Musings From the Sidelines

Ahhh sports...the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!  Wide World of Sports had it right when they coined those famous words. Sports has many merits both for the athlete and for the spectator.  It is great exercise, fun, teaches sportsmanship, and gives one a sense of community spirit to name a few.  It begins at a young age as we put our favorite team's clothing on our babies and groom them to root for our team.  We certainly did it!  All of our children are Ohio State University fans while never having lived in Ohio. All because their dad is a 1981 graduate and their grandfather is a 1950 grad.   I graduated from Kent State and let's just say the Golden Flashes do not have the following as the Buckeyes do.  Sometimes I wonder if we did them a disservice living here in the heart of Tiger country outside of Clemson. It is hard to be one of the few amongst the many, but that can teach lessons as well.

Unless you live under a rock in Lake Hartwell you know that Clemson and Ohio State University faced off in the Orange Bowl last Friday evening. The outcome did not bode well in the Roh Casa. There were flags thrown, interceptions,  flu ridden players, injuries and excuses made by both sides. The bottom line is the Tigers won 40-35.  Trying to be the encouraging wife  I said, "at least it was close". Randy looked at me with an incredulous glare and I knew right away I should have kept my mouth shut!  "They did not WIN.  That is all that matters." he said.  Now my wonderful hubby is a very gracious winner.  He is not one to brag about a win or to rub it in to his opponent's bruised heart. However, he is not a "good" loser, if you will.  (Permission granted from him to say this).  He comes by this trait through an inheritance from his dad who once cut a cherry tree down during a rainstorm with a chainsaw after an OSU defeat against Michigan!  The story is now legend in NE Ohio and beyond!

I looked up trash talk in the dictionary and got this definition:  A form of insult or boast commonly heard in competitive situations in order to insult, anger or annoy opponents. Do you think Muhammad Ali began this in the 1960s?   I remember as a child hearing him rant on television.

What makes people feel the need to rub it in to their opponent when they have already won?
Why even during the game do people write on FB about how dirty the other team is and how bad this call is and so on? Why on earth would "friends" write GO TIGERS on my husband's FB??
Is your goal to gloat, insult, or just a playful tease?  How far is too far?  Every team has fans that are vicious and out of control. That does not make it right though.  "It's all part of the game" some say or "It's just a joke", until it's NOT.  I am not saying people should not post happy thoughts about their team winning but to go to the loser's FB page to taunt them is just wrong.  I think we are all learning proper etiquette on FB.  It is very easy to text or write a message on someone's wall that you would not say in person.  I cringe when I read some of the stuff my children have posted especially when they were teenagers.

We teach our children from toddlerhood to "play nice, share, be a good sport and yet as adults some people are doing exactly the opposite.  My husband told me,  "I don't like how sports can make me feel such anger sometimes." A friend of mine said, "It can take you to a place you never thought you would go".  My brother in law, who played professional baseball in the 80s, was an All-Star and pitched in the World Series said, "There is no room for trash talk in sports." Have you noticed how some professional athletes do it all the time?  It is now becoming culturally acceptable to see and hear athletes and coaches blast the other team.

To me it all boils down to the depravity of man. We are sinful people and we can let our sin run rampant with sports. We can hurt people we care about under the guise of competitive jest. Where is our compassion and kindness?  Who says you need to berate the opponent to win?  New Jersey is not laughing and has banned trash talking at the HS level.  Other states are watching to see what happens there and may follow their lead.

The Roh family  and the Kidd family in Ohio enter our bowl picks every year and have a contest for the brass pineapple. The competition is fun and you don't have to know a lot about sports to win. Trust me, I have been a former winner. This year the coveted pineapple went to my husband! What was his strategy in picking this year? All of the games that he cared about he would pick the team he disliked so he would have a sured victory!  Crazy, but it worked!

So as football season ends and basketball season is in gear let's remember the phrase that every Ohio fan knows well... "there is always next year"!  And if your team was a winner let's all remember the other part to the thrill of victory ...and that is the agony of defeat!  It will come I promise!  I propose we empathize rather than criticize. Granted these are the observations of a mild mannered sports fan so I doubt anything will change because of this little blog.

Even Golden Retrievers Bark

Have you ever taken Gary Smalley and John Trent's personality test? I always come out a golden retriever. The good things are that they are calm, easy going, peacemakers, dependable... you get the picture. The weaker areas can be that they are too accommodating, too much one who wants to please and a person who avoids conflict. That last one really strikes a cord with me since I like for everyone to just get along!!

In the past few weeks I have been "musing" quite a bit about headlines in the news about Planned Parenthood. You may have heard that the Komen Foundation pulled its funding for PP and there was quite an uproar. Since then they have returned to funding it again (most likely due to the uproar). Let me say very clearly that I am against Planned Parenthood. Its founder Margaret Sanger was pro abortion and as far as I can tell from reading her quotes, racial cleansing.

PP is the largest provider of abortions in this country. Yes, they do provide breast mammograms and other gyn services to low income women, but so do other agencies that do not perform abortions. My blood pressure goes up when I read about PP policies and what they advocate. I think most people are just not aware of the truth of what PP is all about.

Twenty five years ago a women walked into a crisis pregnancy center in San Diego thinking it was an abortion clinic wanting an abortion. The counselor met her with love and understanding. She decided to place her baby with a couple that had prayed for a baby for years. We were blessed with a wonderful son that spring day in 1986. We had the opportunity to meet both birth parents and for me to be in the delivery room.

Twenty two years ago a Hispanic woman went twice to an abortion clinic and was turned away because she did not have the money. Thankfully, she found her way to the same CPC in California. She too placed her precious baby boy with us. Both experiences were emotional, yet there was so much love all around. All of our lives were changed because a CPC was there in San Diego.

In Anderson a CPC opened twenty two years ago. Randy and I have been a part of it from the beginning. There is so much love and support for the women and their families. The love of Christ permeates the CPC. We get support from individuals and some churches. Sometimes I think if people only knew the lives that have been changed because we are here in Anderson. We have struggled for 22 years to keep the CPC open 3 days a week. There are pregnancy tests, ultra sounds, counseling, teaching, clothing, diapers, food, and love shared with the women and their babies. There is also forgiveness for those that have had abortions. It is a place of grace,  God has continued to" keep oil in the lamp" and we are so thankful for His mercies .Our "oil" is getting low again as we approach our April fundraiser. God is faithful to supply all our needs.


So these are the musings of a golden retriever who loves to make people happy, but sometimes even golden retrievers have got to BARK !

Tuesdays with Alicia

I met a little ten year old girl 7 months ago when I volunteered to mentor a child from a local children's home. It did not take long for her to capture my heart. She is the oldest of six children and has had a lot of responsibility in her first decade of life. Her house mama told me to let her have some fun ! Alright I can "do" fun !!

We went swimming at my neighbor's pool with a little friend. My neighbor served hot tea and cookies which Alicia loved! I took her to the bookstore and let her pick out some books and we read together. She came to my house and met my family and dogs. We eat food that was very different than what she was used to eating. Many things she had never had before like corned beef and cabbage or eggplant! She even liked most of it.

Alicia called me the "Craft Lady"  because I love to make things. We made a quilt for her bed together, Thanksgiving turkeys, homemade Christmas cookies, and clay necklaces. When we made the necklaces she made one for everyone in the home. She thoughtfully went about deciding on the color and design for each one.

Once she and I went to a Thai restaurant with cloth napkins. She was fascinated by the folding technique of the napkins not to mention why they even used cloth instead of paper! Before we left she asked the waitress for a lesson on napkin folding:) The waitress was amused by her curiosity and child-like wonder ... so was I.

Alicia is very smart too. She asked me so many questions about life. Once she asked why she was called an
African American when she wasn't from Africa."Well... a long time ago someone in your family was from Africa. Just like my great grandparents came from Italy".... She still was not satisfied..." why aren't we just called Americans because this is where I was born?" She has a good point...why?

I was also her Sunday School teacher so we could connect on Sunday as well. She soaked up the Bible like a sponge and was answering questions like she had years of Bible training. What a blessing for her to be at the
Children's Home where she was loved and nurtured in the Lord.

Alicia renewed in me an appreciation of life. The simple things I take for granted were seen through her awestruck eyes. Things like going to the mall, baking cookies from scratch or having tea were all adventures and full of love and laughter.


A few weeks ago she and her siblings were sent back by the court to the home they have been removed from several times. I don't understand why. I watched her blossom in the past seven months. I did not get to say good-bye because I was sick. I hope she understood. I hope she and her siblings will be ok. So many thoughts zooming through my head and heart.  I need to trust in the sovereignty of God that He will take care of them and work out His plans in her life and those of her siblings. I know that Tuesdays will never be quite the same for me.

(no pictures were used to protect Alicia's identity as well as her name was changed in this blog)

I miss my dad...he has been gone for 24 years now, but I still long to sit and talk with him and chat about the day.  I want to tell him about the kids and ask his advice.  Sometimes selfishly, I wish he was here to make me something for the house (he was a wonderful craftsman). I cherish anything he has made for me from a stool to the bookcase.  I'd like to tell him I understand NOW about so many things he told me  He once said about my husband that he could not have chosen any one better for me. He was so right about that!

Randil Munson Sr.

Mom and Dad on New Year's Eve 1972!

                                                                 



My dad believed in hard work and paying cash for things. He believed in excellence in whatever he did. He got dirty at work, but always cleaned himself up meticulously each evening. I always said my mom had it easy because she did not have to pick up after him! The lessons I learned from him are innumerable.

 He was not known for patience. however he made up for it by being loving and encouraging.  He was a WW II veteran. He must have made an impact on his men because two of them named their sons after him. We can learn so much from this generation.


He did not go to college, but was a very intelligent man. He was the one I went to for help with math. He encouraged education and sacrificed to send my brother and myself to college. 

Little Joshua and my dad

He got cancer because of his work with asbestos and developed mesothelioma (you've seen the ads). It was hard watching him suffer. He and I had the opportunity for some good talks though.
In the last year of his life he developed  faith in Jesus.  It was right before Christmas on this date in 1987 when he left his earthly life to enter into his heavenly home. I remember having a peace that passes all understanding because I knew that one day we will be together again for eternity.
 Merry Christmas Daddy!

"By grace you  have been saved through faith;  not of yourselves,  It is the gift of God, not as a result of works that no one should boast." Eph. 2:8,9

It's never been and question of "if"...

Joshua's graduation

Friday night we celebrated my son Joshua's graduation from Anderson University. He received a card from his close friends that said, It's never been a question of "if" . It's always been a matter of "when"... and NOW is your time... congratulations!  How perfect is this sentiment?  Anyone who knows my son knows he is one of the friendliest people you will ever meet. He knows twice the number of people in Anderson that his dad and I know. Some people even nickname him "Mr. Mayor". He has worked hard since he was 15 years old and done well.  School on the other hand just was not his thing.  He hated reading and studying.  He loved going to class and socializing. As a result it has taken him a lot longer to attain his degree.  However, his perseverance and determination to finish has given him the reward.

We watched our son walk across that stage with the biggest smile, greet and receive his degree from the President of the university (who of course he knows). Dr. Whitaker said, "You made it, congratulations".
He was beaming and we as his parents were as well.  I thought about how long it took to adopt him. We named him Joshua because it was such a battle to get him!  Just like the Joshua from scripture he had to trust that God would be with him to defeat his foe (in our son's case ADHD).

Today I was thinking that when life is not easy the victories are that much sweeter. Randy said Joshua's unseen strength was his perseverance. The way I see it that virtue can be a huge benefit in this life. It is the kind of lesson that can not be taught, but experienced. I can hear him now encouraging others to not give up but stay the course. Who better to share it than someone who has lived it !

"Let us run with patient endurance and steady and active perseverance the appointed race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1

Gingerbread, a parade, a castle, tea = Fun Memories

 A few weeks ago Maria and I had the opportunity to go to Asheville, NC on an adventure! Through a series of events we were given tickets to the Biltmore House that someone else could not use and we were the only ones who could go. So off we dashed with our GPS in place and excitement in our hearts .

 Our hotel

We stayed overnight in downtown Asheville and planned our next day's activities with anticipation of the sites we would see the next day! We walked downtown and went to the Asheville Christmas Parade.

We drove to the Grove Park Inn for the annual National Gingerbread Contest. Grove Park Inn is somewhere I have always heard about and wanted to go visit. It did not disappoint! The Inn itself is nestled in the mountains and it has a breathtaking view. The gingerbread houses were beautiful. It was also FREE !

First Place Winner

Grove Park Inn

We still had time so we ventured over to Biltmore Village for some afternoon tea at Chelsea's Tea Room.

Maria enjoying afternoon tea!

Then it was time to head over to the Biltmore House. It was built by George Vanderbilt in  1895 as a wedding present for his wife. I never get tired of visiting this magnificent house. How special it was to see it by candlelight.

The library

Breakfast Room

There are 8,000 acres and over 250 rooms in the house. In the spring and summer the gardens are beautiful.

We had a wonderful 24 hours of laughing, talking about life, getting lost, and bonding as mother and daughter. Sometimes we plan and plan certain events in our lives and other times we just have to be spontaneous so we do not miss out on the blessings God has planned for us. I am so thankful for the wonderful memories of  our little adventure in Asheville.

An Attitude of Gratitude !

I was always taught the importance of writing thank you notes. At times it was a burden (like when I had hundreds to write when I got married), but mostly it is a joy to thank people for being thoughtful over their acts of service, hospitality or  a gift. Of course, when I had children I taught them to write thank you notes as well. I can remember how they would painstakingly write their notes when they were young.

Thank you cards from the 3rd grade!

Last week I went to New Covenant School to share about my trip to Guatemala this summer with my daughters. I spoke to K5-12th grade students and tried to keep ages 5-18 equally interested in my presentation. I loved seeing the kids again and sharing what God is doing in Guatemala and in our lives as well.

Mrs. Lamb's class

Today I received thank you notes from Mrs. Lamb's third grade class. I am not ashamed to admit I just cried as I read their sweet words to me. Some of the students I had in kindergarten and it was great to see how well they are writing now. It makes me feel happy to know I helped teach them how to form their alphabet letters and write their names . Even those I did not teach said how they would have liked to have had me as their teacher. I would have loved it too.There was such sweet innocence in their messages to me.It just made my heart feel full !

Psalm 92:1 says, "It is good to give thanks to the Lord..." so I am thanking Him for teachers like Mrs. Lamb who are teaching children to have an attitude of gratitude and for the children who brightened my day beyond measure!