THE NEW EWE
THE NEW EWE"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"
Luke 15:4-6
January 10, 2024
LIFE
IN THE FOLDI began singing at church when I was just a little girl. I don't know how old I was when I first starting singing, but was pretty young. One of the first songs I remember singing at church was "Oh How I Love Jesus". When I was a young teenager, I began singing in a trio with two of my sisters. I also played piano. We sang together until I was 16, and one of those sisters got married. My other sister and I often sang at church together after that; until she got married, then I sang alone, again.
My dream when I was growing up was to travel and sing with a gospel group. I'd see these groups riding on a big bus and singing all around the country and that's what I wanted to do. When that didn't happen, my dream changed somewhat. Something that I really desired, and honestly still do, is to sing on a big stage with a huge live band backing me up. That's not yet happened either.
Sometimes our dreams don't come to pass because that's not God's plan for us. Other times, they don't happen because we are too fearful to pursue them. There could be a lot of different reasons why they are never realized.
It may just be a comment that someone makes in passing that causes us to question our pursuits. When I was taking drivers ed class at my school, I was driving one day and the instructor was making conversation. Looking back now, I see that he was a young teacher at that time and probably in his early to mid 20's. I was shyer back then and he probably had no idea what to talk to me about. He was also a coach at the school, and I had no interest in sports. He apparently knew that I was in choir -- that was probably it. One day he asked if I liked to sing and I said yes. His response was, "I bet you think you're really good, don't you?! My wife sings and she thinks she's really good." Really, his tone was a bit arrogant and I didn't know how to respond.
I don't know why, but that comment embarrassed me and I felt like, "Oh no! Do people think that I think that I'm a really good singer?! Do I act like I think I'm better than other people?!" I felt like I needed to apologize and justify why I enjoyed singing so much.
That was just one person! In the grand scheme of life, it really didn't matter what his opinion of me or my singing was. But to a 15 years old, those type of comments do often make a difference.
Looking back, I can also see other factors regarding that time in my life. I was in my sophomore year of high school and drivers ed was taken prior to turning 16 and getting your drivers license. That was the toughest year of my life. My mom was horribly sick the first semester of that school year and in December we were told that she didn't have long to live. Between then and February 22nd, when she passed away, I was in a constant state of stress while I was at school. I knew that I had to go, yet was so afraid that something would happen and Mama would die while I was gone. Then after she did pass away, I was grieving and having difficulty going on with my life. I felt as if everyone else's life was normal and they were laughing and having a good time, while mine had been drastically changed.
So regarding the comment the teacher made; my emotions were already running amuck, so I likely took it to heart much more than he meant. In fact, I doubt that he even remembers our conversation; and probably didn't remember it the day after we had it!
Could I have made it as a professional gospel singer, had I pursued that path? Very possible, yes! I didn't have the know-how on how to go about doing that and that journey never seemed to open up for me. Plus, I don't believe that was the journey that God wanted me take. I made peace with that long ago and am very happy with the path that my life has taken.
My life today would likely be very different had I pursued music. First of all, I may not have met Jon and the two of us marry. I can't imagine life without him as my husband! I would have missed out on a lot of family time and would have been gone from home a lot. I would have missed out on some of the friendships that I've made throughout the years. I wouldn't have the special relationship that I have with some of my nieces and nephews; and wouldn't have got to babysit and love on their kids. I would have had other experiences, but would have missed out on the wonderful ones that I've had!
The truth is, I have got to sing and play piano throughout the years from time to time at churches. I've been honored to have pastors ask me to speak at their church. God has used me and I've been blessed.
I know that the Lord has ordered my steps and I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be in my life. Granted, I do have some regrets from those years of being single. I wasted a lot of time, waiting to meet the right man and not making the most of the life that God had given me. I could have had experiences and done more to enjoy those years. I was fearful of doing things by myself and fearful of making mistakes and fearful of the unknown. But yet, God was faithful and guided me.
Two things: If you feel as if you've missed out on a dream, take inventory of your life and see how God has directed your steps. Look for the blessing and compare your life now to how it possibly could have been; see those things that you might have missed out on, had your life gone a different direction. Be thankful for the experiences you've had and time with family and the good things. Ask God if that dream was from Him; and if it is, He can still bring it to pass. If not, then be at peace at the life that God has blessed you with and see how He was involved in the details of your life.
Secondly, even with if you have regrets or have allowed fears to prevent you from enjoying life or doing things that you wish you had, know that God is still faithful! He loves you and isn't disappointed in you or punishing you. Sometimes we know that God has forgiven us, but we have a difficult time forgiving ourself. We are the ones punishing ourself or heaping guilt upon our head; it's not God! But don't allow fear to dictate your decisions. Trust God and know that He's big enough to handle every detail of your life. Give your fears and worries to Him, then take that step of faith and go and do what He wants. Even those things that you may do for fun or enjoyment, don't be held back by fears.
Psalms 37:23 says, "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."
During this new year, allow the Lord to direct your steps and trust Him with all the details!
JON'S
PERSPECTIVE:When I was about 8 or 9 years old, a friend of my dad's loaned me a computer. Within a few hours, I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. From then on, it was never a question of whether I would work with computers, but when and exactly what I'd do with them.
I was very fortunate to have that understanding so early. I know people who were in their late twenties before they knew what they wanted to be when they grew up.
Having access to the computer was what triggered my excitement about my future. I don't really know if that was orchestrated by God, or if it was just bound to happen one time or another. But I'm glad it happened. And it wouldn't have if I hadn't been open to trying new experiences and looking for opportunities to learn and grow.
If you don't know what you want to be when you grow up, don't give up on it. Try different things. Maybe you can take a clogging class, or pottery, writing, or volunteering to help somewhere like Good Will. Try experiences that seem fun, or even just seem okay. Keep an open mind and an open heart.
ON
THE MENEWE:Meatballs
There is a variety of things you can do with meatballs! You can either make your own from scratch, or buy a package of frozen Italian beef meatballs. And you can make whatever amount you need.
**Place frozen meatballs in crockpot. Add in jelly; you can add in regular or jalapeno jelly, if you want them spicier. I prefer grape or peach jalapeno; but have also used strawberry jalapeno or regular peach, which are also good. Then pour in a bottle of chili sauce. Stir occasionally and heat for a few hours until heated thoroughly.
**You could also use little smokies instead of meatballs for this recipe.
**You can also brown the meatballs, then use in making spaghetti and meatballs.
**You can also make you own sauce to cover the meatballs with in the crockpot. Mix together 2 cups ketchup, 1-1/2 cups brown sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Place meatballs in crockpot and pour the sauce over the top. You could also cook in the oven at 350 for 1-1/2 hours.
**You can also look online and find recipes for meatball soup and use the meatballs that way.
THIS,
THAT AND THE OTHER:I was watching my nephews two 5-year olds a while back. The little girl had got some makeup from one of her grandma's for Christmas. It came with a little makeup table with a mirror. I sent the kids to their room for rest time in the afternoon; which they can either watch their tablet or play quietly during that time. After an hour or so, the little girl was "so hungry", so I let her come downstairs for a quick snack, before she finished her rest time. Oh my!! When I saw her face, I couldn't help but laugh! She had been playing with her makeup and had her entire face covered with gray... I'm assuming it was eye shadow. Not only was her face completely covered with that makeup, her hands were gray, too. She must have used her hands to apply it, instead of the little brush that came with the makeup. I took her picture and sent it to her mom. Her mom said she does that every time she plays with the makeup and she will be so happy when it's all used up!
THOUGHT
TO PONDER:Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -
think about such things. - Philippians 4:8
OUR
HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:We love you!
Loretta & Jon