by Sharon O | Apr 19, 2019 | Uncategorized
[The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.
And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:10-11]
Some thought they knew who he was; but they really had no idea.
Only Jesus knew on that day what was the truth and what was to come in the next few days.
He continued to teach and it angered the leaders for they had no real idea who he was.
Matthew 21:23 [When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?” (Can you even imagine talking to the Son of God in that tone?)
He asked them a question in verses 24-27 and they could not answer it. They didn’t know.
So he said, “I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.”
For He knew they wouldn’t understand.]
[He continued to teach in parables and other forms so that they would be challenged and confused. The leading priest and Pharisees became angered, and they wanted to arrest him but they were afraid of the crowds, who considered him to be a prophet.] Matthew 21:45-46
Jesus understood the evil motives and intentions of those who were questioning him.
Jesus continued to criticize the religious leaders and they continued to be provoked stirring them to take action.
After all his teachings in Matthew 26 he tells the disciples.
26:2 [“As you know, Passover begins in two days and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”]
At that time the leading priest and elders were meeting and plotting how to capture Jesus secretly and kill him.
But not during the Passover celebration, “they agreed, “or the people may riot.”
In the meantime Jesus and the disciples shared the last supper together.
by Sharon O | Apr 17, 2019 | Uncategorized
The days before Easter there was great anticipation.
Psalm Sunday was the beginning and Jesus was the only one who really knew the meaning and power behind the day; as it paved the way for what was to come.
He rode on the donkey before his birth, when Mary carried him to the stable.
In doing that she fulfilled scripture; and as the journey lined up she did all that was going to be done so that HE could be born in the stable.
The years went by and he grew. Then the time came for him to do what HE was HERE to do.
In the book of Mark it tells us how he approached Jerusalem.
Mark 1: [Jesus sent two of them ahead, “Go into that village over there,” he told them, “as soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden.
Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, ‘what are you doing?’ just say,’ The Lord needs it and will return it soon.”
The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “what are you doing, untying that colt?”
They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it and he sat on it.
(so much like his mother Mary when she rode the donkey to give birth to him)
Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields. Jesus was the center of the procession, and the people all around were shouting, “Praise God!” Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven!”]
It was a time of great anticipation and joy for the town people; yet I believe in his heart JESUS knew what was about to take place.
He was just days away from this powerful moment in time.
The players had to be all lined up as if in a play, one after the other set up the stage for the final moments.
by Sharon O | Apr 13, 2019 | Uncategorized
A new place for us to call home and it feels good, and different and even kind of nice.
We are moved and somewhat settled. Many boxes are still in the garage and around several walls.
The carpet was cleaned before we moved in and the painter is coming in soon to freshen up the walls.
I can’t put away all the collectibles since he is going to paint. That has to wait till he’s done.
So much to adjust to and organize. It is a good kind of change, and so much of it is so different than our old home.
I love the big windows, God knows how much I love the Canadian geese and almost every day I am blessed with seeing them.
The way they fly in a V is so beautiful. I have seen many since living here we even think we saw an eagle.
The views out our back window is beautiful and private at least at this point.
We do have neighbors on each side but we are all seniors so there are no rowdy parties going on.
The neighborhood is quiet and we have met a few who live on our street.
Some are as new as us, so we are all adjusting.
I love the one level aspect of this home, no stairs and no reason to worry about falling.
The move was exhausting for both of us and my legs looked huge by the time we were done.
It was the hardest move we have ever done, but of course we are older and boxes were heavier.
There is a little restaurant in the senior setting where we live and of course we have gone a few times.
It is a five minute drive from our house, it’s so easy.
I also found a hairdresser a few minutes from our house, and she did a really good job.
I even got the senior rate since I live in the community.
There are a lot of bonuses for us to live here and as we settle we will find more reasons to like it.
A new place to call home, and for now it feels good.
by Sharon O | Mar 31, 2019 | Uncategorized
In this place we call home; there have been many memories shared.
We have lost dogs and cats while facing their age related issues.
We have lost friends and family; both sets of our parents have passed away while living here.
We have had ups and downs in our relationship with each other and we have come out stronger in the end.
We have seen a preemie grand daughter grow from a peanut to a cashew (as I jokingly call her).
We have had six grand children call this ‘our grandpa and grandma’s home’.
We were even surprised with a set of identical twins, and then three grandsons later from our son.
We have had experience with hospice when my sister was here, in our family room resting in a hospital bed.
We have had experience with detox and desperation; then healing and hope when after six weeks she survived.
We have known God was with us through the many health issues; illnesses and aging.
We have forged our way through knee replacements, shoulder surgeries, and other major surgeries.
We have been in complete shock when the mumps hit me two times when I was 55, then shingles.
We have faced retirement and settling into a new routine; while living in this place we call home.
We have taken trips we never thought of doing; flying to Hawaii and driving to Seattle.
We have purchased a travel trailer and a large towing vehicle while living in this place.
We have also retired my old Toyota and then purchased a new Kia soul.
We have faced our ‘aging issues’ head on, doing what we know we must do to survive them.
We knew that would include a move to a single level home.
We have seen miracle after miracle that God has provided throughout the journey of our life together.
We know our next phase, our next season; will be blessed as we seek to follow Him who gives us life.
In this place we call home, we pack and will leave this chapter soon.
As we drive away to another home; I will claim these verses.
[My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.] (NIV)
[My people will live in a peaceful neighborhood — in safe houses, in quiet gardens.] (message)
by Sharon O | Mar 28, 2019 | Uncategorized
The time for saying good bye is coming soon.
The chapter will close on the house we live in as we move to the next.
It has been hard. It has been freeing.
We have lived in this house for twenty three years.
It has been a walk down memory lane as I opened boxes that have been closed for years.
Through this process I have:
Found my original Barbie doll with her case full of clothes all hand made by my mom and grandma.
Found old letters my husband wrote to me in high school before we were married. (We were dating off and on.)
Teenage stuff, I also found yearbooks, and cards given to me from friends many years ago.
They are keepsakes to me.
Someday my kids who are now grown will probably throw them away but for now they stay.
Memories of friends is good.
I found pictures and more pictures, and magazine articles and books. School memories and brochures.
Some I didn’t keep, others I did.
It is a cleaning up of the old and recycle, remove, shred or re-home.
It will be less burdensome to have things less cluttered.
I am by nature a sentimental messy. I have notes and drawings my kids and my grand kids have given to me.
You can’t get childhood back but you can walk down memory lane at times.
I found old pens, old tablets and all kinds of assorted things I imagined I would use or need years ago.
Retirement changes things. What I needed when I worked is not what I need now.
I was able to re-homed sweaters, sweatshirts and shoes, and other items that were good.
I am not one to give to good will but I have chosen some things to go there.
We gave furniture away and appliances in this process of downsizing.
I have had to focus on what is really important. What is my bottom line, too keep.
Someday I will have to purge again, I know we are packing way more than we need.
The walk down memory lane has been good. It validates many things for me.
It also allows me to say, that was then; this is now; I don’t need it anymore.
The journey is almost over. Soon I can settle into a new office space and a new time for writing.
Till then keep us in your prayers we sure need it.
by Sharon O | Mar 15, 2019 | Uncategorized
It’s hard for me to believe I have not written in a few weeks.
Life has been crazy busy with getting ready to move and packing boxes and going through old ‘memories’.
I will return with good words and thoughts as soon as I get settled and the boxes are unpacked.
Many things have been looked at, gone through and removed.
I am able to say, “take it away”, without a lot of regret.
It is a good feeling but we are still taking too much and in time I will go through it all one more time.
Moving has been an exercise of discipline and also determination.
It has been very hard and very fast.
Our house sold in three weeks then we had fourteen days to find another one.
We found a small one and it will work well for us.
Single level, no stairs, in a senior community.
Not the one we originally wanted but it will be fine and a good fit we hope.
So much will change, so much will be different and new.
New is ok. It is good to shake the comfort zone sometimes.
I am a creature of familiar things and I really don’t like change.
So this will be a journey of many levels. Grief included.
Saying good bye to our community, our neighbors and familiar stores.
It will be hard, and very stretching. My cats are even a bit disturbed.
If you pray we could use some right now. The days are often filled with overwhelm.
Where do I start and where do I stop and how is it ever going to be done?
Change is good. 
