Sunday, July 31, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Do You Need Me? Asks God
Are you a strong, logical thinking, bright, and stubborn? Are you unhappy or even depressed if things don’t go your way? Does being in control of your life and circumstances keep you happy and stable? Are you a perfectionist, therefore a great procrastinator if things aren’t perfect? In life, our greatest gifts can be our worst shortcomings.
I have lived with a wonderful strong, logical, bright, stubborn, perfectionist for almost 47 years. It is said that opposites attract. In the case of Richard and me it sure is true. I am certain of the fact that God gave Richard to me in marriage to help ease his stubbornness, his tendency to depression and anger, his desire to control, and his impulsiveness. Our marriage would never have survived if our personalities had been alike. When I look back, I can see how my personality has helped him and how his personality has made me stronger and helped me to learn how to stand up for my rights and become who I am.
I can never remember a time when I didn’t know that The Lord was with me. I had a very stable childhood with a strong Christian foundation and upbringing. Richard did not have stability as a baby and a young child. After his birth in December of 1942, during WW2, his biological father was going overseas and his mother refused to wait for his return. She gave Richard up for adoption to a couple, who were family friends. Alf and Martha took this baby into their lives and adopted him when he was 5 months old. Richard was brought to the Lord as a baby, being baptized first catholic, and then in the Lutheran Church after his adoption. The second abandonment in his young life came when he was 3 years old. Martha left Alf and Richard. Richie has memories of the Christmas Eve after Martha left. No one thought to invite them to share the holiday with them. He can remember sitting on the edge of the bed with Alf who was crying and holding Richie in his arms. Alf was the one stabilizing factor in Richie’s life. He loved Richie unconditionally and would do anything to keep his child’s life as happy and stable as possible. When Alf went to work, Richard was cared for by family friends who were members of the Swedish Lodge which Alf belonged to. Richie spent many weekends with Alf at Lindberg Lodge Picnics. Alf had been born in Sweden and he was an active member of the Swedish Vasa Order of America.
It was through the Vasa organization that Alf met Angela Ulman and her sister and brother-in-law Albert and Carrie Peterson. Alf and Angela were married when Richie was about 7 years old. Alf wanted Richie to have a mother. Angela had been widowed young. She and Bill were never able to have the children which they had so desired. Her sister, Carrie lost their only child, Justa, when he was 12 years old, from a ruptured appendix in the years before the discovery of penicillin. Alf, Angela, Aunt Carrie, and Uncle Albert all loved and cared for Richie and even spoiled him, which is very understandable. He is so grateful to have had them in his life.
When Richie was 17 years old, Alf died suddenly. He had a stroke while on his way to work early one Fall morning. Richie had just graduated from High School. He was now the man of the house. Angela did some baby sitting and ironing to help with finances. Uncle Albert was able to get Richie into the Carpenter’s Union after High School. He worked for an Acoustical Ceiling and Lathing Company, working on LI and in NYC.
When did I enter the picture you ask? We both went to Walt Whitman High School. I have been told that on the day he first saw me, he went home and told his mother, Angela, that he saw the girl that he was going to marry. I knew nothing about it, as we had never even met. We were in our junior year at Walt Whitman High School in South Huntington. We were in the same physics class and he also says that he remembers seeing me in the hall that day and remembers what I was wearing. Devine Destiny? God’s plan is perfect but I sure didn’t know about it at the time, nor did I learn about it for a long while after that. We were introduced, and we did go to our high school senior prom and senior banquet together. For High School Graduation and my June birthday, Richie bought me an expensive Omega Watch. I tried to refuse accepting it but he says now that he knew that it was a long term and permanent investment. I guess I was clueless! He always thought big and always put his whole heart and concentration into attaining his goals and dreams. Angela always said that Richie could sell a refrigerator to an Eskimo. This God given gift of persuasion and sales ability has helped him in his career as a construction superintendent and in the process of establishing two businesses. He overcame childhood rejections, developed a strong work ethic, and demonstrates the consistent ability to prove himself by hard work and persistence by reaching so many of his goals. Another strong character trait which he possesses is his integrity. God has always directed Richie’s life. He has helped him through the hard and painful times. God has blessed him and has shown him His favor throughout the years. There have been internal battles between the natural man and God’s Spirit within, as there are in each of our lives. God continues to prove Himself to us in our individual lives and in our marriage.
I like to say that Richie pursued me until I caught him….or something like that. He sure was persistent. He set his sites and nothing was going to dissuade him. The last thing he would do every night before going home after riding around Huntington was to ride past my house on Vermont Street. I understand that he even did this when I wasn’t at home; I was attending Nursing School at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. He demonstrated his love for me in many ways. I can remember one instance when my sister, Marlene, friend, Anna Johnson, and I were headed upstate for a weeks vacation. I could see the concern on Richie’s face and in his heart as he said, “If you have any problems with the car or any other concerns, call me and I will drive up to wherever you are to help you”. I knew that he meant it and I think at that moment, I became so very sure of his love. We were engaged when I was a junior in Nursing School and married in 1964, four years after high school and one year after I became a nurse. We will be celebrating our 47th anniversary on September 25th of this year.
This writing has taken off in a different direction from my beginning thoughts. It’s like life which turns corners that we would never have imagined that it would take us. God’s persistence is supernatural. He has a plan for each of our lives. He loves us with an everlasting love. Sometimes we have to step back and reflect on where we have come from, and where He is bringing us to, in order to put where we are now, into perspective. He knows us and loves us and desires for us to know Him and to love Him in return, but He will never force Himself on us. The circumstances of life and the choices we make can all alter the path which we find ourselves on. I think that many times we get to the place where He has planned for us to reach but we get there our way, which is harder and longer than it would have had to be because we didn’t seek His guidance and direction along the way. Our human nature is stubborn, proud, and sometimes too logical. We depend on ourselves instead of leaning on the Lord. We don’t think that we need God. This is where faith and trust come in. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”, as is written in Romans 10:17. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that, “But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”. We can’t expect Him to answer our prayers if we aren’t sure that He hears our prayers or if we aren’t sure if He is even there at all.
When we seek God, we will find Him. We are told this in Matthew 7:7. God wants us to need Him and to depend on Him. God wants us to have more than a superficial faith. As we seek God and pursue a deeper faith, He will make Himself known to us. We will experience His Presence, His Blessings, and His Favor. WE KNOW! BECAUSE WE KNOW! BECAUSE WE KNOW! God doesn’t logically instruct us to believe, He reveals Himself to us. God is omniscient (all knowing), omnipresent (present everywhere), and omnipotent (all powerful). The more we seek Him, the more sure we are of Him. The more we trust Him, the more we depend on Him. The more we know that we need Him, the more obedient we become in our Christian walk.
I have lived with a wonderful strong, logical, bright, stubborn, perfectionist for almost 47 years. It is said that opposites attract. In the case of Richard and me it sure is true. I am certain of the fact that God gave Richard to me in marriage to help ease his stubbornness, his tendency to depression and anger, his desire to control, and his impulsiveness. Our marriage would never have survived if our personalities had been alike. When I look back, I can see how my personality has helped him and how his personality has made me stronger and helped me to learn how to stand up for my rights and become who I am.
I can never remember a time when I didn’t know that The Lord was with me. I had a very stable childhood with a strong Christian foundation and upbringing. Richard did not have stability as a baby and a young child. After his birth in December of 1942, during WW2, his biological father was going overseas and his mother refused to wait for his return. She gave Richard up for adoption to a couple, who were family friends. Alf and Martha took this baby into their lives and adopted him when he was 5 months old. Richard was brought to the Lord as a baby, being baptized first catholic, and then in the Lutheran Church after his adoption. The second abandonment in his young life came when he was 3 years old. Martha left Alf and Richard. Richie has memories of the Christmas Eve after Martha left. No one thought to invite them to share the holiday with them. He can remember sitting on the edge of the bed with Alf who was crying and holding Richie in his arms. Alf was the one stabilizing factor in Richie’s life. He loved Richie unconditionally and would do anything to keep his child’s life as happy and stable as possible. When Alf went to work, Richard was cared for by family friends who were members of the Swedish Lodge which Alf belonged to. Richie spent many weekends with Alf at Lindberg Lodge Picnics. Alf had been born in Sweden and he was an active member of the Swedish Vasa Order of America.
It was through the Vasa organization that Alf met Angela Ulman and her sister and brother-in-law Albert and Carrie Peterson. Alf and Angela were married when Richie was about 7 years old. Alf wanted Richie to have a mother. Angela had been widowed young. She and Bill were never able to have the children which they had so desired. Her sister, Carrie lost their only child, Justa, when he was 12 years old, from a ruptured appendix in the years before the discovery of penicillin. Alf, Angela, Aunt Carrie, and Uncle Albert all loved and cared for Richie and even spoiled him, which is very understandable. He is so grateful to have had them in his life.
When Richie was 17 years old, Alf died suddenly. He had a stroke while on his way to work early one Fall morning. Richie had just graduated from High School. He was now the man of the house. Angela did some baby sitting and ironing to help with finances. Uncle Albert was able to get Richie into the Carpenter’s Union after High School. He worked for an Acoustical Ceiling and Lathing Company, working on LI and in NYC.
When did I enter the picture you ask? We both went to Walt Whitman High School. I have been told that on the day he first saw me, he went home and told his mother, Angela, that he saw the girl that he was going to marry. I knew nothing about it, as we had never even met. We were in our junior year at Walt Whitman High School in South Huntington. We were in the same physics class and he also says that he remembers seeing me in the hall that day and remembers what I was wearing. Devine Destiny? God’s plan is perfect but I sure didn’t know about it at the time, nor did I learn about it for a long while after that. We were introduced, and we did go to our high school senior prom and senior banquet together. For High School Graduation and my June birthday, Richie bought me an expensive Omega Watch. I tried to refuse accepting it but he says now that he knew that it was a long term and permanent investment. I guess I was clueless! He always thought big and always put his whole heart and concentration into attaining his goals and dreams. Angela always said that Richie could sell a refrigerator to an Eskimo. This God given gift of persuasion and sales ability has helped him in his career as a construction superintendent and in the process of establishing two businesses. He overcame childhood rejections, developed a strong work ethic, and demonstrates the consistent ability to prove himself by hard work and persistence by reaching so many of his goals. Another strong character trait which he possesses is his integrity. God has always directed Richie’s life. He has helped him through the hard and painful times. God has blessed him and has shown him His favor throughout the years. There have been internal battles between the natural man and God’s Spirit within, as there are in each of our lives. God continues to prove Himself to us in our individual lives and in our marriage.
I like to say that Richie pursued me until I caught him….or something like that. He sure was persistent. He set his sites and nothing was going to dissuade him. The last thing he would do every night before going home after riding around Huntington was to ride past my house on Vermont Street. I understand that he even did this when I wasn’t at home; I was attending Nursing School at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. He demonstrated his love for me in many ways. I can remember one instance when my sister, Marlene, friend, Anna Johnson, and I were headed upstate for a weeks vacation. I could see the concern on Richie’s face and in his heart as he said, “If you have any problems with the car or any other concerns, call me and I will drive up to wherever you are to help you”. I knew that he meant it and I think at that moment, I became so very sure of his love. We were engaged when I was a junior in Nursing School and married in 1964, four years after high school and one year after I became a nurse. We will be celebrating our 47th anniversary on September 25th of this year.
This writing has taken off in a different direction from my beginning thoughts. It’s like life which turns corners that we would never have imagined that it would take us. God’s persistence is supernatural. He has a plan for each of our lives. He loves us with an everlasting love. Sometimes we have to step back and reflect on where we have come from, and where He is bringing us to, in order to put where we are now, into perspective. He knows us and loves us and desires for us to know Him and to love Him in return, but He will never force Himself on us. The circumstances of life and the choices we make can all alter the path which we find ourselves on. I think that many times we get to the place where He has planned for us to reach but we get there our way, which is harder and longer than it would have had to be because we didn’t seek His guidance and direction along the way. Our human nature is stubborn, proud, and sometimes too logical. We depend on ourselves instead of leaning on the Lord. We don’t think that we need God. This is where faith and trust come in. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”, as is written in Romans 10:17. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that, “But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”. We can’t expect Him to answer our prayers if we aren’t sure that He hears our prayers or if we aren’t sure if He is even there at all.
When we seek God, we will find Him. We are told this in Matthew 7:7. God wants us to need Him and to depend on Him. God wants us to have more than a superficial faith. As we seek God and pursue a deeper faith, He will make Himself known to us. We will experience His Presence, His Blessings, and His Favor. WE KNOW! BECAUSE WE KNOW! BECAUSE WE KNOW! God doesn’t logically instruct us to believe, He reveals Himself to us. God is omniscient (all knowing), omnipresent (present everywhere), and omnipotent (all powerful). The more we seek Him, the more sure we are of Him. The more we trust Him, the more we depend on Him. The more we know that we need Him, the more obedient we become in our Christian walk.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Blessed
I am so very grateful to God for the many blessings I experience and especially those which have occurred within the past month. Richard and I had a safe, enlightening, and amazing trip to Santorini, Greece and Rome, Italy. On June 20th we attended the destination wedding of a wonderful young couple. Paul Christian, the groom, and his family are from Norway. Melora, the bride, and her family are from Australia. Paul’s late grandmother and I are first cousins. “Devine Destiny” brought Paul and Melora together at a church service in Australia. Paul was in Australia finishing his chiropractic education. The initial meeting, followed by the social networking of facebook, led to this meaningful wedding on the beautiful Island of Santorini with its multinational guest list. The most impressive and significant memory for us is that of God’s place in the day, His place in each of their lives, and in their promise to each other, and to God, that He would be positioned first in their marriage. After thanking their family, friends, and parents for loving and supporting them, they expressed the following, “Most importantly, we thank God for bringing us into relationship with Him and for revealing His Son, Jesus, to us. He is the ultimate example of who and what Love is. We thank Him for bringing us together, to love and serve one another, for all of our days”. The new Mr. and Mrs. Pallesen have asked for all to keep them in prayer as they begin and continue their journey as husband and wife. This I will do.
The scripture readings at the ceremony were: 1Corinthians 13:1-8, 13, Isaiah 54:10, Micah 6:8, 1John 4:12, and Ephesians 3:14-22. They tell us that “Love never ends”, “God loves us with an Everlasting Love”, and “His power is at work in us and all Glory will be unto Him forever, and forever”.
Santorini is a semicircular shaped island created by the eruption of a volcano which was active as far back as prehistoric times. Santorini is steep and rocky on the west coast where it faces the volcano’s crater and plunges down into a circular lagoon, the caldera. Perched on the rim of the cliffs are the island’s main towns. Paul and Melora were married at the Santo Winery and the reception was in Fira, both were on the edge of these cliffs. The volcanic origins of the island render it unusually fertile. Its most prized product is wine. Grape vineyards cover much of the island. The reception in Fira was held at sunset and was at one of the numerous restaurants which covered the rim of the rocks overlooking the Caldera. It was an amazing site as the sun set and the countless restaurant lights began to illuminate the cliff’s edges.
The island’s east coast is flat and fertile with miles of black pebble and sand beaches. We stayed in Kamari on the East coast. Along the miles of beach were also miles of out-door restaurants. Our favorite one, along the beach, was Irini’s where we had fresh fish, stuffed peppers and tomatoes, stuffed zucchini, Greek salad, etc. and of course some Santorini wine.
The weather was sunny and warm with a breeze. We rented a quad and had fun touring the island from Oia in the North to the lighthouse on the Southern tip of the island. The Giorgaros Fresh Fish Tavern, close to the southern tip, was recommended to us and we had an amazing meal there twice. It is family owned and run. The father fishes, the mother cooks, and the young daughters serve. We were brought into the kitchen to choose the fish we would eat. Richie and I shared a Red Snapper which was prepared to perfection. On our second visit we were with our friends from London, Barbara Jane and Bill. The mother prepared two slipper lobsters with a light oil and tomato pasta dish which we all thoroughly enjoyed. We continued to tour Santorini by car on the two days in which we were joined by our friends.
In addition to attending the very exceptional wedding, we experienced many other blessings. We are so grateful to have been with our family from Norway, to have been joined by our friends from London, to have met so many new wonderful and interesting people, and to have had the opportunity to visit Santorini and Rome. To Paul Roy and Torunn and your family, and to Barbara Jane and Bill…. you are all special blessings in our lives and we thank the Lord for your friendships.
I do not take for granted everything that I have been blessed with in my life. I am grateful for the opportunity and ability to take such a wonderful trip. I am grateful for my devoted husband, for our loving family, and for our forever friends. Richie and I will be married 47 years in September. I thank the Lord for being with us, guiding us, and supplying all of our needs and so much more. He has been with us during the hard times and the happy times; in the valley and on the mountain top.
We thank you Lord for your Blessings and for your Favor. We will continue to seek a closer walk with you, and continue to serve you, as we live in anticipation of what you will be doing next in our lives. We are blessed.
The scripture readings at the ceremony were: 1Corinthians 13:1-8, 13, Isaiah 54:10, Micah 6:8, 1John 4:12, and Ephesians 3:14-22. They tell us that “Love never ends”, “God loves us with an Everlasting Love”, and “His power is at work in us and all Glory will be unto Him forever, and forever”.
Santorini is a semicircular shaped island created by the eruption of a volcano which was active as far back as prehistoric times. Santorini is steep and rocky on the west coast where it faces the volcano’s crater and plunges down into a circular lagoon, the caldera. Perched on the rim of the cliffs are the island’s main towns. Paul and Melora were married at the Santo Winery and the reception was in Fira, both were on the edge of these cliffs. The volcanic origins of the island render it unusually fertile. Its most prized product is wine. Grape vineyards cover much of the island. The reception in Fira was held at sunset and was at one of the numerous restaurants which covered the rim of the rocks overlooking the Caldera. It was an amazing site as the sun set and the countless restaurant lights began to illuminate the cliff’s edges.
The island’s east coast is flat and fertile with miles of black pebble and sand beaches. We stayed in Kamari on the East coast. Along the miles of beach were also miles of out-door restaurants. Our favorite one, along the beach, was Irini’s where we had fresh fish, stuffed peppers and tomatoes, stuffed zucchini, Greek salad, etc. and of course some Santorini wine.
The weather was sunny and warm with a breeze. We rented a quad and had fun touring the island from Oia in the North to the lighthouse on the Southern tip of the island. The Giorgaros Fresh Fish Tavern, close to the southern tip, was recommended to us and we had an amazing meal there twice. It is family owned and run. The father fishes, the mother cooks, and the young daughters serve. We were brought into the kitchen to choose the fish we would eat. Richie and I shared a Red Snapper which was prepared to perfection. On our second visit we were with our friends from London, Barbara Jane and Bill. The mother prepared two slipper lobsters with a light oil and tomato pasta dish which we all thoroughly enjoyed. We continued to tour Santorini by car on the two days in which we were joined by our friends.
In addition to attending the very exceptional wedding, we experienced many other blessings. We are so grateful to have been with our family from Norway, to have been joined by our friends from London, to have met so many new wonderful and interesting people, and to have had the opportunity to visit Santorini and Rome. To Paul Roy and Torunn and your family, and to Barbara Jane and Bill…. you are all special blessings in our lives and we thank the Lord for your friendships.
I do not take for granted everything that I have been blessed with in my life. I am grateful for the opportunity and ability to take such a wonderful trip. I am grateful for my devoted husband, for our loving family, and for our forever friends. Richie and I will be married 47 years in September. I thank the Lord for being with us, guiding us, and supplying all of our needs and so much more. He has been with us during the hard times and the happy times; in the valley and on the mountain top.
We thank you Lord for your Blessings and for your Favor. We will continue to seek a closer walk with you, and continue to serve you, as we live in anticipation of what you will be doing next in our lives. We are blessed.
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