Mickey Mantle

Mickey Mantle is a name I learned from my Mom, an avid Yankees fan. When she was a young girl her Dad would take her to Yankees games where she saw Mickey Mantle play.

Who was Mickey Mantle? He...

- lived from October 20, 1931 – August 13, 1995
- died on August 13, 1995 at the age of 64 from liver cancer
- was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974
- played his entire 18 years of major league baseball for the New York Yankees
- played in 12 World Series games
- longest official home run: 565 feet
- Most World Series Home Runs: 18
- Most World Series RBIs: 40
- Most World Series Runs Scored: 42
- Most World Series Total Bases: 123
- Most World Series Walks: 43
- Most World Series Strikeouts: 54
- Most At-Bats for the Yankees: 8,102
- Most Games Played for the Yankees: 2,401
- Debuted for the Yankees on April 17, 1951 and played his last game on September 9, 1965
- In 1956 when he won the Triple Crown, Male Athlete of the Year award, the American League MVP award by a unanimous vote and the Player of the Year award
- it is said he was an alcoholic

What is often not heard about Mickey Mantle is that before his death he became a born-again Christian because of the ministering from Bobby Richardson. When he was asked what reason he would give God to let him into heaven his reply was John 3:16..."For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

As I was driving to work Thursday, the anniversary of Mickey Mantle's death, I heard about his Change on FLN. Tears filled my eyes and goosebumps plastered my body. How amazing that someday I will meet Mickey Mantle in heaven. How amazing (in a sad way) is it that he becoming a Christian is not more widely publicized.

While I was researching this I found an article written by David R. Currie after Mickey Mantle passed away. The title? Mickey Mantle's Greatest Homer (http://www.txbc.org/1995Journals/October%201995/Oct95MickeyMantle.htm). Here it is in its entirety:

MICKEY MANTLE’S GREATEST HOMER
by David R. Currie,
Coordinator

NBC sportscaster Bob Costas had the privilege of delivering the eulogy at the funeral of Mickey Mantle. Shortly into his eulogy, he said,

“I guess I’m here, not so much to speak for myself as to simply represent the millions of baseball-loving kids who grew up in the ’50s and ’60s and for whom Mickey Mantle was baseball.

“And more than that, he was a presence in our lives — a fragile hero to whom we had an emotional attachment so strong and lasting that it defied logic.”

He certainly represented me. It may not be logical but I saw Mickey Mantle play one time. We went to the All-Star game in Houston in 1968, his last year. Tom Seaver struck him out. I was three rows from the top of the Astrodome. I joined the standing ovation. I cried. I saw Mickey Mantle bat.

Two Christmas’s ago, my wonderful niece Kim and her husband Steve gave me a plaque with an 8x10 picture of Mickey Mantle, a baseball card, and the inscription “Mickey Mantle, 536 lifetime homers.” When I opened the gift, I started crying. It has hung in my office since that day.

When Mickey Mantle died, I cried off and on for two days. There is not a logical explanation, and I do not care to have one if there is. As far back as I can remember (I was born in 1952), Mickey Mantle was a daily part of my life until he retired in 1968. I loved the Yankees. My sister and Uncle Willard loved the Dodgers. That made us mortal enemies nearly every October. Show her videos today of Roy Campenella, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, and Pee Wee Reese and you can watch an otherwise sensible 48 year old woman cry. It probably has something to do with our Daddy and his love for baseball.

Mickey Mantle remained my hero through the years (even after I thought it was wrong to have heroes unless they were your parents, teachers, preachers, etc.), despite the stories I heard of his life-style. I can tolerate people’s struggles. It is self-righteous pharisees that bug me. I did transfer a strong allegiance to Bobby Murcer with the Yankees, and still recall standing and cheering on my seat in Ranger stadium when he homered in the early ’70s. And I still have the newspaper clipping of the night game he played on the day he spoke at Thurman Munsan’s funeral. The Yankees won 5-4. Murcer drove in 5 runs!

I think it is silly to collect autographs. Saying that, I have a baseball signed by Mickey Mantle, and another signed by Bobby Murcer. Ross Perot does not have enough money to purchase those from me!

If you did not see Mickey Mantle’s funeral on TV, let me tell you when I really cried. Bobby Richardson, former Yankee second baseman, and teammate of Mickey Mantle, preached the message. In several of Mantle’s books he wrote of Richardson’s Christian commitment and his admiration of him.

Bobby Richardson told of Oct. 2, 1966, when he invited a speaker for the Yankee chapel. (I did chapel services for the Rangers and Tigers one time. Sparky Anderson listened well.)

Bobby said the speaker told the Yankees that they all had a problem that the Bible described as sin. And the Bible also gave the answer, Jesus Christ. Finally he said the Bible demanded a decision regarding what every person is going to do with Jesus.

Then he said there were three possible answers: yes, no, and maybe. And maybe, because of the X factor of death, really was a no answer.

Bobby Richardson told that funeral crowd of Governors, actors and baseball Hall of Famers, that every one of them needed to answer the question of “what they had done with Jesus Christ, who wanted to be their personal Lord and Savior.”

Then he spoke about Mickey Mantle. He told of praying with Mickey over the phone. And finally he told the crowd about when Mickey told him he had accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. And when Richardson’s wife asked Mickey what reason he would give God to let him in Heaven, Mickey quickly quoted John 3:16.

To say I cried would be an understatement! I cried tears of joy. Mickey Mantle is with my Daddy, and Uncle Floy, and Uncle Willard, and so many people I care about. And someday, although I never met Mickey Mantle on earth, I will meet him. What a glorious day that will be. I expect my Dad to introduce us!

Mickey Mantle hit 536 home runs. He batted in 1,509 runs. He hit 18 World Series home runs, a record that will never be broken (trust me on that). But the most important thing he ever did was accept Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. That was his “greatest homer.”

And it should challenge us to think about our loved ones and friends who may not know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and tell them the Good News. That would be Mickey’s greatest legacy, that those of us who loved him made sure others we loved, came to know Jesus.

We should also honor him by being an organ donor. Christians should be the first to sign up to share our gifts with others.

I leave you with a few questions. These I also ask of myself.

- Am I ministering to others in order to bring them to Faith in God?
- Does my life show each day that I am a Christian? Am I a shining light for God?
- Do I pray and submerse myself in the Bible so my walk with God becomes greater and greater? Also so that I may readily share my Faith with others?

I wish I could answer a 100% yes to those questions but I can't. I need to strive to be a better follower of God, a better teller of the truth. Where are you in your walk with God? What changes do you need to make?



Websites used/mentioned:
http://www.mickey-mantle.com/
http://www.fln.org/
http://www.txbc.org/1995Journals/October%201995/Oct95MickeyMantle.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Mantle

Tomorrow is the big day!

Shawn will be moving tomorrow. Please keep him as well as all of us in your prayers. Thanks!

Women of Faith Conference: A Grand New Day Part 1-Getting There

About 6 months ago I heard about the WOF conference in Rochester on FLN. I emailed my Mom and asked her if she wanted to go. Of course she said yes. We purchased tickets through FLN so we could take a bus. Our hotel was included as were some meals. I didn't realize how wonderful this conference would be. I didn't realize how much it would touch my heart. While there was a lot to take in and my memory cannot hold it all I know my heart soaked it up. Over the next few days and weeks I will be blogging about my experience at the WOF conference.

As many know I don't like to rush around in the morning. I prefer to have a few extra minutes to sit down, have some coffee and "play" on the computer. I got up bright and early on Friday morning (3:55 am) to get ready to leave at 5 because I had to drive the 1 1/2 hours to Painted Post to meet the bus. Yes, I drove 1 1/2 hours to get on a bus for another 1 1/2 hours for a trip that would have taken me 45 - 60 minutes to make from home. I did it so I didn't have to drive in the Rochester traffic but more so to spend additional time with my Mom. I left the house at 4:55 feeling good about leaving early enough and having time for a cup of coffee. I had intentions to stop and get McDonald's for breakfast and to go to the bathroom so I would not have to go on the bus. Well, the best laid plans often go awry. As I was driving down 414 right after Lodi I encountered a problem, a potentially big problem. God had me in His hands and protected me though. Cruising along (but not going much over the speed limit as I sometimes tend to do) all of a sudden 2 deer popped out. I slammed on the breaks (everything in the car went flying), squealed my tires and watched as the first deer stopped then tried hard to get her footing to get out of my way. It was then I heard that sick thump. Thankfully, it was not a loud thump but a softer one. Yep, I hit the deer. My first thought was "Great, here I have this 2 days planned and now it is messed up." The deer ran off. I am quite sure I did not hit it hard enough to kill it which I am very thankful for. I pulled over, grabbed my cell phone and got out of the Jeep. Walking to the front of the Jeep expecting the worst I dialed Dustin. Of course he was still sleeping so didn't answer. I looked at my Jeep and saw that I had broken the left turn signal cover (but not the bulb) and broken a piece of plastic off my bumper (had it been metal probably nothing would have happened). I called my Dad. He said to call 911 so I did. The woman was so nice and said she would send someone. That is when I really felt crestfallen. Great, State Troopers are always busy. I just knew they were going to take forever and I was not going to make the bus. I then remembered the fire siren that was going off a few miles before in Ovid...another sunken heart...everyone would be at whatever that was. Dad went to tell Mom I might be late. I told her not to hold the bus I would just drive up. I sat there for what seemed like forever but was actually only about 10 minutes. I was on the verge of tears because I thought for sure my plans were ruined. Oh ye of little faith! After about 15 minutes I saw lights in my rear view mirror. The State Trooper was there!!! It didn't take forever. While I was sitting there I looked for my registration and insurance card. My heart feel once again when I realized I did not have a current card. Great, a ticket too. The State Trooper was so nice. He took my information (told me not to worry about an insurance card because when he ran my information it would show if I had insurance) and went back to his car. A few minutes later he came back with my accident report. I thanked him profusely telling him I was meeting a bus. Of course he made a joke about how far out of the way I was going. I told him I was meeting and spending the weekend with my Mom. I thought were were done when he pulled out a black book and said "one more thing, I have to give you a ticket for killing a deer" (I had mentioned earlier I was more worried about the deer than my Jeep because I love animals.). I immediately started laughing and said "I didn't kill it!!" He said, "ok, a ticket for assault then." We laughed and he told me to have a nice day. What a nice gentleman he was. I looked at the clock. It was nearing 6:30. I knew that I need to get moving in order to catch the bus. Then it hit me...I absolutely had to go to the bathroom. If anyone has ever traveled 414 between Ovid and Watkins Glen you know bathrooms are limited at 6:15 in the morning. Thankfully I made it to Walmart and made a quick trip. My Mom had called me on a cell phone of someone we know so I returned the call to let them know where I was. A little while later at 7:03 I pulled in to meet the bus. Thank you, Lord! Why hadn't I trusted you? Again, oh ye of little faith! I boarded the bus and a few hours later we were in Rochester being dropped off at the Blue Cross Arena.

Stay tuned for part 2!



Not bad at all but probably expensive since we have to replace the entire bumper!

My Flowers

As many of you know I planting and taking care of my flowers. I take great pride in them. Here are some pics I have taken of my first blooms. I wish you all could come see them in person as they are so much more beautiful!

My Clematis:


My bucket: The orange flowers open when it is sunny out. The centers are purple.


Dustin, our fisherman, Cranesbill Geranium and Hostas


Pom Pom Flower (Alum)


Columbine


Tiki Torch Coneflower (are much more orange in person)


Iris

Why?

Over the last 5 months I have asked God why so many times.

• Why did you take my Grandma away from us?


• Why did you give my Grandpa health problems?


• Why did you take Eddie from us?


• Why did you let Shawn be born with mental retardation?


• Why are you making Shawn (and us) deal with these episodes?


• Why did you take a baby from me that was so wanted but give so many to others?


• Why did you give us these hardships that seem to come all at one time?


• Why don't you bless us beyond measure when we are serving You?


• Why did you make Shawn so sick that he ended up in the hospital?

The list could go on and on but I won't bore you with it. I use to think that when I was asking why I somehow was not showing faith in God. I was somehow faltering in my walk with Him. May 21 was the anniversary of Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter's, Maria, death. Focus on the Family was replaying the last day of a 3 day interview with Steven. Him and his family were talking about the accident on Larry King Live. Larry said that people have said they have a "family of great faith so that means they don't have questions" about what happened. Caleb (Steven's son) answered to this. Caleb said that immediately after the accident he screamed why repeatedly. Then he said "the very fact that I immediately, when this happened, said God why, that I have been calling out to God confirms to me that God is the one who I turn to even to ask questions. That God is faithful, theat he can handle those questions."

This made me really think. We are not superhuman. We question things that happen. It is part of our human nature. The important part is who we turn to. Do we turn to God or turn to other things that make us feel better for a little while? Do we rely on God or do we rely on the things of the world when faced with a challenge, when we are asking why. I turn to God but I know I don't let my "whys" rest in Him. Instead I pick them back up and carry them around like 5,000 pounds of stone on my back. They make me weary. God wants me to drop my questions off with Him. He wants me to have faith that He is in control and He will take care of me. There is no easy way to do this, unfortunately. My prayer today is that I as well as all of you are able to turn to God in hard times and when you are questioning and drop your worries and whys off at His feet. After that, I pray, we are able to leave them there, turn around and glorify God in the midst of our troubles.

I encourage you to listen to Steven Curtis Chapman's 3 part interview on Focus on the Family. They are all found on the Focus on the Family website. They are named "The God of All Comfort".

Part 1: http://listen.family.org/daily/A000001488.cfm

Part 2: http://listen.family.org/daily/A000001489.cfm

Part 3: http://listen.family.org/daily/A000001490.cfm

Dear Mr. Hallmark

This was shared on the infertility site I go to, Stepping Stones. I know it is past Mother's Day but I wanted to share it anyway. Although I have no living children and had an early miscarriage I still believe I am a Mom. It is hard to deal with Mother's Day because I want to be a Mom so bad but also because I remember the baby I have that is living in Heaven. Next Mother's Day say a little prayer for those hurting on Mother's Day. They will so appreciate it.

A Mother’s Day Wish From Heaven

Dear Mr. Hallmark,
I am writing to you from heaven, and though it must appear
A rather strange idea, I see everything from here.
I just popped in to visit, your stores to find a card
A card of love for my mother, as this day for her is hard.

There must be some mistake I thought, every card you could imagine
Except I could not find a card, from a child who lives in heaven.
She is still a mother too, no matter where I reside
I had to leave, she understands, but oh the tears she’s cried.

I thought that if I wrote you, that you would come to know
that though I live in heaven now, I still love my mother so.
She talks with me, and dreams with me; we still share laughter too,
Memories our way of speaking now, would you see what you could do?

My mother carries me in her heart, her tears she hides from sight.
She writes poems to honor me, sometimes far into the night
She plants flowers in my garden, there my living memory dwells
She writes to other grieving parents, trying to ease their pain as well.

So you see Mr. Hallmark, though I no longer live on earth
I must find a way, to remind her of her wondrous worth
She needs to be honored, and remembered too
Just as the children of earth will do.

Thank you Mr. Hallmark, I know you’ll do your best
I have done all I can do; to you I’ll leave the rest.
Find a way to tell her, how much she means to me
Until I can do it for myself, when she joins me in eternity.

~ by Jody Seilheimer ~