My Grown Up Christmas List

In a little town across the river from New Orleans, sits a modest home probably built in the 1960’s.  A couple in their late 80’s/early 90’s live there with their two adult children, both girls, unmarried.  And while most children who live with their parents are rebellious teenagers, these children are completely helpless and need their parents to survive.

These ladies, in their late forties, have multiple sclerosis.  They are both bedridden and in diapers.

Every morning, the mom, Elaine, gets up and makes sure both Renae and Lynda are properly fed and gets her husband, Larry, to help her change them. These adult women were once vibrant and successful ladies.  One of them was a flight attendant for years until someone actually turned her in when they caught her a little shaky to pour a cup of coffee for a passenger.  And that’s when she was laid off and the disability kicked in.

Over in the next parish, Lynda and Renae have another sister, in her fifties who, although she also has MS, walks with a walker and visits from time to time.

I look at this family and my heart just aches.  Because how long can a mother take care of her children?  My resolve as a parent says as long as necessary.  But one day, there will not be anyone to take care of these grown ladies who are completely dependent on someone to feed and change them.  These aging parents have their own health issues.  In normal circumstances, they would have their kids caring for them. Instead, they have a difficult time….as they strain their backs lifting each girl to bathe them. 

I sit back and cry out, “God, why?  Why is it this way for this sweet family? How unfair and sad!” 

Isaiah 55:8-11 (The Message) says:

“I don’t think the way you think.
   The way you work isn’t the way I work.”
         God’s Decree.
“For as the sky soars high above earth,
   so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
   and the way I think is beyond the way you think.”

His ways are different than ours.  He has a plan for them, and I have to be willing to let Him use whatever means necessary to care for them.  You know, I don’t want them being wards of the state.  I don’t know the first thing about caring for MS patients either.  All I know is that there’s a family on the other side of the river who will one day need more than what government or family can give them.  And I pray that somehow God will make a way to help them, even if he has to use me to do it.

Last night, while doing some Christmas shopping, my daughter asks me, “Mom, what do YOU want for Christmas?”

My grown up Christmas Wish: more than anything for myself, I wish that there was a way to have all of that sweet family cared for under one roof; with 3 meals a day that Elaine doesn’t have to make, a full-time nurse who is able to care for both the aging parents and their adult children.  I wish there was some way that they could all live together in the twilight of their lives.

Extreme Home Makeover? Are  you out there?  Are you up for that challenge?

Anne Badger leaves KSBJ’s Sunday Night/Where is Anne Badger?

It’s not uncommon.

You find people move more from job to job than they used to.

It wasn’t always that way.  In the days of our parents and grandparents, you find one occupation and one company who believed in you, you stuck with them.  It was the way things were.

I took a part-time job at KSBJ to help out with someone who was taking maternity leave.  One thing led to another and within two years, I was hosting the Sunday Night show.  It was one of the greatest experiences and biggest blessings of my life. I saw lives changed based on ministries that we had on the air, people blessed by guests we brought to the microphone.  It was a fabulous way to watch God work and I was honored to be a part of it.

Why did I leave? 

It was time.  I hosted the show for almost 2 1/2 years.  And I have felt God wanting to push me to the next step.

I’ve got NO fear because I have complete confidence that the One who held me during the years I worked at KSBJ continues to hold me now.  And, I have a vision to take what I did at KSBJ and move it forward into a place that will be a light to others in a different way.

I cannot divulge too much of what I have planned right now.  However, I can tell you that there IS another show in the works.

So, do me a favor, will you?  Please pray for my family during this transition.  Pray for my kids as they learn how to handle me being home with them on Sundays! 

And most of all, pray for the new show.  Pray for the right financial opportunity, for the right advertisers, the right production, the guests.

I would love it if you would join me.  Contact me, follow me on Twitter at SuzanneBadger.

Yes, Suzanne.  Anne was only my KSBJ name.  Suzanne is my real name.

And Badger, well, that one I married!    And I’m so glad I did.

 

A Logical Argument

Today was supposed to be our well check for both kids.

I know, it’s a crazy time of year.  But waiting until January isn’t good for me.  It throws the whole “one well check a year” off kilter.

 At 8am the phone rang.  The doctor’s office said, “Dr. McD is sick.  We are going to have to reschedule.”

Ben, now 5, was very perplexed as to how this visit could not go as scheduled.  His comment was so funny, “She’s a doctor; why can’t she fix herself?”

Our Website is down, please pray

Would you believe it?

A twelve year old boy named Logan (who listens to KSBJ via SkyAngel) called in a couple of weeks ago while I was filling in on the Morning Show and talked about having to put his calf down.  He told us that he asked God why he had to do that….and that God told him that his Son was special.  This was an amazing, awe-inspiring conversation from an incredible preteen.

The call was put on our website and began receiving so many hits that it exceeded our band width!

That call has gone around the world and back again.  My mom received it from a friend in San Antonio and then a cousin in Montana!

It is so interesting how God works….He can work in the hearts of twelve year old boys and impact millions of people.

Please pray for our website.

Moving to the New Page!!

I’m moving…..

Nope, not packing a thing….Just moving to a different web page.

 KSBJ has a webpage for the Sunday Night Show now!  And with it, comes more choices of how to get information out.  And a new blog!

So that’s the scoop.  Go to ksbj.org and then click on the ON AIR tab, then all the way to the right you’ll find Sunday Night.

See ya there!

And for those of you who have been reading this blog for the last several months, thanks for keeping with me!

Maybe I’ll Light The Night!

I was never a big fan of Halloween.

After 9/11, I totally decided to turn off all the lights in front and go to the back of the house.  I couldn’t answer the door anymore.

A kid came to my front door the year before with a mask that shot blood out of it. My one year old at the time was just mortified.

So, that was the end of it for me.  No trick or treaters anymore.

But then, a few weeks ago the station started a promotion called “Lite the Nite”  and it changed my mind. 

October 31st is the only time complete strangers come to your door.

What would Jesus do?  Would He hide?  I don’t think so. 

I think I am willing to be bold.  I am going to experiment; to stand up for my faith and give out good candy and maybe some glow-in-the-dark bracelets.  I’m going to get my kids to help, maybe have them meet some of the neighborhood kids.

I don’t want people passing by my house and saying, “Oh, we never go THERE!”

I think it’s time to step out of faith and not hide in fear.  I’m not saying we celebrate Halloween and put our kids in witch costumes…I’m saying maybe it is time to be in the world and not hide.

Let’s be a light to the world…and let it shine!

Homebuying & Holiday for Heroes

We talked about the housing market tonight with two great ladies from the Women’s Council of Realtors in Montgomery County.  They helped people with their questions about their homes and mortgages.  They also talked about a probram they put together called Operation Holidays for Heroes.  

If you want to help send packages to our troops in time for Christmas, go to www.MontgomeryCountyCares.com.  They’ll help you decide what to buy or donate, and find a drop off location.

Also, if you have a soldier serving in Iraq or Afghanistan that would benefit by receiving a package, you can nominate them.  They don’t have to be from Montgomery County.

If you are interested in participating, be sure to get your donations out right away.  The packages must be sent off by November 4th in order to get there on time.

Which Sailor Are You?

This morning I was awakened by that stirring feeling.   It’s the kind you get when God really wants to show you something.  It’s a “Come, let Me show you something” type of call that speaks to your heart and not your head.

And, those are the best calls.  AT&T cannot reach out and touch someone any better than God can!

I said last night that I needed grace.  And although that is true, there is something that God showed me I need so much more.

Look at Matthew 14:22-32 with me….

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go

on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 

After he had dismissed them, he went up on mountainside by

himself to pray.  When evening came, he was there alone, but the

boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the

waves because the wind was against it.  During the fourth watch of

the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the

disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 

“It’s a ghost!” They cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them, “Take courage.  It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.  “You of little faith,” He said.  “Why did you doubt?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down  Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Which sailor are you?  Are you often the one who stays in the boat because you fear too much?  I know that I am very much like those other sailors.  I need FAITH!!!

I want to be Peter, but I fear the failure.  And not trying is so much safer because at least you don’t say, “Oh, I failed at that.”  Not trying is my safety net.

Or is it?

I think Peter was THE ROCK as Jesus said.  He went for EVERYTHING he could in life.  Sometimes it got him in trouble, but God still saw his heart.  And knew him to the very core.

I look around my house and my waves are massive in my mind….clutter, laundry, dishes, toys, yesterday’s mail, third grade schoolwork, last weeks newspapers.  I attempt to organize it during the day, but in the end, I fail.  So it gets ignored for a while, until I can’t stand it again.

What if I’m going about this the wrong way?  What if I’m looking too much at my waves, and not looking enough at the One who made them?

What if I could keep my blinders on and focus on Jesus and HAVE FAITH that all things DO work for good for ME because I LOVE HIM and I am CALLED for HIS purpose.

Not my purpose.  HIS!!

I think so many times we are so busy that we forget how big God is and that He cares about every little detail.  I think we lose faith so easily.

My son, Ben, has come downstairs and sat in my lap.  He has just informed me that he wet his bed!  Talk about little details.  So I guess this is where my test begins!  LOL!

Let’s make a deal; just for today, let’s focus on Him and the blessings He’s given us.  In faith, let’s remember the waves are not as big as God and decide that we can walk on the water.

Then, report back here and hit the comment button to let me know how your day went.

Good faith (not luck) Sailor!!!  Talk with you soon; I’ve gotta go change some sheets!

 

Desperate Housewives? The SUPER MOM Myth!!

Our topic tonight was Passionate Housewives, Desperate for God.  It is a new book coming out October 30th.  This book is AWESOME and dispels the myth of SUPER MOM!!

Stacy McDonald and Jennie Chancey wrote this book. Stacy has 8 children at home, Jennie has 7 children.  These moms know what it takes to raise children and run a household.  You can go to www.passionatehousewives.com for more information on the book.

Jennie is a former feminist who uncovers the true motive of feminism—to get women out of the house and away from raising her children.  To find out more about Jennie and her organization, Ladies Against Feminism, go to www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com

Stacy is a native Houstonian and author of a book about raising Godly girls.  She has a website and a blog.  To find her, go to www.raisingmaidens.com  Here’s a picture of Stacy and her family……

I can’t help but confess I’m a terrible housekeeper.  I need to learn more.  With God’s help, I am determined to get better.  I want so much to live a balanced and organized life.  I realize that at the stage of life I am in, it’s not going to be perfect 100% of the time.  God is merciful and gives me grace to survive!

When all is said and done, I want my kids to remember I was the kind of mom that sat down and read to them or played Scrabble.  I want them to take those memories with them as they walk through life. 

Whether the house was clean or not, I want them to know they were loved.

Let’s Go….GNO!!

Okay, so I’m a little excited.

Tomorrow, Rachel and I are going away for a night on a mother-daughter church retreat with another mom and her twin girls. 

Point of Grace is going to be there, and it is a Pajama Party!

So today, I was listening to Radio Disney in the car with the kids and what comes on but Miley Cyrus’ song “Girls Night Out.”   The song talks about going out with the girls and says, “Let’s Go, GNO, Let’s Go, GNO…” GNO=Girl’s Night Out. 

So now, that’s my mantra for the next couple of days!

Coming up this Sunday at 6pm on KSBJ (89.3fm in Houston) and www.ksbj.org   We’ll be talking about Desperate Housewives!  Not the TV show, but the book called “Passionate Housewives, Desperate For God, ” by Stacy McDonald and Jennie Chancey.  The book is due out October 30th.

We’re going to blow the lid right off the Stepford Housewife myth that housewives should be in pearls, high heels and fetch husband’s slippers.  In addition, we’ll also talk about what the feminist movement has done to marriages in our culture.  We will talk about how being a homemaker is NOT a waste of God-given talents.

I’m looking forward to this show.  Truthfully, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with housework these days.  The house does not stay clean.  Part of me just gives up, why bother?  I know that is not the right attitude, and I could use an adjustment in my thinking.

I think our culture paints the picture that women can have it all, and that if we stay home (like I do Monday-Saturday) we are wasting precious talents and resources and losing brain cells by the minute.  NOT TRUE!!

I’ve gotta go pack….GNO!