Dragonfly Living

I always thought of myself as a butterfly person.  But lately, I have discovered I am really a Dragonfly.


On doing some research on dragonflies I've decided that it is a better symbol for me.  The dragonfly in almost every part of the world symbolizes change, emotional maturity, and an understanding of the deeper meaning of life.

Power and Poise....The dragonfly's agile flight and its ability to move in all six directions exude a sense of power and poise-something that comes only with age and maturity.  The dragonfly can move at an amazing 45 miles an hour, hover like a helicopter, fly backwards like a hummingbird, fly straight up, down and on either side.  It can do all this while flapping it's wings a mere 30 times a minute while a mosquito and housefly need to flap their wings 600 to 1000 times a minute.

Focus on living in the moment....the dragonfly normally lives most of its life as a nymph.  It flies only for a fraction of its life and usually not more than a few months. Because of the brevity of it's life and it's abilities the dragonfly symbolizes living in the moment and living life to it's fullest without regrets.

The opening of one's eyes.....the eyes of the dragonfly are amazing.  80% of the insect's brain power is dedicated to its sight and it can see in all 360 degrees around it.  This symbolizes the ability to see beyond the limitations that we place on our self.  There is lots more information that can be found here .


So why would a dragonfly apply to me?.... As you can see by the picture of the dragonfly I chose, I don't have a healthy self-esteem. 

 I see myself as a fat little bug with tiny barely functional wings.  I desperately need change, emotional maturity , power and poise.   My body is changing but it's very easy for me to get discourage and quit.  I need to rise above my limitations, quit looking at the obstacles, change my perspective and look beyond my self for power and strength.  The poise part....comes with confidence and success.  So I may be a fat little bug with tiny wings now but watch how I'll change in the coming weeks.

The perils of doing a publisher brochure

Ok, I decided I needed to start blogging again just as a daily discipline.  I am spending entirely too much time playing games on my phone, reading, or binge-watching Netflex .  The only things expanding is my hips and waistline from all this inactivity.

I was asked to do a brochure for Global Church Growth on the work in Cuba. " Sure, no problem I can knock it out in a day or two. " (Famous last words).  What started out  "no problem" ended up taking several months of research, trial, and error in processing, and repeated failed attempts at communicating key concepts.

So far there have been 4 revisions and when it all looked good I discovered a margin error.  I foolishly thought, "ok, I'll move it over".  Sounds simple, right?  It would be but I am having trouble finding the last revision on the computer.  What I did find was a PDF version.  I have made the personal discovery that you can not make any corrections on a PDF.  So It looks like this afternoon I get to redo the entire brochure, retyping it, and putting in the pictures and information.  Sigh, you gotta laugh or I would be crying out of frustration.  

Growing old and learning new technology takes time and God must think I need to use my time more productively.

So proud of my girl

This picture reminds me of my daughter Suzy.  I have seen so much personal and spiritual growth in her lately.   She is the mother of 3 active boys, works full time as a school librarian and still manages to find time to greet each person who comes into the library with a friendly hello and a smile. 

She is a little bit cheerleader, a little bit magical, the keeper of secrets, and seems to know just what book you need (even when you don't). 

She loves to dress up during book week as a favorite character in a book.  She loves to see who can guess what character and from which book.

She recently has had to face some hard truths and decide what is more important to her...financial gain or ministry?  She chose ministry.

Ministry costs time, energy, creativity, and full commitment.  Ministry entitles you to be misunderstood, criticized, and have your motives questioned by those who feel intimidated by your giftedness.  In short," ministry is not for wimps."

So baby girl, know how proud I am of you and your commitment to the Lord.  Hold on and Jesus will carry you through.  

You are an amazing mom, great daughter, and the first one I want to talk to whenever life is good, (and especially when it is frustrating!)  

Our May Newsletter

We are very pleased and blessed to welcome a new grandchild.  Lucy Mae was born April 29th to our son and daughter in law Rachel and big sister Lyra.  Lyra is excited to have everyone look at her baby and has been very sweet and gentle with her.  We are planning on taking a road trip to Fort Worth to go visit them and meet little Lucy and marvel at how much Lyra has changed over the last year.  To say that we are excited would definitely be an understatement.  Please keep us in your prayers as we start our grand adventure soon.  Be on the lookout for blog posts along the way and lots of pictures of our Texans.

Last October I spent 5 days in the hospital to learn that I have atrial fibrillation.  I have been on medication but my stubborn heart refuses to convert back into normal rhythm.  I have been teased repeatedly about being a missionary with an unconverted heart!  Since that time I have seen many specialists and even went through Electrical Cardio-Version where they restart the heart to see if it would return to normal rhythm.  Charlie says it is like a computer reboot. It did reboot but only for 24 hours and returned back to afib.  I have good days and some really bad days where it is difficult for me to breathe, my BP is high, my heart rate races and I have no energy, but on a good note....my prayer life has never been better!

Remember that old Sunday School song "Be careful little mouth what you speak?"  We have taken on a 31 day challenge based on Philippians 4: 8-9.  We call it the What So Ever Challenge.  "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  "  Too often we find ourselves using careless talk that hurts our partner in a lame attempt to be funny or flippant.  We say things to each other that we would never say to anyone else.  Words can hurt and are hard to let go.  Also non-verbal communication, tone of voice, and attitudes sneak into our  speech that are hurtful.  Our signal word to each other when we feel attacked by hurtful words or careless jesting is to look at the other person and say, "Ok, whatever!"  I tend to over embellish so I am learning how to let my Yes mean Yes, and my No mean No.  

Thank you for your love, prayer support and financial support during this time of sickness and extra stress.  I am struggling with wondering if my current state of health is "my new normal."  With God, all things are possible so I am learning how to be content in whatever state of health I'm in.