was obviously miscommunication within the ranks of the store employees,
2. The angry woman manager heard about the campaign personally,
3. Several customers also received an education,
4. A very young employee got to see GRACE in action from Honeybuns, (what a humble servant!)
5. We all saw the typical reaction of one more interested in politically correctness (didn't want to offend any customers) than even stopping to consider the gravity of the situation our nation is facing.

I am sincerely praying that woman never experiences the horror of a missing child, a child's stolen innocence, or a daughters bruises and nightmares.

Our church HT task force WILL  keep plugging along, expecting unbelief and even outrage at times.
It's just part of the landscape. We will not be deterred or discouraged by misunderstandings or fear.

Overall, hundreds of Tulsans SAW a message Saturday, we saw the NEED to keep proclaiming it.

CHILD ABUSE

The Kirk of the Hills Human Trafficking Task Force met with a representative from the Department of Justice this morning.

I came home and buried my head under a blanket.  It's worse than we thought!

This very distinguished man works in a department that investigates and prosecutes crimes against children in OK.

The statistics he shared were horrible, the stories horrific. Unlike most of us think, child pornography is NOT innocent naked baby pictures that grandma's adore.  You know, the ones of the smiling, bald-headed baby perched on a soft fuzzy blanket.  Nope, it's NOTHING like that.

It's actually photos or videos of children being tortured in some way.  (I'll let your imagination take it from there!)  The Internet is the store where these items are bought, sold and posted in not-so-secret files.  The images number into the millions. You see, sometimes it only takes a couple of minutes alone with a child and a cell phone equipped with a camera. (It takes YEARS for the chidren to be able to articulate what happened. Some secrets are kept forever.) Other unspeakable videos found by authorities have been produced over hours, sometimes involving many children with online "suggestions" by viewers with ideas of new torture.

He shared confessions of some men, their stories and their sentences!  Yes, it's a Federal Crime, but only a small percentage of criminals are caught and incarcerated.  Why? Basically because there are more out there than there are sands of the sea!

Awful pictures and videos are just the beginning. Desires quickly escalate, children are held in cages OR in silence in their own homes, waiting for the next visit by their abusers. Computer experts can reveal a child abuse case every 90 seconds. It then becomes a challenge for the prosecutors to prioritize them. Which one will get the attention of the overworked staff today? What a burden! 

15.6 MILLION children are abused, often by their parents.  5-8 % are reported, 29% of those reported are arrested.  If a child is under 6 years it's less than that.

Because I believe the first word I ever uttered was WHY, I have to get to the bottom of this.
Why is our society going to hell in a hand basket? Why are the innocent and helpless suffering when they should be cherished and protected?

There are LOTS of opinions from folks much smarter than me. There are wiser theories than I will ever imagine. I'm sure psychologists and sociologists are studying this in universities all over the world. It would be great if they could come to a consensus and we'd hear about it soon.

But, this afternoon I am wondering, trying to put the dots together.

As a big picture type of thinker, here's my conclusion.

When a society determines, accepts and even encourages a mother to kill her own unborn child, why should I be surprised when someone not even related feels the freedom to harm a 3 year old, a 6 or 12 year old?  When the basic maternal instinct is suppressed, should we expect strangers to act any differently?

Abortion as birth control has FAR REACHING effects to the culture as a whole. It is not just a woman's body being affected, OR even the death of that one child, it is our whole nation of children.  We are shouting from the rooftops that life is NOT sacred, whether that life is pre-born, 1, 2, 3, or 5 years old!

Human Trafficking ($32 BILLION industry) is just another version of this total disregard for human beings! It is dangerous to be a child or a woman in America!

WHEN did we decide that LIFE can be discarded so casually?

As the DOJ representative declared, "it's the elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about but would rather pretend it's not there."

We got a good look at the elephant this morning, and we're TALKING.

SUGAR, SUGAR

It's been 9 days!  Yes, I've been x'ing them off my calendar.  9 days since I've eaten sugar, white flour, rice, bread or gluten. 

THIS IS AN EXPERIMENT! DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME!

9 days ago I set out to experience life without sugar! 

Already I have learned SO much! (I was told years ago that my body reacted to sugar the way an alcoholics body reacted to alcohol..THE SAME! I didn't believe it!)

THIS experiment was prompted by a healthy son, who challenged me, encouraged me, threatened me,  and basically insisted!  He provided me with the necessary vitamins, minerals, protein mix and potent tea that was guaranteed to get this metabolism off 0 and revved up to 60! He promised I would be in a bikini by Christmas.  (WHO in their right mind would want to SEE THAT? That vision would instantly blind domesticated dogs and small children!)

After 2 days of withdrawal, the sunny side of life started to return to this household again. Those first two day were awful.  I stayed home, mostly on the couch, with the shakes, a cold sweat, weakness, a terrific headache and frightful irritability! This is surely what heroin addicts must endure when they go off THEIR DRUG cold turkey.  (HHHMMmmnnn cold turkey sounds good about now!)

Day 3 was better.  I obediently downed my protein breakfast, vitamins, protein lunch, vitamins, and balanced healthy moderate dinner.
Every day got a little easier. This could get to be a habit!

I have learned: 
Sugar addiction is a real deal.
It is GOOD to no longer  have to persevere through the swings of high blood sugar spikes and crashing lows.
I am never hungry and the smell of McDonald's and Wendy's folks lifting french fries out of grease is almost nauseating.
Broccoli tastes FAB.
I do NOT crave sugar, cakes, pies, or candy. It's just not interesting.
My energy level is stabilized.
I've lost 2 1/2 lbs.  (Weight is going in the bikini direction.)
My underwear is looser.  (That's a sure indication of weight lost, every woman understands!)
Grilled fish, chicken, and veggies are wonderful.

Next post about diet and weight?  We'll see....I'm thinking mid-2013!

I plan to look like a zipper. You know, so thin, I'll have to stand side ways and stick out my tongue so you can see me!

How's Honeybuns reacting to this NEW ME?   A smile and a shake of the head.

Interpretation:  "Here we go again!"

GOD AND THE ELECTION?

There comes a point in every one's life when the Sovereignty of God has to be settled.  No matter how long you want to dance around it, HE either IS or HE ISN'T.   There cannot be a middle of the road on this issue. Sovereignty is one of those words like pregnant, Italian, Blond, and tall.  You either are or your aren't!  There's no debating the fact. It's a done deal!

Every cell of my body and even the marrow of my bones believes that the Creator, Sustainer, Righteous Judge, Loving Father, Author of the Bible and the Great I AM is in charge.  HE is Sovereign regardless of whether that is a comforting concept to me or not.  HE is God and I am not!

He can and does as HE pleases without consulting ME!  Period.

SO....how do we rest in HIS Sovereignty in a tumultuous ELECTION year, when anger is intense, and our country is harshly divided along party lines, and class warfare?  

If I believe God is Sovereign does that mean that the candidate of MY choice is BOUND to win??  If the party that opposes my worldview and philosophy believes also that God is Sovereign, does that mean their candidate is a shoe-in???

The chatter about this subject is disturbing.

Here's my take.

In the OT God revealed HIS incredible patience with HIS people. Time after time, generation after generation they worshipped HIM one day and cursed HIM the next.  One of the most repeated OT phrases is, "each man  did what was right in his own eyes."  It was a sad state of affairs. After all HE'D done for them, they refused to give HIM glory and decided they knew how to run their lives without HIM. As a nation, the people tossed HIS guidance, wisdom and grace aside.

God was Sovereign then, too.  Eventually the rebellion got to the point that God used a HEATHEN ARMY to carry the people off into captivity and they were forced to stay there many years! Was it pleasant?  NO.  Did they question God? Probably! Did they learn a lesson? Some, no doubt did!

Skip to 2012! 

IF a credible count is possible, the day after our November election there will be many folks very happy and many folks extremely upset, no matter which way it goes. That's the nature of our culture at this time.

I'm resting in the fact that GOD is in control.  America will get exactly what HE determines we need.
And I have NO idea what that might look like!  No one does. We will have to walk through it and HOPEFULLY REALIZE  that God is the ONLY ONE that loves us, saves us, directs us, guides, gives comfort and sets us on the path of Righteousness. 

Perhaps this election is not about the Dems or the Reps, but a nation in dire need of REPENTANCE.

FREE CELL PHONES

Our car trip home from Dallas a couple of weekends ago led us through the small OK towns on route 69. No big deal!  We are very familiar with Atoka (Dairy Queen),  McAlester (Chili's), and Muskogee (we're almost home!)

BUT, this road trip offered a new sight.

While sitting at a stop light in Muskogee I noticed to my right a small white tent set up right there on the corner. A banner atop the tent urged folks to stop by.  A man and a woman sat behind a table with papers fluttering before them in the breeze.  A long line of folks formed on the other side.  Evidently they were signing up for SOMETHING! The parking lot was filled with all types of vehicles.

Honeybuns explained as the light changed.  "They are receiving their new cell phones, courtesy of the American tax payer."

WHAT? 

Yep!  After a little research I discovered that since 1978 our government has been providing a "land line" for folks that can't afford it.  The cost has stayed relatively stable UNTIL 2008 when changes were made and "someone, somewhere" decided that a free land line for the underprivileged did not serve them well.  From that time forward free cell phones with unlimited free minutes were offered.  The cost has skyrocketed dramatically. 

Today I received an e-mail from a friend that explained the situation.  For years your phone bill and mine have included a tax to provided those free land lines, necessary in case of emergencies.  Today the cost of providing the cell phones is 1.2 BILLION DOLLARS. Telephone companies are scrambling, trying to get a piece of this government contract.  U.S. Rep. Tim Bennett has written a bill trying to reverse this trend.

I'm confused!  Since WHEN did it become an inalienable right to own a cell phone? Food, housing, health care, automobiles, washing machines, refrigerators,  flat screen TVs, trips to Disney World, what's next?  Is anybody drawing a line anywhere?

Is there any wonder at the level of anger in the U.S.?  You don't have to look far to figure it out!

I would like to see the establishment of a government agency tittled "COMMON SENSE." All programs, grants, and freebies would have to undergo scrutiny before being enacted.

No, forget that, maybe it's time the American public take on that task and collectively shout,
"ENOUGH!' 

Sending MORE tax dollars to DC makes no sense whatsoever, those folks don't know how to handle it!

As my friend summarized it, "This twists my knickers." 

MEMORIES OF A PIANO

A  distant cousin has contacted me on Face book asking about the family tree! She must have discovered Ancestry.com and it's addiction.

While digging though old papers and photos to help feed her obsession I realized that one major memory that she will NOT find on that website is our old piano.  It was a huge part of my childhood.

It sat in our tiny living room, taking up valuable space that could've, should've been used for more practical purposes. It was actually a broken player piano complete with rolls of yellowed paper with many holes! Evidently it was important to Granny to keep it.  My sister and I spent hours being entertained and being the entertainers!  We performed for anyone that would listen. My happiest memory was of the times Granny herself would take time from cooking, cleaning and fishing to play a tune.  She knew three songs, played by ear and SANG with gusto. We knew ONE duet, Heart and Soul! Four Hands! It was fabulous!

Of course, my performances were preceded by hours/days/weeks/years of piano lessons.  Miss Alama was my first teacher.  In hindsight, she was wonderful. At the time, I wasn't sure. She was a pretty tough old gal and insisted that my fingers stay OFF the cracks between the ivories.

Anyone remember, John Thompsons "Teaching Little Fingers to Play?"  I find that series in flea markets once in a while and have to stop and smile.

Those years spent on that old piano were wonderful and surely drove other family members crazy. How many times can sane people listen to "The Flight of the Bumble Bee" or the "Minute Waltz?"

Practice produced results and I found myself accompanying soloists at state contests, high school choirs, conference attendees, church choirs and congregations.  My fondest memory was playing hymns for a Bible Study Fellowship retreat in Dallas a few years back while 3000 men and women sang the greatest hymns the church has ever known. Today I accompany the grandchildren on their horns, xylophones and plastic drums.  It's the BEST TIME! We could be winners or at least finalists on America's Funniest Home Videos!

I LOVED THE PIANO,  STILL DO!  Don't even think of discussing the modern day keyboards!
What phonies! Yes, I'm a purist.  REAL pianos do not have electric cords that must be plugged in, automatic beats, or buttons that make sounds like a flute, waterfalls, or steel drums!  Some things MUST remain simplistic!

I've had two pianos since one like this picture.  Another small upright that we bought WITH our first house. (The owner didn't want to move it!)   A few years back an ebony, 6 foot grand joined the family. SOME family members are discussing (behind my back of course) who will inherit it when I'm playing for the angelic choir.

Yes, one day the grown-grands will remember my piano and smile!

Now, how DO you include a piano on the family tree?

HIGH ADVENTURE TO INDIA

When I last spoke to Maggie a few days ago I told her that I wanted to see her on an elephant!  And here she is! 

Maggie and Jamie are in India to preview places and orphanages that the  KIVU GAP year kids will be visiting next spring.
AND of course, checking out all the sights.

They have experienced foreign markets, a camel ride, busy streets, orphanages, hand-made rug factories, strange food and a parade equal to Prince Ali's arrival in Alladin.

They are having the time of their life. I look forward to the pictures each day.

She's missing a few days of school, BUT receiving an education that no amount of classroom time could offer.  She's done and seen things that will go down in her little life-history book. 

I've never had any desire whatsoever to travel to India, but these tales are luring me that way. Wow,
what an amazing place.

Jamie and Andy are giving their children the WORLD.  And I couldn't be happier about it.

Maggie's view of people and places is broad and inclusive.  Her acceptance of cultures that are vastly different than her own could be a lesson for us all. Mom and sweet daughter are perfect ambassadors for KIVU and America.

They are witnessing the caste system, the horror of Human Trafficking and the sadness of children growing up without parents to love.  They've spent some time "laying low" in a hotel room because it was not safe to be out on the streets. They're traveling without the security of Dad and making their way across the globe just fine!

I am SO proud of them. They were born for high adventure!

PINK

A couple of months ago a new mentoring group was started here in Tulsa.  With the blessing of my Stonecroft friend and regional advisor, this experiment began.  P (purposeful) I (inspiring) N (nurturing) and K (kind.)

Thirteen women, young and not so young, gathered at  the back room of a local Panera Bread Restaurant to hear the details.  The younger gals sat on one side of the room, the older on the other.  There were lots of smiles and laughter BUT there was an invisible fence that ran right down the middle of that meeting room. The very necessity of PINK was on display.

  The wisdom and calmness of the older generation is so desperately needed by  harried young moms.  The energy and freshness of youth is critical for life for older women that are feeling their own youth slip away.  But more often than not, there is an unseen barrier hindering generational friendships.

We had door prizes, a tap dancing demonstration, an attempt at the hula hoop, a PINK pom pom game to get to know each others darkest secrets, and just a few tips and guidelines for this endeavor. Holly Tumpkin and Sharita Bent shared their desire for older women in their lives, and I cautioned the older gals to listen, listen, listen....and promised that they would be delightfully surprised by their young mentee!

Twenty women are now involved, paired up according to Mentor and Mentee!  They've all agreed to meet in person, via e-mail, Facebook, Skype, Facetime, iPhone, or iPad at least THREE times over the next six weeks.  We'll have another gathering and talk about how it all went, if it was a success, worth our time, or whatever!  If the pairs form lasting friendships, GREAT!  If not, no big deal, they'll part agreeably and be just a memory of the summer of 2012.

THIS week, I'm hearing stories.  The ones that have met and visited for the first time are THRILLED!  PINK proves the point,  women need other women, regardless of how they are loved (or not) by their husbands and boyfriends, regardless of how successful (or not) they are in their chosen profession, regardless of what state of life they are now experiencing!  Stories are flying!

My ears and heart are full!  I met with several of these women privately, just getting to know them better so I can better match them up with a possible friend.  Sometimes I feel extremely helpless when I hear stories of abuse, broken hearts, impossible marriages, serious health problems, or irreconcilable differences with in-laws and children.

We are a fragile, broken people.  Hopefully, eventually,  every PINK participate will realize the depth of love God has for her, realize her worth, personal identity and freedom that comes from Christ, and find peace IN her present situation. Hopefully, that will be accomplished through a purposeful, inspiring, nurturing and kind friend.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS

Wow! What a wonderful place!

I just spent 3 days in Lafayette, LA.  It was fabulous experience.

The purpose of the trip was to speak at a couple of women's groups there for Stonecroft Ministries about the horrific subject of Human Trafficking. (I'm just one of many that are trying to convince the US that this modern day slavery exists so  people will rise up and put a stop to it.)  I expected the meetings to go well and they did!

What I didn't expect was the gracious hospitality of my host/hostesses and the conversations we had around their lovely kitchen table! I was extremely blessed.

Most of the time when I fly off like that I usually stay in a hotel so as not to inconvenience the locals.

Not this time!!!

It was about 5 minutes after I landed in Lafayette Monday that I realized I was among some very special people. Gwen and Mitch picked me up at baggage claim and made me feel like family instantly. My hostess Rachel and her husband "Boo" were simply delightful. Staying with them felt like a vacation at a faraway resort. I was amazed that I could look out the window and see huge lemons hanging on one tree, oranges on another! (Nothing like that in OK!)

Rachel let me know  immediately (in her thick Cajun accent) that I was welcome in their home, but that she wasn't going to wait on me, that I was to "help myself."  And then she began waiting on me!

We laughed at ourselves, took a car trip to Alexandria, attended meetings, prayed together, ate delicious homemade food, told stories, cried together, exchanged phone numbers and e-mail addresses and promised to remain friends.

Rachel's niece Tammy led a Bible Study at the house the first night I was there.  32 ladies filed into that beautiful home hauling in all types of food and drink.  There were gals of all ages, races and creeds,  sitting beside each other laughing, hugging and sharing life. The study was fabulous and Tammy was a very gifted teacher.  It soon became obvious that the women were hurting from a myriad of troubles.  You see, Tammy and Rachel spend their life locating, befriending and loving on people that have made some bad choices or have been victimized in some way or another. Both offer hope and help and a "stand alongside" type of friendship that is rare.  Their stories of involvement in some very difficult situations set my hair ablaze.  After the fire went out, I had nothing but admiration for these two steel magnolias.

Rachel and her family are deeply committed Christians,  followers and lovers of Jesus.  They have no time for ridiculous man-made-walls of prejudice or self-righteousness.  They offer help and there are many women responding to such acceptance.   Lafayette is very fortunate to have these gals and others just like them.

The Bible calls it the "remnant."  It's those few true believers scattered across the globe that are very aware of their own weaknesses, yet fiercely depending upon HIS strength.  They take it to heart when they read, "God so loved the world."  And because HE loves, they do too. Love is a verb to them, not a mushy feeling!

They're out there IN it....not being shaped by the culture, but holding out a lifeline to those that have been duped into believing that the "here and now" is all there is and that the"here and now" consists only of painful days that must be endured.  They are showing the women of Lafayette a better way!

I didn't see much of the town itself, but I got a deep look into the heart of some very fine folks.

I'm so glad I went!

CHALK ART AT OUR HOUSE

Many walkers, joggers, and dog lovers of all types walk by our house every day. Today they will see this fabulous work of art!

Last night the folks at our church, Kirk of the Hills Tulsa, accepted the challenge to cover (or try to cover) all of Tulsa with artwork such as this. Fat sidewalk chalk was handed out and taken home.

Today we get to be kids again and draw on concrete.

It is the latest campaign from O.A.T.H. (Oklahomans Against Trafficking Humans) The idea is to educate the public that 13 is now the age that young girls enter into prostitution, usually by FORCE, FRAUD or COERCION which is the definition of Human Trafficking. Hopefully all those casual walkers, bikers, shoppers, and joggers will be curious and actually go to their computers and type in she's13.com.  A brief video will explain this awful new statistic.

(That blue thing is supposed to represent a stiletto high heeled shoe. Pitiful, I know. But, art is not exactly my gift!)

We'll see how it goes.  The room was full and quiet as pictures and news of the dark world of modern day slavery was presented. 

Lovely, lovely people surely struggled with nightmares last night. That's the first step of "getting in the game" in order to take some action. 

The HT Task Force of the Kirk is fired up and ready to take it on. October 13th is the date set to gather as groups and "draw" all over Tulsa. This is going to be fun. Hopefully some very sweet young girls will be educated by their parents and protected from recruiters that want to use them for $$$$.

It's a 32 Billion dollar industry and it's time to eliminate their inventory, our children.

World Trade Center Memorial

This is a cemetery.  It is unlike any I've ever visited.

I've walked among tombstones, over grassy roads, admired flowers and read the dates and names.

But, no cemetery matches the Memorial Waterfall at the footprint of the World Trade Center.

I suppose each one that sees the pictures or actually visits the sight leaves with different impressions.

When I look at this picture I see the tears of a nation flowing over those walls and into that deep dark square hole in the center.

Down below this structure lies dust that used to be living, breathing, loving, working, Americans and citizens from many other countries as well.

It was a horrible day, probably the worst day of my life thus far.  The images are seared onto my brain and the grief of the family members left behind is fierce.  There are parents trying to make a life without their children, children without their moms and dads, brothers without their brothers, sisters without their siblings, wives without their husbands, husbands without their wives, and friends and co-workers with huge holes in their hearts as well.

In a few years all this will be found only in the history books.  Pain will cease and those immediately affected will hopefully be reunited with their loved ones in eternity. Museums will then tell the tales much like the Holocaust Museums remind us of that horrific time.

Right now, it's still very raw! 

There will be more days like 9-11 in this world, if not on US soil then elsewhere.  For it is man's inhumanity to man that is repeated time and time again.

Hatred, jealousy, greed, and pure evil reigns where there is no honor for God.  Love of God precedes love of mankind. There is simply no other way!

When will we learn?

SPINING PLATES

Who remembers the guy spinning the plates on the old Ed Sullivan Show?  It was hilarious, and mesmerizing.
He had a long pole, got a plate spinning on top of it, set it down, proceeded to spin another, another and another. He was forever running between the poles to give them a little jerk to keep the plates in the air and turning.  (Today's young whippersnappers just have no idea what they missed every Sunday night!)

I've been spinning lately.

There's the normal spin of laundry, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, pulling a few weeks, and moving dust around the house.

 These past couple of weeks I've added some writing, several meetings involving Human Trafficking, even more e-mails, meetings and phone calls concerning P.I.N.K (mentoring group = Purposeful, Intentional, Nurturing and Kind)  three family birthdays, one friend's funeral, a couple of car trips, the fabulous opportunity of hosting the Ridge Readers book club, volunteering at the local library, and a few secretarial duties for Honeybuns as he prepares for Bible Study Fellowship.

Since this is an important election year, two conventions and their famous speakers were tossed in the mix.

It's enough to give a gal a migraine! 

Spinning a major headache is a task in itself!

Friends have told me I'm WAY TOO BUSY, that now is the time to shut down and relax!

Well, I wouldn't have it any other way.  I'm on the back half of life (above 50) and I don't want to waste these years pining over the past or worrying about the future. There's so much to do and enjoy in the now!

Honeybuns is forever encouraging me to get a job!  Whatever for?  Who has time?

Now, where IS my calendar? I need to see where I'm going tomorrow!

She's13.com

Did you know that the average age a girl now enters into the worlds oldest profession is 13!  Stats from all the major sources agree.

13!   Just when a beautiful child should be dreaming about the future and the possibility of a career in nursing, law enforcement, engineering, parenting, teaching, mission work, beauty consultant, fashion design, aeronautics, medical research, etc.  she is instead being abused, neglected and used as a commodity. 

13 year olds are not BAD GIRLS  that are simply making the choice to enter the life of prostitution. The law states that minors (under the age of 18) are ALL victims, trapped by force, fraud or coercion and sold as easily and as often as 20 times a day. They lose all dignity,  self-respect, sense of power and often even their lives.

OATH,  Oklahomans Against Trafficking Humans is rolling out this new campaign, She's 13, to make people aware of the state of affairs.  Our church is on board, getting the word out, educating anyone and everyone who will listen to this atrocity.  First comes awareness then comes action!

Billboards and Chalk Art are going to be the visuals. Donations will plaster this picture on prominent highway signs.  Hundreds of folks armed with a single piece of chalk will be covering sidewalks and parking lots all over OKC and Tulsa very soon.

It'll look something like this:
The artwork will draw attention to:  She's13.com and hopefully many will view a video of this campaign. The youth of America are on board!!!

It's going to take THIS and many other campaigns instigated by  like minded organizations to make a dent in the growing 32 billion dollar a year industry called Human Trafficking.

EVERY organization needs to be successful in their attempt. It's going to take a movement the size and scope of the Civil Right Movement of the 60's and 70's to change the culture.

But, it CAN be done.  Look what Mothers Against Drunk Driving accomplished in a few short years.
No one looks at drunk driving the way we used to!

Yesterday I was asked, "What can the church do?"  My answer, "Repent!"

"True religion is this, to care for orphans and widows." James 1:27

I'm hopeful that the day will come when we'll exchange our passion for comfort for a love of people in distress. Long ago, THAT is what the church spent it's time and money doing.  Think of all the hospitals, schools and soup kitchens built by the church. Think of all the people that heard the gospel news that they did not HAVE to be controlled by their sinful desires, thoughts and habits. The church offers FREEDOM to the abused AND the abuser.

 It'll require a spiritual revival unlike anything seen in modern days.  BUT, the pendulum WILL swing.  It has to, or our children are "goners."

Now, shall I choose pink, blue or green chalk?

ROCKS

You've got to love the English language!  Words have double, triple and even quadruple meanings, sometimes blatant, sometimes very subtle.  Today I'm thinking about rocks because today I want to crawl under a rock! (Hiding place)  You know, withdraw from everything, no calls, no Internet, no interaction with anyone, not even myself.


Usually it means I'm exhausted and/or a bug is trying to win a battle in my body!
Those days are rare but today is an "under the rock" day.
"Under the rock" days allow me time to ponder, which can be a good thing or disastrous!

This morning I've decided we all have to determine what we do with rocks. (Life's challenges)

We can throw a rock, aimed at someone else, mentally hopefully not physically! (Anger)
We can sit on a rock, do nothing and not even think.(Lazy)
We can pick up a rock and do something hard. (Pro-active)
We can roll over a rock, ignore the hard thing before us. (Procrastination)
We can get conked on the head by a rock, pitched by someone else, we may have deserved it or maybe not. (Wounded)
We can collect rocks and stack them up. (Unforgiveness)
We can build a wall of rocks that separate us from other people. (Judgemental attitude.)

Boy, this whole thing is almost poetic!!! I'm on a roll!!
I could rock on, rock out and even dream of becoming a ROCK STAR!

Then, there is another definition of ROCK.

"The Lord is my ROCK, my fortress and my deliverer."  Ps. 18:2
"The Lord lives! Praise be to my ROCK." Ps 18:46

"O Lord, my ROCK and my Redeemer." Ps 19:14
"To You I call, O Lord my ROCK." Ps.28:1

"Lead me to the ROCK that is higher than I.  Ps. 61:2
"Be my ROCK of refuge, to which I can always go, for you are my ROCK and my fortress."  Ps. 71:3

"The Lord is upright, he is my ROCK and there is no wickedness in Him." Ps. 92:15
"Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the ROCK eternal." Ps. 26:4

"I will put you in a cleft in the ROCK and cover you with my hand." Exodus 33:22
"They drank from the spiritual ROCK and that ROCK was Christ." I Cor. 10:3

"On this ROCK I will build my church."  Matthew 16:18

Protection, sustenance, stability, strength, soaring majesty! 

Why would the ROCK OF AGES reveal Himself to me? Incredible love and grace!

I'm feeling better already!

BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL

It's time! Each fall hundreds of thousands of men, women and children around the world gear up for the  BSF year!

Last night Honeybuns attended the beginning- of- the- year leadership training for the Tulsa Men's Class and came home so excited I was reminded that I'd NEVER blogged about BSF.   Can't let that omission stand!

Bible Study Fellowship International is an international, inter-denominational, in-depth Bible Study that has been in existence since the 50's.  Members meet weekly from September - May, with a vacation at Christmastime and a week in the spring. The  2 hour class time involves a discussion  with other members, listening to a lecture by a Teaching Leader, notes over the passage and questions for the next week.  By the time you've participated one week, you've studied a section of the Bible FOUR time!  It's fabulous! The course includes year long studies of Genesis, Matthew, History of Israel and the Minor Prophets, Acts, Isaiah, Romans, John, and soon to be released REVELATION.

This year the study is GENESIS! I've titled it, the GOD of NEW BEGINNINGS!

Several years ago they added a children's program. The Day Class members can bring their children until it's time for them to go to school.  THEN, they kiddos can go to an evening class where classes are provided for 1-12 grades.  The children study the same passage as their mom, dad or grandparent that takes them and helps them with their lesson.

My BSF story:
I first learned about this organization through my Little Rock friend, ChrisW, and I am forever grateful.  That was way back in 1984. She invited me several times and I went to "get her off my front porch" so to speak!   (We became close friends for years.) I was "HOOKED" at that first introduction class I attended and I signed up right then and there.  A year later I became a discussion leader, then the Substitute Teaching leader and then Teaching Leader in Little Rock. (That was an AMAZING journey that covered a period of several years.)

After we moved to Savannah, GA , my friend Melissa T. and I helped start an Evening Women's Class there! (Lots of FUN stories about that endeavor!) When we moved to Dallas I signed up again and became a Teaching Leader again for several years in the metro-plex. (More FUN stories!) The classes ranged from 150 -500 members, the energy was fabulous, the people and their stories forever seared onto my heart.

Attending the class is one thing, serving as a Teaching Leader is another amazing experience BUT the leadership training was off the charts wonderful as well.  Relationships that were formed during those times are eternal, and those leaders and former leaders from Little Rock, Savannah and Dallas are still my soul-mate buddies. Our hearts beat in the same rhythm, even though separated by hundreds of miles.

The leaders meet weekly at another time and place for invaluable training, the Evening Women's Class leaders did and still do meet for a couple of hours beginning at 5:30 AM on Saturday mornings.  YEP, you read that right! That early morning session became the "highlight" of the week for most of us.  The materials and support from BSF headquarters at San Antonio Texas changed me forever.  That training still "splashes" over into all areas of my life.

Last week an acquaintance asked me, "Well, just what DID you get out of all those years at BSF?"
(Asked with a tone of disgust, which for mysterious reasons almost always emanates from people that have never attended.)

It's a great question, easily answered. Along with deep, deep friendships all over the country, I have a  working knowledge of the Bible AND AN EXTREMELY HIGH VIEW OF GOD and therefore a pretty low view (and expectation) of mankind. That's it!

That viewpoint changes EVERYTHING!!!

I'm confidant that many of our troubles occur because we MERE mortals try to relate to a deity of our own imaginations, rather than the one revealed in HIS book.

My many years my time in BSF was a "season of preparation, for a lifetime of ministry."  I cannot overstate the important principle, "you behave the way you behave, because you believe what you believe." The battles are always fought, won, or lost in our minds.

Honeybuns could not be BLASTED out of that men's class.  It meets at Tulsa Kirk of the Hills on Monday nights.

If this seems like a commercial, I suppose it is!  Lives are changed for the better when people are introduced to and learn to love and obey the AUTHOR OF THE BOOK! 

BSF is simply a very effective "tool" where thousands have come to know the holiness, authority, love and justice of the AUTHOR.

It's GENEIS this year, time for a NEW BEGINING!

OATMEAL

Well, I DO feel like a fool!  I thought I'd invented this, but then checked on the world-wide-web and discovered I'm WAY behind the curve when it comes to OATMEAL!  Evidently millions of women and a popular fast-food chain have already discovered this. 

BUT, I'm inserting it in my blog anyway. (For future Braner generations!)

Find yourself a microwaveable bowl.....one with high sides.  (it might "boil" over)
Put 1/2 cup of Old Fashioned Quaker oatmeal in the bowl, add 1 cup of water and microwave for 3 min.
Stir it up a little and add:  chopped walnuts, dried cranberries,  diced apple, a tablespoon of brown sugar, fried crispy bacon bits and a little milk.  (Leave out the things you don't like!)

You will be AMAZED at the goodness.  Thompson would rub his tummy and say...."Num, Num, Num, Num,"  It'll make your heart SING!

Better than McDonalds!

Now, what ELSE can I re-invent today?

BEBE CAMP CLOSED (for now!)

 

The inside toys are packed away into the toy closet.  The laundry is done, sheets are washed, yard toys are back in the garage and it's VERY quiet here at the house.
BeBe Camp 2012 is officially closed.  The campers (grandkids) have returned home to get ready for school.


It's been a busy summer, kid-wise.  Hays and Tiki were here for just a couple of days.  Gracie, Mollie and Thompson (his first year) attended BeBe camp for a week.  Gabby was the  lone camper for five days. 

BeBe Camp is a Braner tradition that will continue.  Gracie decided this year that she will "never get too old to attend."  We'll see! Right now toys and games saved from their Daddy's era are fascinating.  I'm thinking that  in time the activities might have to change from unending games of chicken foot, art class, musical bands, and disco parties to shopping excursions, theme parks and spa trips.

But for the next few years we're still in business.  After all Betsy is only one, she has yet to experience the thrill of  the Magic Tent and being spoiled by two doting grandparents for a week.  Mollie, Thompson and Gabby are still entertained by shadows on the wall and stories of the Berenstein Bears. Hays, Tiki, Dax and Maggie enjoy video games and bicycles, we hold out hopes that their schedules will allow them to return before they are all grown up. (I'm thinking Hays might enjoy a trip to OSH KOSH  to the airplane show next summer! See older post!)

This week it's time for detox!  That is the period of time when all becomes silent and the only laughter comes from remembering the crazy things we did and the funniest quotes from the short people!  Gazing at the pictures of our adventures is a fun time.

Detox time means I get to rest and regroup.  Its a time for the parents to exhibit extraordinary patience as the kiddos readjust to "real life" without their every wish being met with a resounding, "you bet, let's do it!"   Yes, its' the job and the delight of the OLD people to make smiles appear on young faces.  (Parents WILL understand it one day, we'll just tolerate their intolerance until they become grandparents! Then they'll "get it." )

We are in the season of life called PLAY!  Constant, fully engaged PLAY when the kiddos are around.  I highly recommend it.

In a few days planning will begin for next season.  New games, new toys, new ideas?  Parents better get them registered soon.  The Camp Calendar will fill up FAST!

LIVING IN THE PRESENT

This week we received another update on my elderly uncle that is living in the Veterans Home in Quincy, Illinois.  It's been 5 months since we moved him in to that wonderful place filled with WWII vets.
The nurse reported, "He's doing fine, I don't think he's worrying about anything in the past or the future. He's a sweet man that is living in the present."

LIVING IN THE PRESENT!  Only concerned with the now! Well, that caught my attention.  First of all, I'm VERY grateful that he's doing good,  that he's receiving the careful attention that he needs from trained professionals.  It is extremely comforting to know he is safe, well cared for and making a new life rolling up and down the hallways in his wheelchair visiting with his new friends.

LIVING IN THE PRESENT!  Wow, what a great attribute!  Did it take him 86 years to learn that trait?  Do I know HOW to do that???  Do others that I love? Is it possible to step off the George Jetson mental treadmill and enjoy each moment?

It almost seems like a fantasy life.  Can an intelligent being actually accomplish that?  Is it possible to forgive and forget all that has gone before so that the mention of that hurt no longer brings any pain at all?  Is it possible to look at your children and grandchildren through the lens of our present culture and fragile world and abandon the worry that sneaks into your heart as you wonder how their future will unfold?

If obsessing with the past OR the future were an Olympic Sport most of  us would qualify for the final event.  I talk to  many women in all stages of life and it doesn't take long before tears roll down those sweet cheeks as they relate a terrible wrong from their past or an even bigger fear clouding their future which is stealing their present joy.

We all know it's true that you can't change the past and worrying about the future is a colossal waste of time since most of the stuff we think MIGHT happen NEVER does anyway! We KNOW it, but often don't live it!

I'm thinking that LIVING IN THE PRESENT might involve a whole lot of forgiveness, of ourselves and others, AND abandoning future fears as vain imaginations!  There's way too much time spent on what DID happen or what MAY! Truth be told, we can't do much about either one.

LIVING IN THE PRESENT! We could add years to our lives!  Moments, seconds, minutes, days, weeks and years consumed with worry and fear could be made available instantly to ENJOY.

If we fully engage in the moment we might actually experience meaningful conversations, enjoy the beauty of our surroundings, accomplish our work with joy and purpose, feel deeply and laugh more freely.  If this idea were to go viral the whole US population could get extra hours of deep peaceful  sleep and be able to survive without the myriad of mood altering anti-depressants.

LIVING IN THE PRESENT!  I think I'll practice this for the next ten minutes!  You with me?

Instant forgiveness and joyful abandonment! This is going to take some mental discipline!
I think my elderly uncle has won the gold!  I'd be VERY happy with the silver or bronze, OR just grateful to be in the race.

OshKosh 2012

500,000 people from 60 different countries, 10,000 + aircraft of all shapes and sizes, blistering sunshine, 100 degree temperatures, seminars, courses, trainings, airplane accessories for sale, AND airplane shows running constantly!  That describes OshKosh, Wisconsin for a week every July.  How we missed this event all these 40 years of being in the aviation business is beyond me!

But, alas, we attended this past week for 4 days!  I almost OD'd on sensory overload!  At one time I found myself riding a tram along with 30 other folks, the motor grinding, the driver shouting out stops,  airplanes playing dodge ball in the sky, music playing everywhere.  Added to the ambiance was the smell of jet fuel and oil which permeated the whole place! Men of every shape and size are drawn to this event like a magnet!  Their eyes bug out and they almost drool at the instruments of flight.  I could actually hear the hearts of men pounding with excitement every time ANOTHER plane fired up. Every guy there could tell the type of plane, the tail number, the date it was in production, it's purpose and when it was retired.  THAT was very impressive!

 The number of women attending could fit into the air conditioned ladies room ALL at the same time.  (That room was the ONLY one with AC that I found, all week!)

Many folks fly their own personal plane to OshKosh, park it in a huge field and live in a tent for the week right there under the wing of the plane. The small airport becomes the busiest airport in the world for those seven days. Some drive their camper or RV into a designated spot and instantly form a community of like minded folks.  Stores, bars, drinking water tanks, bicycle lots, cooking grills and coffee houses pop up almost immediately between the rows upon rows of mobile homes.  Thousands and thousands of bicycles become the method of transportation to the "main event" and parked in a "bicycle lot" only.

The grounds are divided into sections for various types of planes.  There are the WWII war planes, vintage, experimental, yellow cubs, sky diving, hospital planes, the home built kind, foreign, modern, helicopters, etc.  It went on for miles! And the vendors that supply all the necessary accessories for all these planes took up another huge portion of the grounds.

Languages from several foreign countries could be heard everywhere!  We met and ate with five of the cutest young men from Argentina.  How they found their way to Wisconsin is an inspiring story!

Did I mention food?  There was a huge Johnsonville semi-truck remodeled into the "world's largest grill," hamburgers, bar-be-cue sandwiches, ice cream, and brats!  Man-food!

What an experience!

After severe meltdown and de-hydration the first day, I swore never to return.  I sat in the AC hotel for day two, but then decided to "man up" and get back into the game! 

There are plans in the works to RETURN NEXT YEAR! There's even talk of a TENT!!!!! Are you kidding me???

Oh, my!  I'll have to give this some serious thought!  Maybe I can fa-niggle a grandson or two into going.  Male bonding, that's what we'll call it!

It was the Wright BROTHERS that started all this mess you know! 

DURANGO.....1890???

It was a spontaneous decision to have this picture made. Yes, it's cheesy, touristy, and a waste of time and money!  And worth it all!

Visiting the grand kids and their parents in Colorado every summer is a super-duper treat. There's nothing like the pure COOL air of that western mountain state to make the triple digit heat in OK a distant memory, even if it's only for just a few days. Adding to that pleasure is spending time with our eldest son, his beautiful wife, 5 perfect  and hilariously funny Braner kids and their 3 best friends. Staying at Camp Kivu along with a hundred or so teen-agers, their college-age counselors, camp staff, 1 dog, 1 baby deer and various visiting dignitaries is delightful. All ingredients for a great vacation!

 Making family memories is the goal of the trip, and we always come home with MANY!  Pictures preserve the good times.

On this particular day, Honeybuns and I divided the kiddos by sex and took off.  He took the boys to Durango Mountain Resort (formerly Purgatory!) for some high in the sky bungee jumping, panning for gold and alpine racing,  the girls and I spent the day in downtown Durango, SHOPPING!   After trying on and buying shoes, cheap jewelry and good smelling potions we happened by this photo shop. It's right there on main street, I don't know how we missed this in years past.

The girls couldn't believe we were actually going INTO that place. Their eyes lit up when they saw the variety of dresses and themes offered. We could choose between styles, Wild West, Victorian, or Sexy Barmaids.  I voted for "barmaids" but they wisely refused and convinced me that was a bad idea. Maggie wanted to spin a parasol and her BFF Hallie opted for the silver derringer, Victorian it would be!

It was a giggling chaotic time as we wrestled into these outfits.  The gals at the shop brought us lace gloves, hats, chokers and itchy heavy dresses.  We were transformed back to the glory days of 1890!

After a fun time of posing and pretending while the photographer snapped away, we decided that today's t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops were more our style, AND the reality of corsets "cinched" the deal.We agreed to be thankful this style has "bit the dust." 

1890 just wasn't the greatest time for comfortable women's fashions!

That hour or so turned out to be the best memory of the day!  The girls couldn't wait to get back to camp to show this picture around.

I treasure this image, a reminder of a perfect day with two precious girls that are "loved to the moon and back."