Hubby kept me awake last night

 with all his tossing and turning.  With rain/snow forecasted in the state, I'm sure his shoulder is hurting and when it does, he doesn't sleep.  Most times I can sleep through it, but last night was not one of those nights.  Therefore, I turned off my alarm at 4AM, dozed some until 4:30AM, then got up - and fell asleep for a little while in here already - and I'm still wanting to go back to sleep!  Sure hope it doesn't make me grumpy!  At least hubby will be gone most of the morning and I will be alone.

Just read my son's blog and I am concerned... and will be doing some serious praying for him.  Glad he wrote about some issues he is having... some times that is the only way I know things.  Brings back the scripture I mentioned yesterday from Jeremiah 17:14 "Heal me, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for Thou are the One I praise."  And although it isn't me that is having the issue, it is my child, whom I love.  I hope he will call the doctor and get in right away in case it is a bug bite or something more serious that is causing the problem.  Waiting can only make it worse, and more expensive to take care of. 

I finally made my eye doctor appointment yesterday for the pre-op.  My eye has been annoying me enough I finally gave in and called.  They gave me a couple early dates in February, but I opted for one on February 22nd so that hubby can take me as it will be in the downtown office and I'm not sure exactly where it is, and he has been there several times.  They are calling it a 'pre-op' so will see how it goes.  It doesn't hurt, and I can still see, but because it is messing up my vision, it annoys me.  At least it is now scheduled. I told hubby last night that I had scheduled it.... and he asked me why.  (SMH - he has gotten after me a few times to schedule the appointment - why is he asking me why did I schedule it?)  I just told him I decided to get it scheduled. Some things make no sense to me.   That question is one of them since he knows about the cataract and that I'm to have it removed at some point, and he had been telling me to schedule.  

Yesterday was a somewhat busy day at work - but finally got the retainer for the board retreat on its way to the hotel.  I feel like I'm beating my head against the wall sometimes.  Just can't get all the information I need to do my job for something like this.  Will be so glad when it's over. Another company I worked for had me attend as well, in case I was needed for anything (I wasn't) - but I've been told I don't have to go - so that is fine with me.  Although staying at a nice place would be fun... but they aren't paying for overnight stays... they decided on just one day.

Have you ever had so many things to do... and yet you feel inside that there is more that you want to do? I can't explain it.  Sunday I was walking around Michaels (I had to go - needed to pick up yarn)... and I just felt like I was missing something. I just had a longing within me to learn a new craft of some sort and do something productive with it.  I know, it doesn't make sense.  I have my yarn, I have my sewing (although I can't see well enough to thread the needle now and need the magnifying glass), I have my books to read (just a few, and I have more coming in. Tee hee. I hope they arrive when hubby isn't home - get tired of his comments).  I love to cook and have done some of that the past couple of months.  But I feel like I want to do something and I don't know what.  Am I just getting stir crazy being home day in and day out?  Is it that I'm just wanting to block out the world and immerse myself in something new?

I can name several things just sitting here that I NEED to do - 1) organize my journals from the past 30 years and go through them. I want to put them all on the computer and get rid of the clutter of the paper. 2) I want to organize my books by either author or alphabetical order (when I mentioned that to hubby he about had a fit over the time it would take (who cares?)).  3) I want to finish up a couple quilts I started and have never finished. 4) I need to clean out my closet and get rid of t-shirts that I don't wear anymore and my jeans that are too little but I hate to get rid of 'just in case I drop a couple inches' and can fit in them again.  And I could go on and on with numbering things that I would want to do.

But I'm missing something.  There is a longing within me to do something more.  And I don't know what it is.  Even if I took days off work ... what would I do?  Hubby would want us to do things 'together'.  Other than his running off to his breakfasts/lunches with his friends and his Bible studies... we ARE together nearly all the time.  What could it possibly be that I want to learn, what I want to do? 

Colossians 3:23 (NKJV):  "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men."

That popped in my mind as I wrote the paragraph above it.  Whatever I do, do it well, for I will be doing it for the Lord.  I know that. I do that (I hope) in my daily life.  But it doesn't help the yearning I have within me to do something else.

Could it be I have just grown weary of what I do nearly day in and day out?  I don't know.  Some days working at my job is fun - but some days I just don't want to do it.  Maybe I just need to take some time off work and get away.  Maybe I can plan something around hubby's birthday in April.  I did last April and we stayed in Prescott - and I got so sick and overwhelmed by the fumes of their cleaning... I still have reactions from that visit.  I cannot remember ever feeling so sick as I did then.  Anyway - need to erase that memory so maybe I will plan another getaway about that time to erase that last one.

But what do I do now?  My clock tells me to get off the computer and turn on the work computer.  Ugh. At least I am finally starting to wake up.  My coffee cup is empty.  I don't want to move from my chair. But I will get up, turn on the work computer, go get dressed, and come back and sign in.  I think there is eggs ole' still so guess what is for breakfast. :)   

Guess I need to get moving... sitting here isn't doing it.  Stir my heart, O Lord, and show me what Thou wouldst have me do.....

Blessings!

Back to work Monday...

 Oh wow.  I brought this up, typed in the title, and entire page disappeared and I had to bring it back up - is this what I will be facing on Monday?  But this is on my personal computer so perhaps a fluke, right?  I hope it is nothing more than that!  I woke up with a sinus headache - again - what's up with that?! - isn't there rain forecasted for later today?

It was a fairly good weekend.  Did grocery shopping and a couple other things on Saturday.... yesterday was church, then I went over and visited Ms. Diane for a while.  Watched a couple movies with hubby when I returned home, watched the games, or parts of them, anyway.  Sure didn't want to get up this morning.  

Need to finish up things on the work board retreat this morning.  I ended up working until 5PM or later on Friday, waiting on information - and what I got didn't make me happy.  I dealt directly with our sr. director of finance so that he could take care of anything.  All he did was sign the contract and send it back. I could have done that.  I wanted him to get he retainer fee processed.  He did not. Now I need to figure out how to get it done today.  The board retreat is this Friday! I was told I don't have to go down - and I'm holding on to that.

I am drawing a blank as to what to write about this morning.  Not even any scriptures come to mind to elaborate on.  Could it be the headache is preventing it?  Am I still too tired to think/write?  Ok - maybe if I just ramble for a moment about things something will come to mind... or not...

Didn't do much cooking over the weekend.  I did make eggs ole' and took some over to Ms. Diane so that she would eat something.  Visited and had a cup of coffee with her while she ate.

We tried a new place to eat after church yesterday - Portofillo's or something like that.  I just got a hotdog; hubby got a fish sandwich (his first taste of bread since the fast started!) and we both enjoyed our food.  He said he'd go back.  It was a spur of the moment to stop.... he wanted to go to a restaurant... I just wanted to go home... but then I'd have to cook... easy decision, right?

I didn't get started on another book in the Michael V Ivanov's series like I had planned.  We watched the games and movies instead.  I didn't cook at all yesterday except baking the eggs ole' I had made the night before.  Guess what is for breakfast today! Yes, we had leftovers.  Got bacon, which we can eat now too.  Whoo hoo!  High hog living now.

Need to work on the memorial service I am to do on Sunday for my boss' dad at the assisted living place he had stayed.  Need to finish up my notes on the message I'm doing Sunday at the RV park.  Made some corrections yesterday when I read through it.  That's all on my agenda for tonight - I must quit procrastinating!  UGH  I am so good at procrastinating!  I once bought a book on how to stop procrastinating.  Seriously, I did.  But I never read it.  I have no idea where it is now.

I cut back my roses yesterday.  To about 12".  I put the Elmer's glue over (most) the cut stems.  My friend who grew roses for years said to cut them back in late January/early February.  It will cause them to grow wider and taller. At 'my other house' they did grow back fuller and they grew tall.  Will see how these do.  I want to go to Sam's club - I saw they had rose bushes for about $12 I think, when I was there on Saturday.  I didn't pick up any then, but may run back today or tomorrow and pick up two or three to put in some empty spaces .  I love growing and smelling the roses.

Jeremiah 17:14 (NKJV):  "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved; for thou art my praise."

That's about where I'm at this morning.  As I sat here, that is the scripture that just came to mind.  Whenever I don't feel good, or have a headache (like I do this morning to where it distracts me from thinking), that is the scripture I speak forth... and I know that God hears me and will heal me.

I still need to call the eye doctor and get my surgery scheduled to remove this cataract in my right eye.  It is starting to really annoy me.  But I've had to wait until all this coughing has stopped - can't start coughing in the middle of surgery!  I need to find out more... how long I'll need to take off work (oh darn!), etc.  I also wonder how much my insurance will cover.   Hubby has Medicare and when his was done, he only had to pay $200-$300 more.  Work insurance isn't that gracious.  I may get lucky though.  But I do need to call and see when I can get in to see him once again and get something scheduled.  I can see ok, but trying to read is difficult; especially on the computer.  Does this mean I am getting old? Sigh.

Well, I am rambling for sure now so will hush and will sit back and be quiet and wait upon God until I just have to get up and get to work this morning.  I used to say I wished I had a rich aunt that I was her favorite and I inherit all her monies.  Well, that didn't happen, so I work.  Inherit all the monies, I mean.  I WAS a couple aunts' favorite niece. :-)  So I like to believe, anyway.

Hope that you have an amazing day!  Keep believing in the impossible - God is at work - always!

Blessings!

Sheep without a Shepherd

 Have you ever thought about what that looked like?  I'm working on a message for next Sunday as I will be speaking for the last time this season at one of the RV parks we speak at.  My message is on the 23rd Psalm, but I'm only focusing on versus 2 and 3.  

Psalm 23:2-3 (NLT):  " He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside the peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along the right paths, bringing honor to his name."

Have you ever thought what what means?  Sheep just are not too wise, ya know?  The pictures we've seen of sheep laying beside a stream in luscious green grass isn't always what happens.  They can't always get rest.  There are 'irritants' that keep them from getting rest.  

Doesn't that sound like us?  Those things that suck the life out of us; those things that hurt us, break our hearts; those drama acts that seems to pop up ever so often... when we lay down to rest, we find that we can't for those things are running through our mind.  (Which is why many of us wake up with headaches in the mornings!).

In the book by Phillip Keller "A Shepherd looks at the 23rd Psalm", he lists four things that keep sheep from being peaceful and calm and not being able to rest and be renewed.

1) Fear of predators.  Sheep can sense when things are not right around them; perhaps a wolf or coyote is nearby.  They won't lay down and rest because they are afraid they are going to be attacked.

2) Pests - such as flies and ticks.  Sheep will get these bugs all over them and will run into bushes, trying to get them off.  If the shepherd isn't watching over the sheep and helping keep the bugs off of them (they pour oil over their heads to keep the bugs off), the sheep will not be able to lay down and rest.

3) Friction with other sheep.  Who would have thought that sheep couldn't get along!  Sounds like us humans, doesn't it?  Sometimes one of the big ewes will get a chip on its shoulder and start picking on the smaller, younger lambs.  It causes the sheep to be very anxious as they don't know when they are going to be picked on.

4) Hunger.  Who can sleep when they are hungry?  We humans don't do it very often - do we!  Sheep, if they are in a less than favorable area, with too little foliage around them, won't lay down and rest because they are afraid they won't get food to eat and they are constantly walking around trying to find bushes with enough leaves on it for them to eat!

The sheep can not and will not lay down and rest.  It isn't the serene photo we are always looking at.  And sometimes our lives are like that, don't you think?

I awoke with another headache this morning - actually, when I went to bed I felt it and probably should have taken something then, but did not.  I don't like to take pills so avoid it when I can.  There is drama going on again and the simple solution isn't always the one taken.  And sometimes it just isn't worth the drama entailed.  I was thinking about it as I went to bed and although I don't think it kept me awake, it was on my mind when I woke up this morning.  I didn't have that serene peace and rest as I slept.  What was on your mind - even subconsciously - that caused you not to sleep well last night?  Or the night before?  Or the night before that?

In times like these, we need to go to our Shepherd, and allow Him to take care of us.  He will make sure we are protected.  He will anoint us with oil and protect us from the irritants of the bugs/pests that plague us.  He will walk us through the friction of other sheep; those relationships that sometimes will tear out your very soul and leave you empty.  And our Shepherd will ensure that we are fed with His Word, His love, His joy, His comfort.

Do you know who your Shepherd is?  Let me introduce you to Him.  His name is Jesus. 

I memorized this years ago in the KJV - 

Psalm 23:1-6 (KJV):  "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; they rod and they staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell int he house o fthe Lord for ever."

Are you a lamb without a shepherd, having to deal with all these things... or do you know the Great Shepherd, Jesus, who watches over us.  Oh that you would choose to know Him and be under His care!  He loves you, and He cares for you.  

Find Jesus, and He will take care of you.

Blessings!

The Last Day...

 Today is day 21 of our fast.  We have occasionally slipped up, I will admit, to what I wanted us to fast, but we have avoided a lot of the things we normally would have eaten.  Try going 3 weeks without bread.  CHOCOLATE.  (I still have the candy dish on the coffee table full of chocolate that I have not touched.  I have an opened box of chocolate covered cherries just calling my name for the past 3 weeks...  no hamburgers, no steaks, no sandwiches..  but it is all worth it.    I can't wait to see how God answers the prayers we have prayed!

For some reason I have a slight headache this morning, although I am just finishing a cup of caffeine (coffee).  Not sure what that is about, but hope it leaves soon.  Perhaps it is because we didn't eat dinner last night?  I'm having food withdrawal?  Now that's a laugh, right?  I plan to cook eggs for breakfast this morning so we'll be covered.  Just no toast just yet.

My sister text'd me early this morning as I was reading my Bible and asked that I read her email.  So I stopped to read it... her best friend is dying, they have called in hospice.  Her friend was raised Baptist but turned to the Catholic faith later.  NOW, after all these years, my sister is concerned that her friend isn't a Christian... and she's wanting to have a pastor go talk to her - because her friend's daughter is calling in a priest for her last rites.  I was very blunt with my sister and told her she doesn't need to call a pastor to go see her friend, SHE can call her friend and talk with her about Jesus.  Long story short, she says she doesn't feel she is 'worthy' to tell her friend about Jesus.  I reminded her that NONE of us are worthy, but if God has laid it on her heart to make sure her friend goes to heaven, then she had best swallow her fears and do it! She didn't like that response.  She wanted to just call and say the 23rd Psalm over her friend via telephone (as my sister went to Florida after visiting her friend a few weeks ago, knowing she was dying).  I understand the fear of talking to someone about Jesus.  I go through it every time - but if God lays it on my heart that I need to do it - I dare not NOT do it!  I'm frustrated at my sister because she has this burden, but she wants to pass it off on someone else to do.   And this is her very best friend!  

But how many times do you - and I - pass things off to someone else because of fear, because we just don't want to do something?  It's as simple as going to the grocery store, isn't it?  We know we are out of food and need to go... but our 'don't want to, don't want to' and so try to get others to run to the store for us - or we put it off until we REALLY need to go to the store and then grumble because we didn't go three weeks earlier!  Yeah, lame example, huh?  

Something to think about, though, don't you think?  We often procrastinate (yes, I'm a good one on procrastination) because we want someone else to do it for us.  Then it comes down to the deadline of having to get something done.... when if we had done it timely, we wouldn't have the stress, the frustration, even the anger, at having to do something we didn't want to do.  Telling someone about Jesus shouldn't be a problem, should it?  Another example just came to mind, but at the risk of angering someone, I'll keep my mouth shut here. :-)

So glad it's Saturday; I slept in until about 5AM... I wake up earlier, but know I don't have to get up so I doze off and on.  You ever do that?  You see the clock and know what time it is but you just don't wanna get up. I often think I'd love to go some place and turn off all the alarms and just sleep until noon (like I tried to do years ago.  MANY years ago) if I wanted to. To lay in bed for as long as I wanted.  But then, I often start to think of the time I'm wasting... this is MY PERSONAL TIME... it's not work time I'm wasting, it is MY time - so why do I want to waste it?  So I get up. :-)  

Hubby left the TV off last night and I grabbed a book and started reading.  I had bought 4 books off of Facebook recently because of a blurb about them.  They came last week and I put them on my stack.  I grabbed one last night - they aren't very big - and started reading The cabin on the train by Michael V Ivanov... and finished it before going to bed. (if someone wants to borrow it, let me know).   I didn't know what to expect about this book, but it held my interest all the way through it.  It's a book about pursuing dreams.  Great encouragement and motivation to think about the dreams we have and what have we done with them.  Fiction of course, but it is a story about three men and a cabin on the train.  I truly enjoyed the book and have already grabbed another one of the books to read next.  Not usually the type of books I read, but I did enjoy this one and it gave me thought.

What are my dreams?  What were the dreams that I gave up on?  After reading the book, I sat quietly and thought about them.  I have always had a dream about writing a book.... but what have I done about that dream except put it off.  I do have a title and a first paragraph in a folder.  But that's it. WHEN am I going to make time to add to it?  It doesn't matter if anyone buys it or not... my dream is to write a book. Shouldn't I work on that dream?

Dreams I have given up on are probably many that have been forgotten.  Does that mean they weren't a dream? Naw, they just mean that they were for that moment in time - whether I worked towards them or not.  

So what are the dreams you have?  Or have had?  Did you ever share those dreams with others? Did they encourage you to pursue them?   Did you pursue them - or like me, did you put them off with a thought that 'in the future when I have more time' I can take care of that dream?

I know my one son has encouraged me to follow my dreams... but I don't know if the others even know about that dream of writing.  He knows, because he reads my blog... he knows more than he probably should because of what I write on here.  It's so much easier to write what I think or feel in here - whether any one reads it or not - I can ramble all I want - right?  I read my friend's blog that I shared on here recently, and am intimidated about how precise she writes and how her words flow together.  Me, I write like I decorate - throw it on the wall and if it sticks, it stays. If it falls, I find something else.  LOL 

O how I would love to have space and time to do the things I desire and love to do.  I have so many thoughts within this little brain of mine... but I also want to spend it with my family and love on them. They are more important to me than anything - other than my relationship with Jesus.   See how I can easily come up with excuses?  Jesus first, family second (i.e., loving on my children and grandchildren), and my dreams last.  Someday I will possibly get it in balance.

I'm lazy. I admit it.  I can't get even one mile of walking in most days.  I know I should. But I don't. I want to, but I don't.   Same with FINDING time to write, right?  I know I should, I know I can, but I don't.  I want a book to read, yarn to knit or crochet with, a corner of peace and quiet... yeah, the simple things in life.

Daniel 9:19 (NKJV):  "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name."

How many times do we choose to delay and not follow Jesus?  How many times does He whisper to us that He's waiting for us to come to Him, He's waiting.... and we delay and find other things to do instead.  We have all the excuses, don't we?  We like our currently lifestyles.  We don't think we are really doing anything 'bad' - so why do we need to follow Jesus?  We do for others, we take care of  things, isn't that good enough?  I believe there is a God, I believe there is Jesus His Son, I believe Jesus died on the cross for all my sins and rose again on the third day.  Why do I need to do something about it? I know it and I believe all that. I just choose to do what I want to do.

Is that where you are at?  Then my prayers are for you.  Yes, Jesus went to the cross, brutally beaten and whipped (HAH!  my entire screen just disappeared! Guess why that happened! The devil doesn't want you to read this!) and yet, He went willingly to the cross to die for you - and for me.

Can you even imagine your earthly father doing that?  I can't.  As much as I love my earthly father, I don't know that he would be beaten and go to the cross for me.  But Jesus did it for you and me.  He died, that we may live.  He took it all - all our sins - and killed them right there on the cross!  Oh how much He loves you and me to do that for us!

Jesus died, and rose again, so that we can live.  Why not take a moment and ask Jesus to be Lord of your life?  It doesn't mean you have to start a check list of things you need to give up.  Jesus will show you what He would ask you to do.  No one should 'tell' you what you have to do.  Jesus will put it on your heart - and you will find that the more you seek Him, the more you fall in love with Him, the more you want to be like Him.

Some sons want to be like their father.  Some girls want to be like their mother.  But our model should be Jesus.  He lived a perfect life, free of sin. Yet, He took ours and let it be nailed to the cross.

Choose to follow Jesus.  You will never regret it.  Your life may not be perfect; in fact, it could get quite rocky when you make this decision.  But it is a decision we all should make - because living for Jesus makes life worth living.

Blessings!

It was a simple question

 that I read this morning in my devotions.  The question stirred my thought process and I began to wonder about it.  What was the question?  

When was the last time you asked God for something supernatural?  

I know that God can do all things.  I have prayed for healings, but haven't really thought of them supernatural, but more of God's attention to a sick person.  Where is my faith?  Do I not believe that God can do more than for what I ask of Him?  I can answer that and the answer is YES.  I do believe God for more things than I ask.

For one thing, an answer to prayer was - I was praying for reconciliation between my youngest son and his prodigal daughter.  Four days in to our fast and they contacted each other and talked through the issue.  I believe that is an answer to our prayer.  Not necessarily supernatural, but an answer.

When was the last time you believed God for something you could not do on your own?  I do not mean something you prayed for that happened. I mean believed for something you could not do on your own.  Why do we limit our faith to things that could naturally happen when we serve a Supernatural God? Why do we settle for a man-made faith and not God-sized miracles?

Faith.  Did you know that there are different kinds of faith?  Yep. There is Common Faith - it means every person has a measure of common faith.  God is saying, "I am tired of wimpy, natural faith.  I want someone to believe in off-season miracles!"

There is Saving Faith.  You are saved by faith.  You receive Christ when you release your faith and believe He is who He says He is.

There is also the Spirit of Faith.  This is also one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Then there is Ever-Increasing Faith.  The disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith.  I do this frequently. I need more faith - and so do you.

And, lastly, there is also the Gift of Faith.  You can operate at a level of faith where other people do not go. This is deep, abiding faith that is given to you by the Holy Spirit.  

Faith is supernatural.  God wants to do supernatural things. Faith looks at natural things that do not want to bring forth, and calls it done by faith. That is the kind of faith that God honors with mountain-moving miracles.

I know that I have asked for supernatural things in the past.  And I honestly believe they happened because I asked, in faith, that God would take care of a situation, heal a person, or do something that we as people could not do.  I believe that God healed my daughter supernaturally because people were praying and fasting and seeking His touch upon her body.  I truly believe if we had not done that, I know she would have died.  I remember when at 5 months post bone-marrow transplant she came off all the meds for the transplant.  That is unheard of.  I know of people who have had t go take transplant drugs for many months after.  I know it is all God; He healed her so that she wouldn't need to continue taking them.  Hallelujah.

Today would have been my older sister's 80th birthday.  It is also my grandson's birthday.  It's hard to believe, even now, that my sister is no longer here.  I think it is because of the suddenness.  And, referring back to what I spoke of above, this is one of those supernatural requests I begged of God.... and He said no.  I had begged and pleaded for her healing; that the antifreeze ingested would not kill her.  But it did.  I don't know why God let her die.  I truly believed He was going to heal her!  I had the faith!  But He said No.  I don't know why He said NO.  Perhaps it is because she had no life.  She knew Him, she said she did, and that she was ready.  But we know she could not have done this on her own. I truly, truly believed ... and when I got the word she was gone... I could only sit and ask 'why'?  And I received no answer.  This side of heaven I will not know the why.  I still miss her. I still don't understand.

I have a dentist appointment this morning that I don't want to go to.  I do not like dentists.  At all.  Although I love this one. I've known him for years.  But today is a cleaning and it should be ok - other than I chipped a tooth and I don't know if he will decide to do something about that.  I kid you not - I started getting texts two weeks ago, reminding me of my appointment.  "Respond with C if you will be keeping this appointment."  I respond with 'C".  I get a thank you for confirming.  I have 'confirmed' three times in this two week period.  I received a phone call three days ago to confirm.  It went to voicemail.  I didn't call them back.  Ooops.  As I was going to bed last night around 8:39PM or so, I received another text reminding me my appointment is tomorrow (today) at 8AM.  If I wasn't going to make it, to call the office.  I wonder if they will be surprised I'm there when I show up?

Since I wanted to go to Tucson this weekend and had to change my plans... I've got the 'inkling' to just get away from the house this weekend.  But where to go?  I could just find a hotel nearby and us go stay there - maybe one with an indoor pool/jacuzzi to chill and relax in.  I've been cooped up in this room for so long and in the house with rarely having times to 'escape' from it... I'm starting to get stir-crazy I think.  Whatever - if anything - I planned, I know hubby would go with it.  See, it's even messing with my thinking!  LOL  

Ok - need to jump off and get ready for work - and remind my bosses I have a dentist appointment this morning.  Oh joy.  I can hardly wait. NOT.

Hope your day is going to start better than mine is!

Blessings!

Well, it may be March

 before we can make a trip south.  Hubby was agreeable tot his weekend; my Monday looked clear to where I could take the day off work.... but the hotels down there this weekend are all between $200-$300 a night!  I would pay it, but I checked further out when I could make it (which happened to be in March), and the hotels were down nearly $100.  Talked to hubby about it and we agreed that it isn't wise to go right now and pay so much... another 6 weeks and it will be $100 less and much more affordable.  So - will work on my schedule at the office and what's scheduled here... and will check in with my granddaughter to see what works with their schedule.  I'm leaning towards the end of March.... it gives me something to look forward to.  I hate to be disappointed and yes, I'm disappointed we aren't going this weekend.  I know the Rock and Gem show is heading to Tucson in another week or so and that is why the rates are so high.

I wrote my friend yesterday that I 'probably' would not be going back to the Bible study, that I didn't feel like I really fit in.  She sent me a note back and questioned the 'fitting in' comment.  How can one explain that it was nice, and they were friendly, but I didn't feel I learned anything?  Granted, I only went for two weeks, but if I am going to take two hours (one for eating - which I wasn't because of the fast) and one for study, I want to walk with something that I didn't know before.  I guess I just want something deeper, that makes me think; not the basics of God is Jesus, is the Holy Spirit and Jesus is God and the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is God and Jesus..... they are three in One.  These are people as old or older than me; surely they know this!  Although it seemed that one of the women was a fairly new Christian with her questions.  I need to relearn some things, but I don't think that is one of them.  I think I somewhat disappointed my friend, but I wasn't really enjoying the study so why go back?  I love my friend, but well, she'll just have to get over it.  We're meeting up for lunch next week and discussing the first chapter of a book; hope she is over her disappointment by then.  

My friend has a blog and I finally got around to checking it out.  Now she has studied journalism and knows how to write, and has actually had a few articles published in Charisma Magazine.  I was very impressed by her writing.  She is political... she even works for a political entity.... and her articles are really interesting.  Check it out sometime.... https://bigviewsmallwindow.com/     It's nothing like what I write.... no personal ramblings, just facts.  I found a few of her articles interesting.

James 4:10 (NKJV):  "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."

Ever read that and wonder what it means?  What does it mean to humble oneself?  Webster's dictionary states that being humble is to "not be proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive".  It also says "reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission" (as in giving a humble apology).  So what does the scripture possibly mean?

Don't think so highly of yourself (don't we all need to be taken down a peg or two occasionally?  Or is it just me?); when we come before God, He knows who we are, He knows our past, and our future.  He knows how we feel about Him - and others!  He knows all things about us.... and you know what?  He loves us anyway.  When we ask forgiveness, He offers grace.  Not just mercy.  Grace.  His precious grace that covers all things. We don't deserve it; we can't earn it - but He offers it to us anyway.  It's not about you - or me - it is about a gracious and loving Heavenly Father who wants to love us and bless us with all that we desire.  Don't go to God and demand as though you deserve it... you don't deserve anything.  But He will give you His Grace when you truly seek His face.  Doesn't get any better than that!  No one is to lord themselves over another person; we are all equal in God's eyes.

Answers to prayers... hubby went for his initial physical (before blood tests, etc.) yesterday and was given a clean bill of health.  His doctor told him that for what he has gone through this past year - COVID, heart aneurysm, abdomen aneurysm, one behind his knee and two surgeries ... most men his age would start to decline, but his health is as good if not better than it was before all that.  Yes, I prayed for good results, and God answered.  His doctor tells him he can live to 100.  Now to see what the blood tests show in a couple weeks - don't expect anything there out of normal.  Then his prostrate doctor in another month I think... that is the one hubby is worried about... which I'm not to share... but we pray and are believing that God will answer that prayer as well.

So what have you been praying about lately?  What has been on your heart that you haven't shared with God (although He already knows it; He is just waiting for you to humble yourself and ask for His help)? I have found it is much easier to ask God to help me with things than it is to try and do them on my own.  Sure, I may still struggle, but He always gets me through it.  Try praying... and see what God will do for you.  

His mercies are new every morning, great is His faithfulness.

Blessings!

It may be a long day...

 I got a tickle in my throat about midnight and started coughing... as long as I was laying down, the tickle continued, so after a few minutes of being unable to stop coughing, I got up and came in here.  I left the lights off and laid back in my chair and tried to go back to sleep - which I was able to for a short while. I finally gave up between 3:30-4AM.  I heard hubby get up around 4AM and brought my coffee and commented ... "I'm sorry if I kept you awake this morning."  I just looked at him and said, "no, you didn't." Then he asked "what time did you get up?" (why is that important?) So I told him midnight - and then of course he had to know why.  He had heard me coughing, but didn't know I had also gotten up.  Oh well.  I'm going to have to keep busy today if I'm going to stay awake.  Judging from my work emails I glanced at last night before bed, I will be kept busy.

Text'd with one of my granddaughters last night and I'm hoping to plan a trip to visit soon.  The funny thing is, I sent her a note yesterday on the stationary she got me for Christmas and had mentioned going down and maybe taking a day off work rather than over a weekend.  Great minds, she said.  She and her family have been sick with 'kindergarten crud' so I need to make sure they are all over it - although they must be since she is taking her little one to school this morning.  I checked my calendar and I'm hoping to be able to take Monday off... which means we could drive down on Sunday after church... check in the hotel and have dinner with them Sunday evening... we could stop by after we check out of the hotel on Monday and visit (want to find out when the great-granddaughter gets out of school) a little before heading home.  Hubby and I both need a getaway... he gets out more than I do, but stir-crazy is starting to infiltrate us.  I'm pretty sure I can talk him in to it.  He will probably want to drive, but I'm going to try to get him to let me drive.  If not, pray for safety. :-)  If we don't make it this weekend, it may be towards the end of March before we could plan it.  With timecards to approve every other Monday I can only take off those I don't have that 'duty'.  Oh well, I'll figure out something.  If I mention going to a hotel and getting away, hubby is generally all for it. 

Been thinking and praying about having a Bible study here at our home on Monday evenings, since we don't have a 'group' persay anymore.  I have a Bible study I've gone a couple times to on Sunday evenings, but I really don't like giving up that two hours on a Sunday.. in a study that I'm not feeling it.  I still like working from a notebook as it forces me to complete the homework so that I can easily share the lesson.  And - you won't believe this - hubby is agreeable.  We agreed to no more than 3-4 couples or a total of 6-8 more people.  Just a small group to study the Word.  Praying about what to do and if I am to do it.  I could either do just women or couples.  

Found out recently our church is going to one service starting at 10AM in February.  We still wonder why - finances? pastors? we don't know. Maybe we can find out tonight - prayer meeting tonight.  We may have a chance to ask the pastors.  Hubby has no problem going up and asking. LOL  I tried to make it 'ok' with hubby by telling him we could have a nice breakfast by going at 10AM instead of 9AM..... he liked that idea.  LOL I had to do the before instead of after.  With going at 9AM, we were out in plenty of time to make the 11AM opening at the restaurants - and were frequently the first ones through the door.  He liked that too.  

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV):  "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."

So what things are you putting in to your mind and what things are you keeping your focus on?  I must admit that sometimes I get caught up in things and my focus and thoughts are on things I shouldn't have it on.  One being my sister's issues... but isn't that what we do?  Our child has an issue and we think about it. A lot. A grandchild has been offended - we think about it.  Our spouse has things come up and they share.  We think about it.  These things bombard our minds.... and we think about them. 

But what should we do on those things that are not praiseworthy?  We should pray about them.  When my sister's issues come to my mind, instead of berating my brother in law for how he treats her, I need to focus on praying for him to have a tender heart towards her.  When one of my children have problems, I need to not focus on the problem they are dealing with, but pray that God will use that problem to turn their hearts toward Him.  The same with my grandchildren.  I do pray for each one - sometimes by family, sometimes by name... depends a lot on how much prayer time I have.  I pray for their safety. I pray for soft hearts. I pray for health.  I pray that God will use them and He will be glorified.  I pray their hearts will be softened towards Him and they will repent and turn their hearts to Him and live.  Oh that they could know the joys of following Jesus!  Not as a fan would, but as a follower.  There is a big difference.  I don't want to be a fan.  I choose to be a follower.

Great is the Lord, and He is greatly to be praised.  Hallelujah!

Blessings!

Another interesting, strange, dream...

 I'm not sure where these dreams are coming from, and don't think they have any meaning, but they sure are interesting.  Last night one of my dear friends (who has been married over 35 years) was getting married, but had nothing to wear to her wedding, which was getting ready to happen.  I gave her the lavender dress I had worn at my granddaughter's wedding a year ago; it is long, lacy, and pretty... and it fit her perfectly.  I don't remember specifics of the dream, but we were rushing around trying to get everything pulled together.  It seemed like I was officiating the wedding, but was also being a 'wedding planner' of sorts.... I don't know, but, well, that was pretty much the dream.  Nothing else happened in it, that I can recall, but it is just really an odd dream.  

Of course the thought has occurred to me this morning, as I have thought about it, does the dream have any meaning for this specific friend?  Is she getting ready to become the bride of Christ and He was letting me know?  I am selfish enough and love my friend enough to pray "No, please, Lord!" but His timing is not our timing.  It was an interesting dream.

I know that God does answer our prayers.... and in interesting ways, sometimes.  My sister's hubby came to her and apologized for his comments about the church she wanted to go to - and said that they can go there again this Sunday.  I think this is what the 'gaslighting' I read is all about.  He keeps her in an emotional upheaval that she doesn't know what to feel or to even believe.  

Did I tell you that I finally got the Christmas bedspreads off the beds?  I have one I want to get rid of if I can find someone who would want it.  I love to put Christmas things throughout the house... hubby isn't so much in favor of it... but some day I will have a 'Christmas house' the way I want it.  Baby steps.  The Christmas bedspread I want to let go of is a red and green plaid.  It even has sheets and pillow cases to go with it.  I am thinking my youngest son may take it, but who knows. I haven't said anything to him and now that Christmas is over, it can wait.  I did buy already a new Christmas comforter that I think I will like better - it has holly leaves on it. :-)

This cold front isn't doing much for my flowers.  No, I haven't covered them, hoping it won't affect them too bad.  And if they do, I'll replace them.  Once this cold front is gone, I need to go back and trim down my roses to about 12".  A friend used to raise a lot of roses and he always told me to wait until the cold front was gone, then cut back to 12" or 24" and to be sure and put Elmer's glue over the cut.  Why?  Because it keeps the bugs out while the rose bush is dormant and getting ready to burst out in flowers again.  I used to do it at our house and they would grow from 24" to above the roof over the summer.  We'd still have to trim them back again.  Trimming them causes them to spread out versus just grow up. Glad I hadn't done it yet.  Maybe after this week the weather will not drop down so low.  My gauge on my computer says it is 33 degrees here where I am.  Brrrr.   I started to open the shutters in here yesterday and ask I did, I felt the cold air radiating from the windows - uh, no.  I shut the shutters back up - not going to encourage cold air in here - I don't do well with cold anyway!  LOL  I even got a small electric space heater for Christmas because this is either the coldest room in the house - or it can be the hottest.  No, I haven't used it yet, but I did entertain that thought yesterday.

One thing I am doing is filling up the humidifiers and letting them add water to the air in the bedrooms.  My hair is flying all over the place with the dryness of the air from the heat.  The humidifiers add water to the air - and it also keeps my nose from drying out.  Ever have that problem?  When you wake up your nose is so dry and it is really hard to 'blow'?  The heat in the wintertime dries out the air and as we breathe in that dry air, it dries our nose out.  If you have a humidifier to where it blows some water in to the air, it helps with the breathing.  Especially if one has a cold, a humidifier really helps keep the air moist and more comfortable.

Have you ever paused to wonder where you will go when you die?  There are some people who will say 'Heaven, for sure'... or 'Hell, cause I don't want to change'.... or 'I have no clue and I don't care'.  What do you say?  

Yes, I'm wanting to go to Heaven, for sure, and it isn't hard to think that is where I will end up.  Sometimes life seems so hard and I seem to fall so often in my own wants and decisions..... I want to do things MY way (imagine that!) as God did give us free will and free choice.  I seem to do a lot of confessing some days to God, and asking forgiveness. There are some people who we WANT to believe are in Heaven... but are they?  Perhaps what we see of their lives tells us they will go to Heaven... or some area causes us to think they won't make it... but one thing for sure, we are not to judge them.  I am to be responsible for myself.  Not my hubby.  Not my children.  Nor my grandchildren.

Yes, I want all my children and grandchildren (and greats) to go to Heaven where they will be with Jesus.... but it is their choice.  My part in all of this desire is to pray for them.  Pray for their salvation. Pray for what troubles them. Pray that they will choose wisely the path they take.  Pray they will say Yes to Jesus.  Oh the joys that could abound for them if they said Yes!  They may think life is good right now - but what if troubles come? There is no other than they can lean on but Jesus to get them through the hard times.  I know this for a fact.  We've gone through a lot of hardships.  My family wasn't there for me.  It was God and us.  He got us through it.

Which reminds me... I got a very odd text on my phone last night.  It gave my heart a twinge, and my thoughts went to the past.... here is the text....

"Hey I'll have Jackie on the other line to 3 way in a few minutes."

I just sat there for a few minutes before I finally sent a text and asked 'who is this?'  They didn't respond back.  It was an out of state number so I am pretty sure they sent the message to my phone in error.  Isn't that odd, though?  My deceased sister's name is Jackie, or rather, we called her that.  Her name was actually Jacqueline.  So it gave me pause and I thought about her and realized again how much I miss her and wished she was still here for me to call.  We know she didn't commit suicide; we know her son murdered her... we just can't prove it without him admitting it... and he is so psycho that he doesn't realize what he has done.  So the detective keeps the case open until he does confess.  It hurts that she is gone.  When my little brother told the son what the family thinks happened... he just says 'they can shove that thought up their axx'.... 

Ah... my thoughts are going elsewhere this morning so I will hush.  I pray that you have a blessed day; that you will feel the presence of the Lord surround you; that you will quiet your heart to hear His voice.

Blessings!

I WANTED to go back to sleep this morning....

 We didn't go to bed until after 10PM last night - which is late for us - and then I had a weird dream, so I really wanted to take a nap in here this morning.  So I snuggled down in my chair, wrapped in my blanket and prayer shawl to keep warm and closed my eyes... and I may have drifted off some... but it sure didn't feel like it.  Of course then I 'lost' that time to do some of my 'routine' things that I like to do (like read other things and have more time to write in here).  Oh well.  I was tired (still am).

Oh - the weird dream?  I opened my eyes to see what time it was when I woke up... it was 1:15AM.  I was in bed, asleep, when someone jarred me awake.... that someone was my boss.  The one I love.  Then, after I saw what time it was and I was falling back to sleep, it was as if I remembered I had a bag of things for her.... which is weird.... we were in this building and I opened the bag I had for her, and inside the bag was the last pint jar of my salsa (which hubby is finishing up)... the last one left over from Christmas and I think is about ready to be tossed.  It was wrapped in paper towels... and as I unwrapped them, they were wet.  The juice from the salsa had leaked out of the jar and when I looked at the jar... yeck... it was a mess of tomatoes and peppers and all - thick and clumpy.  I decided to throw it away instead of giving it to her.  Then I lost the dream.  What in the world?  I'll check with her today and make sure she and her family are all ok.  The salsa?  I'm going to tell hubby to dump it and not eat any more of it.  It's still pretty full.  Usually they last about 3 weeks and then the salsa starts bumbling out of the jar and smelling sour.  We have already thrown away one jar.  That one was for our prodigal granddaughter... she never came over to get her gifts nor her salsa.  The gifts have been moved to the garage.  Without her boyfriend apologizing to my son for what he and his family did to my son, I don't want him here.  It may be wrong, but what he did was wrong and he needs to acknowledge his part in it.  It's her choice to see me. I will always love her. 

We went to hear Cindy Jacobs last night at the Church of the Nations.  She prophesied over several people, especially the youth.  That was the reason we were up late as we didn't get home until 9PM and then I heated up some leftovers for hubby and I to eat.  It was a good service.... and one thing I got out of it was to prepare for my passion.  What is it that one is passionate about... before they even have the passion 'happen', one needs to prepare as if they are ready for it.  I know that... I've told myself that before... and I would start reading and studying... and then get discouraged.  I've always felt like I had a weight around me, holding me back, holding me down.  I've never felt free to be able to follow any passion I've had.  And now I am old.  What could God possibly have for me to do?

But in spite of my own questions, I will go back to reading, praying, and perhaps even try writing some.  My spare time is about nil... but I should at least try, right?  My joy (other than for my children and grandchildren - and greats) was sucked out of me years ago.  Then I tell myself that no one can steal my joy because my joy comes from the Lord and knowing Him.  And that is true.  I do find my joy in Him.  Jesus is my refuge in the midst of each day - whether good or bad.  I run to Him whenever I need help.  I cry out to Him in my troubles, even little one sentence prayers like "Lord, HELP!"

I desperately need alone time - not just here in the mornings or when hubby goes away for breakfast or lunch with his friends - afterall, usually I am still working so I'm not really 'alone'.  How I wish I had a hermitage to run off to!  But then... 

James 1:5 (NIV):  "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

I lack a lot of wisdom and sometimes I let that show way too much.  Each day I ask God for wisdom, knowledge, and revelation of His Word, so that I can apply His Word to my life.  Sometimes I seek it, sometimes I don't.  One thing for sure, when I don't, I am not too smart!  God has all the wisdom in the world.  Why wouldn't one want to ask Him for some?  I should do it more often, for sure! And so should you.

I'm reading this book on the Holy Spirit called Fire and Wind by Stan Kantz, I think it is.  It's really pretty interesting.  I read last night that when he was seven years old he was laying in the back seat of the car, looking out the back window (before seatbelts were required), and looking up at the sky, he felt the vastness of who God is and his own need for Him... even at 7 years old!  He told his mother that he wanted to ask Jesus to come in to his heart at that time.  He didn't have many sins, if any, and yet, he felt like he needed to ask Jesus to forgive him of his sins and become Lord of his life.  What an awesome testimony of being drawn to the Lord and allowing Him to live within.  Oh that my children and grand children would come to the saving knowledge of the grace of God!  I pray for them, and I truly believe that God will answer my prayers .. but it is never in my timing.

Every day is a new beginning.  It is more than making the determination that 'today is the day that I will ...."  It is the first day of the rest of your life.  I want my life to matter.  I want to leave a legacy that I will be remembered with love.  Sometimes I have to work on that.  Perhaps we all do.  But one thing I do - I choose Jesus, Father God, and the Holy Spirit to live for.   I choose LIFE.

Blessings!

It was a good day - and today is going to be busy!

 It was a good day yesterday with my daughter and granddaughter and my toes and fingers look awesome with the polish on them.  We three discussed doing this once a month - getting at least our fingernails done. Yeah, we could do it ourselves.... and I have been, but my nails were in really (and I mean really) bad shape.  All my fingernails are about down to the quick as I keep chipping them against things.  Today they look nice for church.  Next week may be a different story.  Found my bag of polish recently, and had some good memories of painting my oldest granddaughter's fingernails in the pink and silver sparkle many years ago.  Yeah...I even still have those... they are probably dried up, but I still have them.

We have church this morning and I'm looking forward to some good praising and worshipping the LORD.  We heard something from a friend - that was announced when we weren't there - our church is going to one service for the summer (if not permanently).  We have wondered about it... is it because it is less expensive to have one service and save on air conditioning in the summer?  Is it getting too difficult for our pastors to fill the pulpit for two services every week?  We don't know.  We heard it will be going to one service at 10AM.  I know they did one service Thanksgiving weekend, Christmas and New Years.  We weren't at any of those services as we were speaking elsewhere.  

We have mixed emotions about going to one service.  There aren't a lot of people in the first service; service is on a timeline as it needs to be completed before time for the second service.  We are out by 10:30am or so and able to be the first ones in line for lunch (as a rule).  By going to a 10AM only service, there will be no time constraints (the Holy Spirit can do whatever He wants to do and won't be stopped), and ... well... we are having mixed emotions because the 2nd service, which started at 11AM before, was a bit longer than what our 9AM service was.  It will all work out.  We still love our pastors and the people we have met there.  Would like to get more involved, but it is in God's timing, not ours.  

Our hallway alarm went off this morning.  Hubby and I 'met' underneath it to stop the shrieking alarm.  We took it down; I am going to believe that the battery has worn out.  We will stop and pick up new ones today or tomorrow.  Can't put that off, for one never knows when something could happen and we need to be awakened.  We have only two I think (will have to walk around and look at the ceilings to check) but however many it is, will need to pick up and replace.  But, maybe it is a better idea to just replace this one - have them 'go out' at alternate times.  Yeah, that might be a better idea.  I could probably order on Amazon this afternoon and have here tomorrow.

My sister sent me a disturbing note last night.... she asked me to look up 'gaslighting' on google.  She said this is what she has been living with for 30 years and she can't take it any more.  She wants to come out here - and of course I extended the invitation.  Perhaps if she could get away for a few days she will be able to sort things out in her mind on what she needs to do.  Yes, I don't think she should be verbally or mentally abused like she has been; no one deserves that.  But I can't tell her what to do and she needs to determine what is important to her.  Our values are not always the same - and material things mean nothing to me... I certainly can't take them with me when I die.  If my children want them, they can have them.  First and foremost, it is important to live in peace.  

As you know, I've had my moments, and I will take 50% of the responsibility of it being my problem. But I think we are at a place now that it is no where near as bad as it has been at times.  (watch the devil stir up stuff now)  We both know that God must be the Center of our lives, of our home.  Yeah, we both fall and say the things - with attitude - that we shouldn't say.  I'm sure that shocks you that I do that. But I'm human too, and no matter how perfect IN Christ I want to be, I fall.

For example, I will confess I made a snarky comment the other day... only because as I write this it came back to my mind.  Hubby got a small package the other day.  He thought it was mine and made his own snarky comment about 'another package' arriving (I've had several books come in lately from Thriftbooks).  Only this package wasn't for me.  It had his name on it.  So I handed it back to him with my own snarky comment of "what did you spend my hard-earned money on now?"  OOPS.  It just came rolling out.  There was no stopping it.  See, I think that's why he always insists on getting the packages and mail - he orders things and doesn't want me to know about it.  His response?  "I put money in the bank too and I can buy things with it!"  And he does have that right.  I just had to get that snarky comment in - especially when he comments on when I get a package.  My things are paid for by me, never him.  I don't deserve his comments either.

Enough of my rambling, right?  Day 15 of our fasting.  It has gotten easier for hubby and I since we added chicken and fish. But I have noticed that we both have been snacking on things other than fruits and vegetables (for him, salsa and chips).  I think we need to chat about that and make a point to cut out the snacking this week.  We've gotten lax, and I want to get back to focused fasting.  What he does is between him and God, but I am going to bring it to his attention today that we need to cut it out. 

Today will be somewhat busy.... church this morning, then I told Ms. Amy I would drive over and visit her.  I need to get her Lexus out of her garage and drive it over there.  Then tonight I want to go to another church and hear someone speak at a conference.  Not sure if hubby is going to go - but I really don't see him letting me go alone.  I'm skipping the Bible study to go... which is another thought process I'm going through.  More on that another time.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV);  "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Jesus commands his followers to pray using three imperatives: Ask, Seek, and knock. All three words are in the present tense, indicating a continuous action: Keep on asking, seeking, and knocking. All three commands are also accompanied by a response from God: His people receive; find, and have the door opened to them. God answers prayer.

Sometimes the answers come like we want.  But many times they don't.  Why is that?  Because God sees the big picture and we do not.  Even if our hearts are devoted to Him and we follow Him perfectly, we do not always get what we ask for.  Why is that?  Because God is a loving Father and He knows what is best for us.  

As much as I have grumbled over time about my marriage and about hubby.... I believe that God was in it.  Why?  Because our struggles in marriage led me to Jesus.   I truly believe that if we had not married and moved away, I would not be the person I am today.  I would not know Jesus Christ as Lord of my life.  It took our struggles for me to run to Jesus and seek Him, ask Him for forgiveness, and He opened the door to a whole new future.  He can do that for you as well.  I received Him, because I sought after Him, I have asked Him for things, and He always provides, and there are times I have pounded on the door of Heaven for things, and He responds.  Our God is a good, good, Father.

I can remember being at a youth function (the one I was allowed to go to) at a hotel around the age of 14 and crying in my room - and I have no idea what brought that up - but I was crying because God had allowed my daddy to die when I was 7 years old.  I didn't understand then; I do not understand now.  Why would God take my daddy who would love and protect me, and allow my mother to marry a man who would abuse me? I remember crying and asking God in that hotel room.  I don't know why God takes away people who are good and who love and protect us.  My daddy was a preacher man... a worshipper of God... WHY? I have no answers.  But I know that God loves me and cares for me.  I have learned over the years that my dependence is on God alone.  

Our God is a good, good Father.  He is the only One who loves you beyond measure.  Sit back and think about your life - your hardships; your pain, your loss.... and see God's hand in your life.  Did he not give you someone to stand beside you?  Walk through life with you?   Even if you have no one to walk with you physically, God is walking with you spiritually, so you are never alone.  Trust Him. One step at a time. One day at a time.  Choose Him.

He truly is all you need.

Blessings!

It's going to be a fun Saturday!

 I am actually DOING something today - and it is not about me at all!  Today is my daughter's 54th birthday (when did she get so old?)!  My granddaughter asked me the other night if I'd like to join them - she's treating her mother to a manicure and pedicure, and lunch today. I get to tag along. YAY!  I am going to tag along for sure!  So looking forward to a fun day.  Have I ever shared this day 54 years ago?  I believe I have on both the boys... but my daughter?  Not so sure.  So perhaps, for history sake, I will share it now.  After all, the mind goes a bit as I age.

I lived with my mother-in-law and father-in-law as my husband was in the Army.  He had gotten drafted 5 months after we were married....and before I found out I was pregnant.  He left in May, and I found out in June we were to have a  baby.  It was the 'gift' he left me.  But, on to that morning.....

This child was due on December 29th..... and in spite of the castor oil and orange juice I drank that weekend (cause my brother in law was home from college and wanted me to have the baby then) (took me years before I could drink orange juice again without the feeling of oil going down my throat) (oh - it didn't work for the baby, but I did get the runs), the time went by until it was the morning of January 21st.

About 4AM that morning I awoke with a bad back ache.  Never having a child before, I had no clue what to expect.  I mean, I was really naive.  REALLY naive.   I finally got up around 6AM and headed to the kitchen where my mother-in-law was.  She asked why I was up early, and I told her I had a bad backache. SHE suspected what was going on, but I still did not connect the dots.  Like I said, REALLY naive.  Mom and I sat down and started playing Uno, a card game we frequently played.  Lots of pressure started happening in my belly and I shared that with mom, who was asking me questions.  About 8:30AM I was starting to feel zaps of pain.  She suggested we call the doctor, which I did.  Since I was 3 weeks late, he told me to go on to the hospital and he would meet me there.  Now mind you, whenever I had begged him to help me have the baby earlier, he would always say...."When the apple is ready, it will fall."

I made it to the hospital and they put me in a bed.  This is where it gets somewhat vague.  They put an IV in my hand and just checked on me periodically.  But the thing is..... the IV put me to sleep.  The nurses would wake me up periodically, and ask "are you feeling any pain?" and I would (probably) go 'yeah yeah' and go back to sleep.  I do not remember much of anything during that time as I was knocked out most of the time.  I remember at one point the nurses saying the baby was coming so they wheeled me into the delivery room.  They knocked me totally out! Mom couldn't come in with me so watched from the window.  I woke up later in my room.  Back then the babies were kept in a nursery and the nurses would bring them to you.

Things I found out later....  the doctor had given instructions to sedate me when I was in labor.  Why?  Because (before ultrasounds) he didn't know if it was one or two babies (I had gained 50 pounds!) and because my husband was in the Army and at that time in VietNam, if something was wrong with the baby, they didn't want me to know until after they knew.  They thought what they were doing was protecting me. I'm still confused about that as I didn't have any problems with my pregnancy - other than gaining 50 pounds!  

But, I eventually saw my baby girl.  I had gotten to the hospital about 9:30AM and she was born at 1:37PM I think.... and she weighed 8 pounds and 10 ounces and was 21 1/2 inches long.  I remember that she had wide open eyes and seemed so alert.  The doctor said it was because she was nearly a 10 month baby she was more alert than a normal newborn.  At that period of time, women were kept in the hospital a long time after giving birth.  I went in on a Tuesday... and I had to beg to go home on Sunday so that my brother-in-law, who came home from college to see her, could hold her before he went back.  So there you have it.  My husband received a telegram (I think) announcing the birth.  He still never saw her for the first time until January, 1970, just before her first birthday.  He had spent 14 months in VietNam so that he could get out a little early.

Memories come and go - but today I will celebrate with my daughter the anniversary of her birth.  Where does the time go?  

Psalm 139:13-18 (NIV): "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand - when I awake, I am still with you."

Each day, each year, is a celebration of life - whether it is for my daughter, my boys, hubby, or even for myself.  (and that includes the grands and greats too!)  Take a moment and celebrate today...  it may be just another day to you - but I urge you, Celebrate today, because you are celebrating being alive.  Celebrate those you love.  Take your spouse out for a meal.  Go for a walk together.  

Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV)  "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life, so that you and your children may live."

So many times life comes against us, it feels.  Spouses get angry at us.  We do something really stupid and we don't see our way out of it.  Life gets hard, we put ourselves in places we shouldn't be, whether physical or emotional or financial.  Life.Is.Hard.

There is only One who can help us through those times, and that is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  Yes, They are the great Three in One.  I urge you today, choose LIFE, that you and your children may live.  Choose the only ONE who can give you what you need, when you need it.  Answers your prayers and sometimes even your thoughts and wishes.  You are never alone when Jesus is with you.  

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

Blessings!

Why am I the last one?

 Geez!  My brother wrote me a note the other day and invited me to his wife's retirement party in April.  She has 30+ years in at Eli Lilly and will finally be retiring.  Great for her, but she is younger than me!  And, that takes me back to my comment I always make - why am I the last one to retire in my family?  What's up with that?  LOL  My day will come, whether it will be January 10, 2025 (the date I chose a few months back) or before - or later.  It really isn't in my timing, but in God's.  When He wants me to retire... He will make it happen.  I just grumble a lot in between these times.  I want to spend all morning in here if I want to.  I want to pretend it is Saturday every day.  But I also like the stability of having a job in which it makes me think and learn new things.  Keeps my mind active. And, with seeing first hand what happens when one doesn't keep their brain active... well, I'm grateful I'm still working.

'Of course' my brain becoming inactive wouldn't happen to me, right?  I have plans for when I actually get to retire.... bake wonderful dishes and give them away; volunteer at different activities; enjoy having my grandchildren over more and doing things with them, READ every day, exercise, take long walks, call old friends and chat without keeping an eye on the clock, start pondering that book I always wanted to write... oh so many things I would want to do.  But if I retired today, I know my life would not be my own.  Perhaps that is why it hasn't happened.  I couldn't do everything I wanted to do.  So why retire if I can't enjoy retirement, right?

Speaking of the brain, I finished the book last night about the Healthy Brain Zone - preventing Alzheimer (or as my mother always called it - Old Timers) and Dementia.  As you know, I have concerns about someone and whether it is more than just 'old age'.  Did you know that the food we eat can either help our brain or block it from thinking as we age?  It was an interesting book, although I must admit the last few chapters didn't do much for me... my brain didn't care about the research.  But I did learn a lot of things about how we should eat.  Processed foods are the worst for our brains and for our bodies.  We all really need to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole foods and not those with fillers and preservatives included.  Yes, it is easier to grab those boxes of whatever whenever we need to fix food for the family.  Lots of pasta to satisfy appetites and easy to fix.  Lots of bologna and questionable hotdogs and other items. Spam.  LOL  I was raised on bologna and spam and love them.  Haven't had them since I married hubby... he has refused to allow me to put on the table.  And you know what, they aren't good for me, so I haven't.  

I've tried to eliminate a lot of foods that I loved in the past and know they are not 'good' for us.  But some things you just gotta have, right?  I gave up sugar in teas and sodas years ago.  Now I can't drink even sweet tea; it is way too sweet for me.  I bought Lipton Peach Tea before Christmas and could not drink even one bottle.  It was too sweet.  BUT, I tried the diet (with preservatives, no less) Lipton Peach Tea and liked it.  Figure that out.  Of course I drank Tab and Diet Rite growing up too. :-)

I still love my french fries - and you know what - if cooked in the air fryer, you get that crisp coating and it doesn't have the oil covering.  I love cooking in my air fryer - and it not only saves time, but tastes so good.  I do a ribeye steak in there... spray olive oil on the outside of it, sprinkle seasoning on it... and put in the air fryer for about ... ugh don't remember how long... but it is tender, juicy, and oh so good.  Oh yeah, we aren't eating beef right now.  I love cooking in it.  My daughter got an instant pot for her birthday and she cooked a savory chicken dish in it the other night.  It was really pretty good! and it was done in about 10 minutes, I think.  I can do that in my Foodie.. plus I have another Power XL my older sister had given me years ago... I need to cook more dishes and do more experimenting in these appliances.  I sure have enough of them!  Wish I had a place where I could set them all out and grab as I need.  Most are buried in cabinets.  Except my Foodie... naw, it sits on the cabinet where it is always ready for me.

Wow - did you see what just happened?  I went from talking about a Brain Zone book (by Dr. Don Colbert) and how to prevent or delay Alzheimer's or Dementia - and went right into food.  I love food. What else can I say? 

James 1:2-3 (NKJV):  "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."

Consider it all JOY when I fall into various trials?  Seriously?  LIFE is sometimes a trial and I not only fall into it, I wallow in it.  Is it the same for you?  Life isn't easy.  Let me say that again.  Life Isn't Easy. And we were never told that it would be.  We are told in James 1 that we are to (in the NIV) Consider it all joy when we fall into these trials.  Why is that?  Because James tells us that when these things come up against us, that it causes us to step back and pause... look at the trial (problem), and make a good decision on how to proceed in an honest and right way.

For example - and I may be stretching it some here - ok, erased that one.  Let's see if I can think of something else....   I am reminded of a time we were in great financial woe.  I won't go into details as to why we were .... that still is something I have to work through whenever it comes to mind (I get angry and I still have to work on the forgiveness part)... but in great distress, I cried out in prayer to the only One who could help us.  I literally cried through my prayers as I was so desperate for His intervention in our finances, and I knew that only He could help us.  I had nothing else to go on.  There was no one else.  So I cried and cried and I prayed and prayed.  And my faith grew stronger during that time of testing... would I really depend on God to provide for what was needed?

Spending money was not an option - that was what got us in that predicament.  Only God.  My faith was not only tested that He WOULD help us (I knew He COULD), when He provided help... and actually, it wasn't even financially, but the help He provided was the peace that only He can provide in our times of need.  Sure, sometimes He will cause things to happen and finances can be reversed.  It didn't happen in our case... but He gave me the peace I needed to endure.  And my faith, tested, gave me patience and hope for what He has planned.

Philippians 4:6-8 (NLT):  "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

Did you know that when you pray general prayers, you don't know if God really answers it or not?  We pray for someone to feel better.  What does that mean?  In our minds it is 'feel better'.  What we need to pray is against the sickness that they feel.  Remove that pain, remove that migraine, remove that issue, in the mighty name of Jesus!  And when it is gone, you will know exactly what you prayed for and that God answered!

A couple of years before we sold our house and moved, I decided to pray specifically for financial help from God.  Now, praying for financial help was one thing, but the specific thing I was praying for was that the house we were living in (and was a big financial burden) would be miraculously paid off.  It wasn't so much the house that was the financial burden, but the upkeep.  I won't go into why.  But I specifically prayed that God would pay it off and take that financial burden off of us.

And He did.  Not exactly the way I imagined He would.  Hubby refused to sell the house every time I brought it up.  FINALLY, he commented a couple years ago he was ok with selling it.  Things were crazy from then on.  That was the first part of May.  We told our realtors we were interested in selling - and they started working on the house; fixing things that had never been fixed - which was a lot.  We had lived there nearly 30 years and things just weren't done. The house was on the market and being shown by Memorial Day weekend. Three people went through the house.  Two weeks later, the 2nd person was buying it.  We had to find a place to live. Went looking at houses, nothing 'fit'.  Finally we were shown this 'condo' and we liked the space.  Within a very short time, we closed on the house, bought this place and moved in by the first of July.  Everything was so quick that we really didn't have time to ask ourselves if it was the right thing to do or not.  God orchestrated it all.

My prayers to be rid of the burden of the former house was answered.  I have a lot of memories in that house but I think one granddaughter's "grandma, you will always have memories in this house, but it's time for you to make new memories in a new place" comment that I fell ok with leaving it.  After all, this granddaughter, when she first walked in to the pink house commented... "this is a grandma house" which is why we bought it in the first place!  LOL  

Round about stories to just say... sometimes our faith gets tested when trials and problems come against us.  Don't give up.  Keep praying. Keep asking specifically.  If you aren't asking aright, God will let you know.  Sometimes our wants aren't really what we need... and since God sees the big picture, He will answer your prayers in His time, in His way.

He answered mine.  The pink house was paid off.  We no longer had that upkeep expense.  This condo is affordable for us. It's upkeep minimal, and the HOA takes care of the yard.  Sure, there are other things I'd like to do to it... and I will... but I have to wait.  

In the meantime, I will keep praying, keep seeking, keep asking... and keep believing that God who owns cattle on a thousand hills, will always provide what we need, when we need it.

Blessings!

I fell back asleep....

 and I guess I needed that additional 30-45 minutes.  Problem is, it messes up my routine in the morning as I go through my quiet time and write on here.  So - some morning if I don't write on here (and it isn't a Sunday where I have to head to the RV park), I may have fallen asleep and didn't have time.  Cause, first and foremost, my time with God is more important than my writing my thoughts on here.  But, I do still have a little time left so here I am.  I just eliminate some other things I do. :-) See how important you are?

I finally got around to calling Ms. Amy yesterday and she is doing well.  Looks like it may be April before she will be moving to Florida.  I mentioned to her about putting her place up for sale when she leaves, but she said her children were in no hurry to get rid of it - but "you will be the first to know it's up for sale because your sister wants to buy it and move out here."  HUH?  I don't recall EVER saying that to her, but perhaps may have said something about my sister and I had always talked about living next door to each other in our old age (we could never live together - we are too different in our ways!) but I am pretty sure my sister would not move out here.  

I received a notice in my mail that the w-2s are in our HR folder.  I can go in and print it off.  And, that means I need to start working on my part of the taxes. I really do wish hubby would let me take care of pulling it all together.  I know he messes things up; and he forgets to add things.  But it is a battle every time I mention it.  So, I go through my checkbook and my receipts and my things and pull out all the numbers and give him the totals.  He fills out the financial planner's papers and we schedule the appointment.  Takes about 15 minutes to discuss with the FP and he inputs the numbers, tells us if we have to pay or if we get something back, and off we go until the following year.  It takes us hours to pull the information together and we both will be starting it soon.

Ok - I've written three paragraphs about three different things - and have erased each one.  What's up with that?  I guess some things just don't need my comments or to be told.  Ever had thoughts like that?  You write something out - and then go, naw, I don't need to share that.  Too bad we can't do that with the words we speak.  We need to have a thought block - that before the words come out of our mouths that a wedge comes down and goes 'naw, you don't need to say that' and stop us.  Wouldn't that be cool.

Matthew 15:11 (NKJV):  "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."

James 3:10 (NKJV):  "Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so."

I  was trying to find one more verse and I know it is in Proverbs, verses 4-5 I believe, but I am unable to find it.  But - it is the verse that says 'out of the heart, the mouth speaks' (basically).  What we think in our heart, think in our mind, before we know it, it will come out in our mouth.  That's why we are to watch what our words are - sometimes we don't stop to think about the words that want to come out of our mouths - we say what we want to say - and feel justified in doing so! - but are they the right words to be saying?

Sometimes in frustration we may say things.  Sometimes it is expressed in tones.  Sometimes it is shown in attitudes.  Oh my - I know we all are guilty of that!  Ok, maybe not you.  I share too much on here and you know a lot of my frustrations and my thoughts on those!

But God is also working in me to hold my tongue and not say the things that I may be thinking... or I may be justified IN saying.. yet they are cruel words.  I just can't do that, no matter what they have done or said or their attitudes towards me.  God is working in me to hold my tongue in those times.  It isn't easy and sometimes He really has to clamp my mouth shut.  Because my heart sometimes wants to defile itself with words that I shouldn't say.  It's like a burp - sometimes the words just wanna come out - and I wanna hold them in!

Regardless of how we feel about some things... sometimes things just do not need to be said.  I hear people say things or they share things they have said ... and inside I shudder, for I know that was the evil heart speaking and not God's heart.  We sometimes too easily let the devil have his way in us.  He is a sleuth, sneaking around to do things to irritate us and cause us to take things out on others.  Be wary of that.  

Check your heart.  Is it holding anger that is ready to come out of the mouth?  Unless it is righteous anger, it usually isn't justified.  We need to run that anger through a sieve and see what comes out.  If it doesn't resolve something, then it probably isn't worth hold the anger in. 

I choose to bless people versus cursing them.  The world is full of people who like to find fault and blame others and claim themselves the victim or martyr to whatever is happening around them or even to them.  But it doesn't have to be that way.

Choose to bless others.  Even when they come up against you and hurt you, bless them.  In doing so you release their attack on you and it falls to the ground because the arrows cannot strike the Shield God puts around you.  Doesn't mean one or two won't get through and hurt - I've been hurt a lot of over the years.  But, when I bless those who hurt me, life wins.

Gotta run, time is short this morning!

Blessings!

It was a good morning...

 After hubby left for his Bible study yesterday, I did manage to take a break from work and clean off the top of the refrigerator and freezer and got it straightened up.  It wasn't as bad as I thought it was, which is a good thing.  I also, throughout the day, was able to get things done in here.  The bed cleaned off and the Christmas bedspread folded and put away, the regular bedspread put on, empty boxes taken to the garage, things picked up.  I still have things to do, but it looks better than it did.  It doesn't feel as cluttered. Imagine that!  Not to say it still isn't cluttered some, just not as bad.

I'm beginning to think I have a touch of adult ADHD.  As I sit here and think about what to write about, I am reminded of all the things I have started and haven't yet completed.  I'm doing pretty good book-wise.  I do have a few books I'm working through, but once I get started on one when I have a chance to read, I do try to finish it.  In fact, going through my list in Goodreads the other day, I found several I had finished that I showed as starting before.  I marked them off as finished - but not necessarily this year - and unfortunately it did add to my total for this year.  When I saw it had raised it to 6 and it should be only 2 or 3 actually read this year, I stopped marking them.  My problem is I have so many books I DO want to read but my time fills up with other things and I don't have the time to read.  Luckily I am a fairly fast reader, and if it is really interesting, I'm focused.  If it isn't that interesting, it is easier to put it aside for 'another time'.... which may or may not come.

I had a box of books arrive from Christian Book Distributors yesterday and of course hubby had to stand there and watch me open it.... questioning what I purchased.  When he commented on the number of books that I bought... probably about 8-10 that I wanted to read that sounded good.... I could see he was totally up the $$ signs.  THEN I told him that each book was less than $5.... some only $1.49 that would have been just less than $20 had I purchased it otherwise.  CBD was having a big sale - I think I spent about $20 for all the books.  Not going to turn down sales like that.  Some of them I may not get to for awhile, but what I read of them, they sounded like something I'd like to read.  

Maybe if I ever get to retire I can set a REAL goal and see how many books I can read each WEEK.  I remember growing up and having Grace Livingston Hills books - not the paperback little ones, but the hardback books.  I think my mother had nearly all at that time.  I could read one a day.  Of course they are cute romance stories of that era and I loved each and every one.  I read a lot of Phyllis Whitney too... she had another name as well, I know my son knows it, but I'm drawing a blank now.  I've always loved to read and it has always been my escape from 'real life'.  More so in my youth than now.  Now I read to learn and to relax.  Back then it was to escape.  Ah- I think that name was Victoria Holt!

Now my knitting and crochet... well, I do have several different ones going on.  It is what it is.  And little by little I complete them and tell myself I am not going to start another one until I finish all I have.  Well, that hasn't happened. I find another two or three that I started that I hadn't finished.  I think I have 3 in this room alone!  And I enjoy every bit of it.

I Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV):  "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

Have you ever found yourself tempted to do something that you knew you shouldn't do, and yet, the desire was there to do it anyway?  How did you handle it?  

I know there are many times (more than I really care to admit!) that I am tempted to say things that I shouldn't.... and do (why should I let them have the last word?).  Or I'm tempted to do, when I know I shouldn't (we can all fill in this one, can't we?!).  How may times have you gone ahead and done those things - and then felt guilty for doing it?

Hello?  Is it just me?  Sometimes when people get snarky with me, I want to respond back just as snarky.  But that isn't what I'm supposed to do.  It isn't just in the words, it is in the tone of voice.  Trust me, hubby is on me all the time that I say something to him that he doesn't like!  And the funny part is - he is wrong!  I'm not being sarcastic or snarky!  It's just he is over-sensitive when HE is wrong and wants me to be wrong.  Do you have those people in your life?  I think we all do. And they aren't just family members.  And they are just friends.

Colossians 3:12-14 (NKJV):  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection."

We are to keep our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our life. We are to live holy and blameless.  It isn't easy, is it?  People irritate us, annoy us.  We want what we want. Someone offends us - or someone close to us - and we want to 'fight' for them (or us) and we push them aside.  I know I have to deal with one.  I'm not sure what to do and I'm praying about that one.  

I belong to Jesus, therefore I am to love everyone. Regardless of what they have done.  Hate the sin, love the sinner, right?  Sometimes it is really hard, especially when they are not repentant or remorseful of what they did.  You have those people in your life too, I'm sure.  It wasn't done to me, so it should be easy, right?  It isn't.  Don't mess with my children, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren.  You don't want this mama bear coming out.  (see what I mean?)

But by the grace of God, He directs my path and He will take control of all situations.  He's already got it, in fact.  I can't change anything.... but He can.  That's why it is easier to put it in His hands, and step back and take my hands off.

So glad I can do that.  And you can too.  At some point in your life you were dedicated to the Lord.  You can't get away from that.  It may not have been a 'baby dedication' type service, but a mother's and father's heart is always giving their babies to the Lord for His leading, His protection.  And the prayers continue as they grow up.  We still pray for His leading, His guidance, His direction in their lives.   A parent never stops loving their child - no matter what - and in loving them, we ask God to watch over them.  

My children may not (think they do) walk with the Lord... but He knows them because I bring each one before Him, just as I do my grandchildren and great grandchildren. Some day, my prayers for them will be answered.  I have faith.

Pray for your children, your grandchildren, the generations that are yet to come.  God isn't just God of now... He is our God of the past, and of the future.  Begin now to pray for that perfect spouse for your child.  Pray for success in all they do. Pray for their protection.  Pray they find Jesus and live for Him.  That is the best prayer, the best 'gift' you can give your child.  Pray for them.

Take a moment.  Now.  Offer up a quick 'Watch over ............... today, Lord.  Guide them in all their decisions.  Help them as they make choices, that they are the right ones.  Keep them under Your wings. Thank you, Jesus.".  

Blessings!