Staying humble

 You know that you messed up when it's the President's  PowerPoint presentation that is up - and whatever you did (that you have no clue what you did) and the entire presentation disappears from the screen.  And you are the one sharing your screen.  Yep.  Happened once with the President's slides, and then with our finance guy's presentation during the board meetings.  Talk about being nervous and trying to 1) figure out what you did that caused it to disappear (I still have no idea) and 2) trying to be calm enough to FIND the presentation again in  your files while everyone is watching your screen and wondering what is going on.  Dang - I was a mess by the time the board meeting was over!   I had even prayed that the presentation would go smooth and there would be no mishaps!  That darn devil has to push that button, doesn't he!  Although it could also have been human error..... just saying.

Wow - that is weird.  I just heard a knocking noise, but when I got up to go peek to see who would be at the door at 6:40a, no one was there; no one is at the back door.  Where did the knocking come from?  That was really weird. The cameras don't show any movement either.  (and the dododododo music starts, right?)

So glad it is Friday.  I don't have much on my calendar for today so hopefully will be motivated to get the board minutes done and out of the way; and work on the deck for the 6a board meeting for another board next Thursday morning.   After that, the next board meeting would be in September, followed up by two in November and one more in December ..... which reminds me, I need to start soon to get the meetings on the calendar for next year.  

Sue is down to one month to retire.  Today would have been here last day - and yesterday I saw a calendar note I had put there months ago on her calendar that said "Please don't leave me!!"  LOL  I started to take it off, but didn't. Know she will get a laugh out of it.  I need to do it again for August 31st.  I sure will miss my friend being 'close by'.  But we can still text!  At least her interim person I already know and like.  Only she talks twice as fast as Sue does.  I saw her resume come through yesterday (along with two others) for our Administrator to review.  It is getting real.  Got to work on her retirement gift over the weekend; we meet up next Wednesday for our 'last' breakfast as 'Admin meeting'.  I thought about mentioning the meeting with the interim, but.... she lives in Chandler.  It would be further for her to drive... and I think I will just leave it where it is.  Done and done.  Memories made.  And Sue and I plan to meet up on a Saturday morning occasionally - same place. 

I had an 'aha' moment last night, sorta.  Hubby and I went out to dinner (he always says he knows I'm tired and ... haha!) as he wanted his steak at Denny's (which he says is very good) and I got a cobb salad with grilled chicken.  (My oldest son 'caught' us being out!)  After we came home, hubby actually left the TV off (after all, he did watch TV all afternoon and then the news) and we read.  My 'aha' moment?

The book I'm reading is "God, where are You?" by John Bevere.  I think that is the title, anyway.  But in it he said he was always praying (this book was written years ago) "use me, Lord, to heal others"; "use me, Lord, to make a difference"..... and other 'use me, Lord' prayers.  And I thought that those would be pretty good prayers.  But he said that God told him that he was praying wrong.  He was praying pridefully, in that although he was wanting God to use him, he was getting the glory from it, He was being prideful that he (John) wanted to be used (is this a 'pick me pick me' situation?).  Now I have prayed that before.  I don't know how John ended his requests, but I always ask God to use me, so that He can get the glory.  Don't let me fail Him.  Let me promote Him.  I had to think on that a bit.  When I share a message, I always (try) to give God the praise I get publicly..... and I always give Him the praise privately.  Does that make sense?  I think we all want to be used by God in some respect.  But are we asking for Him to use us so that we will be honored?  Or that God will be glorified?  Something, perhaps, to think about.

Ok - had to stop and jump on the work computer.  Maybe, some day, I will be able to just chill and write as long as I want to.... there I go again, dreaming of 'that day'.... which may never come.  Oh well.  I need to just 'get over myself'.  Right?  But - it does give me something to talk about!  LOL

I have Needles of Hope in the morning at Panera as Metro..... looking forward to hanging out with friends for a couple hours as we didn't meet in July since it was July 4th.  I have a stack of baby blankets to take in and donate.  I always go through them first and the ones I really like, I keep.  Why?  Because I have great-grandchildren and years down the road, I will have great-great grandchildren.... and I will have blankets for them when I am no longer here. My mama gave me 3 baby blankets before she died, to pass on down the line.  Hailey got one she made as she was a granddaughter born last.  Then one went to our little great granddaughter who is 'down south', and the other went to our little great-granddaughter who lives a little bit south of us.  I'm glad I learned how to crochet, albeit the same granny stitch pattern, so that each of my grandchildren and great grandchildren have something that I made, whether an afghan or a blanket - and all should also have baby quilts, and twin size quilts.  I don't think my fingers could make those anymore.  But I did enjoy it.

Going to cut this short today; my mind is on things I need to get done for work.  Have an amazing day and do something fun!  Stop and 'smell the roses'.  (buy one for your honey!)

Blessings!

Ding Ding Ding Ding

 At the first ding on my phone I thought perhaps it was my son leaving ... I usually get a notification of that.  I just haven't turned it off; ok, I haven't looked to figure out how.  Anyway, it isn't him.  It is the lawnmower of the landscaper running back and forth in the community part - and every time he passes our patio, my phone has dinged.  Why?  We had cameras put up a month or more ago. I originally bought the cameras because I wanted to capture the quail hatching in my flower pot.  Silly me.  They didn't get put up until 1) too late to send back; 2) my son-in-law got here to do it.  I didn't buy the subscription and the trial has run out so am not sure what I will be seeing, but for today, it was the lawnmower.  In our area, in fact, behind Ms. Diane's house - which is still on the market and to my knowledge, no one has been over to look at it - a neighbor found a homeless man sleeping on her back patio!  So we have decided to start putting our outside lights on in the back and side.  The front has a light that comes on whenever anyone comes in.  And I should be able to get on camera as well... but... again, I don't have the subscription so don't know.  Anyway - this gave me something to start off with, right?

I have a board meeting today.  Had a prep for another upcoming board meeting yesterday.  I wish I knew what the company is going to do with their 'reorganization'.  Sue doesn't think it will affect me, and it may not.  But I would be happy to relinquish the boards.  But then, what else would I have to gripe about?  Or do? LOL  Maybe I'm just 'afraid' they will give me tasks to do that 'get me out' and want to leave?  Or not. LOL Am I dreaming too much?  I have told Sue I'd love for them to offer me a severance package - I'd take it!!  But I've only been there 9 years in September so do not expect one to be much.  But then, it isn't so bad working.  I just shake my head anymore.  Of my siblings, I am the only one who works.  And I guess that isn't a bad thing, right?  It means I am healthy and alert enough to work, right?

I actually cooked a good dinner last night - herbed baked chicken, beets, green beans - and for an ending, yogurt with pumpkin seeds in it.  Filled me up!  Not sure what I'll fix tonight. I'm trying to use up 'stuff' I've had in the freezer for awhile.   I got a new cookbook yesterday and I need to go out to the mailbox and get it.  But I got another new one the other day.  It's the Taste of Home 'Cooking School' and it has lots of recipes in it.  I love the Taste of Home cookbooks for they are all simple recipes (at least in the books I have) and easy to put together.  I've used several of them over the years.  Always yummy. And even I can make them! LOL Just happened to remember when one of my granddaughters, before she was married, told me about fixing orange chicken for her fiancé.  I thought to myself then, "wow, she made orange chicken!' and it was something I hadn't dared to even try!  Now I try a lot of things!

Can you tell I'm grasping at things to share this morning?  I didn't get a good night of sleep.  But by 8:15p I couldn't keep my eyes open as I read so was in bed by 8:30p - which is nothing unusual.  But, I was wide awake before midnight and struggled to fall back to sleep.  Then it was one something, then dozed off and on, finally getting up about 3:50a, I think it was. Tried to sleep in here, but finally gave up. Not sure what was going on last night, but it may be a 'long' day today, needing to stay awake!

My bible reading today was finishing up Ephesians.  I am reading through the New Testament again during the week and will get to start on one of my favorite NT books - Philippians - tomorrow.  Now I read because I love to read the Word of God, but I do have some that are favorites.  James is another one.  John is another.  Well, I guess Matthew is too. Then there is.... LOL  Yeah, I love reading the New Testament because each book teaches me something I have forgotten, or a new thought will be revealed to me.  I've read these books over and over for the past 43 years or so.... you'd think I'd know them by heart.  But God likes to reveal a little bit to me at a time.  He knows my little pea-brain just can't absorb it all at once.  Ephesians is about putting on the armor of God.  It's also about how a man should treat his wife. And the wife the husband.  But Philippians, it's the book of JOY.  Why is that?  It's unique in that when Paul wanted us to have joy, he was sitting in a prison.  Could you write a book about joy if you were sitting in a prison?  Not so sure I could!

We Christians are engaged in a spiritual battle against two opposing kingdoms.  We must put on the full armor of God as it says in Ephesians 6.  We get six things to equip our self with.  

1) the belt of truth.  Victory in spiritual warfare starts with truth.  

2) The breastplate of righteousness.  This piece guarded the heart.  Righteousness protects the spiritual life of the Christian.  Our righteousness doesn't come from ourselves, but from Jesus.

3) Shoes for your feet - which is the gospel of peace.  Roman soldiers had heavy armored sandals that gave him traction and security in battle.  So our peace with God through Jesus gives us security in the face of Satan's accusations.

4) The shield of faith.  The soldier's shield was leather-covered and was often soaked in water to extinguish the flaming arrows of the enemy. (no guns then, remember?)  Faith in God's promises deflects and extinguishes the lies of Satan.

5) The helmet of salvation.  The helmet the soldiers wore was armored to protect the brain.  The primary battlefield for a Christian is his mind, assurance of salvation defeats the doubts and accusations that Satan throws at us.

6) The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  This is our only offensive weapon, if you notice.  The sword.  And for us Christians, the sword is the Word of God.

Gratefully, our spiritual armor is to be used in a war that has already been won.  Jesus won the battle for us when He went to Calvary and died on the cross.  It is said of Napoleon Bonaparte that as he attempted to conquer all the nations of the known world, he spread out a map on a table and pointed to s specific place, and then said to his lieutenants, "if it weren't for that red spot, I could conquer the world".  The spot he referred to was the British Isles, the nation that met Napoleon at Waterloo in Belgium - and who defeated him with a group of nations.  

Think of it this way..... can you not just see Satan telling his minions that he could conquer the world, if it wasn't for 'that one red spot'..... and that is the hilltop of Calvary where Jesus' blood was shed.  But that red spot is what makes all the difference in our spiritual battle.  We don't have to fear the devil and what havoc he can throw at us.  We need enter only the spiritual battle that we have been called, and know that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us enough to die for us.

You can read all about the armor of God for you in Ephesians 6.  You can read about being more than a conqueror in Romans 8:37.  Yeah, I borrowed information from Dr. David Jeremiah in my study bible.  Sometimes it helps it sink in when we type it out, write it out, and believe it.

Wishing you a day full of joy and happiness.  Let's all pause and choose to look at life more differently than others.  Tough times come and go.... but our joy in the Lord lasts forever.

Blessings!

I'm just going to pretend....

 for awhile anyway.  At Sue's retirement party yesterday I was asked numerous times when I was going to retire.  I would just laugh and say "when I die or can't work anymore or 3 more years when I turn 80".  They asked how it will be for me when Sue retires... and I could only respond, "I'm pretending that she is going on a vacation.... that keeps getting extended. After awhile, the reality she will not be at my beck and call Monday - Friday will sink in."  LOL  I'm just kidding around with them.  Sue and I do not talk every day since we aren't in the office together, but we do talk frequently.  And once she is 'done' with work, I won't contact her about work anymore.  I just won't.  Do I really want to retire?  In a way, to be honest about it. But as I've mentioned many times over the past year or so - what would I do if I was retired?  I would lose more than I would gain.  I would have to get a part time job.... so why not keep working as long as I can so that I can keep the mind active, have specific tasks to complete, and get gifts on admin professional day, my birthday, and Christmas?  LOL  Just kidding.  I often think about what I would do if retirement was a possibility... and I will talk about retirement, and whine about not doing it... for a time to come.  Besides, it gives me something to write in here, right?

The retirement party went well; about 50 or so people came. I took lots of photos and sent them to Sue afterwards so that I could clear my phone.  Can you believe this?  I baked scones.  My pumpkin scones. And I got lots of compliments on them.  But I was the only one who baked.  Everyone else brought muffins, scones, other pastries - all store bought!!  we also had iced coffee (in containers from Sprouts; going to check those out) and juice.  She received several bags of gifts, but I don't know what she got as she just took them home.  I know I overbought supplies, so I get to return about $55 worth to Amazon because I didn't use those.  And, I get to expense the other supplies I purchased from Sams Club and get reimbursed.  I got to see people - some I haven't seen since before covid - and got a lot of hugs and got to talk with a lot of people.  I was on my feet the entire time and I tell you what!  By the time I got home, I was tired!  All in all, it was nice and Sue was happy, although she still will be working through August 31st.   In God's timing, my time will come.  Sue says "when the time comes for you to retire, you will know it is time."  Her husband wasn't on board in the beginning either (he retired 18 years ago, selling his business, but he is her age). They have managed their money well over the years so after the remodeling in their bathrooms this week - their entire house will be remodeled - just like having a new home without having to change addresses.   Enough of the party!

Today won't be too busy, got to make sure the PowerPoint deck is ready and complete to send out to board members today.  One of the doctors who submits slides told me yesterday that she would try to get hers in today.  Then I was confused at first - I was thinking the board meeting was next week - and it isn't!  It's Thursday THIS week!  I was focused on the party and forgot the board meeting.  The deck must go out today to the board members so I will be looking at it first thing this morning.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NKJV):  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

As I was reading in my bible this morning, several versus in Ephesians jumped out at me.  Why did I choose this specific one?  Because it reminds me of the bitterness I carried within me for years because of disappointment.  No one would know I was bitter.  They could probably see how I was angry, but bitterness?  Me?  Naw, I'm good!  Until one day I was reading a book.... don't even remember what book.... and it talked about disappointment becoming bitterness.  And I recognized that trait in myself.  Then I became disappointed in myself, because I had taken on bitterness, a trait that as a Christian, I shouldn't have.  Does that make sense?

It wasn't that I didn't get my way.  It was more that I was so disappointed in someone that bitterness took root within me and I tell you - it was awful!  I prayed about that bitterness time and time again, that it would be removed from me, and replaced with love.  I would have to tell myself many times over "I forgive xxxxxx" and "I love xxxxxxxx" (don't count the x's to figure it out, I didn't put the exact number down!).  

I had to learn to take my disappointment in others to God and ask Him to deal with them.  In my anger, I was not able to be truly kind. Definitely not tenderhearted. And I didn't want to forgive. I wanted to bring it to light time and again - (although I did not) - and I wanted to punish them.  They 'ruined' my life - don't they deserve the punishment I feel they do?  I couldn't talk to them about my bitterness and anger for they wouldn't have understood.  But it was - and sometimes still is - real.  Life could have been so much different for everyone if I ....  well, let's leave that there.... but trust me, I had to do a lot of praying, a lot of talking with God about my disappointment and anger ... for me to get over it.  And in reading this verse this morning, I realize I no longer hold in bitterness and anger.  It hasn't done me any good for years of holding it it... but it is refreshing to know that I no longer hold anger and bitterness for this individual.  I can't change the past.  But I can change how I face the future.

By the way, Disappointment - change the D to H - and it becomes His appointment.  Sometimes God allows situations and things in our lives in order to grow us in some areas.  Growing is hard, and many times it is painful, especially when we don't see what it is that we are to learn.   I know I am still growing, and yes, it is painful in some areas, but I know that God is good and I know that He has only the best planned for my future.  

I may not understand the path I am on; I may disagree with how life deals its blows, but one thing I do know.  Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.  No matter what we go through in this life, let's look at it as a learning situation, no matter how painful, and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I Peter 5:7   Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.

May your day be full of amazing wonder as God reveals Himself to you in the things we take for granted.  Watch for Him, you will see His hand.

Blessings!

A busy day coming!

 I awoke at 4a this morning with a longing desire to turn over and go back to sleep.  I still had 7 hours of sleep, and yet, I was wanting more. But not today!  I have a bunch of things to complete and then get on the road about 7:30-8a.  Going to love the traffic enroute to Mesa, I'm sure.  After training with Morgan yesterday, I did make it to Sam's Club and I did get one batch of scones made last night.  I wanted to make another batch, but I was so tired that I 'gave it up'.  I did purchase 3 containers of scones while at Sam's Club so that is my justification in only making one batch.  Not that I need one.  

We saw hubby's cancer doctor yesterday.  Tests show his PSA is going up (from .14 to .18) but it's still going up so the doctor wants to put him on an additional med, a tablet, to take daily along with the monthly Lupron shot.  I don't want hubby to die, nor suffer here in his latter years, but come on - he's 89 years old.... he will not die of prostrate cancer.  Why add medication when he isn't in any pain nor notices anything different?  Oh well - all in all... hubby is doing well; his bone density test showed that his bones are 'above normal' so the cancer has not spread.  Wish my bones would be as strong!

It will be good to see a lot of my friends at Sue's retirement party today. It 'runs' from 10-12p and then I will help clean up.  I plan to leave here around 7:30-8-ish so that I can help set up.  After all, I have the plates, cups, napkins as well as the scones, so I'm needed there early. :-)  I probably won't get back home until around 2-ish... nothing really on the calendar for today - other than scheduling meetings - so I can be gone. It will be nice to be out by myself and visiting with others.  Some of the executives that I know will be there at some point, at least for a short while.  I know a collection was taken up for Sue and they are getting a gift card for her.  I have been putting a small gift together for Sue, but we are having one last 'admin brunch' on August 5th so will take my 'retirement gift' for Sue at that time.  

Speaking of August, I got notice yesterday that the Airbnb charge will be hitting my account today or tomorrow. And that's ok. The money is there to pay it.  I am kind of wishing I had looked for a better place, but I was watching the finances.  And it isn't that we go anywhere.  It had a covered porch, which we both enjoy.  Early mornings are nice, as well as evenings, sitting out when it is a bit cooler. I didn't notice which way the house sat - depends when the sun goes up and down, I guess, how much we'll spend on the porch.  But it is covered so it may not be a problem.  Temps should be at least 10-20 degrees cooler in the 'high country', right?

With all I want to do before I leave this morning, I cut out some of my reading, and now I can't think of anything to write about!  Lucky you?

I made a comment to Sue yesterday that hubby's BP runs like 118/62 (which is what it was at the doctor's office yesterday), while mine seems to be going up.  She commented that as his caregiver (I hadn't pictured myself as that - yet, anyway), that I also needed to make sure I got time to myself and take care of myself.  Novel thought, isn't it?!  I sometimes long to take a day off work, but then think of 'what would I do?'  Sit at home? Bake? Read? Work on crochet project? Work on diamond art?  And I figure I may as well work for the day.  Save my PTO days. Hubby will be home so I wouldn't be alone, and I don't like to shop that much, which is why I do a lot of it online. A lot more than I should, anyway. LOL

  I'll be using 3 days when hubby and I take off for our anniversary.  I can't remember now if we are leaving the 12th or the 13th.... or if I just took the 12th off as a nothing but get ready day.  I don't know.  Hubby kept asking what to get me for my birthday so I finally told him a manicure and pedicure.  So he is going to schedule them the morning of the 12th so that we both can get it done, and he will pay for it.   And that's fine. As you know, and as I often say, there is nothing I need.  Buy me yarn if you want to get me something. I'll use it eventually for something. :-)  I'll think of something eventually and will add it here.  If I do think of something, that is.

James 1:12 (NKJV):  Blessed is the man who endures temptation;  for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him.

I've spent several minutes going through scripture to share with you this morning.  This one - at least the first part at this time, makes a point.  Temptations are so hard to resist, aren't they?  And it doesn't matter what they are!  For some of us it is shopping!  Others it could be Facebook.  It could be anything. (Yes, I'm naming a couple of MY own temptations!)  But I want the crown that Jesus has for me!  I'm not destructive in my shopping, I don't mean that.  Going on Facebook at times when I'm not feeling quite myself - well, that could be dangerous cause I end up buying stuff on Facebook that I don't need.  (You do it at times as well, you know!!)  (So really, shopping and Facebook could go together, huh!)  Anyway - there are temptations (albeit I have been silly and lighthearted about it) that we do need to get through without giving in.  We all have them.  Things we either want to do - or don't want to do, right?

So when you resist temptation, what goal do you have in mind?  Going back to shopping, if I don't spend money, I can save it. DUH.  I'm really trying hard in this area right now.  I need to go back to pretending I don't have a check coming in.... that fell by the wayside some time ago.  I need to save more.  But I love to buy and give. I love doing little surprises that people don't expect.  That brings my heart much joy.  But I do need to rein in some of my silly purchases.  Just because I like something, doesn't mean I need to buy it for others, right?  I can tell them about it, and if they want one, they can buy their own.  Right?  Sigh.

Well, I need to get off here and get in the shower and figure out what to wear today.  With the execs coming, I don't necessarily want to be in my grubby jeans... I need to look nice.  I wonder if I can still get in to a pair of my old slacks..... haven't worn them in 5+ years, I'd imagine.  Sitting all day, the butt has spread.... and I don't need any comments!  LOL  Which reminds me, Morgan had me do core workout yesterday... 'butt-ups' was one of them.  My butt is heavy enough that after a couple 'butt ups', it wouldn't move anymore.  

I need to get off here. Right?  Have an amazing day!  Hug your loved ones today.  Take some time for you, even if it is just being still and quiet.  God is good.

Blessings!

I thought I was doing good on time...

 and yet, I glance at the clock and time is where it is usually at when I start on this blog.  Yeah, I start later many days, but this is the usually go to time.  Not that you needed to know that... 

I went to bed early last night - I think. I mean, it was probably close to the time we go to bed, but for some reason, all of a sudden, I was exhausted.  So I got up and went to bed. Slept all night as well. I know I woke up about 9:45p and laid there staring at the clock, figuring out if it was correct, for I felt like I had slept several hours.  Turned over and looked at hubby's clock (we both have the clocks that reflect on the ceiling.  Well, his reflects on the wall; mine on the ceiling.  Anyway - they were the same so guess I was 'totally out' for a bit over an hour. So I turned over and went back to sleep.  Didn't get up during the night - that I can recall - and 4:30a my alarm went off. I snoozed. Ten minutes later it went off again.  No, it doesn't wake hubby up.  It's my watch vibrating.  I turned it off again, but got up.  So tired and sleepy still this morning but today will be busy so I've got to get moving.

Hubby informed me (again) when he brought my coffee in, we need to leave at such and such time to get to the cancer doctor's office for his 8:30a visit. I know that. Sure wish I didn't have to go with him to all his doctor appointments.  But I understand why Dr. Mark has me go - hubby doesn't remember all that he is told.  And the positive is that I am doing the driving.  Dr Mark does get a summary of visits from every doctor hubby goes to, so that he is aware of what is being done, but if hubby doesn't remember instructions of what he is to do.... that sometimes can be the problem.  I'm noticing this past 3-4 days hubby is sleeping - a lot - and still sleeps (most) all through the night.  He will sleep several times during the afternoon... anywhere from 10 minutes (waking himself up), to 2 hours or more.  Depends if I'm in the room with him, I think. I don't care he sleeps, but he tries not to when I'm watching something with him. 

I also still need to go to Sam's Club.  Yes, you are right. Third day and I haven't yet gone.  Still need to make scones for tomorrow.  Down to the make it or not time.  Still need to pick up 2% milk cause that is what the recipe calls for - and I bought whole milk this last time.  Not sure if I want to change the taste (yes, it does change texture and sometimes taste) when you don't use what is specifically stated in the recipe. I still want to pick up more plates and cups to take tomorrow.  And I still need to bake tonight.....

Plus I have Morgan at 1p today for my training.  Since Morgan has quit working the evenings, I have to take off work to go get my training done..... Sue has said it is ok and I use my lunch break plus 20 minutes .... hopefully the new boss will still allow it.  Not sure what I'll do if it will become a problem to get away.  For now, I just make sure things are scheduled around meetings I have to attend.  So far it's been ok; I just make sure all my work is done by the end of day. Except Friday I did leave one meeting undone and I need to attack it as soon as I get online.  When I finish this, of course.

Our church service was really good yesterday with our youth pastor preaching.  We're going to schedule time to take he and his wife out to lunch or dinner. Spoke with him yesterday after church and I'll email them to get something scheduled.  We have been taking the pastors out and doing a one-on-one time just to get to know them personally and find out who they are... and giving them a chance to know us.  You know how frightening that can be, them getting to know us.... but, it's part of the meeting.  

I can only share this part in here.... and some of you from reading over the years, may understand my heart in this.  I so long to volunteer and help in all areas of the church.  That's who I am.  Not just preaching/teaching, but helping with the children, the teens.  I want to encourage them and help them grow in the Lord.  It's just hard to do that when hubby 'needs' me close because he is afraid of being alone.  Hubby did 'help' many years ago (mainly helping with the 4-5 year old boys to keep all four legs of the chair on the floor!) with teaching the class of 25 or more.  After 9 years of teaching that class (4-5 year olds), I moved on to adults and love it.  I love the deep studying I have to do, the hours I spend praying (much more, sorry to say, than I do right now) over the class, over the lesson.  I love what I learn as I study.  I would love to help with the childrens' classes, or even with some of the youth, although they may think I'm too old to be involved with the youth..... but I feel so restricted in my life that I don't even volunteer.  So I help by donating supplies when they are needed.  I always wanted, when we were at our other house with the huge kitchen and two ovens, to have young people over to bake cookies and ..... well, being around the youth and younger children keep me young, I think.  Ok - that is a bunch of ramblings so I'm going to stop on this.... 

So for today I have hubby's doctor's appointment, my gym training, going to Sam's Club, baking scones, making sure I have everything I need to take to the retirement party tomorrow in Mesa (which means I will NOT be working for 3/4 of the day tomorrow)....  and I realize that I need to call our dentist's office (which is closed today) sometime this week to find out what they told hubby at his last visit.  His two front teeth are cracked and need to be replaced with crowns.  When he came home two weeks ago from that visit, he said that the dentist's office said he was to come back the next week and for two hours they will work on the front teeth to get them ready for the crowns, then he will need to drive to Tempe to some place for them to make the temporary crowns, and then eventually go back there to get the permanent crowns. It didn't make sense to me then, nor does it now.  Tempe?  Seriously?  Well, the dentist's office has not called to schedule anything with him and it's been two weeks.  So I plan to call them, perhaps on Wednesday as tomorrow will be crazy), and find out what he was told.  He's been fretting because they haven't scheduled that two hour appointment with him yet, and he says it was to have been the following week.  I don't know... how bad can one mess up a message for a dentist?  I'll make a note on the calendar to all on Wednesday and see what is going on.  I would need to take the entire day off work, I'm afraid, to take him to Tempe without knowing how long whatever is to be done.... ugh.  His doctors are always all over the place.  

Psalm 46:10  Be still, and know that I am God.

I often come back to this verse because I find that I fill up my calendar so much with things to do - that I neglect that which is the most important.  Stilling my heart and mind and body, that I can let God be God and let Him speak to me. Sometimes I may hear His voice.  Sometimes a certain situation that I don't know what to do in, the solution will come to my mind.  We tend - as you can see from above that is happening to me - to fill our lives with so much 'stuff' - although it may be good stuff - but we push God out of the thought, out of the process, out of the picture.  We all do it.  We get so focused on what we 'must' do, that pausing and resting in Him, becomes a sideline.

That's why (even with hubby) going on a retreat to get away from the world is so important to me.  Hubby will leave me pretty much alone while we go on 'vacation'.... because he can't walk far, we don't do much but sit around and read. And you know me and my love of reading.  But, again, he always has to 'be with me' wherever I sit.  Same room, same porch, etc. You know what I mean.  He does let me be alone here in the 2nd bedroom while he sits in his 'office'.  But I love to get alone with God and many times I wish I had more time to just sit and be still.  Sit with a notebook and my Bible open, waiting for God to speak to me.  Reading His Word, letting it soak in.  Yes, some of it makes no sense most of the time.  But there are some that knock me on my butt when something pops out and I wonder how I never saw it before.

I dislike having to get up from my time in here and turning on the work computer and getting my mind refocused on that.  I love weekends when time is no object and I can stay in here until 10a or more.  Rarely that happens .... although I can remember telling hubby at our other house that I was fasting from life and would spend nearly an entire day in the room I did my quiet time in.  

Did you know that sometimes taking a nap when you go on a retreat is the most spiritual thing you can do?  I remember going to the hermitage years ago, and one of the first things I'd do was lay down on the cot and take a short nap.  Then I would walk to the chapel and spend time looking over the valley through the very large windows, and praying over the valley.  Going to sit outside on the benches and just reflecting on God's goodness and the wonder of Him.  There really is nothing like it.  How I long for a hermitage I could run to!  These were bought out years ago by another organization and aren't open to the public anymore.  I think there are a couple others around here in town, but...  and I'll leave that there.  

Yes, I can make this room my hermitage... but it's too cluttered.  And that's my fault.  Some day, will I ever be able to do what I want to do? Is that in God's plan?  Can I bring up enough faith that God will give me my heart's desire to just dwell in His house forever?

Oh yes, there was even a time I would have walked away from my job, my home, to live in the prayer room at the church.  I longed for such a time.  I long to be able to spend my days praying and fasting and just being with God.  Will I ever get my longing answered?  I don't know.  So for now, I 'do what I can do' and just be with Him when I can.  Does any of that rambling make sense?

Do I have enough faith that God will answer my prayers?  There have been times my faith was shaken, I will admit.  When my older sister was in the hospital, before she passed away, for those two days I prayed constantly with face on floor, pleading with God for her life.  She still passed away.  I prayed for miracles.  I didn't get what I asked for.  I may never know the reason why my prayers were not answered.  My heart still grieves for my big sister and I don't understand .... but God's ways are greater and better than my ways.  

And yet, there are people who are alive and well, for whom I have prayed diligently for at one time or another.  I've seen answers to my prayers clearly.  And yes, that does increase my faith.  But I've also not seen the answers I wanted to see. Or in the timeframe I wanted it.  But God, in all His wisdom, knows what is needed.  He allows things that I cannot see.  

Do I trust God.  Absolutely.  Do I believe and have faith in Him?  Yes.  I know that His ways are better than my ways. His thoughts are not my thoughts.  My view is like of a little bird - right in front of me, while He sees the bigger picture of what would be years down the road.  

So I ask myself.... will God use me to help others grow in their faith?  Sometimes, He lets me get a glimpse of that answer when I will get a text from someone who was 4-5 years old and in my class, and they will tell me how much I spoke into them.  Or an adult who sat in one of my classes and they will in conversation tell me how much my teaching that class helped them grow in their walk with the Lord.  

We all are used by God in some way.  I know my thoughts are rambling all over the place and I wish I was an eloquent writer (more like my son!) but here I am usually brutally honest.  I am not worthy of God's forgiveness and love for me.  So do I trust Him?  Yes.  Do I have the faith that He has forgiven me of all my sins?  The ones I have done, the ones I still work through, the ones I will probably make in the future?  Yes.  I believe that Jesus is the Son of the Living God.  He carried my sins - all of them - to the cross where He hung, and when He died, He left them hanging on the cross.... was buried, resurrected on the third day, and He lives today.  I absolutely believe that. Hallelujah!

And with that - my ramblings must stop as it is time to turn on the work computer.  So much to do today.  But with all that rambling and such....

Have an amazing and blessed day, full of love, warmth, and special things, because Jesus loves you.

Blessings!

I actually finished two....

 Hubby left the TV off for most of the day yesterday - and I started and finished The Holy Wild by Mark Buchanan.  Hubby did end up putting on his headset and watched the baseball game towards the end.  After I finished that book, I moved to the couch (from the chair) and finished up God Chasers by Tommy Tenney.  I got more out of the God Chasers book then I did The Holy Wild. I mean, they both are great books, but because I read another book that Mark Buchanan had written and gotten so much out of it, I wasn't quite that impressed with The Holy Wild.  But then, someone else may get a lot out of it; I just didn't.  But I was able to close out two books on Goodreads which took me up to 31 out of 50, I think it was.  Somehow I'm two books ahead of 'schedule'?  Or something like that.  I hope I keep reading, I enjoy it a lot, but sometimes it just isn't possible.

I fixed dinner last night and of course hubby wanted to watch movies.  So we did. Two of them. But I had control of the remote so chose.  Both we had seen before.  Hubby had already slept through most of the afternoon ballgame, and I couldn't believe he fell asleep during the 2nd movie - of which he said was boring.  Ok - it's a chick flick; of course there are some that he finds boring.  I liked it.  I really couldn't believe that with all the time he slept in the afternoon - he slept all night long!  I don't know why I just couldn't stay asleep.  One of Forrest Frank's songs kept running through my mind - and this morning I can't even remember which one it was!  I don't know his songs well, but I like the catchy tunes.  I know I have dozed a couple times in here this morning, and that's ok.  It's Sunday and we don't go to church until noon.

I have several things I need/want to do today.  I didn't make it to Sam's Club because I chose to read instead.  But today, I probably should go over, plus I need to make scones for Tuesday. I may be able to make them tomorrow, but I'm afraid that if I push it off to tomorrow, something will happen and they won't get made.  I also want to run down to my granddaughter's and see her babies.  Somewhere in all that I need to feed hubby.  

Have you noticed how expensive it is going out to eat anymore?  Then add in a tip - and then I don't want to go out to eat. Not that I want to hoard any money, but I'll do fast food anytime (and even that adds up) and get by.... but hubby likes his 'meals'.  I think he is just 'old school'.  Right?  Wants sit-down meals instead of fast food.

This may be short today.... I'm sitting here and can't think of anything to write about.   I got a couple books in from Thriftbooks yesterday that I haven't read yet.  I may start one of them in the next day or two.  Once Sue's retirement party is over, perhaps. Right now I need to make sure I have done my part - I'm supplying all the plates, napkins, silverware, and cups..... I did buy about 50 from Amazon a couple weeks ago..... but I don't think I like them, which is why I want to go to Sam's Club and choose some. Then return these if they aren't needed.  Sue is pretty popular so am not sure how many people will arrive within that two hour timeframe we are having her 'party'.  I would not be surprised if there were 100 or more.  But still, I'm concerned more we may run out of food, for we don't have a count. I'm not organizing it; I'm just helping with it.  So does that mean 'it's not my problem'?

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV):  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I sorta like how this is described:  For the unbeliever, "Seeing is believing."  For the believer, "Believing is seeing."   Faithful men and women show their faith in bold acts of trust in the Lord. Only by faith can we please God.  Faith helps us to understand the universe in a way that science cannot, giving particular insight into God as it's Creator and Designer.  There are so many men and women who made it into the 'Hall of Faith'.  Even Abel.  You remember him, right?  Cain was the older brother and he grabbed some of his garden to give to the Lord.  Abel, though, he brought the firstborn of the sheep and the fat portions.  Which do you remember that God loved?  Ah, yes, He loved Abel's gift because it was the first fruit of his flock.  But Cain, he just grabbed some crops and basically said, "here, God".  God rejected Cain's offering.... and you know the story.... in jealousy, Cain killed Abel one day.... and then Cain was sent away.

What are we bringing to God?  Will He accept our offering?  That's one reason why I (try) get up early in the mornings to spend time with God.  I want to give Him the first fruit of my day.   That's why I fast at the first of each year.  I want to give God the first fruit of my year.  To Him belongs everything I have.  Surely I can part with some of it.  And yes, I give him the first fruit of my paycheck too.  It all belongs to Him anyway.  He can take it away, or He can bless me with more.  I work for Him, not for the company.  (Yet, He hasn't told me to retire yet! Maybe He has a use for me yet.).  All we have belongs to Him.  I am just a steward of what I have.  Even my children are on loan from Him. 

So are you a 'seeing is believing' type of person - or 'believing is seeing'?  I have faith that God can do whatever He chooses to do, in His timeframe. Sometimes it is something I've prayed for. Sometimes it is something I haven't.  But I know that God is over all sickness, all health, all monies, all provisions.  Sometimes we don't have, don't get what we want, because we don't ask Him.

Do we know what we want?  Are we asking God for it - providing it is in His will?  Something to think about.

And, with that, I'm off here and in the shower.  Have an amazing Sunday.  Do something kind for someone.  Praise God.  Give Him all the glory that is due Him.  Be grateful.  

Blessings!

I'm sure he is wondering.....

 It's almost 8am and I still haven't gotten this up.  Lazy?  Perhaps.  Been texting my big brother. I had sent him a birthday package which finally arrived this morning.  His oldest son and grandson drove down from Michigan to spend his birthday with him, along with his son and family in town. Two of the younger grandchildren spent the night.  They were all gone by the time we finished texting and he commented he needed to go out and mow the yard.  He is 81 years old and still manages a garden and the landscaping by himself.  Of course he has a riding mower, and other gadgets, but still.  He remodeled their patio last year.

I'm enjoying quiet this morning as hubby has met up with a friend (Bill) that he used to meet with weekly on Tuesdays before they had a falling out.  Bill has onset of Alzheimer and can be very self-centered... don't go there! - and hubby would complain every week how Bill would go back 50 years in conversation and repeat himself.  I gave hubby instructions that if he wanted to have a friendship with Bill, he needs to keep his mouth shut and just listen.  Afterall, it's been nearly a year since they met.  So they are at Denny's and I've been taking my time in my reading and just getting on here.

Talked to my daughter yesterday and she wanted my opinion about getting a third opinion on surgery for her foot.  At least I'm being included in the conversation. It was good to catch up with her for it had been a little while since we had really chatted.  

Talked to my youngest son yesterday too; he doesn't call daily anymore as he has too much going on in his life most of the time.  And that's ok.  He will be babysitting grandchildren for his daughter on Sunday so I want to run over there to see them.  Today his daughter is babysitting the granddaughter who lives with him.  He really does love his kids and grandchildren and wants to be there for them.  They will remember this act of kindness many years.  I just wish he would change some of his lifestyle.... and I'll leave that there.

I don't have anything going on today - the brunch I was to go to and meet up with Sue, Dr. K, and Nancy has been postponed until August.  Sue double-booked herself (she's babysitting grandchildren today) so we moved it out.  Everyone wants to visit with Sue - although Dr. K and Nancy would have come if it was just me.  I just prefer having Sue with us. :-)  We've done this for a few years now.... no sense in changing it, right?

I need to make a run to Sam's Club sometime today to pick up plates and stuff for Sue's retirement party on Tuesday.  I've been thinking about returning the plates/cups/stuff that I have purchased from Amazon for the party; we don't need the large plates and the silverware is wrapped in napkins.... but what we are having is finger foods so don't need the silverware.  I have a box of plastic silverware I can take if it's needed, and a couple packages of napkins.  I would just need to get plates and glasses for the juice or ice coffee I hear they plan to have.  Anyway - I may take it with me and just leave in car in case it is needed, then return to Amazon if I don't.  Ok, I'm just rambling here.  

I got another book in yesterday that I'm anxious to get started on.  Maybe I can get to it today - although I still have The God Chasers that I'm about 1/2 way through now.  This book is called The Holy Wild by Mark Buchanan.  I read one of his other books and really got something out of it.  

But then, my sister asked me to make an afghan for a friend of hers by September.... so I went yesterday and bought the yarn and have gotten started on it.  There isn't a rush... and she offered to pay for the yarn - which I'm going to let her - so I can crochet on it while watching TV.  Finished up a diamond art coaster set last night so I think I will clean that up and put it away for awhile. I do enjoy that as well.  I have plenty to keep me busy, right?  Baking, crochet, diamond art, sewing, reading....and whatever else I want to do.  Got to stay active and keep my mind learning and doing so that I don't start hibernating within and lose my ability to function.  

Psalm 63:1 (NKJV):  You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

Sometimes when I read that verse, I automatically think about the area of the United States that I live in. It is very dry, and usually very parched, and water is scarce.  But applying that to how I search for God, I sometimes find myself lacking.  I seek God, first every day.  But am I truly yearning to thirst for Him like I am going to die of thirst if I don't find Him?

I remember a story of Corrie Ten Boom.  Remember her?  If not  - look her up; not going there this morning.  Anyway, the story is of her having a conversation with a journalist or someone one day and in the middle of her conversation, she paused, looked up, and responded as if she had been asked a question.  Then she went back to the person she was talking with and continued the conversation as if they were never 'interrupted'.  The story says that the Holy Spirit spoke to her during that conversation and she responded to the Holy Spirit, before continuing the conversation she was having.  Now THAT is the kind of relationship with the Holy Spirit, with Jesus, with God, that I want to have!  I desire Him to talk with me and interrupt me whenever He chooses.  And my prayer is that I will recognize it when it happens and not put it off as 'my thoughts' or 'thought that someone else reminded me of' - but that when He speaks to me, I know that I know that I know - it is Him.

Sometimes we do things without knowing it was a nudge from the Holy Spirit. My son experienced that yesterday and he shared in his blog.  He was at a luncheon with new friends.  The set up wasn't exactly what was expected and charges weren't going to be like they thought - and without even  thinking so much about it, he paid the entire bill. Not to build himself up; but he said he felt the 'nudge' to do that.  In my humble opinion, it was the Holy Spirit nudging him to do that.  He had no regrets in doing it; and I know that he will be blessed because of it. So proud he was obedient even when he didn't realize what he was doing.

Well, my ocular migraine is starting and it blocks off half the words in what I am typing so I'm going to get off here and let it do its thing.  They say there is 'no cure'....  well, I wish they'd find one for they are annoying!

So with that - you all have an amazing day and be kind to others.  God is always watching over His own and sees......

Blessings!

Friday has finally arrived!

 Actually, for some reason, yesterday felt like Friday most of the day.  But here we are at last!  I have nothing on my calendar so will be working on some PowerPoint slides for the upcoming board meetings most of the day.  I need to go through folders too and delete things from 'way back when' I started and as we no longer use them, need them, I can get them out of the folders.  May be a long day, right?  

I need to do some baking for Tuesday's retirement party, but I will wait until Sunday or Monday to do that. Just making sure I have everything for what I plan to bake.  Mainly scones.  I did go online and ordered a bunch of stuff from Fry's yesterday - and I mean a bunch!  I deleted a bunch as well as 'not needed at this time'.  I just don't have the space to store much in the pantry. But, I hadn't bought groceries in about a month so was out of a lot of things.  Hubby insisted on helping carry in the groceries... and nearly fell again.  Luckily, I was in the kitchen at the counter unpacking bags and he came in and I heard the words 'Catch me!' and turned around as he was going down.  I managed to catch him before his head hit the counter.  And I gave him 'what for' and told him he is never to carry groceries - or anything else for that matter - ever again.  What if I hadn't been where I was?  I was close enough to catch him this time - but the next time - I may not be, and his head would hit the counter. I survived catching him with three marks on my arm (where I think he grabbed with his fingernails) and a sore wrist.  I'm fluffy enough that I make a soft landing, I guess. LOL Actually, he didn't land on me; I caught him before he went down. It startled him, for sure. But he is listening to me now, at least.  Well, for the most part. He knows it is best for him.

I bought some 'aids' for hubby to put in his ears for when he works out with Morgan.  Sound amplifier? I can't think what they are called.  Anyway, he can't wear his hearing aids because he sweats and then it kills the battery and corrodes the inside of the hearing aid. So I got him these. He can't hear Morgan's instructions without them.  Well, yesterday he comes in with a pair of tweezers and told him that the soft part of the aid was still in his ear.  So I'm looking in his right ear with a flashlight and can't see anything - but eventually see a black spot inside his ear. Thinking that was it, I was trying to get it - only afraid I was going to go too far and hurt him with the tweezers. Finally I told him he will need to have someone else who is a professional to look at it and take it out.  But then, I checked his other ear - and the white piece was right there and I was able to get it out. So now I'm wondering what the black 'thing' is in his left ear.  Since he wasn't aware of it, perhaps he will wait until we go see Dr. Mark on August 7th - Dr. Mark is to burn off his pre-cancer spots - plus do a biopsy on his forehead of one he thinks is basil cell.  Dr. Mark can send him to an ENT or let us know what to do.

Today is my big brother's birthday.  He is 81 today - when did he get so old?  You wouldn't know it though, for he definitely keeps active and encourages me to keep active - body and mind - as well.

UGH.  It is so muggy out that even I am complaining!  Something I don't normally do, for I enjoy the heat - but this humidity is hard to deal with - I don't sweat... and yet, here I am!  

Hubby has his oncologist appointment on Monday morning and I have to go with him. Drive, of course, but I have to go to make sure we get all the information.  The doctor also sends to Dr. Mark his summary. I'm not sure why we have to meet, but hubby went for his blood workup yesterday for this doctor.  They, of course, watch his numbers for the prostate cancer.  Thus far, it has been really low. But, Dr. Mark says other things are coming up so they need to be checked.  Anyway....

Don't have anything really planned for the weekend... that I can think of, anyway.  May need to do a trip to Sam's Club to finish getting supplies for the retirement party.  I just remembered that we can get reimbursed for decorations and stuff. Need to let the director who is coordinating this know.  In the two hour period for this party, I think we will have about 100 people - but I can be wrong.  I saw the 'agenda' (seriously!) for Chuck's retirement.... of course he is two up on the ladder.... but oh my - it is an entire afternoon with speakers and toasts and a meal.  Of course all the executives will be at that one - he has 30 years in .  Or was it 40. I don't remember now.  Sue has 9 years here.

Well, I'm at a loss as to what to write about, so I will leave you with this....

Philippians 2:14-15 (NKJV)  Do all things without complaining or disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. 

I often have to remind myself of that; quit complaining (sorry that I do it so much on here....) for I do not want to be known as 'that person'..... but as one who depends on God to handle all things.

Have a blessed day!

Blessings!

I was right!!

 Seriously!  I was right!  And it was admitted!!  No, it wasn't an arrow in my cap; but it got fixed.  What is this all about? What was I right about?

My battery.  The car battery, that is.  When I took my car in yesterday morning, 'my guy' wasn't there yet. So I explained to 'Matt' (lol he already knew about my car) the issues I have been having; I had even managed to get a video of the screens changing and showed him.  I asked him, "since it was the battery that had 'died', did they check the battery to see if it had a dead cell, or was something else wrong with the battery before they charged it?"  Matt assured me that their 'normal' routine would be to check the battery before charging, charge it, and check it again for anything wrong.  So then he and I were questioning the ignition since there was a gap of time in connection at times when I pushed the button to start.  I left my car and came home.  

About 3:30-ish 'my guy, Glen' calls and says my car is ready.  And NO CHARGE.  So I head down there and when I walk in, Glen and Matt both look at me and Glen says "I don't know what it was...." and Matt butted in.... "You were right - it WAS the battery!!"  They continued - the battery had been checked, they had run diagnostics on the car, finally they decided to just replace the battery (still under warranty as I bought it from them in late 2024) and when they did, everything operated just as it should. Comes on immediately; the air conditioner works, the screens stay as they should. And they replaced the cabin filter while it was there (I had paid for it last week).  I WAS RIGHT!!  Wouldn't one just take out the old battery and put a new one in when the charge is gone from a battery?  That would have saved them and me a lot of time - but they were trying to find out what was wrong - and thought the battery was ok.  It wasn't.  LOL I walked in telling them I was 'doing the happy dance' because my car was fixed, and there was no charge for all the work they had done on it.  I can actually relax for with the diagnostics showing nothing wrong, I can be assured that my car is operating just as it should!  Hallelujah!  Thank You, Jesus!! (Hopefully, the saga of my car is over.)

I offered hubby $500 a month 'free and clear' as his own money..... if he would hand over to me all the bills.  He immediately said NO.  But he did say he would write down how he pays the bills and his passwords and everything for me.  I had read something about it recently, and I may have mentioned it in here as well.  When the spouse who manages the bills passes away, how have they been paying the bills?  Do they come in by email? Do they get mailed?  Do they get a text the bill is available?  How do they pay the bills?  So I approached hubby a few days ago with a request that he would write down all the bills and tell me how does he get them, and how does he pay them.  He tried to put me off at first because he thought I was saying he wasn't paying the bills right.  I tried to explain to him that when he passes, I don't have a clue how he pays the house payment, the phones, the car; I've seen the HOA bill come in the mail - but how does he pay these? Online? Check?  I know he used to drive to the bank to pay the house payment each month.  Does he still do that?  His car is paid off now so that eliminated a trip. I don't have any information on the bills so asked him for it. He says he will write it down.  

I should never have thrown the checkbook at him 17 years ago!  But, I was so frustrated with him because he refused to get a job, even a part-time job, to help with the bills.  I just threw the checkbook at him and told him to figure it out.  I've asked for it back several times since then as he is NOT cost-effective..... he likes not 'having' to ask me if he can order something.  I tried to get him to see he would come out ahead with the $500/month for his eating out with his friends and what is left over is his.  But, he likes the 'power'.  So I just go in the account and see what he is doing on occasion.  Of course if I comment on anything, I am 'checking up on him'.  Well, yeah....

And you need to think about listing things as well, if you are the bill-payer.  Does your spouse know your email and what your password is?  Do you receive the bills via email or text? Do you have an online account? These are things that need to be known should you pass away.  I know I need to write down the bills I have and how I pay them, for the very same reason.  I pay the majority of my bills online, and I don't usually wait for a bill; especially because a couple of them are attached to my bank and I just go in and pay via the bank account.  But I need to write down and put in the box I have in a drawer in the bedroom, that hubby or my children can access that information when I do 'go to heaven'. :-)   Ok - enough of that talk, - but it's something we all need to think about.  Please don't leave your spouse or your children 'up in the air' as to what bills do you have, your passwords, how you pay them, what email do you use, etc.  Save them some grief!

I started day one of a call to die this morning.  Have you ever thought about how hard it is to 'die to self'?  We are so used to doing things OUR way, thinking about OUR needs, OUR wants.... that to lay them down and let someone else's wants or needs come first.... well, for some of us, that is a hard thing to do.  Within reason, of course.  I know when I let hubby 'get his way' about some things, and let him think that he is making the final decision, he is much happier and much nicer to everyone.  But if he feels that I overruled him (which, I admit, I often do) or did something that made him feel 'less' (which, unfortunately, I also do at times), life is hard for awhile. Hmmm I think I will give him my copy of Restore and challenge him to do a daily reading in it.  I want to read it again, but I can only read so many books at one time (I still have 3 in the front room I alternate in evenings!).  I will have to tell him to NOT mark it up... or if he chooses to, get his own copy.  I like to underline in pencil certain things at times.... I think he has been switching to that, but he frequently uses a pen, or a yellow highlighter.  I don't like to do that because if I re-read it, the color distracts me and I sorta skim that area, rather than it soaking in. Does that make sense?  If it is YOUR book, do what you want to with it. BUT, if it is MY book, keep your underlines and notes OUT of it.  Get your own book.  Which is why we have 2-4 copies of some books!  LOL  One of these days I will get these books in alphabetical order so that I can 'release' our extra copies!   By the way, I have ordered a few extra copies of a call to die from Thriftbooks that will be arriving probably next week.... if you want a copy, let me know and I'll send to you.  Why do I order extra copies from Thriftbooks?  A new book is currently $41 on Amazon.  Yes, from Thiftbooks it may be marked up.  That's what white-out is for.  And I've used it on the current book I am using.  Sometimes we may get lucky and nothing is marked up.  One time I got a book that nearly every page was written over the print... so I notified Thriftbooks, and they found me another copy, plus refunded my money.  THAT's why I like Thriftbooks.  A little marked up I expect, but not every page where I can't even read it!

The blender we used for our shakes, my salsa, died yesterday.  I really think it is because hubby puts so much 'stuff' in his shakes that it finally gave up the motor.  Why do I think that?  With 8 oz of milk he adds collagen, protein scoop, frozen strawberries, blueberries, banana.... and ice cubes.  You can hear the motor grinding to get some of it chopped so that it can do its job.  But - it is also 4 years old and we have used it one or more times nearly every day for something, so we did get our money's worth out of it.  So - I have ordered a new blender that will be here on Friday.  It's just like this one so I now it is good.  Luckily I had a small blender that is for shakes only that I haven't given away yet.... so we are currently using it.  

I have training with Morgan today at 12:30p.  My third one this week - she isn't able to do that often, and I will be out of extra trainings soon.  The more I go, the better I feel and the more I move, the better (I hope) I can look! - Right?  And I'm getting my eating under better control.  Not perfect, but better.

Looks like I've been writing a bunch of nothing this morning, doesn't it?!  Let's see if I can get this to a close.....

Matthew 16:24 (NKJV)   Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."

Those are pretty harsh words, aren't they?  In this scripture we are being asked to do three things, do you see it?

1) deny himself.  How do we deny ourselves?  One way is by not putting ourselves first, but last. How would you define it?

2) take up his cross.  Well, we don't go around carrying crosses nowadays, so what could Jesus mean by this?  What does 'take up his cross' mean to you?

3) follow Me.   Ohhh this is the best part as far as I'm concerned.  Always reminded of Matthew talking to Gaius, the Roman Centurion in The Chosen.   "I have only one thing to do today.  Follow Him."  O that we all would choose to just 'follow Him' who calls us to walk with Him!  The easiest and yet the hardest for some of us.  Are you going to be a follower, or someone who just hangs on for the benefits of being around Jesus?

Have an amazing day!

Blessings!

And it continues ... still...

 I went to the gym yesterday for training with Morgan.  When leaving, I get in my car, and push the button. Nothing. I pushed it again. Nothing. I pushed it a third time, and it started up.  What is going on? I am beginning to think that it IS the battery itself and they need to quit looking for 'other things'.  Sure, they charged up the battery, but did they check to see if the battery was 'dead' - as in having a dry cell or something like that and perhaps just the battery needed to be replaced?  Come on!  It's a $300 battery that I bought from them - and I checked - in 2024.  Needless to say, I called AAA Repair on my way home from the gym and spoke with 'my guy'.... I am taking the car down this morning as there is no place I need to be today, and leaving it for them to do what they are supposed to do.  Fix my car.  No, I'm not irritated. I get it, something simple is usually not where people look first.  But I will get my car fixed.  After all, I do plan to do the driving up to Heber next month when hubby and I go on vacation. Definitely do not want anything going wrong there!  Or maybe I will just rent a car and save wear and tear on mine... may need to think on that.  

I did continue on to the post office to mail my big brother a package for his birthday. I took the 'cheap' way out and he won't get it until Saturday (his birthday is Friday) and that's ok. He's always telling me NOT to get him anything, but I like trying to find something unique. This time it is a book about Unusual things. I think. I had looked at several books before I got it... and now I'm not sure.  But - it's a book, anyway, and a couple other things. He is always so appreciative.  Just as I am when he surprises me with things.  

Hubby met up with his friend Steve last night for their Bible study.  I always find it interesting that hubby will often ask me questions when he gets home that they couldn't think of the answer for. Not that I am so smart about the Bible - trust me, there is a lot I do not know!  But hubby thinks I am wise in that respect, I guess, and will ask. Last night he shared they had finished the book of Titus and were trying to decided what book of the Bible to study next.  So, he asked my opinion on what they should do.  I suggested Romans.  He asked why.  And I told him because it shares about grace.  

How do I know that?  Because I had watched an interview with Dr. Charles Swindoll, a well known pastor.  He was asked the  question, "If you had only one more sermon to give, what would you preach on?"  He responded, "Romans.  Because I'd want to share about grace."  Then he pulled in Philippians, which is one of my favorite books of the Bible for it talks about joy.  

I have always been about grace.  Why?  Because I learned first-hand what grace is a long time ago.  Grace was offered to me, and I didn't know what it was. I was asked in this situation, "Haven't you ever heard about grace?"  And I hadn't, but then I knew.  I experienced grace, and there is nothing like it.  That experience is one I have never forgotten.

Ephesians 2:8-9  (NKJV):  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

It isn't what things we do for God that will save us.  It isn't giving money to people who need it. It isn't baking that cake when someone has a birthday. It isn't volunteering to help others.  Those are just works.  Works will not get us in to heaven.  Yet, people seem to think it will.  We hear and see it all the time, don't we?   We may have done it ourselves, thinking to ourselves, 'well, I did that and it was such a good thing, I surely will make it into heaven'.... and yet, our lives do not reflect Jesus.  Our words do not reflect a Savior who saves us by His grace towards us.

John 3:16 (NKJV):  For God so loved the world that His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life.

Acts 16:31 (NKJV):  So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."

Are your actions following your belief?  My heart breaks for members of my own family who have turned against God, although they once walked with Him.  God works in His own timing. Lord knows that I would drag my family kicking and screaming to church if that is all it would take to get them into heaven!!  But salvation is a choice.  Following Jesus is a choice.  And it is a choice we all get, no matter who we are.  Do you believe?

I John 2:6 (NIV):  Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.

I plan to start day 1 tomorrow in the book.... I couldn't remember what I said I'd give up for 40 days; had to think about it and read what I wrote the other day!   It was to give up my additional readings in here in the mornings. And I did that today - but too late to read the book. So I will make myself a note (us older folks need to do that sometimes) to remind me again of what I want to fast, and then read.

Stay tuned - you may learn some really good stuff!  Depends on what sinks into me.  But what I do know is that I want to walk so close to Jesus that the dust of His sandals gets all over me.

Have an amazing day!

Blessings!

A wrong fuse? Really?

 Well, my car.... it did start yesterday after a 2-3 second pause - and I drove it down to AAA Repair and left it for them to figure out what was wrong with my air conditioner.  The call I got a couple hours later ironically asked if I had had someone else work on my car for the air conditioner.  No, I have not.  No one has worked on the air conditioner that I'm aware of.  Anyway... they say they found the wrong fuse in place. I find that weird... the a/c worked fine until the battery went out.  One expects the battery to quit out here in our heat.  But I just have my doubts about some things.  But - what do I know.  They ran diagnostics on my car twice before they discovered the wrong fuse in place.  Now what I was told was that whoever put the fuse in - and it had to been at Peoria Ford when they did some of their 'stuff'.... well, the wrong fuse just couldn't put out the power needed for the a/c to work. I don't know. I'm not knowledgeable in that area nor do I pretend to be.  I just want the a/c working. And it does.  And, although the battery is charged up and working... I have a couple weird things going on still.... After I turn the car on, I get a message that says turn my car on or turn it off to conserve the battery.  I'm wondering if part of my problem isn't in the ignition - is it not connecting the right way?  Also, I have a button that gives me total mileage gone, how many mpg, and a couple other summaries.... and when I push the button again, it shows my speed.  Well, when I start the car, the summary comes up, then I change to speed so I can see how fast I'm going, and I can glance down, and it has kicked back to the summary.  I don't know what is going on with my car, but I'm getting irritated with it.  I know the cabin filter needs to be changed so instead of waiting until they got one in and put it in (about 45 minutes), I paid for it and will be dropping by some early afternoon later this week and they will put it in for me.  I needed my car and couldn't wait any longer to get it back yesterday.

Why did I need my car? I picked it up about 12:45p and I had a 1:30p training with Morgan.  If my car wasn't ready, I'd had to go with hubby at 12:30p as his appointment was at 1p.  Didn't want to walk the treadmill for 30 minutes while waiting on my time.  Got my car back and I was happy.  And... I did HIIT again yesterday.  Whew, she kicked my butt.  I told Morgan that I had been sick on Sunday, weak, etc.  Didn't matter. So I lifted and swung kettle bells, I did improvised burpies, I flipped the heavy ropes and squatted and lifted a 15 lb ball - and I flipped 6 down and 6 back - twice - a 178 pound tire.  Yeah, my body is feeling a little sore in places this morning.  I do enjoy the HIIT workouts, but they are tough!  Only got through two sets this time; usually I get through three - or almost through three.  I stopped more often to catch my breath and oh my goodness - I don't sweat - I glisten (as a rule) - but this time I had sweat running off of me!!  Getting the toxins out, I guess!    I have an 11:30a training with Morgan this morning and I am thinking it might be upper body - probably biceps and triceps - and although tough, it won't cause me to sweat like I did yesterday!  Gotta hit the shower this morning; should have taken one last night.

Hubby took me out to dinner last night - he was hungering for a good steak - and obviously got one at Mercer's - a 15 oz steak, I think it was.  And he ate every bit of it.  I got the salmon and had ordered a baked potato and she brought mashed potatoes and gravy - so since she made a mistake, she brought me a baked potato to bring home to eat with the rest of my salmon (that I couldn't finish).  I tell you what was good, though - I got the chicken tortilla soup as a side dish - and they brought a big bowl of it - it was the best chicken tortilla soup I have ever tasted.  I will be content to order a side of chicken tortilla soup and a small salad whenever I go back!  So very good!  I need to find a recipe and work on it and make it my own.  Just enough spice (not hot spice) to give it flavor.  So good.

I have come to love Forrest Frank's songs.  I spent way too much time last night on Facebook (yep, got caught up in it) watching people singing his songs (I follow him on FB) and they are just catchy tunes.  Check his songs out. There is one - don't know the name of it but people have started a 'dance' singing this song. It's funny and I really do enjoy it. I find myself singing to myself 'it's going to be okay'!

I made it through the board meeting prep yesterday.  I had finance, legal, compliance, the chairperson, and me online.  And you know what - I took control and we got through the meeting in 20 minutes or less.  As people were chatting, I interrupted and said "Ok Chad - finance - what are you going to present - and typed his response in the agenda. Followed up with Compliance and checked with Legal on some things, checked with the chair on some others - and then I said "We have the information for the July 30 meeting, thank you very much. Please put your slides in the PowerPoint deck before Monday so that I can send it out by end of day Monday."  They said thank you and we hung up.  WHEW.  I have another board prep soon - I need to get that PowerPoint deck put together and in the Teams folder so we can move on that meeting as well.  Legal did mention that they are doing organizational changes still and some of the board members will be changed.  The way he said it made me think that perhaps they will combine some of the four boards that I am aware of (I support three of them currently) can be blended together. Or disbanded. I don't know.  Brett brough two of the ones I do in place.... maybe they aren't needed?  Will see.... stay tuned on this one.  But I was and am thanking God that He gave me the confidence to step in and take the meeting over so that we could get it done.

My daughter called me yesterday on my way to the gym... six Air Force officers were selected to go to the war.... and my grandson was selected.  As I inhaled, she paused, then continued... a close friend of my grandson stepped up and told him that he was going to go in his place... because our grandson is married and has a family... and he was single.  His name is Blake.  Please pray for Blake that he will be protected and return back home safely.  They are leaving immediately.

John 10:15 (NIV):  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - I lay down my life for the sheep. 

Yes, as I heard that Blake stepped up and told our grandson that he would take his place, I was reminded of how Jesus stepped up and took our place.  A sacrifice.  Blake doesn't know what the future will be like over there.... he is being sent to replace those that were recently killed.  That alone would bring fear. But Blake knows Jesus, and he is going in confidence that Jesus will be with him as he goes to fight this war.  I can't get over the sacrifice this young man is willing to do for our grandson.  I am praying for Blake and all our men and women fighting in this war.  I ask you to do that as well. Please pray for Blake, and for the others.

Have any of us here every gave up ourselves for someone else? Sometimes it is easy to give up some things for our kids, but just for a friend?  Could you give up yourself?  Yet, we are called to die to ourselves and serve others. Lay down our lives that they may be taken up.  Serve others as Jesus did. Love others as Jesus did. Some of us are the tough ones to love, I get that.  But Jesus died for them, just as He died for you and for me.   

Deep thoughts this morning, right?  But reality. Jesus gave His life so we could live. What are we doing with our life that He chose to save?

No matter where we are in our walk with Jesus, no matter what we are going through, it's going to be okay.  Jesus wins.  I read the end of the book.

To Jesus be the glory, both now and forever. Holy is His name. 

Have an amazing day!

Blessings!

What will be today????

 I will be returning my car to AAA Repair at 8a this morning when they open.  I didn't even try starting it yesterday, although I did give it a thought. Just didn't want to deal with it if it didn't start again.  Still don't know why the air conditioner went out at the same time as the battery.  Could it be a wire from the a/c that is draining the battery? I guess I will answer that question when I go start it this morning to drive down to AAA Repair.  I'm really needing my car back before noon so I am hoping they can get to it right away. At least 'my guy' knows I'm bringing it back down and for what.  Ok - enough of that saga for now. 

We did stay home from church yesterday and watched the service on You Tube.  For some reason, I wasn't feeling quite right yesterday.  I was somewhat lightheaded at times and just an overall blah feeling. Which was another reason I decided to stay home.  I told hubby when he came in to ask if I wanted a second cup of coffee that I was going to stay home, and of course, he said he would stay home with me. I know, I should be grateful he is 'overboard' on helping me and making sure I have all that I need.  It's a process he himself is going through, I think.  Asking ME what I want versus putting himself first. It's nice, but annoying at times.  

I'm not sure what is going on with me.  I reread a book titled Follower by Kyle Idleman (one of my favorite authors) and it's a small book.... it took perhaps 90 minutes to read it all, if that long, and I think tears fell the entire time I was reading it.  Theme of the book?  Are we going to choose to be a fan of Jesus, or a follower.  Most of the book was taken from Kyle's first book, not a fan which I dearly love. I have read it numerous times.  He's funny and yet, real.  Anyway, I felt convicted about not asking Ms. Vicky if she would like to go to church with us.  I've given her a large print bible (several months ago) and a lighted magnifying glass so that she could read it.  We've talked about God, and she says she goes out to her patio and prays every morning.  But I've never asked if she wanted to go to church with us.  Why not? Because I just don't want to deal with hubby if she wanted to go every week.  Surprisingly, when hubby and I talked about it after I came out of here yesterday morning, he told me to ask her to come to church with us.  I told him about the book I reread and he wanted to read it too. (I think he has to read EVERY book that I read.... does he want to be me? LOL)  I gave him the book to read and he said he would read it yesterday afternoon..... but the ball game took priority and he did not read it.  Anyway, Ms. Vicky will be calling me to come over and visit at some point this week so will ask if she would like to go with us.  I've always had to be careful not to 'change' things with hubby.  Yeah, I sometimes have difficulty with change, but he is worse!  Don't change his schedule; don't charge his plans.   Will see how this goes.

I'm getting ready to re-read another book I have shared bits of in here before.  Oddly, as I read the first part of the book up to the introduction yesterday, it was like I was reading it for the first time.  I read the introduction this morning.  It's a book to read over 40 days, so a chapter a day.  And, it's asking you to fast. Well, asking the reader.  Of course with fasting, my thought go to food.  I always try to figure out what I can fast without hubby knowing because I want it to be between God and I.  I had stopped reading there while I prayed and thought about what I could fast.  This morning I read through the introduction and where the commitment was made that one would do this book and take the hour suggested to do what it asks.  And as for the fast, it mentioned that it didn't need to be food, it could be anything.  That seemed to take the pressure off somewhat.  I'm still going to be praying about it today, but I think I will fast my other reading in here in the mornings.  In other words, only read this book, read my Bible, write in my journal, and write my blog.  I have two-three other books that I have been reading a bit out of each morning.... put a hold on those and concentrate on the book, my Bible, my prayers, and God.  And lastly, my blog, even if I end up typing it after I start work.  Oh - the book I am going to re-read?  a call to die by david nasser.  I think that goes right along with Follower.   It's a book about dying to self.  

Why am I doing this book again?  Because I want to be 'all about Jesus' and not about me.   I started reading another book yesterday afternoon that I had read before..... The God Chasers by Tommy Tenney.  And, again, I felt refreshed and renewed in my pursuit of God.  

Why am I doing all this - again?  Until you have been in the presence of God, you haven't felt anything at all.  There is nothing like it.  I know I have the Holy Spirit in me, but those moments that I feel God's presence, His moving, seeking Him is well worth it.  I've been in services where people would say "oh God's presence was there today!" and I'm thinking... "where was He?  I didn't feel anything!"  I want to feel His presence so real and so heavy that I can't do anything else but worship.  Until you experience that, you can't understand (I don't think) what I am saying.  Sometimes I can feel the Holy Spirit moving as I worship in services.... you 'feel' Him and know He is moving through the people. Those are special moments.

I have a board meeting prep at 9a this morning and a 1:30p training today.  If I can't get my car back before noon, I will have to go with hubby to the gym early.  He has a 1p training today.  So will have to leave by 12:30p to get there in time for his 1p, and then I'm right after.  Gone too much from work, but 'it is what it is'.  If I can get my car back, I won't have to leave until 1p. Oh well, will see what happens. The crucial thing is to get my car working the way it should.

Matthew 16:24-25 - "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." 

Here is the invitation. What would it look like if the greatest desire in our hearts was not just for ourselves? That you and I would give our lives away for the sake of the name and fame of God, and for His people.   Christ Tomlin wrote that in the foreword of this book.  What would it look like?

To God be the glory.

Wishing you an amazing day - full of love, warmth, joy, and happiness.

Blessings!

It continues....

 Let's start with my car.  Sigh.  It didn't start yesterday morning to take to AAA Repair so I called 'my guy' and he sent someone down to jump it.  I drove it down to AAA and noticed that the air conditioner did not come on.  I mentioned it when I dropped it off and was advised that sometimes things will shut down when the battery is low to conserve the battery. Sounded good to me.  So I left the car, hubby picked me up, and we came back home to get ready for our friend's funeral.  Hubby had to drive, of course, and I was a nervous wreck by the time we got there. No need to elaborate, you can imagine.  Oh - he DID take the walker and it was in the trunk.  He decided NOT to use it once we got there.  But I noticed that nearly everyone he talked to, he told them that his doctor told him it was time to get a walker.  Interesting, huh!  Our friend Chuck was able to come and I could see how the stroke has affected him.  It was good to see him and his wife, and actually, many of our 'old' friends.  We stayed for the luncheon after the funeral (which was very good, by the way) and got to visit with several friends.  

On the way back hubby drove straight to AAA Repair and sure enough, my car was 'out' so knew it had been charged.  No charge.  I get in my car. No air conditioning either. I went back in and my guy came out to check it for me. He apologized for he thought they had checked that as well. I made arrangements to return the car Monday morning for them to look at the air conditioner.  I have Endurance service warranty on the car so if there is something wrong, I have a $100 deductible and Endurance will pay for it.  With hubby fussing at me last night about finding the Endurance book, I got it out of my desk drawer and showed him I had it.  

He was a real grouch last night cause I didn't care if he watched a movie or not; I wasn't interested in watching one. We go through this nearly every night; I wish he would just leave the darn thing off or watch what he wants.  He left it off last night and I read a bit until a headache got the best of me about 8p and I told him I was going to bed.  Unbelievable again, I slept from about 8:30p to 3:30a without waking up.  I tried to go back to sleep, but could not so here I am.  I was going to try to sleep in here, but couldn't do that either.

I didn't make it to the store either yesterday. That was going to be my afternoon 'escape' for an hour or so, but with no air conditioning, and already having a headache, I didn't want to drive.  Hubby will have to drive to church today.... I wonder if he will use his walker.  Just got notification from Amazon that the walker I ordered will be here today.  I told hubby that I had ordered one and why.  I think he is liking the attention he gets when he shares he has one.  Now to get him to actually use it.  He didn't bother getting it out of his car last night.  I didn't bother dealing with it as I know he will not use it here at home until he makes himself start using it.  He still doesn't think he needs it.  

Today is Sunday and of course church.  On the way home from the funeral, that was at a former church, he mentioned that 'maybe it wasn't that far to drive' (took about 26 minutes - with his driving) and I didn't say anything.  All the men in his Friday morning bible study still go to the church so he has mentioned it a few times about returning.  I just let that comment go. I've often thought about it, yes, but we are starting to get plugged in here and love our pastors.  My car, with the air conditioning out, won't be driving much today... hubby will probably insist on driving to church.  Maybe we need to watch from home today.... just saying...

I know it may be too soon to say this - but how long have I been drinking the water from my copper bottle?  Two weeks is it?  I haven't been awakened with the severe leg pain in that length of time.  Plus the arthritis in my fingers isn't as bad as it used to be, nor as swollen.  Could it be that the copper water really works?  Plus, I did get a copper bracelet and ring that I wear all the time now - could the copper really work?  I'm just grateful the burning sensation running down my leg bones has stopped, even temporarily. 

For my older son, at the meal yesterday, Sue & Jerry McI sat with us.... Sue said she reads your posts on Facebook and asked how you were doing.  I mentioned you were working towards getting a liver transplant and she wanted me to tell you that you are on her prayer list and she is praying for you.  I was touched. She made sure I knew she has a 'paper prayer list' which she writes down everyone she prayers for so that she doesn't rely on memory. And you are on that prayer list.  As you are, I am grateful for every prayer offered.  God is good.

I haven't done any reading yet this morning as it is just now 4:30a and I decided to write this first. I've looked at a couple scriptures this morning but nothing is sinking in to share or elaborate on. It's Sunday - go to church or watch it on TV - get a good Word from the Lord today.  It may be just what you want to hear today.  I know I could use a good Word today.... life is hard sometimes ....  can I just crawl back in bed and pull the covers over my head?

Instead, I will tell you to have an amazing day!  I need to dive into God's Word and get rid of this heaviness I'm feeling this morning.  Only He can make my path straight, only Jesus can heal the brokenness I feel at times. And if He can heal me, He can heal you.  Go to His Word.  Stand on His promises.  God said it. I believe it. That settles it.

Blessings!

Going to be a busy Saturday....

 I stopped working about 3:30p yesterday so that I could take hubby down to this place to pick up a walker for him.  They loan them free to people living in our area.  They want them back when they are no longer in use.  It is all volunteer - men repair used walkers, wheelchairs, etc. and then they are loaned out.  Donations are accepted.  Went out to my car to back it out of the garage and ..... click!  Lights worked, radio worked.  But, .... click!  I let hubby drive his car and as I was not going to let anything come in the way of getting that walker (he was immediately in a bad mood when I pushed for us to go. After all, he DID say we could get it Friday).  It was only a little over 3 miles away so we got down there fairly quick. Within less than 10 minutes, he (still grumpy and I apologized to the lady because he was!) he had signed the paper he was getting the walker (it's a nice one too!) and a man met him outside the door to make sure it fit him (height-wise) and showed him how to stand with it, how to use the brakes, and yes, it has a seat. I pretty much insisted on that as he can't walk very far before he has to 'rest'.  Anyway, long story short, we got the walker and then came back home.  (Yes, hubby did apologize to me later about being so grumpy and rude about getting the walker).

I thought AAA down the street was closed so I called AAA Mobile when we got back home and within ten minutes or so Dillon was here to check my car.  He immediately said it was the battery. I disagreed (of course) because the lights still worked.  He showed me.  The gauge read '9' and should read '12' to start.  I had battery power, but not enough to turn the car over.  So he didn't charge it, but did get it started and told me to let it run for (I heard) 45 minutes (hubby heard 4-5 minutes).  Who was right? I have no idea.  It was about 4:40p so I decided to call 'my guy' at the AAA Repair down the street.  I explained what it was (I had bought a new battery from them less than a year ago) and asked if I could get it down there to charge it.  Only problem, they close at 5:30p and it needs to be on the charge 2-3 hours to totally charge up.  We decided to not rush about and get down there, that I would bring it down at 8a when they open this morning and get it on the charge.  If it doesn't start, 'my guy' said he would send someone over to jump it and get it started.  So I shut the car off (it ran about 10 minutes, and did start right back up) and went to fix dinner.

I ended up making shepherd's pie for dinner just because I wanted something quick and I needed to use up some hamburger.  You know the recipe, hamburger, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and mashed potatoes and cheese on top - and I baked it in the oven to melt the cheese. :-)

My oven.  It works!!  My oldest son came over for a visit yesterday morning and luckily I didn't have any work to do.  We sat and talked while I kept an eye on emails and Teams texts.  Finally about 11-ish I said I was taking an early lunch and we moved to the kitchen and I decided to make oatmeal raisin cookies.  I haven't been able to bake since February!  Hubby checked - they picked up the oven part on March 5th and I didn't get my oven back until July 6th!  Anyway - I made oatmeal cookies and they turned out good.  I need to send my big brother a birthday package so plan to put a small bag of those in for him; my little sister reminded me Morgan likes oatmeal raisin (I hadn't even thought about it!) and of course oatmeal raisin is HER favorite.... so I plan to save some for Morgan, and send some to my little sister as well.  Sent a few home with my son.  I ate way too many of them!  (and I caught hubby in the act of reaching for a cookie and talk about looking guilty! LOL  I didn't care he ate them, but I caught him 'sneaking' to get one and it was funny).

Today is crazy this morning as I will need to get dressed in about an hour to take my car down to AAA Repair.  We need to leave about 10-ish to go to a funeral at our 'old' church.  The visitation is at 10a; funeral at 11a.  I told hubby we don't need to be there an hour for the visitation; he just wants to see old friends, and I get that. But he wants to get there early as there is limited parking.  Well, it depends on my car.... or he will have to drive.  That's why I want to get my car down right at 8a.  AAA Repair is where I've been getting my routine work done (oil changes, etc.) and it is only about a mile down the road. Hopefully, it won't take 3 hours to charge my battery and I can get it back quickly. I'm not sure what time they close on Saturdays and I don't want to leave my car over Sunday.  Hopefully it will charge up quickly.

Nothing is planned for this afternoon but I need to get to the store. We've been out of milk for about a week, I think.  Need to pick up a few things, but you know how that is when you go in person.  I've told myself to write down what meals I plan to make and make sure what ingredients I need, to at least ensure that I get those.... we ate out a lot last week, and it definitely got expensive.  Oh - btw - Taco Boys is now open where Coco used to be.  I think they were 'coming soon' for about a year.  Drove by it the other day and it is finally open.  We may try it Monday as I don't want to fight the new crowds over the weekend.  As I mention we need to quit eating out.  But, got to try it at least once, right?

Oh - we got home with the walker last night and hubby immediately put it in the back room with the exercise equipment to 'get it out of the way'.  He won't use it today, you watch. I'm not going to argue with him.  If he falls, it's his fault.  I did go on Amazon and ordered one without a seat.  Why did I do that when he has a nice one?  Because the place we got it from asked that we don't take it out of the 'city'.  But what definition is 'the city' - where we live, or the cities surrounding it.  I think I will call and confirm.  Hubby did ask about taking it up north when we go on vacation next month and was advised 'no'.  They ask that it not be taken on vacation because it can get damaged by being put in and out of the car and whatnot.  I think the implication is it is to be used in the home.  Which being in the exercise room is really going to help (about as much as the exercise equipment has, right?).   Anyway, we won't be going much of anywhere on vacation (I don't even want to go!) so he can use the one I'll be getting from Amazon on Tuesday.  He walks about 100 feet and he says his legs get shaky.  That's when he begins to fall.  I overheard him talking with his brother about the walker yesterday afternoon - and (as I knew he would!) he told him that he tripped at the doorframe as he came into Dr. Mark's office.  Uh, no, Lily called him out on it - he tripped over his feet because his legs were weak and he couldn't walk straight!  I didn't see as I was in front of him - but I trust Lily!  I think hubby is truly being humbled by this experience - and he doesn't like it at all!

Well, I think I'm going to just jump off here and get dressed.  I am out of things to share this morning. I think I slept the best I have in a few nights and woke up still early this morning.  It's always nice to have time alone - with God - and by myself.  In fact, I may just stay in here another 45 minutes.  

Have an amazing day!

Blessings!