The Gift of Life

As many of you know, in June of 1993 my brother, Scott, was killed in an automobile accident. It was truly the toughest thing our family has ever had to face. In times of tragedy many people will say that somehow something good will come from it. But, when you are the one who is affected by the tragedy, you often ask yourself, how? How can anything good come from the loss of someone's life, especially when they're so young? I am here to tell you today, that though there is nothing that can ever replace my brother, nor stop the pain you go through, that through the tragic loss of Scott's life, a gift of life was being given.

In one of my first blogs, I went into detail about the accident. You can read more about it at:

http://kristaeisma.blogspot.com/2010/03/my-testimony.html.

Today I am not talking so much about the tragedy, but I am going to talk about the miracle that happened through the tragedy.

One of the decisions my sister in law and parents made in the hospital was the consent for Scott's organs to be donated. Little did we all know at the time that just 4 days earlier a man, we would know later as Jack, was told if he didn't have a heart transplant soon, he was going to die. The challenge would be to find a heart that "matched" in time.

On June 26, 1993 Scott died. Very shortly afterward I remember looking at the front page of the Mail Tribune and reading a story about how Jack, who had also been from Central Point, received his miracle heart. Throughout the article there were so many similarities, we immediately knew, and it was later confirmed that Scott's heart had been the match Jack needed.

Though it was good to know that through one man's death, the gift of life was given to another, it would take years for my parents to emotionally be able to meet and talk to Jack. When the meeting did take place, it was kind of surreal. As we sat in the restaurant, all of us crying at one point, Jack talked about how thankful and truly blessed he felt to be alive. He was very compassionate towards our loss, as he explained what he had been doing since the transplant 10 years earlier. He had made it his mission to get completely involved in speaking to people about the importance of being an organ donor, as he told his story all over the country. He also played an intricate part in donor and recipient families meeting. To our suprise, he did this all in the memory of Scott. He even had his obituary in his wallet, where it had remained all these years.

That was the only time we met Jack and his wife Joan. I believe I was pregnant with my 8 year old son Timothy at the time. However, a couple of weeks ago my Mom decided to try to get in contact with him again. She was successful, and he was beyond excited to talk with my parents. We are looking to meet up again, and he is still speaking on behalf of being an organ donator, all the while Scott's obituary is still in his wallet.

To read part of Jack's story go to: http://www.vowelscommunications.com/story2.html

School Pictures

What is it about school pictures that can take a grown adult back in time? Is it remembering having to sit on that dreadful stool as all of your classmates watched you awkwardly force a smile for the photographer? Was it rememebering that anxious feeling you had in the pit of your stomach when the envelope came back and you dared to open it? Was it going to be a good picture that would forever shine in that year's yearbook? Or, like me in 5th grade, would you instantly inherit the nickname "bird face"? As I watched my daughter pick out the clothes that she was going to where for her school pictures, I was reminded about all of this with her simple statement..."This is so important to me."

When I asked the question, "What is your most memorable school picture"?, one lady said, "I remember all of them, even what I was wearing." Mind you, this lady just attended her 30 year high school reunion. I would venture to say that the school picture experience, for many, can be imprinted in our minds forever. If we're not careful, the tape player in our mind can be imprinted forever also. The tape player that says, "bird face, awkward, ridiculous, ugly..."

How do you overcome those recordings? You have to change the tape! I learned a long time ago, that my thoughts about myself are so different then God's thoughts towards me. I had to make a decision to let God's thoughts play over and over again in my mind, not my own. This wasn't easy, because in doing this, I also had to overcome a spirit of insecurity. I had to let go of the past, and let God frame my future with His words.

Ps 139:13-17
3 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!

Do you know what God thinks about you, or are you still letting "old school pictures" form you? Do you believe that He made you exactly how He wanted you to be, and has a purpose for you? God NEVER makes mistakes! Choose today to let his "tape player" make an imprint on your mind and in your heart. You can be a light to a generation of young girls and guys who think beauty is only skin deep, and are devasted, many times for years, when they have a "bird face" kind of day.

Grandmother's

Last week as I was sitting in my living room looking out my front window at the red leaves falling on my lawn, I was reminded of my Grandmother. When I was younger, she lived in a small house with a very large tree in her front yard, and it was my job every year, to help rake the leaves.

When I was 4, I went to a preschool for a couple of weeks, and hated it. Whether it was because they served Tomato Soup for lunch, or because they made me take a nap every day, I don't know... Of course, being a childcare provider now myself, I understand FULLY why they made us do that. Nonetheless, my Mom took me out of preschool, and for the next few years my Grandma took care of me while my parents were at work.

There are so many things I remember about her. Playing Scrabble and Perquackey, listening to Jim Nabors on her 8 track player, learning to play Silent Night on her organ, gopher trips (camping), her knitting doggy sweaters in her rocking chair, KFC every Sunday after church, and her obnoxious snore are just a few memories that pop up immediately when I think about her.

One of the most memorable moments was when I was a Sophomore in high school and decided I hated school (again). I had skipped so many classes that it had already looked as though I wouldn't graduate on time. My teachers' had pretty much given up hope for a turn around. One afternoon while I was at her house she looked at me and said, "I know you can graduate. Work really hard, and prove everyone wrong". Though she wouldn't live to see it, that's exactly what I did.

My Grandma Jackson died on October 4, 1989 - 21 years ago, last week.

My Mom's Mom, my Grandma Winnie is still alive and full of life! I love being around her. When you walk into her house, it still smells like cookies :) As a child, my first memory of her was when I stayed the night there and we went to church. At some point during my Sunday School class 2 clowns went on stage and started performing. Afterward they came right up to me, and picked me up. I realized it was my Grandma and Grandpa. She was always doing things like that or having kids' back yard Bible Studies at her house. However, I think it was when I was a young adult that I became the closest to her.

After Emily was born I spent a lot of time with her making crafts, and just listening to her wisdom. It seemed like she always had just the right thing to say at the right time. I know, it is because she is close to the Lord. To this day, whenever I am at her house, I feel at home...the beauty of it is...so does everyone else who walks in her house.

As a mother of 4 myself now, I can appreciate Grandma's even more - from a different perspective. My children have been blessed w/ 2 amazing ones! Let me tell you, for me, they have been life savers at times. You know, when you are just having "one of those days" and need a break - Or when you need some adult conversation that doesn't include Blues Clues, SpongeBob, or Barney. Sean's Mom and my Mom are the greatest. I couldn't ask for better "Grammy's" and Grandma's for my kids!

Some day, I will probably be sitting in my rocking chair, looking at the red leaves falling into my yard - and my prayer is that I will be as much of a blessing to my grandkids, that my Grandmother's were to me.

Rearranging

Have you ever had plans to do one thing, and then decided last moment to do something else? There's been so many times in my life that I have done this, and now it is spilling over into my blog. I had every intention of doing a blog called "The Significance of Your Name", which I think is important. Instead, however, I will be talking about "Rearranging".

I don't know about you, but sometimes in my house, I like to rearrange things. Especially in the fall and spring, my house and the rooms in it can use a good cleaning. Whether its moving furniture around, changing out pictures, painting, going through kid's clothes, closets or toys - it all needs it. Usually, right in the middle of doing it, I wonder what in the world I got myself into. It appears as though I 've created more of a mess then what was there before. But, when it's all said and done, I am so happy I did it.

One of the definitions for the word "arrange" is as follows:

* to put into a proper order or into a correct or suitable sequence, relationship, or adjustment

I believe it is safe to say, that to "rearrange" something can be described as putting something that once was in order, back.

In our lives, things can get out of order. It's easy to see the breakdown of society in the big picture. Families have suffered, children have suffered, the economy has suffered, etc. Why? The answer is, because of sin. The biggest goal of the enemy is to steal, kill, and destroy, everything in your life. It is to take what God intended to be good, and twist it. Sin is not something you can move around, change the picture of, or paint over. Only the blood of Jesus Christ can get rid of it. When we recognize and receive that, then Jesus's biggest goal can happen. That is to give you life, and life more abundanlty in every area! (John 10:10)

What about the small picture of things, aka, your life? What about the rooms in your heart and your mind? Have you checked them lately? Are there doors left open for the enemy to get in? If something in your life is not the way God intended it to be, let Him rearrange you today.

A Tribute to the 80's

The other morning I was listening to my husband's Ipod and some old 80's music came on. Instantly I felt like I was 13 again. Of course, this is when, MY now 13 year old daughter walked in. It was in that moment that she witnessed something she probably wished she hadn't. Her Mom, jamming out in the kitchen...80's style!

In 1980 I was 6 years old. So, that whole decade was when I basically grew up. There's alot of changes between the years of 6 and 16! So I thought I would have a look back in time to see what was popular when I was my daughter's age. (No, I'm not going through a mid-life crisis) In the words of Nacho Libra..."it's for fun."

Who could forget (though we might want to) Cyndie Lauper, Michael Jackson, Debbie Gibson, Richard Marx, and of course Aha - who had the one hit wonder, "Take on Me"? As you can tell by some of the ones on my list, I was a sappy love song lover. Some things never change. My brother, on the other hand was the opposite. He liked Ratt, Poison, Def Lepard, Van Halen, etc. etc. etc. So you can imagine the fights that would break out in the station wagon over which cassette we were going to listen to.

As far as fashion and hair style...I was the queen of big hair and high bangs. My babysitting money would go towards Aqua Net, blue eyeshadow, and HUGE earrings. Pathetic, I know...finally last year, Sean told me it was time to put that stuff away. (Just kidding...I hope you knew that!) Guess jeans, Espirit shirts, Fish Net sleeves, and Leg Warmers could all be found in my closet. I probably should tell you though, they were borrowed. There was no way, in you know where, that my parents were going to spend that kind of money on clothes. Especially when the jeans had holes in them :)

"Buehler? Buehler ? Buehler ? " Remember Ferris? How about the Breakfast Club or the 2 Corey's ? One of the 1st movies I saw in a theatre was E.T. and then of course Top Gun! Ghost Busters and Karate Kid were a hit, and everyone thought seeing Michael J Fox go from Family Ties to Back to the Future was amazing. Which coincidentally, we watched that on T.V a few weeks ago, and do you remember in the movie Marty went back in time 30 years? He went from 1985 to 1955, and everything had changed so much! Well, my friends, 1985 was 25 years ago, and I would venture to say that, again, everything has changed so much!

All in all, it was a fun time. I often think, what in the world were we thinking?! However, when a song comes on the radio, or an Ipod, you might just catch me dancing...80's style!

Be Who You Were Made to Be

I was teaching a 3 year old Sunday School class this morning about the account of David and Goliath. For those of you who are familiar with the story, you know that David killed Goliath, the giant, w/ a sling shot and 5 stones. Before the victory, however, the reigning king, Saul, had tried to prepare David for the battle by putting on his own armor. The armor was too big for David, so much so, that he was ineffective in it. So David took off Saul's armor, and grabbed what he was used to going to battle with...his slingshot.

Many times in our life we try to wear someone else's armor, only to be disappointed with the outcome. For whatever reason, we don't take the time to find out who we are, and how we are effective.

God has given each of us unique gifts. I've talked about that before in previous blogs. One way to find out what those gifts are, is to ask yourself the question, "What do I love? What do I enjoy? What am I good at? What is my passion?" Everybody is a 10 at something!

God will, many times, use the gifts that you have for His kingdom, and His purposes. When you recognize that you are not supposed to wear someone else's armor, but be comfortable in your own skin, so to speak, you will not only be effective, but you will love what you do, and how you are being used.

What about the "giants" we face? First of all, I believe, we can't defeat any of them, indefinately, without the power of God. But then, I believe, He gives us very practical ways to win the battles. Like He did with David, He gives us the opportunity to wear our own armor.

An Unexpected Teacher

Have you ever had a favorite teacher? Thinking back to my years in school, I can remember all of my teachers....every name and every grade. It's just one of those things I remember, kind of like birthdays, I guess. But, there was one teacher in particular who had a reputation, that she lived up to quite well, as being one of the meanest and strictest teachers in the school. Little did I know, the summer before my second grade year, when I found out that she was going to be my teacher, that she would, to this day leave an imprint on my life.

Mrs. Lasley was probably in her late thirties when I had her as my teacher. Of course, then I thought she was old - now that I myself am in my late thirties, I of course know better :) She had a certain look that she gave when she was upset or irritated at you, and the goal was to never get that look. However, being an 8 year old kid, sometimes you got the look no matter how hard you tried.

It was in December, of my second grade year, that I saw a different side to Mrs. Lasley. We were preparing to do a Christmas program at the school, (when you could still sing Christmas songs) and we were going to sing "Silent Night". She started telling us about her life growing up, and how both of her parents were deaf, due to a horse accident. Being unable to speak to her parents with her voice, she became very fluent in sign language, and that was how we were going to sing our song that year at the Christmas program...with our hands.

On the day of the program, after we performed Silent Night in sign language, we were in our class having a party. It was afterall, the last day of school before Christmas break. Suddenly she sat us all down, and had began taking small beautiful wooden ornaments out of a bag. Each one had our name on it, her name on it, and the date - 1981. She had carved and polished each one by hand, and wanted us to take them home and hang them on our tree...it was a gift. This teacher, who was known for being strict and mean, had made an impact on my heart, right then in that classroom . I never looked at her the same.

Though I still got in trouble that year, and had to put my head on my desk or do an extra assignment here and there, I always loved Mrs. Lasley. It wasn't that the gift she gave was elaborate, or that learning sign language has been a big part of my life. It was the spirit in which she was giving those things to us. It was from a pure heart, out of love, from a teacher, to her students. It impacted me. To this day, I still hang that star ornament on my tree every year.

I want to leave you with two questions. Who are the unexpected people in your life who have made a difference in one way or another? Maybe it was a teacher who believed in you when nobody else did, or a friend or relative that was just always there. Possibly it was a complete stranger that helped you in a time of need, or a nurse or doctor who made you feel like everything was going to be alright. The other question is, Who have you been there for? Are we looking for ways everyday to make an impact on the people we love or even complete strangers?

Through unexpected people many times come unexpected blessings.