I DO

35 Years of Milestones: Tim & Liz Chavel

June 13, 1981 - June 13, 2016

Thirty-five years ago my husband and I said "I do". We have experienced financial setbacks and blessings, sickness and health, and we continue to learn from our experiences and trust in God to move us forward.

Here is a portion of our vows:

Do you vow that you will do everything in your power to make your love for her/him a growing part of your life, will you continue to feed it from day to day and week to week and year to year and from the best resources of your living?

Will you stand by him/her in sickness or in health, in poverty or in wealth, and will you shun all others, and keep yourself to her alone, so long as you both shall live?

Attached is a timeline with milestones we've passed on our journey. May God bless us with many more.

All my love to Tim Chavel on this our special milestone day!

Read the Fine Print!

Before you commit to an agreement by purchase or otherwise, please read the fine print!

On the nightly news I heard a story about a couple who had a refrigerator with a malfunctioning ice maker. They had purchased, an extended warranty at the checkout at their local appliance shop. To their dismay, the extended warranty did not cover the ice maker.

Think about it! At the checkout, the cashier asks, "Do you want to purchase and extended warranty?" You might ask, "What does it cover?" She says, "It will replace your item if it goes bad in the next two years." So you say, "Sure, sign me up!"

If you don't have time to read the fine print, then don't agree to purchase an extended warranty on any item. It is not a smart choice!

My Mom

Today is Mother's Day and I have been thinking about my mom today. She died September 12, 2003 at age 71 from cancer.

Coincidentally I am reading a book "Good To Great" by Jim Collins. The book is about some companies that improved their business strategy over the years. What caught my attention was the story about the company (a pharmacy) Walgreens.

My mother worked at Walgreens in the 1970's as a waitress. The restaurant had a small pharmacy on the other side of the wall. This business was located inside of a shopping mall in Huntsville, Alabama.

I did not know Walgreens was one of the great companies in the late seventies! My mom loved that company and had talked about how good they were doing. She loved waitressing too. She enjoyed people! She worked hard at that restaurant and raised three children alone on her salary. I didn't realize how poor we really were back then because mom was so optimistic.

I loved her and miss her. So glad she loved me too!

Evidence of the Holy Spirit

While many were  reminiscing the anniversary of Star Wars on May 4th I had a flashback of my anniversary on this same date forty one years ago...wow, I am OLD!  On this important date I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. Immediately the Holy Spirit entered my soul! The evidence for me was the release of the weight of sin, and the calm, sweet power that filled me. The evidence of the Holy Spirit is still present in me. It convicts me when I am tempted, it prompts (convicts) me when I stray from God and it comforts me.

God's Word provides this principle in Ephesians chapter 4:

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,  even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Won't you receive Christ?

You ARE Somebody!

This is an awesome story that does not require additional commentary - please read:
http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevinwax/2013/10/09/jim-elliots-brother-bert-the-hero-you-dont-know/

Two Widows

For seven days and six nights, with my husband's blessing, I spent time with two widows in Williamsburg, VA. One of the widows is my 75 year old mother-in-law who lives with my husband and I and the other is her 80 year old friend. I will refer to them in this blog as N for my mother-in-law and T for her friend; the initials of their first name.

I have never been to Williamsburg, a very historical city. T owns a timeshare and has not been here in five years. Her children will not let her drive more than a ten mile radius from her own home due to health concerns. She shared with N that she would love to go to Williamsburg but could not drive. She wondered if N could go with her if they could find a friend who could drive. Well N suggested I might be able to go and would probably love to go but she would have to check with me and her son.

The trip was educational for all the things previously learned in elementary history, it was enlightening to hear these two ladies share of their own memories of their lives when they were young, married, raising children and holding jobs.

I would encourage more people to spend time with our elders for an enriching experience! 

Grown Children

Now a mother of three grown children I am happy to report that all the ups and downs of parenting are well worth the wait of enjoying grown children!

If you are a parent of very young children, I know the day to day stress of caring, nurturing and take a toll on  you. Wiping the noses, waking up multiple times in the middle of the night and answering countless questions may seem unending. But as the saying goes - "they grow up fast! enjoy them while you can."

Those days have flown by. Now I enjoy my grown children even more. Seeing them walk through similar circumstances, forming their own opinions and following some family traditions are rewarding. Visiting with them in their homes, watching a movie or enjoying a dinner date are a few of my favorite times!