Tornado Alley - Thanks, Jan!

Wow…we really are between storms, aren’t we?  The last two weeks have brought a series of severe storms through Central Illinois, otherwise known as 'Tornado Alley.'   My first experience in the 'alley' was at the ripe age of ten.…May 15, 1968. Mother and Sister made a quick grocery run to the Clinton IGA while I was engrossed in my favorite episode of “I Love Lucy“. The grocery run was anything but quick….in fact it seemed like an eternity. While I was glued to Lucy and Ethel, the TV shut off with a snap. I could hear the wind beginning to howl and I ran to the living room to investigate. As I peered out the front window, a sea of green and black rolling clouds boiled in the distance. The thick, heavy atmosphere was saturated with pea green pigment, and pouring rain quickly turned to pounding hail. The roaring wind bent the trees sideways and hard as tried, I couldn’t get the back door open to run to the neighbors for protection. Terrified and alone, I ran back to the front window crying hysterically as twin tornadoes blew by to ravage Wapella, and floodwaters were unleashed by a broken levy.

Life is filled with roaring winds, hail, and rising floodwaters. What storm is brewing on your horizon? Or are you so engrossed in real life drama that you don’t even notice….until it’s raging out of control?? Are you terrified at times and feeling all alone?

 Matthew 8:26 “….why are you so afraid? Then He got up 

and rebuked the wind and the waves, and it was completely calm”. 

The Lord rescued me in 1968 and I was literally carried to higher ground. God is still rescuing me today and He continues to carry me to higher ground.

Is it any wonder that I abhor the “Wizard of Oz?

*******


Jan Dial most graciously accepted my call to write for my most neglected blog.
Thanks, Jan:)

  Jan hails from her little school house in the country north of Decatur, IL.  She is in love with her husband Roger to whom she has been married for nearly thirty years.  Roger and Jan are the parents of thirty-one year old Mindy, who is studying nursing, twenty-four-year-old old Alex, an explosive specialist in Afghanistan, and fifteen-year-old Ben, a freshmen at Decatur Christian School.  (Note 3 children born in 3 different decades...was she nuts or what???)    Jan works as a Grief Counselor for the Decatur Memorial Hospital Hospice Program in Decatur.   She is passionate about Jesus, Roger, family, singing with her ‘Soul Sisters’ and coffee!!!!  She also loves photography, floral design, flower/vegetable gardening, and water sports.  Jan loves to swim with her seven year old twins Isaiah and Tierney and three year old Keagan.  She is excited to take the plunge into blogging.   Anyone care to take a dip?? 

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Where Has the Joy Gone?

This is from Mari's son, Kyle Thelander, a sophmore in college. I thought it was a great post to pass on. We need to listen to our young adults more often. They have much to say about life.

In this world, it seems that people are limited on when they can show joy, especially laughter. People must realize that we were given the ability to laugh for a reason. Why, even God needs joy. The Bible says that God created humans for his own pleasure, If God doesn't need joy, why would he create people to provide that joy?. (not sure where, if you know please tell me) The Bible also says that " The JOY of the Lord is your strength" Nehemia 8:10. aside from the Bible, there are a few other reasons to have joy, especially laughter!

From my Psychology of Humor class, with Mary Stone.
.
*Physiological Benefits of Laughter*
1. Mobilizes Antibodies. Antibodies fight infections
2. Produces white blood cells. White blood cells fight infection
3. Decreases stress levels.
4. Heart muscles strengthened. Laughing is like exercise for your internal organs.
5. Blood circulation increased
6. Muscles relax
7. Moves nutrients and oxygen through the body more efficiently
8. Activates tear glands. Crying from emotions removes toxins from the body
9. Improves digestion
10. Stimulates endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural morphine.
11. Endorphins relieve pain
12. Endorphins improve mood
13. 10 minutes of good belly laugh result in two hours of good sleep
14. Improves memory

*Psychological Benefits of Laughter
1. Reduces Tension
2. Distracts from discomfort
3. Changes expectations
4. Increases self-esteem
5. Provides a mental buffer
6. Encourages creativity
7. Increases productivity

*Social Benefits of Laughter*
1. Promotes listening
2. Energizes
3. Provides alternate perspectives
4. Strengthens relationships “laughter is the shortest distance between two people” –Victor Borge
5. Breaks boredom and fatigue
6. Reduces stress

Just a few reasons why people should laugh more often. I am finding that the more I laugh, the more these things come true, so go ahead laugh. You don’t need any other reason to laugh besides you want to. Just don’t laugh AT people, laugh WITH them. Laughing AT someone causes pain, destroys self-esteem, excludes people. Laughing WITH someone builds self-esteem, invites others to laugh, and brings people closer together.

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Dancing with God

When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
both bodies begin to flow with the music.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
and attentiveness from one person
and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw "G: I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".
"God, "u" and "i" dance."
God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies be upon you on this day and everyday. May you abide in God as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life.
From John Mark Ministries
© John Mark Ministries. Articles may be reproduced in any medium, without applying for permission (provided they are unedited, and retain the original author/copyright information - and perhaps a reference to this website :-)!

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The Rest of the Story!

Mari has written her side of the story on her blog from yesterday's
escapades. Please go check it out. Its called, Ker-Plop! You
won't want to miss it!


http://marita-mariflower.blogspot.com/

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Wildflower Seeds by Marita Thelander

Not long ago, a very dear friend gave me a nickname. That nickname is the title of my blog site...Mari Flower. I had teased her that she picks friends like a little girl picks wildflowers. She just randomly wanders around and picks flowers to add to her bouquet of friends. It is a beautiful bouquet, I might add.

It is a gift she has. An ability to make people completely comfortable with her. She doesn't see it, but those wildflowers she holds in her little girl chubby hands see it very clearly. I am honored that she would choose me to add to her already overflowing bouquet.

A sad thought hit me, though. Flowers die. The Bible says that flowers fade. Especially ones that are picked and put into a bouquet. I figured eventually we all die, so in the meantime, I will add as much color and beauty to the room as I possibly can. I want to make hearts sing at the beauty God has given me. It is my gift to give, even if only for a season.

Yet, that isn't enough for me. I want to have another purpose. As I see my flower head drooping, I want to shake loose the seeds I carry. The seeds will be scooped up by tender hands and planted in the dirt. I want to leave a legacy of wildflowers to continue to share beauty and make hearts sing. I long to represent the Creator in such a glorious shout of color, and then multiply that in the future seasons from the little seeds I drop around me.

I love my new name, my new purpose, and my new friend.

A voice said, "Shout!" I asked, "What should I shout?""Shout that people are like the grass that dies away. Their beauty fades as quickly as the beauty of flowers in a field. The grass withers, and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the Lord. And so it is with people. The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever." Is. 40:6-8

(Marita is one of my very good friends from Faithwriters. She is a phenominal writer and a wonderful friend. I love her so much! She is MyMariflower and always will be!)

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Scorched Pan Limerick:)

There once was a scorched pot of soup,
That soaked overnight with soap goop.
To get it quite clean
would require a machine
or elbow grease from a scout troop!

This was written by one of my poetic friends Beth, on the spur of the moment with my scorched pan as her inspiration!

And no, the pan is not washed yet. Its still sitting in the sink. In fact, more dishes are piled on top of it. It was a most trying day, Monday was, and Tuesday is not shaping up to be much better, considering its almost 4:00 AM. April Fool's Day is certainly living up to its name.

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