Funky Farm

Have you ever had one of those days?  Weeks?  Months?  Seasons?  Years?

I took this picture a couple of years ago on a day trip. Was it beautiful there? Not so much. Was this going to be the photo that made me famous? Nope. Was I going to make millions of dollars from this shot? Ha! It's not even a "perfect" photo - it's a little crooked, it doesn't follow the rule of thirds, it's too dark, there's too much background detail, and it's a bit distracting.

So you might be asking why I took the photo if it wasn't so amazing - what purpose does it serve? Much less, why on earth is it being featured in a blog? Well...it makes me laugh! 

We've heard the phrase "Funny Farm", but I just love the word "funky". That word makes me smile, it makes me dream, it makes me want to be creative. It also reminds me of life - real life. 

When I looked up the definition, there were more than I realized and they weren't all wonderful. Two of my favorites:

• Characterized by originality and modishness; unconventional

• Earthy and uncomplicated; natural

The first one is what I usually think of when I use the word funky (if I'm not talking about a funky smell) but I am growing to love the second one also. Oh, if we could all be a little funkier - wouldn't life be fun? Certainly more exciting and less predictable, and maybe a tad more relaxed as well.

One More Thing...

What will you do this week to embrace your funky?

Take care, and I'm always here to pray for you or simply to connect.

Lois Lynn

Impact

The Oprah show is now off the air. I admit it, I watched the last 3 shows. I don't consider myself an Oprah fan and I didn't watch the show with any regularity. In fact, through the years, my pendulum has been swinging back and forth as to just how much I liked her or was annoyed by her. 

Regardless of what you think, you have to admit she has had some great things to teach us and made a substantial impact on many lives, and on the world. This was evident in the multi-episode tribute to her coordinated by her staff.

She has encouraged people, especially women, to live the life they were designed for and encouraged us to find our purpose. Education and literacy have both been very important in her life. She has inspired us to pursue our dreams and to step out of our comfort zones. These are good things, they are impactful things.

I've had people in my life that have made an impact. I've also had people in my life that have left me in their wake, some while thinking they made a positive impact. I'm sure you could say the same. Some people leave a remarkable imprint on your life and others leave as big an imprint, but it's mixed with some destructiveness or other negative qualities.

What would people say about you and the impact you've made on them? Are you a blessing to others, and leave an impact on them that is helping to improve the world? Or, have you pushed your way through life leaving others in your wake? 

I want to challenge you today to listen to others, validate their lives, love people, remember that you are worthy, make an impact on the world, and try not to leave others in your wake. Remember, any time I throw a challenge out there, I'm talking to myself as well!

I also want to encourage you to thank the people who have made a difference in your life - it might be the one thing that impacts them the most.

One More Thing...
What are you doing to make a difference and how can I support you?

Take care, and I'm always here to pray for you if you have a need or request.
Lois Lynn

In honor of Oprah's dedication to literacy, and in tribute to the library that formed a lot of my childhood memories, I share with you a photo of my favorite library taken on a visit to my hometown last year. I always had the maximum number of books checked out at any given time.

Remember...With Love...While We Can

My church celebrated its 100th anniversary this past weekend. I had the honor of serving on the team that coordinated these activities, but my heart was somewhat disconnected. I have been here since May 2000 and I have two friends that have moved away but are not planning to attend the reunion so really, why should I care about this event?

One friend is in California and I was able to visit her last month for the first time since she moved years ago and my best friend is in Alaska and was unable to return. So, if my best friend wasn't coming...I really didn't have any heart into this for my own sake. I had nothing to gain at this event and anticipated being saddened by watching reunions of others, while still longing for my best friend and not knowing when I'd ever get to see her again. I didn't think I had any reason to celebrate 100 years.

I was wrong.

Friday night, I had the pure pleasure to support two of my friends simply by attending an event that they were coordinating. What a joy to have people I love enough to want to do something for them. Sure, there were desserts afterward...but it was for the joy of friendship that I gave up my Friday night off.

Saturday, my soul was filled to the brim and overflowing. A glimpse of Heaven filled me. I connect with God mostly through nature and music. I connect with some music more than other music - it is not all equal for me. We sang through the century with several styles of music. I was able to enjoy the "old school" stuff I grew up with and hear the harmonies blend together.

The husband of my best friend, also someone I dearly love, led a set that restored my empty soul. The songs and style from this era, the passion, joy, and energy they were led with, along with the heart connection I have with the people leading it - these all opened my heart, dropped down all the walls, and filled me up with God. I hear great music often, but it doesn't always get from my ears to my heart. I was being given a huge gift from God and He was reminding me how much He loved me through those words and that music.

There was an opportunity to spend an additional 3 hours that evening with about 25 people singing, playing instruments, worshiping God, and loving each other and God together that showed me so clearly that it is truly people that God uses to reach and to love us. I felt more loved that night than I've felt in years and I felt like I loved more also. It was a room filled with faces that would become a part of my history due to recent events upheaving my church family. The family I knew once would never be together again until Heaven.

Even kids of friends, now in their 20's still make time to say hi and hand out hugs. People from several chapters of my life share one common denominator - they love God. Guess what?  They also love me and I love them.

I'm not always great with telling people how much they mean to me - I hope you are better at it than I am. This week, I challenge you to make it a goal to tell somebody that you love them. Consider telling someone that isn't as close to you as family, but maybe somebody that might not really know how you feel about them.

People are special. We can remember the special people in our lives, with love.

A few weeks ago, I helped my family pack up the home of my grandparents, who have both passed on. All of these things combined to remind me that people are of the utmost importance and most anything else can wait. 

A singing group from my college days did a marvelous version of the song, "Love Them While You Can". This is primarily directed at the love our parents or guardians gave us, but there is a real-life application for telling everybody how special they are to us. 

Take a listen to Golden Deed's version here

One More Thing...

Remember someone special this week, with love...while we can. Then go tell them what they mean to you, or drop them a card.

Take care, and I'm always here to listen, pray for you, or to encourage you.

Lois Lynn

The Gift

I have a gift sitting on my mantle, waiting for me to decide that it is precisely the right day to open it, savor it, treasure it, and thoroughly enjoy it. Yes, it is wrapped. Yes, I bought it for myself. Yes, I remember what it is. And yes, the perfect day is near.

One year ago, I returned to my hometown for a visit and I found this little memory lane treasure. There is a quaint, unique restaurant in town called The Guild House. They serve one menu each day and it's in a really cool old house downtown, The Barlow House built in 1909. I always wanted to go there and I don't remember that I ever did. I guess you could say it's still on my Bucket List. While I've never had the privilege of eating there, it is known to be exceptional food.

Recently, I re-discovered the joy and reward I find in cooking. I was reminded by a friend that one of my creative outlets is my cooking and baking. I had never seen it that way, but he was right. My enthusiasm and love for this have been ignited again, and the "secret" gift waiting for me is The Guild House Cookbook. Oh, I just felt a little spark in the depths of my soul thinking about opening this gift.

I will miss seeing this treasure of joy on my mantle, waiting for me, encouraging me to be creative and share my culinary creations with friends. However, can't you see it? A nice gentle Spring rain, barely cool enough that I get to enjoy the fireplace one more time, sipping hot cocoa and my favorite relaxing music in the background. Or maybe it's a bright summer day and I'm enjoying my special Tropical Passion Iced Tea I brought back from vacation and lounging in the swing in the backyard and my music is the chirping of the birds.

Whichever day it is, it will be a day of joy for me. I intend to spend a few hours slowly turning the pages, making lists of the recipes I want to try first. I will have to select which friend is going to be the first to sample the new flavors with us. The day I no longer have a gift waiting for me will be the day I decide I am worth taking time for, to enjoy a simple gift that I would not usually purchase for myself. It will be the day I say to the world "You will not control me. You will not keep me so busy and stressed out that I cannot enjoy life. You will not prevent me from following my dreams."

The joy that awaits me is almost immeasurable. I am reminded of the credit card slogan from a few years ago that would sound something like this:

The Guild House Cookbook: $30

The Hot Cocoa (or Passion Iced Tea): $8

The Perfect Day to Dream About New Passions: Priceless

I learned this trick from my mom. She has been known to have a gift sitting there for years and years. I do not have that patience. I also want to move on to another gift! Mom, when you read this please share how long you've had that wrapped gift.

Have you ever held back purchasing a small "gift" that you wanted, but didn't think you should spend the money on yourself?

Sometimes, it's okay. Be smart about it, but dare to think outside the gift-wrapped box and treat yourself every once in a while.


One More Thing...

Have you ever bought yourself a little present and had it waiting for you, for that day when you really need something to pick up your spirits?

Take care, and I'm always here to listen, pray for you, or to encourage you.

Lois Lynn

The Guild House exists solely through the servant hearts of its volunteers and raises money to contribute to the Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic.  https://tghob.clubexpress.com