Priorities and important things in life.

Good morning! Monday is a day off for me from the shelter, and hopefully, I can take some time on Mondays, if not other days, to blog. There is so much in life to conteplate, and with life whizzing by, one has to think about, what are the priorities and important things in life?! Yesterday, in our community, about 60 of us married people in the JPUSA community, attended a 'Sweethearts Seminar', presented by John and Tina Herrin, very long time members of the community. There was a lot of content, almost more then anyone could retain in one day. But, what a wonderful thing to be able to focus on your most important relationship on this earth, your spouse,(if you are fortunate to have a good spouse, and want one for your best friend). Jon and I have what we call, a very good relationship, but not perfect. Noone does of course, because we are all human and all have weak and yes, sinful areas. Only God is perfect. John and Tina did not illude to the fact that they were perfect either, just a couple that love each other very much, and work together at their oneness. You never can stop working at relationships, to have good ones, that is.

My Jon and I really like being together too, however, just because we sit next to each other on our couch, night after night, feet up on our recliners, either watching tv or being on our laptops, doesn't mean we are really always 'together'. Yes, good start, but turning the tv and computers off, and stopping and looking at each other in the eyes, and talking, is much better. Reading together, and even playing a real game together, not a computer game alone. Anyways, it was a great refresher course of what we had already been talking about and working towards, slowly.

My sisters, who live in Duluth and North Dakota, and myself, I think are coming into a realization, that we must focus on our relationships more, before it is too late.(Our sister Jane died last July 4th). Why does it take until you get so much older, to realize this?(I miss also, not raising my kids with my husbands side of the family. What a wonderful heritage that would have been, and fun too! This living all over the country, and sometimes even out of the country, has taken a toll on family life).

I have 2 sons, 1 daughter in law, and 2 step daughters that I raised. I think it will take their growing older, how long I don't know, before they see a need, or want, to 'hang out' with family. Of course, they need to have their own lives, and I give them their freedom, but yes, I have and am experiancing what is called, 'empty nest' syndrome. Maybe when they have found themselves, start having families of their own, it could be different then.

Part of my lonliness with my own kids, is because of my lonliness from not being with my own siblings and parents, for many, many years, and I have always lived very far away from them all. I love my kids dearly, and even though I don't claim to have done everything perfectly, they know that they are loved and prayed for daily.

My real home is heaven, and I do hope to have all my family with me there someday. Our relationship with our Creator is the very most important one and deserves all of our attention. It will take me all of my lifetime, and afterwards, to understand just how much God loves us. After all, didn't He prove it by dying on that cross for us. Have a good day! Love, Carol