Miss Ann Says

thoughts from everyday life
Miss Ann Says
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  • Tag: following Jesus

    • Heed my own words

      Posted at 11:26 am by missannsays, on May 16, 2014

      This morning the radio newscaster announced “the fences are down and the Museum is open to the families and the first responders.” I thought I would throw up. As I drove and pondered those words, I realized I needed to heed my own words. There are two issues that occupy my thoughts lately.

      “The fences are down for the first time since September 11, 2001” almost overwhelms me with fear. I have been leading walking tours around and on the Memorial for 8 years. There has always been a fence. A fence around an empty hole and then around a construction site. A fence around the Memorial that allowed me one place of entry. A fence that kept me out and then kept me safe and now it is gone. My mind races with thoughts what if I am on the Memorial and some wacko does some wacko thing? Am I responsible for the visitors on my tour? What if I am with a group of children or teens? Do I have a plan? And then I remember what I say to the students “be aware, not afraid!”.

      “The Museum is open to families and first responders” is another source of anxiety. I have seen the space, just the sheer size is overwhelming but what about the exhibits. As I ponder my upcoming visit, I know it will be difficult but I wonder will I be able to do it. And then I remember something else I say to friends and family when they visit the Tribute Center “be kind to yourself. Look at what you can look at, listen to what you can listen to and skip the rest.”

      I have said many times when speaking about my faith in relation to September 11 “that in the beginning I hid behind God then He carried me and then He put me down to walk.” I know He will supply what I need but sometimes I just need to remind myself. Below are the words to a song by Matt Redman that is currently my friendly reminder of how far I have traveled and how faithful God is. You can find a video on YouTube.

      “Never Once”

      Standing on this mountaintop
      Looking just how far we’ve come
      Knowing that for every step
      You were with us

      Kneeling on this battle ground
      Seeing just how much You’ve done
      Knowing every victory
      Was Your power in us

      Scars and struggles on the way
      But with joy our hearts can say
      Yes, our hearts can say

      Never once did we ever walk alone
      Never once did You leave us on our own
      You are faithful, God, You are faithful

      Kneeling on this battle ground
      Seeing just how much You’ve done
      Knowing every victory
      Was Your power in us

      Scars and struggles on the way
      But with joy our hearts can say
      Yes, our hearts can say

      Never once did we ever walk alone
      Never once did You leave us on our own
      You are faithful, God, You are faithful
      You are faithful, God, You are faithful

      Scars and struggles on the way
      But with joy our hearts can say
      Never once did we ever walk alone
      Carried by Your constant grace
      Held within Your perfect peace
      Never once, no, we never walk alone

      Never once did we ever walk alone
      Never once did You leave us on our own
      You are faithful, God, You are faithful

      Every step we are breathing in Your grace
      Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
      You are faithful, God, You are faithful
      You are faithful, God, You are faithful

      You are faithful, God, You are faithful
      You are faithful, God, You are faithful

      001

      Posted in daily life, faith, September 11 | 4 Comments | Tagged following Jesus, September 11

    • surrender

      Posted at 12:57 pm by missannsays, on April 14, 2014

      008

      I came up to Barn to write but have done everything but write. Between yesterday afternoon and today I have cleaned the oven, emptied, cleaned and refilled the hot tub. I have also watched the latest episode of Blue Bloods so I am all “caught up”. I watched Blacklist I don’t even like that show. I finished reading a book. Checked my email and Facebook. I investigated the writers guidelines for Todays Christian Woman magazine. Oh, did I mention I tried to set up the new DVD player and I even finished the online defensive driving course to lower my auto insurance rate. But the pièce de résistance this morning instead of writing I decided to rake the dead leaves to “tidy” up the yard. The fact I even came up with that idea was to do anything but to sit down and write. Well, raking lasted 5 minutes. The gentle breeze that was blowing while I cleaned the hot tub became a wind as I started raking. The leaves kept blowing back at me. I can take a hint so I laughed said “okay, Lord” and was grateful the wind wasn’t a whale.

      As I sit looking out the window towards the hot tub, every now and then there is a flash of white material like a surrender flag. I left a roll of paper towel outside and the wind must catch it in just the right way for a piece to wave in my direction. Surrender an interesting thought. What do I need to surrender – fear, pride, control.

      The breeze has definitely turned into a constant wind, the dark clouds are rolling in, the trees are really swaying, there is a storm coming. I am reminded:

      “You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”

      Well, now I should write since this is blogging but maybe I should eat lunch first or maybe not. 🙂

      Posted in daily life, faith | 0 Comments | Tagged following Jesus, little things, randomness

    • Miss Ann says

      Posted at 12:30 pm by missannsays, on February 13, 2014

       About Faith:

      • If it all can be explained, where is the supernatural.
      • Sometimes life is lived in ten minute intervals. Lord, give me the next ten minutes.  Okay, I made it through those 10 minutes. Let’s do ten minutes more.
      • Mind your own business is in the Bible  “…and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
      • God can be trusted in the darkness and the light.
      • ” I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being  content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
      • God is good. God is love. God is holy.

       About Friendship:

      • Lunch with friends is delightful even if the food isn’t delicious.
      • Silence in a conversation with a good friend isn’t an uncomfortable thing.
      • “Old” friends add layers to my life. “New” friends are the icing on the cake.
      • My friends have friends.
      • Sometimes all you can do is be there and listen.
      • To be a friend is an intentional priceless act.

       About Family:

      • Having both of my daughters in the same place at the same time is the best.
      • Giving my mum an inexpensive bouquet of flowers and a crème horn pastry can make her day.
      • Marriage is a  life commitment that should be taken seriously.
      • My parents did the best job they could with the resources they had.
      • My children remember events differently than I do.
      • Parenting is hard work but worth every minute.

      For me:

      • A good book, a cup of tea and a piece of chocolate make for a lovely evening.
      • Snuggling a sleeping baby on my chest is magical
      • An unsolicited hug from a child/teen has the power to improve my day.
      • Peanut butter and jelly on an English muffin, Fritos and a glass of milk are my ultimate comfort food lunch.
      • Books are meant to be read and shared.
      • I am good being by myself. I reboot being alone.

      To my students:

      • Don’t use last names when speaking about someone. You don’t know who is related to whom.
      • Most of life has nothing to do with what you want to do.
      • If you end up on Jerry Springer, I don’t want to hear my name mentioned.
      • I don’t make threats, I make promises.
      • “What made you think that was a good idea?”

      Things I wished I had learned sooner:

      • No matter how well I treated my body after a certain age it would betray me.
      • Being silent when someone speaks isn’t the same as listening to them.
      • There is wonder to be found in each new day.
      •  Challenging weather conditions, flight delays and traffic issues may affect my day but they are not personal attacks on me.
      • Smiling at someone could make their day (and my day).
      • There are people who thrive on drama. I don’t have to aid and abet their drama.

      Each Day:

      • may I remember the blessings of the past.
      • may I look forward to the future.
      • may I be present in the now.
      •  may I act justly, love mercy  and  walk humbly with my God.
      • may I be who God intended me to be. 🙂
      Posted in daily life | 2 Comments | Tagged family, following Jesus, friendship, little things, randomness

    • random thoughts from 60 years of life:

      Posted at 9:39 pm by missannsays, on February 11, 2014

      when I was kid:

      1. there were 9 planets.

      2. adults were called Mr. or Mrs.

      3. television when off the air and started each morning with a photo of the  American flag and the playing of the National Anthem.

      4. the president was assassinated .

      5. we practiced for nuclear attacks.

       

      when I was a teen:

      1. MLK and RFK were assassinated.

      2. men walked on the moon.

      3. I believed  “to live is to dance, to dance is to live”

      4. my male classmates had draft numbers

      5. POWs came home from Vietnam

       

      when I was in my 20’s

      1. I studied dance, voice and acting in NYC and auditioned for Broadway shows

      2. I went to college part-time.

      3. I started a business with my best friend

      4. I meet my hubby and got married

      5. drove across country with my sister and sister-in-law. I went to England and France with my bff.

       

      when I was in my 30’s

      1. I had 1 miscarriage and gave birth to 2 daughters

      2. “have dance will travel” taught  dance in many places to many people

      3. was Sunday School Superintendent in my local church

      4. my hubby became a FDNY firefighter

      5. the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded

       

       when I was in my 40’s

      1. Life had a more balanced rhythm.

      2. we got a dog.

      3. vacations –  England, Prince Edward Island, National Park Tour, Houseboat rental, camping…

      4. Oklahoma City bombing and September 11 happened.

      5. I became a widow.

       

      when I was in my 50’s

      1. my daughters got married.

      2. my brother and  my dad died.

      3. I spoke in NJ, NY, PA, CA, NH, TN, KS, Northern Ireland and Japan.

      4. I had breast cancer and I am now five years cancer free.

      5. I retired from my dancing school.

       

      on February 13, I will turn 60 and I can say:

      “Scars and struggles on the way

      But with joy our hearts can say

      Never once did we ever walk alone

      Carried by Your constant grace

      Held within Your perfect peace

      Never once, no, we never walk alone.

      Never once did we ever walk alone

      Never once did You leave us on our own

      You are faithful, God, You are faithful

      You are faithful, God, You are faithful”

       Never Once by Matt Redman

       

      Posted in daily life, memories, September 11 | 3 Comments | Tagged following Jesus, friendship, kid stuff, randomness, September 11, telling the next generation, travel

    • one homemade Christmas ornament

      Posted at 11:32 am by missannsays, on December 11, 2013

      026

      It appears to be a homemade Christmas ornament – a glass ball containing some kind of gold substance with a gold ribbon hot glued around the circumference. It is however an amazing story of an acquaintance being in the right place at the right time. It is a story of a one of a kind gift.

      In the Spring of 2011, a friend would contact me stating that someone was trying to contact me and asking permission to forward my contact information to said person. I said “sure”. On Easter Saturday that someone would call and ask to stop by. They had something they knew I would want. My daughter and son-in-law were visiting. We were all slightly curious and a little skeptical so we said “fine, stop by”. The someone and his wife arrived carrying a plain brown box and a DVD. We invited them in and he proceeded to tell us about the contents of the box and the DVD. Before he started to speak his wife commented “watching the DVD was like watching grass grow”. Okay?!? He opened the box and it contained a plastic bag of metal shavings. Strange?!? And then he told us “I have been working at the company that is engraving the panels for the September 11 Memorial. I was working the day they engraved Bruce’s name. These are the shavings from his name being engraved. I also took a video of his name being engraved. You can’t show this to anyone until after the panels are installed” Oh my, I was amazed and ashamed of my attitude and dumfounded. Wow!!

      In December of 2011, my daughter and I filled 3 glass balls with those shavings and glued a ribbon around the circumference. We made one for me and one for each of my daughters. That ornament hangs on my tree (and their trees) and I am ever reminded of how God uses everything to remind us of His love.

      001

      Posted in daily life, faith, memories, September 11 | 1 Comment | Tagged family, following Jesus, little things, September 11

    • aha moment!!!

      Posted at 10:36 am by missannsays, on September 14, 2013

      http://t.co/Sws01nnNLP

      I have to share this story. I know some people wouldn’t agree with me and that is fine. Some people may not even get it and that is fine, too. But this morning I just witnessed the most amazing example of God’s love for me. An example of his fingerprints all over everything.

      As I checked my email, I had my daily 9/11 list server email. I subscribe to this post and most days I glance down the list is see if there is anything I should know. I may or may not click on an article or YouTube video. Some days I delete it without reading anything. It helps to keep me informed about all things September 11 including books, the National Museum, etc.. Today a YouTube video by New York City Ballet was included. I clicked on it, watched a beautiful piece that was performed on the roof of 4WTC at dawn. 1WTC is visible in the background. The music, the choreography, the dancers everything about it is fitting and appropriate as a September 11 tribute which it is. New York City Ballet presented this as a “gift of remembrance”. It is stunning.

      I posted it on twitter because I felt it was worth sharing. My twitter account is connected to my Facebook page. So then on Facebook I tagged a few dancers who I wanted to make sure saw it because I knew they would enjoy seeing it. And then a comment of Facebook brought me to tears. Good tears. The kind of tears that remind me how much I am loved by God. I actually had an aha moment!! I suddenly realized what a gift this video was. Let me explain. As you probably know my husband was one of he 343 firefighters killed on September 11. Thus my interest in “all things September 11”. You may or may not know that as a little girl I wanted to be a ballerina. Starting in my teens and through most of my adult life I taught ballet. I taught ballet and other forms of dance for 40 years. For 35 of those years a friend and I owned a dancing school. We retired two years ago and were able to “gift” the studio to a wonderful, talented young woman. I have known that young woman since she was a little girl. Actually I have also known her husband since he was a little boy. Her husband worked on building the building the dancers in the video are dancing on. So here are all these parts that came together in this one video – September 11, ballet, the building. But it was so much more than that. It is hard to explain but I had a moment of clarity where I understood the Bible story of Joseph and I understood “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…”

      Social media connects us is marvelous ways. I believe God is constantly connecting us to each other and to Him. I am grateful and awed.

      Posted in daily life, faith, memories, relationships, September 11, then & now | 0 Comments | Tagged following Jesus, friendship, little things, September 11

    • a few words

      Posted at 6:40 pm by missannsays, on September 12, 2013

      033The question is usually posed in one of two ways. “Would you mind saying a few words?” or “Would you like to say a few words?” My answer is typically “No, I don’t mind” or “Yes, I would like to?” Breath! Think! Smile! Lucky for me the person who asked either question can’t read my thoughts. “Okay now what?!?” “How many words are a few words? ” “What do you want me to say Lord!” “Oh boy, that may have been the wrong answer?”

      Yesterday, I had two amazing opportunities to say a “few words”. As I began my day, I knew I was the spokes person for the Tribute Center at the ringing of the bell at NASDAQ. That whole experience makes me smile because really, what the heck am I doing at the NASDAQ? A few weeks ago, Tribute Center had asked for volunteers to ring the opening bell on September 11. At that point in time, I was sorting through how I would spend the day. I was already planning on attending the dedication of a memorial in Bruce’s hometown of Rochelle Park, NJ but that was in the evening. At first I thought nah, I won’t say yes to the NASDAQ and then I thought why not? So I said “yes”. Then last Friday the volunteer coordinator from the Tribute Center called and asked if I would mind saying “a few words” as Tribute’s spokes person. I chuckled and said “this is so weird on so many levels but why not?”. Then they asked “would you like talking points?” “Yes, please.” Now this whole time I am assuming that ALL the people representing the Tribute Center, Tuesday’s Children, New York Fire & Police Widow and Children Fund, the NYPD and FDNY will be on stage. Not!! It is just me and 4 other people – one from each organization. “Oh, my! how did I get here?” . So much for safety in numbers. Eventually, all those other people join in. Thank you, Jesus!! But the piece de resistance was when we went outside for our tower photos. The photographer took a few photos of the five representatives standing in the middle of Time Square with the NASDAQ tower in the background. And then he took individual photos* and there was my name in huge letters on the tower. Unbelievable. And I had to laugh. I remembered my dancing teacher, Miss Betty, saying “Stick with me kid, you will have your name in lights and your ass in tights!!” But it was my hubby that got my name in lights. Thanks, Bruce. 🙂

      Last evening I attended the dedication of the September 11 memorial in Rochelle Park, NJ. When I arrived, I was asked “would you like to say a few words?” The memorial in Rochelle Park has two names on it – Richard Bruce Van Hine and Father Mychal Judge. As I pondered what to say I thought about was there any connection between Bruce and Father Judge besides they were both FDNY deaths on September 11. And then it came to me or probably more accurately God whispered in my ear. They both loved God and they both fulfilled their callings. So my “few words” included that Bruce and Father Judge both loved God. I also stated “I never had the privilege of meeting Father Judge but from what I read about him I can think Bruce and Father Judge have something else in common. They fulfilled their callings. My prayer and hope is that each of us will fulfill the callings on our life.” 034

      “Lord, Take me where you want me to go,Let me meet who you want me to meet,Tell me what you want me to say and keep me out of your way” Father Mychal Judge

      *I don’t have the photo yet but when I do I will post it.

      Posted in daily life, memories, September 11, then & now, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged following Jesus, little things, September 11, telling the next generation

    • this day in history

      Posted at 7:58 pm by missannsays, on September 5, 2013

      I heard on the radio that today is the day in 1972 when eleven members of the Israeli Olympic delegation and 1 police officer were killed in Munich due to a terrorist attack. I remember that event. I can still see the images of the bus being blown up on the runway. I was horrified that such a thing could happen at the Olympics. I wrote a poem about it and I actually still have that poem. What I understand now, that I never could have dreamt then would be a possibility is that I can appreciate it what it feels like to have a “personal loss in the midst of an international tragedy”.

      They had a dream
      to try for the team,
      They trained with such sweat
      and then they met,
      Teams with youthful thoughts
      in harmony they fought.

      Whether bronze, silver or gold,
      a medal they hold.
      Seven belonged to one,
      many received none.
      Teams with youthful thoughts
      in harmony they fought.

      Suddenly struck the tragic crime
      which left elven with no time,
      It is a terrible shame
      that gloom had to come to the game,
      Teams with youthful thoughts
      in harmony they fought.

      Teams with a youthful cry
      trying to understand why.

      Today is also the anniversary of Mother Teresa’s death. “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” ― Mother Teresa

      Read more: This Day in History: September 5 | Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/dayinhistory/September-5#ixzz2e46vOa1F

      Posted in memories | 0 Comments | Tagged following Jesus, little things, randomness, September 11

    • that’s life…

      Posted at 6:37 pm by missannsays, on June 30, 2013

      Sometimes you realize that the good, the bad, the unexpected, the pleasant surprise are what makes life, life. We can’t control all that happens and from personal experience I can say “we don’t want to see it all laid out before us.” But I do know that each event or experience offers more than one way to react or better yet to act. The other day as I was leaving the hotel in Indianapolis the shopping bag I was carrying ripped. There was no way I was going to be able to maneuver my two pieces of luggage, my purse and a torn shopping bag. The hotel staff graciously found a hotel laundry bag and I removed the items that were in the shopping bag to the laundry bag. For a moment I thought and almost sarcastically said “great way to start my day.” But I thought I don’t have to look it that way. I don’t have to let a torn shopping bag ruin my attitude and/or my day. So I made a conscious choice to not let it ruin my day. Now some times that is easier to do that others but I have a choice how I react. I am trying to learn to take a breath and act upon the situation instead of react to it. My day included a delayed flight as well but I think because I had chosen to have a good day I saw my day through different glasses. They weren’t rose-colored but they weren’t dark either. 🙂

      “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds… If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.”

      Posted in daily life, faith | 1 Comment | Tagged following Jesus, little things, travel thoughts

    • heard recently

      Posted at 8:41 pm by missannsays, on June 10, 2013

      While having lunch with my mother in law at her assisted living residence:

      “Are those new residents?” “No, that is Hannah and a guest” – said of me and my mother in law.

      “Wow, she is tall. She must be 6 feet.” said of me when I stood up to leave the dining room.

      While attending a performance at the American Music Theater:

      Me to Meghan – “I think you are the youngest person here.” Meghan to me – “I think we both are the youngest people here.” side note – the show was very good and this was my Mother’s Day gift from my daughters.

      Text from my sister:

      “Mum killed her phone today! She dropped it in water. Long story!”

      A quote in a thank  you note I received:

      “Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.” J.R.R. Tolkien

      At Collyde Conference at Princeton Alliance Church:

      “We use imagination towards fear not love. Being terrified is about what might happen instead of imagining what God can do”  Makoto Fujimura

      “You are more able than you know and people are more ready than you expect.” Jonathan Golden

      “Only today is real, tomorrow doesn’t exist” Margaret Feinberg

      “One day, some day are safe words.” Margaret Feinberg

      “You can’t intentionally touch Jesus and not have something happen” Bonnie Gay

      “My calling is not tied to the things I do.” Joan Ball

      “Am I going to put my faith in God’s identity or in God’s activity?” Pete Wilson

      “If God doesn’t give us one more thing, we still owe him everything.” Pete Wilson

      on telephone with IRS after receiving a notice, being on hold for 27 minutes and explaining that they have cashed the check but maybe I owe penalties (long story):

      “The records show there is no balance due.” – IRS   “but you sent me a notice” – me   “call back at the end of week maybe you will owe something then.” – IRS    all righty then

      at Book club:

      ” In the summer there is more time to read so let’s read Anna Karenina.” not said by me – good news, I got it for 99 cents for my nook, bad news I needed to start reading yesterday….

      Posted in books, daily life, relationships | 0 Comments | Tagged following Jesus, little things
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