Still in the Flight Plans

google picture

Once, in a home school convention, I heard this story that has stuck with me through different seasons of life.

When a pilot charts his flight, he knows from where he is leaving and the final destination.  He is never worried if he gets off course through the flight.  It is rare for him to go from one point to another in a straight line. However, he still arrives at his final destination, even after course adjustments.  He might have to descend or rise to move through storms.  This allows the passengers a more comfortable ride, reducing turbulence.  He might even detour off the course to the far left or right in order to miss an oncoming storm or other planes.

The passengers never see these adjustments...most of the time they just ride in comfort.  If there is turbulence, they fasten their seat belts, put their trays up and prepare for the bumpy ride. Some may expel anxious stomachs in a bag, but overall, the change of course during the journey doesn't change the final destination.


The passengers are in the hands of the pilot.Some courageous hero pilots like Chesley Sullenberger III, who landed a plane into New York's Hudson River in order for the passengers to survive, might go off-destination for the ultimate good of the passengers.

google picture - clear blue skies!

If I am a Christian, and I am, then I know the one who is the pilot of my life journey. He knows the final destination and the arrival time.  My responsibility is to let Him do His job....not to storm the cockpit.  I might need to grab a bag at times, due to my own lack of trust, but I can also learn to enjoy the journey.  My pilot has my best interest in mind.  I will arrive on time at my final destination.

The anxiety of any flight is always relieved when the plane comes to a complete stop on the ground.  I never ask the pilot about the adjustments he had to make. Instead, I thank him for a job well done.

I think that is a word for me.  Thank you, Lord, for the job you are doing in my life.  I release my flight plan into your hands and take my first-class seat, which you purchased  for me on the cross, so I can  enjoy the journey. (another preaching-to-myself post)  I hope you are enjoying your ride, even through the course changes.

Are These Trends Good?

Recently, my reading eyes fell on some interesting headlines.  In a century where everyone is speaking of all our wonderful technology, how educated we are, how much we have achieved, these headlines led me to wonder if similar conversations surrounded the builders of the Tower of Babel.


Can any of these trends be stopped or slowed down?  No!!!, I am not asking to return to the days without technology and many of our conveniences. But, like anything, most developments come with a price.


This article brought tears to my eyes.

No Baby Boom (click to read full article) - I will leave this with a small comment, just remember I have six children and dream of a den full of grandchildren. This trend grieves me. Scriptures flood my mind on how this should grieve us all.


Could this headline be responsible for part of the No Baby Boom?

Full article - click Women are the New Men in this economy

I am not saying women cannot work...so don't suggest that. My son also agreed because of the fact his wife has been able to find a job faster than he has.  The stats mentioned in this article are mind-boggling.  Are reverse roles going to be good for our society?  

This headline challenged me

Full article - here

The author challenges our thinking by implying how we gain so much more in our learning when we can't find all the answers.  When all the answers can't be found we allow our imagination to fill in the gaps.  Mysteries like Amelia Earnhardt and the Loch Ness monster come to mind.  We don't need all the answers.  Retrieving information in  seconds through our phone or computers rob us of our imagination and exploration.

The internet is ending our ability to pay attention and think 
critically -  Nicolas Carr

Here is an extensive article by Nicolas Carr on  his research...remember, you will have to pay attention. (click on highlighted)

Deep Distractions
ADD - now I really agree with this article....even my 27-year-old son said the same. Carr suggested that technology is bringing about limited attention spans.  He suggests cutting back on technology and allowing our brains to grow.  His research led him to see where he used to sit and enjoy reading a book. Now he would only stay still for a few minutes before he needed another distraction.

Both articles encouraged me to tame the technology monster in my own house.  I couldn't help but feel that when technology becomes an idol, then we allow true blessings to be taken away as well, like... children, quality time in true conversations and family time?
Are we that much different than those builders of Babel?
Just some mind-musing from Janette's Sage.

 "And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do." (Genesis 11:5-6)

Moved and Exhausted

• Three U-haul loads
• One truck and trailer (#1 son, with a servant's heart)
• One truck with movers for grand piano/master bedroom furniture (thanks to son #2 who provided this service)
• Three muscle brawny sons (#1, #2 and #4 - #3 was vacationing in Colorado, poor guy)
• One grey hair hubby (the love my life and put up with me through all this)
• Lost ten nails, bruised and calloused hands and knees
• 24 hour time schedule
• One true friend - one who gets in the trenches with you and allows you to climb out - Angie arrived to help me finish the packing and clean from top to bottom until late on Friday night
• One daughter-in-law making two meals and helping with unpacking kitchen
• One organized gifted mother helping one morning
• One daughter who shampooed the stairs 
• and
• 286 BOXES LATER (e-Mom wins the count - now I must say she had the advantage because she is boxing at the same time moving from Washington to Arizona, to her new empty-nest season of life, Lisa came in second, a fellow Dallas neighbor, a similar Texas mind)

The Wright Family is Moved

Thank you all for your prayers and wonderful words of encouragement through this unplanned change.  When I would get tired and discouraged I would read an email or comment and the load was lifted.  I loved the guessing and laughed as the number kept climbing.  I so wished it had of been under a hundred.  Now I am sure I will be purging more as I continue to unpack all these boxes.

Google image

In May we found out we had no choice and we would be moving.  The needed and desired list for this move

1. Cheaper rent - we are still needing to get back on our feet after our financial collapse three years ago
2. A large enough house to house a grand piano and large master bedroom furniture - all treasured possessions
3. Desired a big enough dining room to hold our family 12 seat table for family meals
4. Desired a larger yard for Benjamin - move up from postage size yard to postage and half?
5. Desired neighborhood in the high school district for our son for the fall
6. Needed the house available the first of July
7. Needed old landlord to give us through June to find house

God Heard Our Prayers and Exceeded Them

• This house was the only house available that didn't require selling our furniture - Large Den/Large Dining Room
• Beyond My dreams - the largest Master Bedroom we have ever had - a true retreat
• Large Yard - garden beds at the back of yard - moved to 2 postage size lot - no longer can I see the neighbor iron in their house or hear them sneeze - YEA!! Room for Benjamin to play
• Lower rent
• Landlord said - Yes Decorate - and it needs a lot of TLC - we arrived to a very dirty house
• My Designer mind is going into overload with ideas
• In the right neighborhood for the high school for our son
• Feels like home - I think I will adjust faster than last time - I am learning
• Pressure from feeling like I was living in a glass house is gone  (we were not allowed to have backyard toys, decorate or anything other than live in house - even pictures on the walls were to be at a minimum, very restricted living for three years)

Summer will be spent - painting/settling in and calling this new dwelling home for a few more years.

Hugs to the greatest followers a blogger can have!!!

Be by to see you all soon....still recovering and unpacking.