Category Archives: life

October 1, 2009 · 8:14 am

My Pre-Blogging Life: Part Three

journal entry jan 03 wp

January 16, 2003, my divorce was final.  Below is the latter part of my journal entry on that day.  If you are going through a difficult time today, I hope these words give you hope.  I hope they help you realize that in the middle of your storm, God’s presence and goodness is always there.

I know these things for certain:

1.  I’m blessed with a beautiful son.

2.  I have friends that carry me, make me laugh, and love me.

3.  My parents love me, and my happiness is their greatest concern.

4.  There is release in forgiveness.

5.  I am strong.

6.  I’m not afraid to love or put my heart on the line.

7.  I’m ready to, pardon the cliché, spread my wings and fly.

8.  Doors are wide open.

9.  It is good to laugh long and hard every day.

10. I’m better than okay.

11. God has only good things for me.

12. Tribulation produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope.  And, hope does not disappoint.

13. This, too, shall pass.

14. I love my life.

15. I miss my dogs.

16. I love to dance.

17. Running releases stress.

18. I’m the luckiest girl on earth.

19. I’m thankful ’02 is over.

20. I’m thankful for ’02.

Life is an incredible journey.  I learn and grow from every second it offers.  I’m in a great place, and I’ll be in a better place tomorrow.

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September 30, 2009 · 6:00 am

My Pre-Blogging Life: Part Two

I continued to read more of my old journal last night.  I read the frustrations of a fifteen and sixteen year old girl wanting to date one Bryan Landreth.  We’ll save that for a completely different post.  I’m just thankful I’m not sixteen any more.  Can I get an amen? 

I read an entry written in 1998 about loss.  About losing my Grandfather five months after he danced at my wedding.  About losing a best friend to a rare disease only one month after my Grandfather’s passing…….

About how we learned so terribly young to not only tell those dear to us we love them….

but why we love them.

I not only drew closer to friends and family during this time of loss.  I grew closer to my Creator.  I wrote in that July 9, 1998 journal entry:

“God has really been stirring in me a greater need for intimacy with Him.”

We already know that when we draw close to Him, He draws close to us.  Or, perhaps, He draws close to us waiting on us to draw close to Him.  Either way, when we do, we learn this:

journal entry july 98 wp

“The greatest revelation one can obtain is the knowledge that God loves them very much.”

Ya know, even eleven years later, I still believe this to be true.

God loves us so, so very much.  He loves us no matter what we do or don’t do.  His love is unchanging.  And, when we really get the revelation of how much He loves us, we can walk knowing we are forgiven.  We are free.  And, we belong to Him.

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September 29, 2009 · 6:00 am

My Pre-Blogging Life.

Long before I started this Randomness journal online, I had this journal.

journal wp

This book has been in my life since October of 1986.  Susan Woodward (Mimi) gave it to me.  See?

journal - susan wp

That was twenty-three years ago.  TWENTY-THREE!  That would have made me 11 years old.  I pulled out that old journal last night.  I have written in this journal every year since 1986 until 2003.  My very first entry began like this:

Journal entry 86 wp

The title of my entry was “The First Time the Lord Spoke to Me.”  I read through the writing of an eleven year old with a thirty-four year old heart.  I can still remember her and what she felt.  I read about a young girl wanting to hear God speak to her about a situation.  I wanted to hear a yes or a no.  I simply heard a trust that my parents’ decision is the will of God. 

I can remember my father telling me “no” concerning an event I wanted to hear a “yes” to.  I wrote, “Before the Lord spoke to me, I just knew I’d be disappointed if dad said no.” 

When God speaks, it should bring us peace.  It should make trusting Him easier, because His thoughts are so much higher than our thoughts.  It was such a simple concept for me to grasp at age 11.  But, at 34, I forget, on occasion, to be solely dependent on Him and what He says. 

I forget to trust His voice.

I forget to trust His voice in scriptures. 

I need that eleven year old girl to remind me more often that His very voice can calm stormy waters and bring peace to an unsettled heart. 

How do I ever forget that?

Incline my heart to your word.  Psalm 119:36

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September 25, 2009 · 7:40 am

New Book. New Thought.

After my doctor’s appointment yesterday checking up on the littlest Takle, I had an hour or so to spare.   Barnes and Noble sounded more than appealing.  And quiet.  And they had a book waiting for me with my name on it. 

Not to mention some hot chocolate at the Café.  

Cindy Beall has been talking a lot about the book, “Leading On Empty.”  Wayne Cordeiro wrote the book with leaders in mind; however, it’s an incredible book for moms, dads, college students, doctors, garbage collectors…..

Anyone.

Wayne Cordeiro suffered from burn-out, and he shares his journey on “refilling (his) tank and renewing (his) passion.”  And, we are all susceptible to burn-out.

I’ll share more on the book once I finish it.  But, I’m really excited about the read. 

One statement in the introduction Cordeiro writes is, “Suffering will change us, but not necessarily for the better.  We have to choose that.  And it was that choosing that made all the difference for me.”

Many of us have experienced suffering on some level.  For me, my divorce was just that.  But, I didn’t become defined by my divorce.  I’m not “Dusty, the divorced chick.”

I am “Dusty, the restored, wife, mother, and child of God.” 

So, if you’re going through the fire right this moment, choose to let it change you for the better. 

And, on that note, have a great weekend!

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September 22, 2009 · 6:00 am

Nostalgia And Smells.

Smells - Anna-Mom

I tucked her into bed.  I went to kiss her. 

“Mom, I love the way you smell.”

Be still my beating heart.  Be still.

When I posted this sweet little happening on the Twitter, my friend, @kristenfountain2 said she “loved the way (her) mom smelled when (she) was little.” 

“I can still imagine it,” she recalled.

It’s amazing how smells bring back memories of people or places.  The smell of Oil of Olay makes me think of my mom.  Ivory soap?  Big Mama.  I can’t smell car grease without thinking of my Grandfather. 

Oh, and a brand new box of Crayola Crayons?  First day of school.  Any first day in elementary school.

These familiar smells can unleash a flood of memories.

What smells bring back memories for you?

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September 15, 2009 · 6:00 am

Hormones. For A Season.

Hormones are a funny, unpredictable thing.  Especially, those pregnancy ones. 

You know the ones where you find yourself crying over the most random of things. 

Like misplacing your favorite comfy shorts.  The only ones that fit.

Or, putting your four year old to bed then turning to your husband and saying, “You do know she won’t always be sleeping down the hall from us.  One day, she’ll be all grown up and out on her own.” 

Then, you just start sobbing.

Yeah.  Those hormones.

But, my thoughts and tears of my children growing up are very real.  Truth is, I am loving this season in my life.  I love it so much that if I could pause time, I think I would.  When I first found out I was pregnant, my initial response was “Wow.  I’m starting over with the baby stuff all over again.”  Then, it hit me.  I will blink, and this little one (making me so weepy right now) will be in Kindergarten.

Time doesn’t slow for anyone.  And, I can’t press pause.  There are different seasons in life.  This is mine.  One day my season will look much different.  I won’t be picking up light sabers and Webkins every day and putting them back in their respective places.  Pop Tarts will be a thing of the past.  A little girl won’t make up her own song at bed time and sing it to me.  A little boy won’t wrap his arms around my neck and pull me closer to him. 

My house will be quiet.

But, that little boy and little girl will be fulfilling the call of God in their lives. 

One day that little boy will read the scriptures and become overwhelmed by how great God is like I do.

One day, that little girl will hold her own child in her arms and know exactly what I feel when I kiss her sweet face goodnight. 

They will experience a new season.

I will experience a new season.

And, God will still be at the center of it all.

To everything – turn, turn, turn
There is a season – turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
– The Byrds

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August 31, 2009 · 6:00 am

Family Time And Gratitude.

Our kids had their first tubing experience this weekend.  Well, John Henry tubed once when he was two and was completely unimpressed.  So, that hardly counts.  Friends invited the four of us to enjoy their lake house, amenities, and friendship.  Our kids had the best time.  And, we had the best time watching them.

Tex 1

Tex 2

Tex 3

Tex 5

It’s nice to get away occasionally and have uninterrupted time with the people you love most.  Away from the laundry.  Away from the phone calls.  Away from the things that compete for your attention.

Away.

It’s in those times you can see your son.  I mean really see your son and soak up his expressions and wonder about his thoughts.

Tex 4

It’s in those times you can appreciate the character of your daughter.  Where you imagine what she will be when she grows up or you just smile, because, you recognize how much she loves life.

Tex 6

It’s in those times you can hold your husband’s hand without a thought of tomorrow’s bills or who is picking up the kids from school. 

It’s in those times you refill your gratitude tank.  You thank your heavenly Father that you get to wake up with these people every single day.

And, you know…..

Tex 7

Life is good.

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:20

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August 27, 2009 · 8:13 am

Writing On A School Morning. What AM I Thinking?

Instead of pre-writing this post like I usually do.  I chose to wake up this morning with a clear head to write.  My clear head quickly became cloudy as I remembered I had to wake up school children, throw them in showers and baths, feed them, distribute vitamins, brush their teeth, and make Anna’s lunch.

Because, she insists on eating the same.thing.every.single.day.

I do hope she learns a little more about the Ark today.  When I noticed she studied this great Bible story yesterday at school, I inquired:

“I see you learned about the Ark today.  Who built the ark?”

Without delay, she replied, “I did.”

Well, of course.

So, in a mad dash now to get my two favorite little people to school on time and make it on time for a doctor’s appointment where I’ll hear my soon to be third favorite little person’s heartbeat….

I bid you all a wonderful Thursday.

How is your morning routine?  Relaxed?  Or mad?

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August 25, 2009 · 6:00 am

Lead Me To The Rock.

I don’t often stare at a blank, white screen as long as I stared at one for this post.  It was an emotional evening with my son yesterday.  This pregnancy seems to be drawing from John Henry some emotions and questions about his Daddy Bryan and me.  And, one particular issue I wasn’t prepared for.  It’s not something I feel at liberty to share just yet, but I will when the time is right.  For now, my heart is heavy, and I’m seeking God in how I respond to my sweet, tender son. 

You see, this is the beautiful part about following Christ.  Because, whenever I feel….

Helpless.

Confused.

Stranded.

In desperate need of wisdom and guidance.

I go to my Shepherd.

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.  Psalm 32:8

I go to my Counselor.

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.  John 14:16

I go to my Rock.

….when my heart is overwhelmed.  Lead me to the towering rock of safety….  Psalm 61:2

Can you imagine doing life without Him?

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August 7, 2009 · 6:00 am

When Insecurities Strike.

I must be honest.  Really, I must.  I sort of feel silly for writing this post, because, I overcame the feelings I’m about to share with you about as quickly as they surfaced.  But, if I’m going to be transparent on this blog, then I should be transparent.  Right?

So, yesterday, I felt insecure.  Insecure in how I look.  Insecure in what I provide (or don’t provide) for my family….

Just insecure. 

Granted, I’m pregnant.  I’m hormonal.  Insecurities can happen to any woman – hormonal or not.  But, I don’t like that feeling.  I don’t like feeling “Oh heavens, if people could see me now with no make-up in my elastic waistband shorts and t-shirt that is fitting even more snug around the chest thanks to the growing size of my ta-tas and such.”  You know.  THAT feeling.  Of course, I’m not ashamed at all to show you my freshly highlighted hair.  That’s something, right? 

So, I was dealing with all of these yuck feelings.  Then, I’d wonder what in the Sam Hill Kris Takle could see in me now?  Except, I do clean up well and can be ridiculously funny.  But still.

After I put the kids to bed, I sat down on my sofa, and I thought about these feelings.  Then, it struck me.  At what point in my week did I begin making things all about me?  At what point in my week did I fail to recognize my Creator, and who He is in my life?  At what point did I fail to read His word?  At what point did I take my eyes off of Him and put them on me?

I am enough.  You are enough.  Because, of His grace.

I didn’t chastise myself.  I didn’t feel this huge urge to ask God for forgiveness.  Instead, I felt relief.  Relief knowing that all I have to do is look once again into my Savior’s eyes and see who I really am.  A girl in elastic waistband shorts who is loved by a King.

I remember I’m a temple of God, and His Spirit lives in me.  (1 Cor. 3:16)

And, again, I find my identity in Him.

Then, I’m okay.

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