Runamuck Ranch

Merry Christmas

  "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you.  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12. 

The Dog Quilt

Boo's appointment went well today.  We carried the quilts from the parking garage to the lobby and were about done in when a doctor saved us and carried some of our load to the endocrinology department.  April was thrilled and she explained that she is trying to place the quilts with "children who need something to hang on to."

She told us the dog quilt we brought last time was given to a boy who had been in the hospital for nine months.  He was thrilled because he was missing his dog so much.  He snuggled that quilt until the end.  He did not get to go to his earthly home but is now at home with our Heavenly Father. 

Our quilts are not perfect nor are they complicated but like Mother Teresa said, " In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love."

I will post directions for the quilts and I encourage anyone who hears a whisper that this is something they should do to listen to that whisper and just start with a small thing.  Our family has been so blessed by these quilts.  We are so thankful for the gifts we have been given.

Hope

Foreclosure Angel

Voting

Lately on the news shows they have been interviewing people to ask them if they are going to vote on Tuesday.  Most of them have answers like “if I have the time,” or, a list of complaints about why voting is inconvenient or a down right hardship.  More than any revelations about the politicians, this is absolutely stunning to me. Where are the Americans who say I would never miss it, or, I love to vote because it means I live in a free democracy.

I will confess I have always loved to study history.  To me it never seemed like dusty names and dates but a great big epic novel.  Some of my favorite points in history are when oppressed people rise up, make their voices heard and create a society or movement that is bigger and better than any one person.  America is one the biggest examples of this happening.  I love being an American.  I couldn’t wait for my eighteenth birthday because I could register to vote.  I remember going to the Post Office that day and registering.  To me that birthday outshines my 16th and getting my drivers license.  Lots of people get to drive but only Americans get to vote in America.  Since then I have only missed two local elections – one when I was in the emergency room with stomach flu and one when we almost lost Boo.  When I went out of state to college I made sure to get an absentee ballot.  After 22 years of voting my heart still flutters with excitement when I finally get my turn at the voting booth.

Why doesn’t every American realize what a great privilige it is to go and vote?  Do they not know that

•    when you are tired and cold and your feet hurt standing in line to vote that the soldiers at Valley Forge starved, froze, and had no shoes for their feet in the snow while they fought for our right to vote;
•    when it seems like you don’t have time or it is inconvenient, how inconvenient it was for the thousands of Native Americans to be removed from their land and lives and forced to march on the Trail of Tears because they had no voice and could not vote for a President who would follow the rulings of the United States Supreme Court;
•    when it seems like too much time to study the ballot measures or the candidates positions that African Americans were not allowed to read or vote and had to overcome much to claim their rights to an education and a vote;
•    when we complain in front of our children about having to go vote we forget that many suffragettes were mothers and were imprisoned for demanding women’s voting rights;
•    there are American soldiers risking all, right now, so that we can live in a free society and vote without fear.

There is much made about making voting more pleasant and convenient and easier and not “disenfranchising” anyone.  I think we need to do the best job we can to make voting accessible to all. However, maybe those who care too little to make an effort should stay home anyway.  Americans who truly care about their country will show up no matter what.   I guess my point is quit whining and go vote and if you can’t be bothered to vote please don’t whine when you don’t like what is decided in the election.  Freedom isn’t free and voting isn’t hard. Be a patriot and go vote! 

Roses

My Mother in Love brought these to me just because I seemed a bit down.  They opened up beautifully and smell sooo good.  While I love the roses, I am deeply touched by the motherly love and concern behind them.  Thank you my Etske.

Healing

The kiddos and I have continued to make quilts for Phoenix Children's Hospital and give them anonymously to patients who need them.  A family in our little town just had a similiar experience as ours with Boo, with their six year old daughter who suddenly developed Type I diabetes.  The Dad works in agriculture and so the Farmer knew him and called him when we heard.  The Dad asked if we made quilts because they were given one at the hospital and told it came from a family from our area.  The Farmer admitted we were the quilt givers.  He said it made a difference to them in their time of sadness.  Long story short, this dear family is coming for dinner tonight.  They are so freshly overwhelmed and saddened and new to coping with diabetes and hopefully our family can offer hope that things will get better, and comfort, and ease their burden a little.

They keep asking if they can bring anything.  The answer is NO.  One of the most important lessons I have learned is that the surest path to healing the pain in my own heart is to help others who are in need.  They can bring something in a year when they are stronger.

I am hopeful the girls and us will develop a special friendship that provides support and understanding to handle a disease that is so often misunderstood and can be quite isolating - especially for a child. 

God is good.

Millions of Diamonds Just For Me

Some days are gloomy and foggy and I can't see past it.

The next day the fog lifts and the day seems normal and I continue on....

And then when I  least expect it I turn a corner and God surprises me with a field covered with the last remnants of what was once gloomy rain, that, He has transformed into dew that shines like millions of diamonds and is so beautiful it takes my breath away.

I try to capture the diamonds with my camera to share with the world but they do not shine and sparkle and dance on film.  Then I realize they were a gift just for me and I am touched and humbled to be reminded how much I am loved by my Creator.