Remind Me!!!

Remind me!!! I forget to blog! But I forget a LOT of things lately! If it weren't for my cell phone alarms, the world would see a lot more Wilson's sitting on more curbs:)

I have an alarm set on my phone for 5:50 am, to get Jonathan up so he can make it to basetball practice. I pray immediately, asking the Lord to "help" Stephen sleep another hour. Nothing like a 1st grader crying for me to make his lunch at 5:50 a.m....2 hrs before he leaves for school!!! :)

No need to go back to sleep, since David & Michael need up soon. I try to squeeze in some quiet time. Sometimes it's quieter than others!!!

Next comes the challenge: simultaneously awaken the 3 elementary kids. It has to appear to each child that they are the first one up. It's a game. Whispering to each "would you go wake up the others?" Each stays in bed, saying "You always ask me to get them up!" So we're safe.

Yes, sibling rivalry dominates in our home. You should see me make their sandwiches at the same time, so they can all three say "Mom made mine first!!!!" Oh, and filling the water bottles is even more fun!!!

Usually, Barry does the morning carpool run. That is such a huge blessing for me!! And for the kids & their friends. But when he has a meeting, well, let's just say GONE IS THE BLESSING!!! Mornings were voted least likely to succeed, in a poll that included BOTH of my eyelids!!! Oh, that's funny. Remind me to be funny. Real, but funny.

Afternoons are similar, with alarms set, to remind me to be home when some of the kids are to arrive, and to help me remember to go pick up those junior high boys. Lord help me!!!

OK, this is a little sidenote, but I thought it was interesting...this is Psalm 90:12-17 in The Message....
Oh! Teach us to live well!
Teach us to live wisely and well!
Come back, God—how long do we have to wait?—
and treat your servants with kindness for a change.
Surprise us with love at daybreak;
then we'll skip and dance all the day long.
Make up for the bad times with some good times;
we've seen enough evil to last a lifetime.
Let your servants see what you're best at—
the ways you rule and bless your children.
And let the loveliness of our Lord, our God, rest on us,
confirming the work that we do.
Oh, yes. Affirm the work that we do!


"Come back, God" ummmm Did He leave? And notice line for "treat your servants with kindness for a change." I can almost hear the ppl lamenting!!! That is so ME!!! Remind me NOT to ask God to do something "for a change" ~ never!!!! I'm not sure about the skipping and dancing part, either.

Remind me, Lord, to see your love at daybreak...to look to You as you rule and bless Your children...remind me, Lord...

Favorites

2 of my favorite people: My Mom, Mother of Many & My Brother, Brother of Many

We have a running joke in our family: You're my favorite niece. Or you're my favorite brother. Just fill in the blank. Guess it's our way of reminding each other that we treasure the other person!

I was thinking of how much I love my family when I called "home" today to talk to Moma and my sister who is there. I was NOT feeling like Mom's favorite as Patricia handed her the phone.

It started out with the usual, "Hi, Mom, this is Eva!" To that, she said "Hmph. I'm surprised you have time to call me!"

I was speechless! Absolutely speechless! Then she started naming random activities, like, "With all the scuba diving, reptiles, horses, sculpting, how could you remember to call your mother?"

Whaaaaat?

Well, it just so happens that our family has a family website & and someone doctored up my profile, without my knowledge...Mom found it today...(I suspect it's my brother pictured, thanky very much, BURT!!!)

Hobbies and Interests
Aquarium , Astronomy , Auto Mechanics , Ballet , Bicycling , Card/Board Games , Carpentry/Woodworking , Computer Games , Cooking , Crafts , Dancing , Debate , Drawing/Painting , Electronics , Fishing , Gardening , Genealogy/Family History , Hiking/Camping , Horseback Riding , Hunting , Music (listening) , Music (playing/writing) , Opera , Poetry/Writing , Reading , Running , Sailing , Scrapbooking , Scuba/Snorkeling , Sculpting , Sewing , Shooting , Stamp Collecting , Theater , Waterskiing , Writing , checking all that apply is one of my favorite things!!!
Type of Person I Am
Adventurous , Analytical , Animal Lover , Athlete , Computer Addict , Couch Potato , Creative , Do-it-yourselfer , Domestic , Feminine , Has Everything , Health Nut , History buff , Humorous , Jock , Movie Buff , Romantic , Sports Fan , Tool guy , checking all that apply is one of my favorite things!!!
Pets I Own
Bird , Cats , Dogs , Fish , Horse/Pony , Reptile/Amphibian , checking all that apply is one of my favorite things!!!
Sports I Participate In
Baseball , Basketball , Bowling , Boxing , Cycling , Football , Golf , Gymnastics , Hockey , Ice Skating , LaCrosse , Rugby , Skiing/Snowboarding , Soccer , Swimming/Diving , Tennis , Track and Field , Volleyball , Wrestling , checking all that apply is one of my favorite things!!!
My Favorite Colors
Black , Blue , Brown , Gold , Green , Orange , Pink , Purple , Red , White , Yellow , checking all that apply is one of my favorite things!!!
Types of Food I Like
American , Chinese , East Europe , French , German , Indian , Italian , Japanese , Mexican , Middle Eastern , Polynesian , Russian , Scandinavian , Thai
Types of Music I Like
Gospel
Types of Movies I Like
Classical Literature , Historical Fiction , Mystery

Chances are, I have something in common with YOU, right???!!! The biggest laugh is the sports...I haven't even played those sports on Wii. The food section is pretty much on the dollar, since I'll eat anything that doesn't eat me first, right?

Seriously, now. This list made me think about the things I truly do enjoy. Many of my true interests are different now than those I held dearly even 5 years ago. I was 30 when I learned to sew. Almost 40 when songwriting arrived at my heart's door. No telling what might be lurking on my front porch right now.

How about yours?

Hope you have a great day as you re-discover YOUR favorites, and possibly find a new interest! I'm ready, willing & hopefully able!!!

How about you?

Praying on Election Day

Almost everyone I know has expressed concern about the "place" the USA is in. Fear of the future can paralyze us. Let's once again (and again again) place our faith in Christ. We can only find freedom through fear, through faith.

It's true that our country stands at a crossroads. But let me remind you, the future holds NO surprises for the Lord.

Yes, we need to continue to pray, even on Election Day. To pray in truth, not out of fear.

We need to go boldly to the throne. God is in control, and, either way the election goes, we as the body of Christ needs to be strengthened. We need to shine brighter, truer, clearer.

Let's remember Prov 21:1

The LORD controls rulers, just as he determines the course of rivers. CEV

aka:
Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; he directs it to whatever ends he chooses. The Message

and even:
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. KJV

and let's never forget to cling to the God of this Scripture:

Some trust in chariots, some in horses, but we will trust in the name of the Lord our God. Ps 20:7 NIV

(whithersoever...put THAT in a song!!!)

Oh, speaking of songs, if you think about it, pray for Stephanie Raymond. Stephanie's love for God is infectious, and it's truly been a joy to get to know her! An added perk is that she has a beautiful voice! I was surprised to find out that she is including 3 songs I wrote/co-wrote on her new CD. On Nov 4, she plans to record You Say (Wilson/Zody), Own Me (Wilson/Ferrin), and Me & Faith Hill (Wilson).

Just another reason to pray ON Election Day!!!

Gentle Arms of Jesus

When we received word that our friend's little grandson passed away last night, God stopped me in my tracks. I had been grumbling, complaining, griping, and more. About nothing. Truly nothing. Nothing matters now.

Praying the Lord will comfort, as only His spirit can. There are no words. But we try.

I wish I had this song finished, but my co-writer, Carrie, will be singing it. As a photographer, she was looking for a song to use, to give in a keepsake slideshow to couples who have lost a young child. Since I didn't have anything like that, I offered to write one, with her help.

Please pray that the Father will use Gentle Arms of Jesus to touch lives. We all suffer, we all fear the unknown...but losing a child leaves an emptiness that only the Lord can fill.

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6704080

Gentle Arms of Jesus
(c)2008 Carrie LaFollette/Eva Wilson

VI
You were growing, I was growing, too
Knowing I would share my hopes and dreams with you
Treasuring your sweetness, my little child within
Someday we’ll never have to say goodbye again

CHORUS
I believe you were the answer to my prayers
Although I couldn't hold you very long
He will always keep you in His tender care
For the gentle arms of Jesus are strong
Oh, the gentle arms of Jesus are strong

VII
I have questions I don’t understand
But I know you’re safe now in His loving Hands
Resting in His presence, surrounded by His light
His peace washes over me His arms hold me tight

bridge:
I wanted one more lullaby ~ one more goodnight
One more way to say I love you, my child
The Lord is watching over you,
He'll take good care of you
He’s singing over you

CHORUS
I believe you were the answer to my prayers
Although I couldn't hold you very long
He will always keep you in His tender care
For the gentle arms of Jesus are strong
Oh, the gentle arms of Jesus are strong