"The older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to take care of their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God." Titus 2: 4-5
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Teas, Tractors, Times of Grace
guy! He is amazing. Who else would stand for 4 hours and make tea for 45 women?
This is Dave and my cousin Larry, who made the TEA possible for the ladies who attended my 2nd annual Christmas tea. We were graces by the music of "The Aspen Quartet" of
The Rocky Mountain Strings who traveled from Dallas to entertain us with thier music. Their music floated through the air at the entry outside as the ladies arrived, then later was heard in the background as the ladies were served, and finally they played 3 numbers for our entertainment. As one lade said, "This is what I come for! Our 3 grandaughters, Caitlin, Haley and Tori are a part of this group along with Bethany, a friend from church.
Sue and Elaine, my friends were here for 8 hours all day as we backed and cooked and prepared the dainties for the tea. Three girls from Teen Mania came to serve and bless us. It was great to have Lisa, Kelly, and Amy here to share in this time. David was out of town which prevented Beth from being present this year.
This is Dave's latest entertainment. He is anxious to use it to "plow" up the front yard between the house and the lake... Isn't he handsome.....and..what's more..he LOVES to dance and BEGS me to go dancing sometimes twice a week! We dance at a wonderful place about 30 miiles from here- a converted Skating rink with a GREAT floor! Anyway... Last week I asked him to trim back some pampas grass so we could get down the sidewalk and into the house....- this was the day before the tea...note how the grass is kind of blocking the sidewalk....
AFTER: Note all the "white plumes" lying on the ground...ready for the fire...But...HE LOVES TO DANCE!!!! That's my guy and I do so love him!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Good Bye Jake
This was happier days last summer...nice remembering as the COLD front moves in here in East Texas- it was 76 when we got here to Lisa and Sam's but will be 36 by tonight. BRRRR!!!
Yes, it has been a LONG time since I have visited my site and I've probably lost my 3 readers!!!
This morning we said goodbye to Jake as Dave loaded him in the truck and took him off to the Doggie Rescue Depot. After having 3 different neighbors bring him home and complain about him and then yesterday- I came home from work early and found Jake locked in his cage- so let him out- not knowing that Dave had locked him up because the new house down the street was pouring cement...anyway...he got in LOTS of trouble yesterday so today...he is probably on his way to doggie heaven.
So...we bid Jake a fond farewell and wish a Happy THanksgiving all!
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Still # 1 Helpmeet
Two days a week I head out early and drive down to Teen Mania- a 35 min. trip- to act as "Life Mentor" to about..maybe 20-30 girls right now...I haven't really counted. I just work the two days and have appointments every 30 min. on a bi-weekly basis and have my days about filled. I also attend a class there for 1 1/2 hours each week, plus Staff Chapel, and various other meetings that take part of my days. I lOVE my job and am so thankful that GOD is allowing this season in my life.
This is what the Honor Academy at Teen Mania is about:
Teen Mania's Mission Statement
To provoke a young generation to passionately pursue Jesus Christ and to take His life-giving message to the ends of the earth!
Our Core Values
Faith
We receive direction, provision, and motivation directly from God and His Word to take the Gospel to the world.
Integrity
We are who we say we are, and we always do the right thing, regardless of expediency.
Relationships
We have servants' attitudes, and we go to heroic lengths to meet the needs of others.
Vision
We dare to dream as big as God dreams and believe that, with God on our side, we can achieve the impossible.
Excellence
We demand of ourselves uncompromising quality and strive to be people who demonstrate excellence in everything we do.
The girls I visit with are either Interns, Grad. Interns, Staff or Staff Associates in the Honor Academy at Teen Mania. They are women of God who are truly interested in living their lives for Jesus and wanting to grow more in the position of becoming a godly woman. Who am I to mentor them in this? It is but the GRACE of GOD and the way HE has so awesomely worked in my life to allow me to be there. I fall on His grace each time I go and plead for HIM to speak through me to the many issues that these girls are facing in their generation. It is certainly a DIFFERENT world from that in which I grew up as a young girl in my early 20's! I pray I can be the Titus 2 woman to them. GOD have mercy on this generation!
We have been able to see all our children again in the last two weeks. Yesterday Amy and family came to celebrate Abby's 3rd birthday and spend the night and today with us. David and family and Lisa and children were able to join us this afternoon and the cousins had such a fun, fun time together as the adults caught up on each other's lives in a very relaxed atmosphere.
Dave and I are involved in teaching a Ballroom Dance class each week in a neighboring commmunity and have about 20 students in the class right now.
We are teaching Beginning Swing this month. We laugh at ourselves sometimes that WE are TEACHING dance! We would love to be TAKING more lessons but there is no such thing in the area! We dance almost weekly at a Texas Country dance where we are able to incorporate our ballroom amidst the Texas Two Step crowd!
I am in a Beth Moore Bible Study on Monday nights- teach dance on Tuesday nights-we are taking a class at our church on Wednesday nights- play cards with a church group on Thursday nights- go dancing Sat. nights- Church on Sunday...(and I work all day at Teen Mania on Wednesday and Thursday)...this is the life of retirement...any chance we get...we drop EVERYTHING and go visit our kids and grandkids! God is so good to us!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
WHO is the helpmeet???
Oh yeah! Seems this little dog just came out of no where and sat by the hot tub in the morning while Dave sat their alone and cried out for him! At this point- we are trying to figure out that IF we want a dog at all....do we keep him or get a "real dog"??? Only problem...he has named him Jake and I think they have already bonded and he is to be the helpmeet while I am gone to work 2 days a week.
The big surprise...and this is really kind of sad...Dave caught the BIGGEST BASS of his lifetime...and no one was here to see it or even take a picture!~ He caught a 7 lb. bass off the pier- also a 5 # and 2# so he was QUITE pumped! He had a very exciting day...and I missed it all...but absolutely LOVED my first day and work and every day since!
We had a very bittersweet moment last week as we said goodbye to our 5th wheel. I remember how absolutely ecstatic we were when we bought it and had all the days ahead planned and anticipated...visiting our kids in Florida, Texas, and Montana- going to Canada with Family and friends, camping in the mountains of Colorado...travel... BUT...now for almost a year our 5th wheel has sat in our front yard as we have our own "resort" out back with possibly the best BASS fishing lake in the country right out there! So..we decided it was time to sell the 5th wheel and close the chapter on that season of our life. We both stood and watched it drive off with tears in our eyes and a kind of empty place in our hearts.
Dave has had some great days of fishing in the last couple of weeks. God is good!
Saturday, September 01, 2007
O Lord, let me proclaim your power to this new generation
In this season of life I have been seeking the Lord and asking Him what He would have me to be doing? I have felt restless and useless at times....even though I have the job of being a Creative Helpmeet to Dave...sometimes I don't feel AT ALL creative..and being a mom to my 8 children- (including the 4 in-love's) and a grammy to my 16 grandchildren...which I love! You would think this would be plenty! But...believe it or not...sometimes I feel really bored and feel like I can't play one more Free Cell or watch one more Law and Order! (Although- now that we have high speed- I don't have to play Free Cell QUITE so often!) Several months a go...I read Psalm 71:9 and wrote "2007" in the column...I wish I would have written the date! It reads:
"Now, in my old age, don't set me aside." I was crying out to the Lord for direction in my life.
This morning, while looking for "healing" verses for a friend in Psalms, I ran across this Psalm and then was SO very Excited about the verses I found here which explain to me so clearly what I want to be doing. Next week, I will begin a part time position at Teen Mania and I believe these are the words the Lord is saying are my job description.
"I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I willl proclaim your saving power for I am overwhelmed by how much you have done for me. I will praise your mighty deeds O Sovereign Lord, I will tell everyone that you alone are just and good. O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood and I have constantly told others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me. O LOrd, Let me proclaim your power to this new generation-your mighty miracles to all who come after me." Psalm 71 15-18.
Isn't God good? I will be in a position of being available as a mentor to the girls who are in leadership there...the Core Advisors and Resident Directors...these are usually girls who are about 21-23 years old. THey have been through at least one year of the Honor Academy- generally right after high school- and are now over a group of girls in the Internship of the HOnor Academy at Teen Mania. I am SO excited that God has opened this door for me and I pray that I will be worthy in His sight to walk through it and be the Titus 2 woman for some of the women there.
I ask all my praying friends to keep me in your prayers in this new venture.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
This is WHY we have peace TODAY
Friday, August 10, 2007
Haszy, Crazy, Lazy Days of Summer
Monday, August 06, 2007
TO GOD be the GLORY
Monday, July 09, 2007
Let freedom ring...and ring...and ring...
Saturday, June 16, 2007
The Boat Dock
picture of how the kids appreciated the WARM wood of the dock in early May- when the water was cold! Now...the water is more like bath water and the kids are loving swimming and having a great time. I'll try to get some photos of that next time!
The rest of the story
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Family time together
June is just a really crazy month for the Hasz household. We have 13 birthdays and 2 anniversaries..Father's day...Vacation Bible School and the Hasz boys Fly in to Canada Fishing trip.
In just this past week we have had 3 family gatherings with all 25 of us present! Isn't God good? We love having our family so close together that we can celebrate life together.
Last week Dave helped David, Jon and Sam host the First annual Teen Mania Track Meet with abouat 700 participants! That was a great event- perfect weather-fun to be a part of it.
Over Memorial Day we hosted the Family Campout here. THings didn't materialize quite like we'd planned- Amy couldn't get their camper to work so the 5 oldeset kids spent the night here in tents and Amy and the little ones "comuted". It was fun to have them here! Sam and Lisa found a problem with their 5th wheel when they went to pack it out from home so Dave and Sam spent much of Sat. repairing. How great that they can do things like that!
Everyone enjoyed the great weather, the new dock and boat house, the great fishing and swimming. We were able to grill out down by the lake and spend much time just enjoying the kids and each other. We are so grateful to God for allowing us to live here and have a place that our family can enjoy.
The Smith kids (the 3 oldest) spent the night here on Monday...asked if they could go early morning fishing...and we said 'yes" provided you don't wake us up! About 6:45 there is a knock on our bedroom door...."grammy....." "Yes" Josiah needs you. to be continued when Blogger will download the next picture....
Saturday, May 12, 2007
http://wandascountryhome.com/motherswalk/index.html
How I THANK GOD this mother's day for the children of my children!
Friday, May 11, 2007
(Grand)Children are a heritage of the Lord..
Thursday, May 10, 2007
The Boat House/Dock/Arbor
Now this is what is all about!
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Friday, May 04, 2007
On Raising kids
Memo from our Boss
http://www.semver.aw/teachmeshowme.htm
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Off to Kansas
Wanda Schmidt, age 54, Kelly Hasz's mom- Wanda had an aneurism in her brain which ultimately led to her death this past week. The funeral will be on Monday in Witchita.
All our family is planning on driving up their on Sunday to be there with Jon, Kelly and Jordan. We appreciate your prayers for Kelly and family and for safe travel for all of us.
We are praising the Lord for the 5 weeks that Wanda came and spent here with Kelly after her wreck. It confirms that there are NO accidents with God. Our faith and trust is in Him.
It is with joy that we can picture her at the feet of Jesus, in her mansion, but with heavy hearts that we want to support the family that is left behind at this time.
You can access Kelly's blog on my side bar for her thoughts about her mom.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Teach us oh Lord to number our days!
Thursday, April 19, 2007
On the Horror at Virginia Tech
By Douglas W. PhillipsApril 17, 2007
Today, the nation mourns the senseless murder of thirty-two men and women who were gunned down in cold blood. The slaughter of students at Virginia Tech constitutes the largest campus killing spree in American history. The murderer was a fellow student, twenty-three-year-old Cho Seung-hui of South Korea. Though little is currently known of his motive behind the murders, it is clear that his plan was calculated and carefully executed. The assault was premeditated and thorough. Doctors report that not a single victim had fewer than three bullet wounds.
Thousands will be deeply affected, probably for the rest of their lives. The most serious pains belong to the mothers, fathers, and sisters and brothers of the murdered victims. What shall we say to them? What are we to learn from these events?
First, we must remember the answer to the question “why?”
When people ask: “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” or “How can such a terrible thing happen?”, we must point them to the fundamentals. First, all of us deserve death and all of us will die. The only question is when will we die, and what will be the state of our eternal soul at that time. Every breath is a gift of God. None of us deserve it. We have no rights or demands we can make to our Creator. In fact, apart from Christ, we stand condemned to a fate far worse than physical death — eternal punishment. And there is a reason for all of this. God is God, and we are His creation. Understanding the distinction is everything. He sets the rules. He determines what is just. And His plan is always good, even when we do not understand it. Not only is He a loving and kind God, but He is also infinitely just. This justice has implications for man. It was God who created the world and man “very good.” But man sinned against an infinite and holy God. The penalty for this sin was physical death. Because of man’s sin, all of creation became subject to death. Our bodies and the world around us die and groan as a reminder and a punishment for our rebellion before the Lord. Everything would be supremely hopeless, but for one important truth: Though the wages of our sin is death, the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus. It took an infinite, perfect, and holy sacrifice to atone for our sin against an infinite, perfect, and holy God. Christ was that sacrifice. This means that all whom the Father calls, and who repent and believe in Christ, shall not perish but have eternal life.
Thus, the question is not, “why did God allow the tragic death of these students,” but rather, “why does He allow any of us to live.” We deserve death. Every breath of life is a gift. It is only by His grace and mercy that we live and breathe and have our very being. He is our Creator and He is just to determine the beginning and the end of our existence. Beyond this, we must remember that even the tragedy of death is part of the eternal plan of God to bring glory to Himself. The fact that we do not understand the infinite purposes and counsels of the Triune God only means that we are creatures and need to trust Him. That is why He has given us His Holy Word. The Bible is the revealed mind of Christ for man. It reminds us that all things — including the murder of the innocent — work together for good to those that are the called of God. It cautions us to flee to God while we yet have life. It reminds us that the victory of Christ is greater than the grave itself. It warns us that without Christ there is no hope whatsoever. When we see the horror of death, we must be convicted of sin and flee to God. We must be emboldened in our sense of urgency to communicate to others the only source of hope from death. We must treasure the preciousness of life as God’s sacred gift, and we must wisely invest in meaningful Kingdom work this brief whisper of an opportunity called — our life.
Second, we must acknowledge that the rise of community violence is a judgment of the Lord. Our nation has broken covenant with the God of our fathers. We have forsaken the law of God and have worshipped before false idols. We have sacrificed our children, not only spiritually and intellectually to the high priests of a new secular religion in our government schools, but have quite literally sacrificed baby boys and girls to the gods of convenience in the abortuaries of America. One out of four Americans is not here because they were aborted by their mothers.
The modern trend toward school killings must be considered in terms of the hopelessness and evil which is being communicated to the children of this generation through the music culture, the entertainment culture, the sexual culture, and the intellectual culture of evolution and meaninglessness — all of which converge in modern schools. Our children are being taught the Gospel of evolution and man. It is a religious faith that ultimately teaches that transcendent truth does not exist and that life is meaningless, being the product of chance. Why are we surprised when the present generation acts upon the logical implications of this false gospel? If we do not see the connection between this false faith and the culture of death, we are blind bats, or willingly ignorant. The answer for us as a people is repentance and restitution, which begins by turning from our sins and reclaiming the ancient paths of the Lord wherein there is hope.
Third, the worst response to school murders that our politicians could make would be to further disarm the American citizenry. The heavy death toll may in part be attributed to past legislation making it difficult for citizens to carry side arms. If even one of the students in that university had been armed, Cho Seung-hui could have been stopped. A strong case can be made that in a violent society like our own, it is the duty of every Christian man to be armed such that he is ready, willing, and able to come to the immediate aid of his neighbor in the face of the ruthless behavior of lawless men. We have one of two futures — a police state full of regulation and controls, where only the state and criminals have access to guns, thus leaving most women and children defenseless to evildoers, or an informed and well-armed population, which is, to my mind, the surest safeguard against lawless men.
Fourth, every tragedy is an opportunity God gives to reflect glory and honor to Him. We give glory to Him as we reach out to others and lead them to the great Comforter. Now is the time for Christians to reach out in love to those who are in unimaginable pain, as well as those who are just shell-shocked by the horrible news. There is a time to mourn with those who mourn, and this is that time. Let us mourn, love, and encourage — and let us give God the glory in everything — even death.
This was sent to me by Vision Forum....I pass it on ...
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Seasons of hot tubs
It all started back in 1993- that is when we spent the day- a heartbreaking day for us- as we bid farewell to Amyand Brian as they left for Spain. They were with YWAM and were headed off to school in Spain. And...it just so happens that they took our ONLY grandchild with them! Dave was so very sweet and understanding as I cried and blubbered almost the WHOLE day and many days afterward. We took them to the airport then took the rest of the day off from school to recover. We went to the mall where Dave bought me some new clothes...and then we visited the Hot Tub displays out in the mall. Now you have to understand something about Dave..he HATED hot tubs...I could NEVER get him to go in one at a hotel, etc. But...we ended up buying the hot tub you see in the upper right hand picture. By then it had moved to the second home it would have with us. The great thing is...that Dave LOVED the hot tub! We spent every morning- well almost every morning- VERY few exceptions- for the next 10 years- talking, praying, and enjoying God's creations and creatures. Winters were the best...we were able to watch deer, fox, geese and in the summer golfers on the golf course. That hot tub lived with us to see 8 of our grandchildren enjoy it with us. We left it behind in Denver in 2003 when we moved to Florida.
has blessed us. God is good. Our hot tub is now installed to the left of the house as you see it in the picture. We are so thankful to God for all HE has done for us...MUCH more than hot tubs...This pretty much sums up what we really deserve
"What am I? Well, here is what I am. I am the worst sinner I know. And by the grace of God I am doing better than I deserve. For I deserve the righteous wrath of God because of my sin. I deserve to be punished eternally. But in the mystery of His mercy, God sacrificed and crushed His Son on the Cross--as my substitute--so that I might be forgiven of my sin and know God as my Father rather than my Judge. What am I? I am truly amazed by the grace of God. That's what I am." ~ C.J. Mahaney Together for the Gospel Blog
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
April 4...back from March 18
All the kids and grandkids were there to help Dave celebrate. The following day, Sam called, and he and Lisa wanted to take us out to eat. We were all for that...since it was his REAL birthday and we had planned to go out to eat on our own. (I knew what was going on but Dave didn't have a clue!) We met at Sam's and proceeded to Tyler and to Red Lobster. When they took us to our table...there sat all the adult kids! Dave was SO suprised. We had a wonderful time...many of our friends and family and sent special greetings which were read to all. Then the 3 boys- Sam, David and Jon, presented Dave with his gift- The trip of a lifetime...the card read....a Canadian fly in for the 4 of them in June. Dave was overwhelmed and they all haven't stopped talking about it since.
Ever since we got back from Denver- on March 11-we have watched the steady progression of the building of the dock and boat house- a project Dave has planned and longed for since we moved here. It is ALMOST done...they put roof on today- and we are SO excited. It has been a huge project-starting with the building of the sea wall last spring- then the dredging of the lake in Dec. and all that dirt piled up down by the lake! The bulldozer was here again today...still moving the "clay" around. I wonder if it will all get done?
I have finished a 12 week Beth Moore study on Daniel. FABULOUS! I learned so much. I've also been attending a ladies' Tues. morning prayer and Study and have helped to stuff 10,000 plastic eggs for the Easter Egg outreach in the city park on Sat.
We celebrate the REsurrection this Sunday then on Thursday or Friday we will fly to Detroit to participte in the Battlecry there.
That is a thumbnail sketch of what is going on here. What is going on in your neck of the woods?