MEMORY LOSS - Part One of a Two Part Series

Tip of the Week: If you have aging parents, you might want to check into memory loss supplements.

Okay, from these pictures, you can ascertain that my parents are not necessarily ancient, I must admit. But, they are advanced enough in age to really need myself and my older brother and sister's memory. Mom, my sister Leigha and niece Gracie, and I are planning on attending the wedding ceremony of Joe Hageman and Kelly Fagerness tomorrow afternoon. So of course, this past week has been spent discussing such interesting details as: "What are we wearing?", "What time should we leave", and most importantly, "Oops! We forgot to get them a present!! What should we get??" Decisions, decisions... and through it all, poor mother has confusedly asked:"Wedding?? What wedding?" To which I constantly remind her that we're going to Joe and Kelly's wedding. This is followed up by, "What time? Oh, I can't remember where I put the invitation!" Just tonight mom was talking to Leigha on the 'phone and Leigha said something about seeing us tomorrow; to which mom replied, "Tomorrow?? What are we doing tomorrow?"

As you can see from this interesting soliloquy, we have good times at our house. With fairness, and all due respect, my mother does remember a remarkable amount of things. It is just these rare times that give us cause to wonder...

And, along the lines of fairness, I will be posting a short story on my father as soon as material is provided. Which shouldn't take long, and that's the truth. ;o)

~Farewell, I am off to get my beauty sleep for the wedding..

Disclaimer: This was not meant in any way, to hurt or wound the feelings of the involved parties thus described. My own family understands, and will know that no cruelty was meant. Be a good sport, and know the same.

Life is... A bed of roses!

I have to admit that maybe I am a bit obsessed with my future. I mean, I spend way too much time thinking and planning what I am going to do. Pretty much wasting precious moments that could be better invested in the here and now. And in all my plannings, I find myself fearful of what lies ahead. "Well, what if God plans something for me that I won't like?? Where am I going to go to college? I want to travel, but how would that ever be possible? What if God wants me to marry someone that I think is ugly and weird? How am I ever going to publish my books?" Sad things like that consume me. No need to feel pity, I am just a hopeless creature. Don't worry, I am seeking a psychologist for this problem. Just kidding!! It was a joke!! Okay, but seriously, one of my besetting sins is not trusting God with my future. It can be so hard!! Sometimes I feel like God is teasing me, and has a really good sense of humor. Other times It seems that I am just waiting, and God is feeding me tidbits, but witholding the big picture. So, when I found this poem today, I really liked it. It just fits. You know, Anonyomous is a very sensible and wise person...read and be amazed:

The Rosebud

by Anonymous

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God's design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I,

The flower God opens so sweetly,

In my hands would fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God's design;

Then how can I have wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust Him for His leading,

Each moment of every day;

And I'll look to Him for guidance,

Each step of the pilgrim way.

For the pathway that lies before me,

My heavenly Father knows;

I'll trust Him to unfold the moments

Just as He unfolds the rose.

A Maiden's Quest

Just this last September, I was priviledged to go to an awesome young ladies retreat called "A Maiden's Quest." Put on by four talented and God honoring young ladies, it truly was delightful. I would to go to another of their retreats in a heartbeat. The website doesn't do it justice though, it is so amazingly good! Some topics included were:

• Cultivating a relationship with Jesus Christ


• Developing Vision


• Delighting in Femininity


• Waiting for Prince Charming


• Living under the Lordship of Christ


• Visit http://www.maidensquestminstries.com for more info.

One of the things I greatly enjoyed at the retreat was when they read Proverbs 31: 10-12: Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil ALL the days of her life.

They began to explain that "all the days of your life" begins on the day you are born, and not the day of your wedding. That was just so interesting to me, because I had never really given it any thought about doing my future husband good and not evil. That means guarding our hearts in due earnest. I mean, why would we willingly want to look on other young men as potential husbands, thereby defrauding our own future husbands of our whole hearts? I can't remember whether it was Katrina Reibsch or Tara Riddell who said this, but one of them said that it is easier to guard your heart when you think that you are pretty much engaged. God has your future all planned, right down to the man you marry, so some day you will be engaged. So instead of 'scouting around,' walk with the attitude of you are already taken. I challenge any girl, (or guy for that matter) reading this, to save their heart for their future spouse! Remember, it is through Christ Alone that we have any strength. Don't try to guard your heart in your own strength, but in the Lord's strength and the power of His might.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Brooke Parsons

Thoughts From The Stump

Lonely. Forsaken. That's kind of how I felt yesterday. My Grandma died on September 29, and shortly before that my dad broke his hand; meaning he can't work. So, life has not been an unending source of joy for me lately. But, God has been teaching me that my joy doesn't come from life, but from Him. The Lord is really using this time to stretch me, to teach me to depend on Him, and to draw me closer. In the book of Job, Job talks about being refined, and coming forth as gold. It seems that God is trying that approach on me. :o) Well, I was sitting on a stump in the woods behind our house, vainly trying to memorize scripture and a poem I have been working on. I was kind of low in spirits, because it seemed that no one really cared about me, or wanted to spend time with me. Now, that totally isn't true, but that's the road I let myself wander down. While I was sitting on the stump wallowing in self pity, a thought entered my mind. It was something like "Maybe I could derive some joy if I start thanking God." I mentally noted all the things that I could be thankful for ie; my family, my friends I had seen earlier that day, my books, God's word etc. Amazingly it picked me out of the pit, and God began to speak to me. " For I know my Redeemer lives, and that on the earth again shall stand. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, I will behold Him and not another. O how my heart yearns within me. Job 19:25-27

Oh, that verse was my life line for the rest of the day! God is so amazing. My heart started overflowing with the goodness of God, as verse after verse came to my mind, reminding me of the love of Christ, the goodness of my Heavenly Father.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

The Future

Future. That is to be or come hereafter; that will exist at any time after the present, indefinitely. ~Taken from Webster's 1828 dictionary

What is this all mysterious future? Is it just the time 2 hours from now, 2 days from now, 2 weeks, 2 months, 2 years from now? What will I be doing? What things will be different? These questions have pestered me for a few years now. I am one of those people who spends a lot of time thinking about my future, just wondering. Sometimes it fills me with a secret fear, because I don't want anything to change, yet I know nothing will stay the same. Then I worry about my life; what directions will it take? What will I be doing 10 years from now? Wait! God hasn't told me yet, so what will I do?? And on the list goes. But, in the midst of my doubt and fear, God comforts me. What a faithful God He is, sending me promises like: * I will never leave you nor forsake you... *I know the plans I have for you... *The LORD is near to all who call upon Him...

And just this morning I was turning the pages in our hymn book, when I came across a hymn titled *"He Leadeth Me." What fear need I have when:

"He leadeth me! O blessed thought! O words with heav'nly comfort fraught! Whate'er I do, where'er I be, still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me."

My attitude rather should be like this:

"Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine, Nor ever murmur nor repine; Content whatever lot I see, Since 'tis my God that leadeth me."

How sweet to know that though the future is unknown territory to me, God holds the map, and promises to be my compass, (and my trail guide!) the whole way. Yes! Content! No matter what lot I see, because it is my great and awesome God who leads me! Oh, there will be times when this does not seem at all clear to me, and I begin to doubt and fear. But God is faithful, and He knows the way that I take.

Following In His Steps,

~Brooke

P.S. On a bit lighter note, I am memorizing "My Heart Will Go On", the theme song from the movie "Titanic." "Be Thou My Vision" is coming along quickly, just for you Grandma!

(1.) Hebrews 13:5a (2.) Jeremiah 29:11 (3.) Psalm 145:18a (4.) He Leadeth Me by Joseph H. Gilmore - verse 1 & 3

Note: My Grandma passed away September 29th, 2007, and I played, "Be Thou My Vision" for her funeral while my cousins, Emily, Janine, and Amanda sang.

We Are Servants!

To Be a Servant =Service to Others

I wrote this for an assignment last March. This has been something that the Lord has been laying on my heart this year.

In your minds eye you see a hill in front of you. There stands a cross with a man hanging upon it. A man who was a servant in the truest sense of the word; Jesus Christ. For though I am free from all men, yet I made myself a servant, that I might gain the more.
1 Corinthians 9:19

You could say this verse was Jesus’ mission statement. He was a holy King who lived in beautiful heaven, but humbled himself to come to earth and hang on that cross for us.

Another picture flashes before your eyes. A tired man climbs into a boat and heads across a lake for needed rest with his followers. When he reaches the other side, he is unexpectedly met with a large group of people clamoring for his teaching. He lays aside his own needs to care for them. This and many other accounts tell of his selflessness. Yes, Jesus was a servant.

If you look at the characteristics of a servant, Jesus possessed them all. He was humble, gentle, patient, self-controlled, and conducted his life with peace.

It is not an easy thing to do; this becoming a servant, living with joy in every circumstance and dying to ourselves to serve others. But he who gave his life for others has promised: “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:26

In June, I wrote a poem about this topic as well. Being a servant does not come easily to me. Often I just want what I want, and tend to forget that I am here to serve others, not myself. It is something that God has been teaching me. (Most diligently I should say!) :

A Servant

A servant, Lord Jehovah let me be:
Someone who reaches out to help men see.
Although the way be rough and lonely,
Help me find my joy in serving only.

The hard and dismal tasks;
“Give to me!” is what my heart asks.
Give the strength and joy to carry on;
Take my pride, my will be gone.

To be a servant for my Lord!
Far better than any golden hoard.
“For in finding more of you and less of me,
I will find the person You want me to be.”