Tuesday I had made a list of the things I was planning

to accomplish for the evening. It was going to be my only night this week without a planned event and I was going to catch up on a lot of paperwork. Dinner was over and the dishes were done. My work and personal computer were lined up side by side on my desk, and I was ready to get down to business. With my Type A personality, nights like these actually motivate me at times. Remember, I am the list maker and this would be my night to check things off my list!

Without warning, “beep beep” went the smoke detectors. Paul came rushing into my office where I was burning a candle and said, “Do you have any more of these, looks like we will need quite a few tonight?”

Paul and I began to light candles throughout the house and he started a brilliant fire in the fireplace.

I managed to post on Facebook that God must want me to “be still” and cozy up next to that fireplace instead of working so hard. Tough job, but somebody had to do it!

I barely settled into my chair before my phone lit up. It was from one of my dearest friends in the world. She and her husband served with us on staff a few churches ago. They now live in South Carolina and we never get to see them. We hadn’t talked in almost a year but we picked up right where we left off before. We began talking and it lasted for over an hour. I really didn’t want it to end but I knew she had to go to work the next day, so I finally gave her a way out!

My friend is of those girlfriends that you raised your kiddos with, laughed with, cried with, trusted, and miss more than you realize! I feel so blessed to call her friend and “thank my God each time I remember her.” We talked about how busy our lives had become and how our children were now adults. We talked about how difficult it is to find those “be still” moments with lives going so many directions. As we hung up the phone I was saddened in a way, shame on me. Shame on me, for not adding a phone call to her to my list of things to do periodically.

God has been so gracious to place such wonderful friends in my life.

Why do I wait for the lights to go out to “be still” long enough for Him to remind me of my blessings? I am not waiting for the lights to go out before I talk to her again. I miss her way too much!

Philippians 1:3  New International Version (NIV)   I thank my God every time I remember you.

If I were a wealthy woman I would hire a chauffeur to drive me around. I literally detest driving anywhere!

The paradox of it all is that is seems like all I do is drive these days, trips to Texas, Missouri, Tulsa, and then of course my job as a Foster Care Recruiter requires a reasonable amount of travel as well. As I grow older it seems as if my intense dislike for driving gets worse. My peripheral vision is not as it once was. There are moments when the ridged side of the road and I become too close for comfort friends. Not good. Then there is the night driving. Some refer to it as night blindness but I am not giving in to that quite yet. I just think they have chosen to use semi-invisible paint to line the highways with these days. Seriously, I may have to get some 3D glasses so the lines will come out to greet me at night. And forget about being able to turn on the radio station and drive at the same time. How did I do that when I was younger? I have found that I cannot multi-task while driving. Before starting down the road, at my age I have to turn on the GPS, the radio, get my seat positioned just right, get my mirrors in place, find my sunglasses, have my bottle of water handy, and go back into the house one more time for a potty break! Then maybe, just maybe I can drive down the road for an hour or so before I have to stop again. It’s in all probability a good thing that I do drive by myself a good deal of the time because I would definitely drive other people crazy!

It may appear that I am driving by myself, but I am not unaccompanied. I know who really is “Driving Ms. Brady” down the highways these days. I may not physically see Him, but He is there. When those lines on the road seem impossible to see, He reveals them to me. When my car seems to swerve a little too close to the edge, He’s the one who gently nudges it back on course. When the radio station needs to encourage me, He is the One who sends that perfect song that touches to my heart and soul. And yes, when I need a potty break and I am traveling by myself, He is the One who provides a safe and protected environment. I am a wealthy woman and I have the Greatest Chauffeur anyone could ever have.

Psalm 32:8New Living Translation (NLT)

⁸ The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
      I will advise you and watch over you.

As a mother, leaving an eighteen-year old twelve hours away was invariably one of the most difficult decisions of my life.

Nevertheless as a family, we had prayed and felt confident about God’s direction.

Beth and I laugh now about how differently we viewed that last day together. I was worried sick about leaving her and she couldn’t wait until we crossed a few state lines! She was a happy camper! No parents to answer to for awhile.

Yes, Beth was a typical first born child who sought independence at the mere age of two. Countless times I would remind her that I was the mother and she was the child. She fought for her rights through her teen years and beyond. Remembering one day nearly distraught from battle fatigue, one special lady in our church who had raised three sons came by and patted me on the shoulder. She looked me in the eye and asked me how I was doing, “Ok, I said.” However, she knew better.

With a wink and a smile, she whispered,

“We’ve been through the fire and we don’t smell any ashes.”

It was just enough to help me go on loving and raising that beautiful daughter of mine.

Beth and I haven’t lived near each other since that day in 2001 until recently. We have been having so much fun doing stuff that so many may take for granted like shopping together, projects, playing games, movies and going to church. One of the most special times we have together is our family dinners. As we were having dinner this week, Beth announced that she is definitely ready to settle down and doesn’t want to ever move away from her family again. After that she looked at her husband, smiled and said, “I am so happy.”

Raising children is like reading a book. It is an amazing story if you are willing to take the time finish it.

Our problem is that many times we want to determine the outcome before we get through it all. As a mom there were days while raising teenage daughters that I thought, will they want to come home once they leave? Will our family grow up and have family dinners together? Truly, the last chapter has not been written on any of our lives. We need to quit closing the book and saying, “Well, that’s the way it’s going to end.” To hear Beth say to her husband and son that being with us makes her happy, fills me with such joy and happiness!

I think our family book is just adding more and more chapters every day. I am so excited to read it!

Isaiah 43:2-5 Amplified Bible (AMP)

²When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.    ³For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt [to the Babylonians] for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba [a province of Ethiopia] in exchange [for your release].    ⁴Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life.    ⁵Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east [where they are dispersed] and gather you from the west.

If you are anything like me, your utmost desire is that Christmas day will be amazingly special to all your loved ones. More than likely you may spend weeks or months in preparation to make it a day to remember for years to come. As a child, my mom set a great example of keeping Christmas incredible. It was never about the gifts but more about the atmosphere. She would have daddy bring down all the boxes from the attic and decorate the house from top to bottom.

Tiny candy canes, little elves, tree decorations, and the nativity. I always looked forward to Christmas and it has carried on throughout my adult years.

Occasionally,

I think I drive Paul crazy hauling all those boxes up and down from the attic. It’s just a brilliant time of the year and I never want to forget how special it is.

Most importantly though, my mom remembered to teach me that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus.

During our children’s sermon at church last Sunday, I was in awe as one small girl answered every question about Jesus’ birth. Her mother and father are teaching her the most important thing to remember at Christmas, something worth remembering.

Over two thousand years ago, some shepherds were doing business as usual. Unexpectedly, an angel appeared and they experienced a night to remember. In reality, they experienced life change. This will unquestionably be a “Christmas to Remember” for our family this year. Not because of my fabulous planning, prepping or even because of my procrastinating.

Unexpectedly, this year the Holy Spirit took over my “Christmas to Remember” when three weeks ago my daughter’s family came forward at the end of our church service to make life-changing decisions for Christ.

Christmas will a day to remember as I watch my husband, Paul baptize my son-in-law, Gabe and my grandson, Dallas. It will be amazingly special!!

Just as the angels sang on that first Christmas, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

We are so pleased this Christmas and we join with the angels singing, “Glory to God in the highest heaven” for this “Amazingly Special Christmas to Remember.”

Luke 2:8-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven,
      and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

¹⁵ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.

Last summer while our daughter Beth was in the hospital for one of the weeks due to complications with her cancer, she pointed something out to me that I continued to see on and off throughout her treatment. During her hospital stay, the doctor on call never once touched her body.

In fact, he stood completely across the room as if she had some type of plague. This is certainly not what I would describe as a “great beside manner.”

I started watching many of the doctors at her appointments and the same behavior occurred frequently. They would ask her questions about how she felt, but many never touched her. Often they would just write out a prescription on a piece of paper or recommend more procedures to be done and send her out the door. Repeatedly, she would jokingly say that “doctors just don’t touch you anymore” when one would happen to check her out.

Fortunately, she has a medical biology background and is more interested in what’s wrong than how “mushy” they make her feel. It’s a good thing she is not like her mom who in her situation definitely would be a “touchy feeling” patient who would have gotten my feelings hurt numerous times over.

I’m reminded of how Jesus in just a brief period of time touched several people along the way. He was always on “call” and had a fantastic beside manner. He was always listening and looking for people who needed to be touched.

He never gave people some kind of “prescription answer” and sent them on their way, but took the time to touch them.

He fully cared about them.

His touch changed their lives forever.

His touch  changed my life.

His touch can change your life too.

This week as I look forward to celebrating his birth, I am so thankful that He took the time to come to earth to touch me as well as the lives of all who are willing to reach out to be touched. 

Matthew 9:18-31 (NIV) ¹⁸ While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” ¹⁹ Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.  ²⁰ Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. ²¹ She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”  ²² Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.  ²³ When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, ²⁴ he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. ²⁵ After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. ²⁶ News of this spread through all that region.  ²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”  ²⁸ When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”    “Yes, Lord,” they replied.  ²⁹ Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; ³⁰ and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.” ³¹ But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.

Two weeks ago, I received it. Last week Paul picked up his Christmas package and two days ago, Beth’s package arrived. This Christmas package is absolutely one you don’t want to unwrap if it lands under your tree. Once unwrapped, it instantaneously sends you to your bed and leaves you there, or in your bathroom for practically three days.

When the room at long last quits spinning, and you can stand up long enough to sit anywhere, the sight of food virtually sends you back to bed or the bathroom again.

Unfortunately for Beth and Gabe, her Christmas gift arrived smack dab in the middle them trying to move their belongings into their new home.

Happily, for Grandma and Pa, we get to spend a few more days with Dallas at this brilliant time of the year.

Last night, I asked him if he had any homework. He promptly pulled out a little booklet where he had colored all the pages while at school.

The title of the booklet was none other than, “Twas’ the night before Christmas.”

He announced that we had to read it. I began reciting it and he looked at me with bright eyes, “Grandma, you already know this story?” “Yes, I said, pretty much, by heart, Dallas.” Subsequently, together, we sat down and read the story. He laughed at all my favorite parts like the round belly that shook like a bowl full of jelly. The best part was the end, when I let him finish and he shouted,

It just doesn’t get any better, watching a child unwrap Christmas. Dallas is just the perfect age to really appreciate unwrapping the entire season, not just the gifts.

It looks like my Christmas package has arrived!

“‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”

By Clement Clarke Moore

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
“Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

Filed under: Teresa Touches ]]> http://paulandteresabrady.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/the-christmas-package/feed/ 0 The Brady's Blog..Not Home Yet christmas gift un night merry christmas to all Thanksgving 2011 017 teresabrady santa-claus-desktop-wallpapers http://paulandteresabrady.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/installment-plan/ http://paulandteresabrady.wordpress.com/2011/12/02/installment-plan/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:08:50 +0000 The Brady's Blog..Not Home Yet https://paulandteresabrady.wordpress.com/?p=2465 ]]> At our holiday get-togethers these days, it brings me joy to watch my adult children interact with their cousins at the “young people’s” table.

Wasn’t it just a few years back that Paul and I were sitting at that table with all of our relatives?

Where did the time go?

Things sure change quickly.

Overhearing one of the conversations directed by my niece, I just had to interject. She was discussing how difficult it was going to be to pick her maid or matron of honor for her future wedding. She would like to pick the right one who would be there for her through the entire wedding process and for that matter, life in general. The question being who in reality was her best friend?

My solution was simple….I told her she should ask her mom…..In the end, her mom would be her best friend anyway.

She looked at me curiously.   Perhaps one day she will understand. My girls are beginning to call me their best friend. My mom has been my best friend for years. She has continuously been there for me. We grow closer daily.

Our family calls Christy’s little quotes, “Christy’s joy language.” They are usually words that are close by not quite. This language brings the family a few giggles every now and then. The funny thing is, she married Matt and he speaks this “joy language” from time to time as well.

The last time she visited us we picked her up in Tulsa. On the drive home she was bursting about a new bible study group that she was involved in. While in the backseat, she was talking continually on the two hour ride to Newalla. At one point, she stopped and said, “You know I just love all of this.” I turned to her and said, “Of course you do, sweetie, I see God working in you more and more every day.”

She said, “Well momma, I love it because you installed it in me!”

And that’s what best friends do……They joyously make installments that last a lifetime.

This Christmas season there will be all types of businesses offering installment plans for all kinds of material possessions.

However, the greatest installment plan you can give someone is the love of Jesus.

Show them how to make Him their best friend.

He will stand with them throughout the rest of their lives.

“The greatest joy we can have is when we give away what God has given us.”

(Paul Brady)

Joshua 1:5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)  ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or forsake you.

I’m not convinced I am thoroughly ready for Dallas to move out, even though I believe Beth is ready to have her own home.  God just made women with this nesting thing.  She has been getting pretty excited about finding a few things for the new place.  While she and I were out shopping, she suddenly said “Mom, I can’t believe that Christmas is here already, this year has flown by.”   I nodded in agreement. Truly, with all that has transpired in her life it does seem like Christmas was just around the last corner.  And ready or not, it is here again.

Instead of racing around frantically trying to get everything done, I want to be ready for Christmas this year.  My expectations may not all be realizations though.   My priorities have changed significantly changed along this journey. 

 And I am thankful. 

The decorations are beautiful.  The parties are wonderful and the food is fun.   But there is so much more to Christmas. 

I’m ready to spend more time with the

Christ of Christmas.

If you find yourself out there in the fast lane of Christmas, you are more than welcome to stop by the house.  It may not look as ready as I thought it should have looked in the past.  But it is.  There will certainly be fewer decorations. 

Actually, I wish you would stop by.  We could enjoy each other’s company without having to worry about making sure everything is in place, because it probably doesn’t have a place yet! 

If you come to dinner at the house, I possibly will forget to make one or two of our favorite dishes.  I am learning that less is more. There may be a few parties that I just can’t make.  My stamina is not quite there yet. I’m ready to accept that as well.  

One thing I am certain of ready or not over 2000 years ago a baby named Jesus was born who changed the world forever.

He changed me. Even on those days when I feel quite not ready, because I trusted Him I am ready for eternity!

Isaiah 9:6 New International Version (NIV)
⁶ For to us a child is born,  to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

 Dallas decorated the tree last night. 

He sure did a great job!

Matt is serving in the Army at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.

He was upset and in panic mode. Christy had been having unexplained seizures for the past couple of months. This past Wednesday, she was having her second seizure in one day. Without hesitation, I asked what I could to help the most. After a few moments of discussion, we thought it best that I meet him halfway on the highway and pick up my almost one-year-old grandson, Christian. Beth decided to come along and keep me company since I would be driving at night.

While Matt was driving the baby to us, Christy started feeling bad again and called the paramedics and unlocked the front door. As they arrived she was having her third seizure of the day. She spent most of the evening in the hospital.

So for this past week, my home has been filled with diapers, wipes, baby bottles, formula, baby clothes, a play pen, stroller, baby toys, rubber duckies and a high chair along with a crawling baby! And I praise God for allowing me this time with him.

Having a baby around means no breaks at all. We went to the Mexican restaurant Sunday and I found myself dipping the baby spoon in the Queso and feeding it to the baby instead of the baby food by mistake. Oops.

I was so exhausted one evening that as I sat down in my lazy boy to get some rest, Paul caught me eating baby snack crackers with my Diet Coke. They were actually pretty good.

Top it off, I am now getting over the “virus bug” that somehow invaded our home the day after that precious package was delivered back home to his mommy and daddy.

Paul and I didn’t think we were going to get to be with Christian this Thanksgiving break because this is the year he visits his daddy’s family.

But because his mommy got sick, Christian had to come see Grandma and Pa for his Praisegiving Break and Grandma and Pa are Praising God for their special week with him.

While I am not minimizing what is going on in our family’s life right now. Because honestly we all could use a break and I bet many of you could too. I believe that through these crises, we need to hold our arms, our heads and our hearts up to Praise Him.

And when we are so exhausted that we are feeding our babies out of the Queso or snacking on their food with our Diet Coke, we need to surround ourselves with people who can help us hold our arms up like Moses. For God is worthy to be praised.

Have a Blessed Praisegiving Break!

Exodus 17: 10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

Since Beth and Dallas moved in with us there is not an inch of our home not in use.

We have jam-packed full every nook and cranny with some type of clothing, books, office supplies or other type of equipment. My entry is a playroom filled with LEGOS, army men and dinosaurs.

The counter tops are overflowing with a variety of afterschool snacks as well as muffins, donuts, and pastries for breakfast on the run. Sitting beside these items is a lunch bag that has to be packed daily. The school backpack is on the barstool ready to go for the next day. The attic is full of boxes and crates labeled Brady, Provencher, and still some from Christy who lived with us last year. The laundry room now makes a great coat closet and storage area as well. We have a television in nearly every room and multiple computers throughout the house. The internet can scarcely keep up and the water well is in panic mode. My bedroom has every extra piece of furniture that wouldn’t fit in the other rooms. We could in all probability have a garage sale directly from my patio door. My orderly empty nest is out of order nevertheless I feel perfectly blessed!

I am perfectly blessed because each day I get to take pleasure in watching my grandson play with his toys in the entry way. Before it stood silent, now it is filled with his voice and all the little noises he makes as he plays. Inch by inch he continues to take more of the space and I keep putting away my decorations to allow him more room.

I am perfectly blessed because my once tidy countertops are now filled with a variety of enjoyable things to eat. Not that I always need them, but it sure is fun to have them around. I take delight in seeing that lunch bag each day as it reminds me of days gone by when I packed a few lunches for his momma and aunt as they went to school.

I am perfectly blessed because I am learning to let go of some things and loosen up a bit. Something we all need to do. Having my family near me in times of crisis is more important than having everything in order. We certainly have had a few of these lately. And it was perfect to be able to touch them when an earthquake happened and not have to call to check to see if they were all right.

I am perfectly blessed because I am learning to play more. I may not be getting as much done as I previously did. But the important things are being done. When you have a 7yr old in the home you have to take time to play. Before long, he will demand it. I am enjoying this time spent with him.

God wants perfect order for our lives but repeatedly we try to find it by filling it up with things, work, schedules, and surroundings. Perfect order is through the blessings of relationships that He has given us. Being with Beth and Dallas and having them live in our home has brought perfect order that we didn’t even know was missing. We know it will not last forever, but until they are ready to find their own ideal place we will enjoy these perfect blessings.

Proverbs 10:22 The Message (MSG)

God’s blessing makes life rich; nothing we do can improve on God.

Oldie but goodie!

Counting my perfect blessings!