Gwen's Thoughts

Well, here it is, the middle of summer. I’ve enjoyed it very much. It has been pretty calm, not hectic; and there have been things to do, while not being overwhelming.

We’re having a few days of pleasant weather here in Hampton Roads, Virginia. The heat and humidity is just beginning to pick up. We are in need of some rain, but at least the yards aren’t parched brown.

My daughter and I “rescued” a baby squirrel that must have fallen from a tree in our back yard yesterday. It was so adorable!

Said daughter will be leaving our family for one year, to be a nanny/helper to a family that used to attend our church here in Virginia. They are now in Hawaii! This will be happening in late October. The husband is an army man, and will be deployed to Iraq during that time.There are six children, ranging from 3 months to about 10 years old. Three boys, three girls

This daughter is also getting ready to visit an Indian reservation in South Dakota with my mom. So, I and my son and daughter will be making the trip to my mom’s home in Western New York state this weekend. The two of them will leave by train, and spend about one week there. I understand that there are some building projects and other things that groups come to help with. What a neat experience. Wow, my only childhood travels consisted of a week-long stay with my dad in New Jersey, with my sister and brother; and two summers at camp in Angola, New York - which I loved. I came home singing all kinds of camp songs, and enjoyed my time and the activities. It was two weeks long, and I never felt homesick. I even wanted to go back when I was old enough, to be a counselor. I loved my counselors. I never did go on to do that, though. Here, my daughters have been to Montreal, Florida, Scotland and Ireland. My son hasn’t been to as many places, though he doesn’t seem to mind much!

Well, that’s about all for my summer update! Our jobs are going well, nothing new there. I will begin working evenings, 4-7 pm again once school starts in a few weeks. I loved working mornings this summer.

Until next time,

I send blessings~
Gwen

04:23:06 pm on August 14th, 2008, by Gwendolyn Hill
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I’ve been thinking about how people can often surprise me. Whether in fiction or in real life, people have sometimes acted completely the opposite of the way I expected.

Here are some examples: the pastor of a church we once attended was found to be having an affair with the wife of a church member. A young man who may have been kind of a goof- ball in high school, inspired me by speaking at his graduation ceremony about weighing choices carefully and living for God. A relative misunderstood me, and other family members seemed to side with that person, rather than asking to hear my side of the story. A long-standing member of an organization is asked to leave. I could come up with other examples, but hopefully, you hear what I’m saying.

You may notice that some of these people started out (in my experience with them, anyways) on a positive note; and then went in a negative direction. That can be a real discouragement, especially when that person is someone who is admired and respected. Other examples I gave show the opposite trend - a person making a good change in his or her life. And that can give us hope!

These examples have sure taught me not to place anyone on a pedestal, because the mighty sometimes fall far. On the other hand, I have learned not to give up hope on someone who seems to be going down the wrong paths in life. Sure, some folks never seem to change their negative ways; but the ones that do, although they may be few, give us faith that God can change a heart. And the ones that have left a faithful path of obedience to God need our prayers. I’ve seen some wayward people continue on a downward spiral; but once in a while, I’ve seen a seemingly hopeless situation become a joy again.

08:56:04 pm on June 8th, 2008, by Gwendolyn Hill
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I love to read. I remember, as a little girl, reading books and following along the page with my finger. My finger would turn black from the ink.

I have quite a few books going right now. As a home schooling mom, I often read the material along with my son. This includes geography, biology, and literature. I am reading the insights of a formerly home schooled father, “Homeschooling from a Biblical Worldview” by Israel Wayne. Good, thought-provoking stuff so far.

My mother-in-law is my best source for good fiction, including mysteries, historical, and Amish-based; many from a Christian point of view. She brought me a box full of these books on her last visit, and I am presently reading a medical-style novel by Hannah Alexander, called “Solemn Oath". I put aside one book for reading only on Sunday afternoons. At this time, it is another book from my mother-in-law, “Simply Jesus and You” by Joseph Stowell.

Recently passed on to me is a copy of “George and Laura: Portrait of an American Marriage” by Christopher Andersen. I’ve enjoyed it very much, as I like to know about peoples’ lives; not to mention that it’s about the President and First Lady! I actually see similarities in their personalities, with mine and my husband’s It’s intriguing to me, the ways they are down-to-earth, yet also the weight of duty they carry.

In light of my husband’s work with the Christian AIDS/HIV support ministry, He Intends Victory, I am reading the book “He Intends Victory: Real-Life stories of Christians living with HIV/AIDS and how Jesus touched them". I am learning a lot about the misconceptions about AIDS and those who have contracted this virus.

Finally, along with my Bible reading, I am looking at portions of “Truths We Confess: A Layman’s Guide to the Westminster Confession of Faith” by RC Sproul. My church is using the Confession of Faith as the basis for a Sunday School class.

I hope to be part of a reading group some day. I love to share what I’ve read, and hear what others have enjoyed or found helpful. I have found that when a group of people that like to read get together, they find so much to discuss! In that way, it’s very enriching to life

Blessings,
Gwen

07:46:57 pm on May 14th, 2008, by Gwendolyn Hill
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I was thinking the other day about how difficult it can be to be a good listener. It just goes to show me how much I’d rather talk than listen, because it is often easier to talk. It takes effort to listen attentively, and to patiently wait to reply (or not to reply at all!)

I question my motives in listening. Am I really listening, or just hearing? Am I genuinely interested? If not, could I work on being so? Am I listening because it’s the correct thing to do, or because I really want to be receptive to another person pouring out his/ her heart? Do I do it because I would hope that person would do the same for me?

Listening is definitely a learning experience. Eye contact, body language, lack of distractions, and giving indication by a nod or simple “yes” or “hmmm” are all important. I have often prayed to improve. I still tend to be too wordy and interrupt. I really like writing, because it eliminates those problems! However, we all know that the written word can be misunderstood, without the benefit of the face-to-face experience.

I’ve heard it said that there is a reason God gave us two ears, but only one mouth Hmmm….

Blessings,
Gwen

10:50:07 pm on April 30th, 2008, by Gwendolyn Hill
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My family here in Virginia has been enjoying a visit from my husband’s parents, from Rochester, New York. The cool, rainy weather ended just in time, and we had nice, spring days to spend with them. Thank you, Lord for that answered prayer

They will be leaving Monday morning, and are looking forward to their next trip, in six weeks - an Alaskan cruise! They had actually planned to go last summer, but Mom fell at their boat and broke her leg; so the cruise had to be postponed. So, I am excited for them, and will probably look at some web sites about Alaska and what they will see. It’s one place that I’d also love to visit someday. Photos I’ve seen look stunning in their beauty and what appears to be a quiet vastness. Really grand! Whale-watching and wildlife look spectacular. God has created a beautiful place for us. Look at what we’ve done to a lot of it, though

We (nine of us, including a boyfriend and girlfriend of family members) had dinner together today, which was so nice. I don’t often have that many people around my table these days!

My mom-in-law brought me a bunch of books - a couple mysteries, some fiction about the Amish, which I love, and other fiction. I have enough to read for some time, especially with all the books on the home book shelves! That, plus home school reading - it sure is a good thing I love to read

I begin my new job this week, caring for a mentally disabled boy. He is a sweet young man, from what I’ve seen. My friend who hooked me up with this opportunity, and my job in home health care, often feels like my personal job coach! She’s always looking out for me, and for things that would be a good fit with my abilities and the needs of others. She’s helped me a lot.

Well, since it is a Sunday, I have some reading set aside to do today. So, this will be all for this day, and probably this week. Until next time…blessings to you!

Gwen

06:25:22 pm on April 13th, 2008, by Gwendolyn Hill
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