We Are the Lucky Ones

Posted on January 21, 2023January 22, 2023 by landktheluckyones

Movie Night

Tonight we went and saw the movie, “A Man Called Otto”. Leonard is usually quite critical of movies…well, actually he is quite critical of a lot of things. Maybe that’s why we liked the main character.

Tom Hanks, Truman Hanks, Mariana Trevino and the whole cast, did an amazing job in this movie. Leonard stated a few times what a good movie it was.

If you get a chance to see this movie. I would recommend it. There is one thing that I am disappointed by though. Hollywood often throws sex,profanity,violence, etc. where it wouldn’t change the story line if it wasn’t added. This movie had a transgender character which seemed to be just thrown in for no apparent reason. It seemed out of place to me.

The Lucky Ones were lucky enough to see this movie.

Posted on January 11, 2023 by landktheluckyones

A Lesson for Today

God and His Spirt touches us in many various forms.The book that we are going through for ladies Bible study is, “One at a Time”. This week’s chapter touched on the power of our words. That we have the power of life and death in what we say.

I have always been sensitive to the words that people have spoken to me and the words that I speak. Yet, as I read this book, I felt God was dealing with some other issues. It seems that often the ones that we love the most are the ones that we need help showing that love to.

Recently, Leonard has been “scrapping”. He watches videos on his phone of scrappers and has big visions of making money. I have found this an irritation to me for he has resorted to going through dumpsters and getting cans to return and anything that he can save to scrap in the spring. It’s almost like he’s obsessed. He spends hours and hours with this new obsession. Yet, the items that he gets are in no way profitable.

Recently, I was making dinner and he decided that he was going to go to the recycling dumpsters. I had dinner made and waited and waited for his return. I was getting irritated as he knew that I was making dinner. Two and a half hours later he returned to inform me that he had lost his hearing aid in the dumpster and had broken his other one that he had put in his pocket. He acted like it was no big deal and was excited to find six dollars worth of cans to return for deposit. Already irritated that even though he knew I had dinner ready, his one track mind did not care. Now, a many thousand dollars worth of hearing aids are gone… Really? This brought up memories of the many times that he has totaled vehicles while plowing by not paying attention to where he was backing up–costing us many dollars to repair. I cannot tell you how many trees he has backed into and mailboxes we have repaired.

So, back to this book that we are reading…

As I was reading this chapter, the morning after the hearing aid episode, I felt God speaking to me in this way…

Yes, you have never said anything hurtful or disrespectful to Leonard…yet, what have your thoughts revealed about your heart? Is there love in your heart for your husband? How many times have I forgiven you?As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” “Love keeps no record of wrongs.” You are still bringing up in your mind all the “offenses” that you have.

The other thought that came to mind is: We can speak without saying a word. Did Leonard see love in my heart when he came home? Did my face show adoration or respect? Yes, we have the power of life and death with the words that we speak… spoken or unspoken. Each day, I must come before my Father and purify my heart before Him, but first I must settle whatever greivances I have with others especially my husband. It’s only then, that we can continue to be the lucky ones.

This chapter was not on an issue that I thought that I had, yet God in His wisdom showed me that it actually was. I praise Him that by His Spirit he continues to guide us even in ways that we many not expect.

Posted on December 31, 2022 by landktheluckyones

Why

The reason that we are the lucky ones… God has given us so much mercy, grace and love.

Posted on December 31, 2022December 31, 2022 by landktheluckyones

Christmas Season

Christmas is the day that we celebrate the birth of Jesus. God, in the form of a baby, with the sole purpose of saving us from this world and giving us peace. To emulate His gift to us and to celebrate peace on earth and goodwill toward men, during the “Christmas season” we exchange gifts and gather with family and friends.

We, the Lucky ones, had the priviledge of doing just that. I am especially grateful for the gift of family and time spent with them. We celebrated Christmas morning with reading Luke 2, the Christmas story, having a breakfast casserole and opening gifts. Every gift from Leonard was tagged with: “To my lucky wife”. 🙂 In the afternoon, we had the special opportunity to visit our daughter’s family. She went to much work to prepare many appetizers and a wonderful meal. Our grandson was not feeling well, but we still had a special time. I hope that they can feel our deep love for them.

The following day, I talked Leonard into going to an extended family Christmas party. It was a blessing to see our nieces and nephews. They hold a special place in my heart. I was not able to speak with all, but those that I did, were special moments for me. I have heard that Leonard’s dad always had short visits and when he was ready to go–it was time to go! I think Leonard has inherited that trait.

The following day, we were blessed to have my son and family come for a visit. Leonard has always been the “gruff” one, but recently, he has had a way of touching family. Especially my daughter-in-law…in ways that touch the heart and say what we are both feeling. I am thankful for this and yes, I am his lucky wife. My wish is that they feel the depth of our love for them.

We, the lucky ones, truly cherish each moment that we have with our children and their children. We have been blessed and I praise God for His gift of family to us that we so enjoy.

Posted on December 21, 2022 by landktheluckyones

Little Things

Little things often bring us joy. Today, my son, Brian helped out in my grandson’s classroom. I am often inspired by him. He juggles so many things with work, kids, meals, leading boy scouts, his wife’s illness…yet, he creates fun for his family. We are so lucky to know this son of ours. So very proud.

I tried a new recipe today, I think they look pretty festive. Moments. We take each moment to be thankful.

Posted on December 17, 2022March 5, 2023 by landktheluckyones

More random thoughts

We spend most of our lives just trying to get by. We work to create a life that sustains with hopes that one day, we will live a time with ease–or to do those things we don’t have time for, while “doing life”. Yet, this is often not the case. In spite of this, along the journey our lives touch other lives and they impact us forever.

Yesterday, I attended the funeral of my friend’s husband. He, in his 58 years, had earned much praise for the person that he was. A man so loved by all who knew him. A talented craftsman, family man. Much love and laughter filled the life that he and my friend created. My heart is breaking for her as she must journey on without the man that she fiercely loved. From this moment on, she will need much support and love.

As I was sitting there, waiting for the proceedings, I looked around at others attending. Some relatives, some friends, some friends of relatives. Each were touched in some way by my friend, her husband, her family. Some were friendships that my friend and I had created from where we work. Each touched in some way. Attending a funeral often causes us to think of our own mortality. Some, for this reason, avoid funerals. For those that remain, it is a final goodbye, a time to honor a life lived or just wanting to be a support to those we care about.

God, in His wisdom, created each one of us, wonderfully. He has a purpose for each of us, the lives we will touch, connecting on this earth. Preparing us for life eternal. He alone, knows the number of days we will remain on this earth. I feel so lucky for all those He has placed in my path. Isn’t that what He created us for? To love Him, show that love to others and let others know how much He loves us and wants all of us to meet our loved ones and those we “brush elbows with” in heaven whenever that time may be.

Death, even though we know that it happens to all of us, don’t want to think about it. I have been thinking about it a bit recently, being that they have updated my daughter-in-laws diagnosis to only four months.We have the illusion that we will have as long as we want. We are not in charge of that. For some, it comes suddenly without a moments notice, for some, they have a long journey of pain and suffering. I do not begin to understand why these things are so, yet I believe there is a purpose for whatever journey we have.

I remember when my grandson was going through chemotherapy, my son wrote about fear. That fear of losing something that you have. I feel that if we have that fear and that heartache of losing someone close to us, that also means that we were lucky enough to have someone in our life of such value that we fear losing that.

My friend had that person of much value in her life that she was lucky enough to spend almost 40 years of marriage with.

May we always keep eternity in mind as we go about our life each day. Remembering, as my mother wrote in her own eulogy, that love is the most important thing.

This was something that Leonard picked up that we are now using as a centerpiece on our dining room table.❤️

Posted on December 9, 2022 by landktheluckyones

Trying To Clarify My Thoughts

Since, my daughter-in-law’s diagnosis, I have been trying to clarify my thoughts. You want the very best for your children and don’t want them to struggle. I can’t imagine how Jinn is trying to wrap her thoughts around the diagnosis that they have given and how to still have hope. As a mother of an eleven year old and a nine year old — as a young woman who left her family, her country, her friends and everything she knew for the man she loves, to an unknown country and culture.

Again,she faces the unknown. That the doctors are accurate or that she isn’t given the “at best, two or three years”. I want to help her, yet I struggle to know what I can do. I see and hear the pain in my son, as he tries to keep positive. Since he was a little boy, he has looked at the possibilites in life. Yet, especially after going through cancer treatment with his son and all that entails treatment, he knows the difficulties that lie ahead. Let alone, the woman he loves and has made a life with has this dire diagnosis.

I have always been taken by the verse in Proverbs 27:1, it states “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day will bring.” and also James 4:13-14a “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. “James 4:15 “Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”
When we received the news of Luke’s diagnosis. we flew right out to Seattle to be with Andy while Brian and Jinn were doing what they had to at the hospital to start Luke’s treatment. The day before at work, I had promised someone that I would be there the next day to accomplish whatever needed to be done. Of course, it was not the Lord’s will to promise that. Prideful on my part. Since that day, I have been more mindful of the plans that I try to make. As someone, who always wants to come through on statements that I make, no matter what.

When people get dire diagnosis, such as the one that Jinn has received, I cannot help but think–everyday, we think that we have tomorrow–we count on it. Yet, we are not even promised our next breath. It is only by the grace of God that we have that breath, that day. We have the illusion that each day will be there. I am sure that Brian and Jinn, as much as they are able, try to make memories every day. Should we not do the same?

I pray for many years for them, despite the doctors diagnosis. I believe in a God that is bigger than cancer. I do not begin to understand the ways of God. His ways, His thoughts are bigger than I can comprehend. I don’t try to understand why some people are healed and some are not. For this is not for me to know, this side of heaven. I do believe that God loves all of us and has a reason for everything He does. Even, if we don’t understand the why. I can’t go “there” in my head. I do know that He said that in this life we would have trouble,(Isn’t that the truth!) but He would be there with us to give us strength and peace through it. I will not stop believing that God will heal Jinn. I will not give up hope. I believe in a God that can do more than we ask or imagine.

Some may say that I am naive. My dad for many years before he passed was a walking time-bomb with an aortic aneurism the size of a softball, according to the doctors, as he was not a candidate for surgery. I remember a few months before his passing, he told me to prepare myself. I told him that I wasn’t going to, for then he wouldn’t go. As it turned out, my theory was flawed and yes, at that time, I was naive.

Yes, I know that the doctors could be right, and she could only have two or three years or less…but, until I see otherwise, I am going to hope for that which I can’t see.

Luke 12:25 “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Worrying cannot add to Jinn’s life, yet I can talk to the God who loves her more than anyone and ask for His healing hand. Which I will continue to do

I continue to have hope! That is my clarity of thought.

Posted on November 30, 2022December 3, 2022 by landktheluckyones · 2 Comments

Disappointed but, I Still Have Hope

My daughter-in-law, Hyunjin has been having some health issues that they have been going to doctors for since August. My son, called me yesterday with what the latest news is. I am sharing his Facebook post below.

As their Mom, this post and what they are going through breaks my heart.

Yet… I believe in a God that can do the impossible and I am praising Him for the impossible He will do through this situation.

One verse that always comes to me is : Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will direct your path. Proverbs 3:4,5

I am trusting in the God who loves me and you.

“As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.” Psalm 71:14

Posted on November 30, 2022 by landktheluckyones

Very Thankful

This year, was the first time after three years that both my kids and their families were together. God has been so very good to us. I say, “lucky” but, it is really all God.