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!

One day at a time....again....

 I did get some things done yesterday.  I took time to go to the post office and got a package in the mail to my older brother and little sister.  I did online shopping at my favorite place - Amazon - and sent a package to my little brother.  While at the post office, I bought a gift card, addressed a Christmas card, and mailed it to my brother and sister in law.  I got cash out of the bank and put some in a card and gave to our mail lady.  Yes, we give something to our mail lady; she is always so good about bringing packages to our door, bringing our mail to the door if there is a lot, and is very friendly and kind.  I did not get any gifts wrapped yesterday as work kept me busy, and then I had my training at 5PM.  Was going to go visit my daughter after, but after her first two sessions of physical therapy, she asked for a pain pill, and requested we not stop by for she was exhausted.  I imagine so - her physical therapy sessions are 90 minutes long!  At least she is getting individualized attention and help overall.  She also had a nutritionist visit to get her diet under control.  Her glucose in the hospital ranged from 306 to 161 (I think) - yesterday she said it had dropped to 71.... wow - what happens when one follows the diet your body needs!  Will check with her later to see if she wants visitors today.

Hubby and his friend are not meeting on Tuesday nights now until after the holidays.  Which means we are home tonight, unless we go visit the daughter.  I am so far behind in wrapping, I plan to take the gifts out of here and put on the table so that I can sort through things and get them figured out.  I may be putting things back for NEXT year, at the way things look!  My list of things purchased went by the wayside a long time ago.  I didn't write down what I ordered but once - and then when I started ordering, and kept ordering... well, things just got out of hand, one might say.  I promise, I will change ... NEXT year.  Hold me to it!  It's not the money spent - I don't care about that - our bills are paid.  I don't plan to leave any inheritance.  I want to spend it all now how I want to spend it.  Right?  

There are a few things I need to make for gifts for Thursday.  Yes, I will be making yet another trip to Mesa for the division Christmas (aka Holiday to them) party.  It's a potluck and I'm to take a cheeseball and crackers.  Need to go buy cream cheese, I discovered last night.  Probably another can or two of crushed pineapple as well.  Need to get a fresh bottle of Lawry's seasoning.  And onions - I'm actually OUT of onions!  How did that happen!  Guess I need to make a list for the store and do a quick run over there some time today.   Need to make gingersnap cookies for one friend.  Need to find a gift for another, and a little something for yet another.  I think that is all whom I need to give something to.  May just make up a few batches of cookies and give.  Do not plan to shop, anyway. But, I only have today and tomorrow to get it done.  And I still need to wrap these gifts!  Can I blame being behind on wrapping on my kids?  Mama needs to be with her kids, right?

Morgan text'd me about 5:30AM and asked if hubby could come for his training at 7:30AM today.  He was in the shower but I hollered at him - and he said 'yes'.  He does not like to go train early.  It's ironic because when we were first married - a lifetime ago - he was the first one up early and going to training.  I'm the one who slept in.  That has changed over the years some. Most of the time I am up before him, but he gets up shortly after.  But occasionally, he will get up before me and then I wake up. I usually hear him shuffling down the hall.  But I get by on about 6-7 hours a sleep - used to be a lot less.  But I'm older, and more lazy, I guess.  I did sleep good last night.  Morgan worked my legs hard and I had a headache (after a big ocular migraine 'episode') so I took a couple excedrin - and when I went to bed, slept sound.  I probably needed it. But my legs are telling me that they were stretched last night.  In other words - "ouch".

Life has thrown us a few big hurtles the past few weeks, but God is faithful and He is good - always.  Don't always understand why things happen the way they do, but I do know that He will walk with us through any journey we are on.  It isn't Him that throws curve balls at you; it's the devil himself, wanting to mess you up.

Sigh. Called my youngest to check on him and when he planned to head north so that I could have the grandson's gifts ready - he was not in a good place. I'll leave that there, but it breaks my heart that these situations happens.  So.Much.Drama.... and he takes it all personally.  I get it; I really do.  As parents we want to help our children.  But drowning in our predicaments do not help any situation. I hurt for each one of my children when they go through things.  I hurt for my grandchildren, when they go through so many things.  Praying with face on floor at times.  I know God hears me, and He wants to answer my prayers, but He also has given each one of us free will.  Meaning that we can do whatever we want to do - it's our choice.  And if our choice is to drown, we will drown.  If our choice is to live, we will live. You know what I'm saying.  Don't let the world kill you.   Life happens. Life sucks at times.  What we do with the circumstances, describes who we are.

Matthew 16:24 (NIV):  'Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Jesus' words were unmistakable - and brutal - to His disciples.  They knew what crosses were. The cross was an instrument of execution, one of the most violent and horrible ever invented by evil men. It isn't something worn about neck or tattoo'd onto our skin.  It's violent, it's brutal, and obviously, deadly.  But Jesus said if we were to follow Him, we had to be willing to go to the cross with Him.

I've read this scripture many years, many times.  And I always repeat myself that I will 'surrender all' and follow Jesus.  Do you do that as well?  Are you willing to surrender all and follow Jesus?  I think we make it much harder than it really is.  But I am willing to follow Jesus - even to the cross - however that may look in our day today.  I need to change my ways.  I need to change my way of thinking. I need to keep my eyes on the only One who can rescue me from myself.  I think that at times I am my own worst enemy?  You too?  Our thoughts tell us to do one thing while the Spirit within us tell us another. 

For example, gossip is easy to fall into.  It's easy to talk about others. And many people do that - to make themselves look better.  I'm sure that I fall to that at times as well.  Guilty. And I have to confess my sin and ask for forgiveness and help to stand against it.  We heard something last night about a former church; of course we want to hear the 'details' - but the 'details' are none of our business.  We don't attend that church anymore. My first thought was I'd text a friend who does attend there, and ask what does she know.... but the word 'gossip' hit my mind.  And believe it or not - I resisted.  I did not text her.  I'm sorry whatever happened, happened.  And I actually spent some time praying for this pastor and his wife.  We loved them then, we love them now. What has happened does not affect us in any way.  We may never know what exactly happened.  We had our own discussion of what it could have been - no, not a 'downfall', but sometimes it is 'mother' churches not liking how a 'daughter' church is thriving or what is going on and makes the decision. Again, it doesn't affect us. None of our business. Right?  But it's sad. Not surprised the worship pastor moved up into the senior pastor role - he was a much better preacher; just saying.  When the Holy Spirit leads you - watch out!

And with that - I need to get off and get the work computer going - five minutes and counting!  Hope that your day if all you want it to be.

Blessings!

Last night thinking....

 We went to bed at our usual time last night, although I wasn't really feeling tired nor sleepy.  But knew that if I could fall asleep, I needed to.  Can't sleep late during the work week!  Not that I even get to on weekends past 5:30AM or so.  Anyway, I did fall asleep eventually, but awakened around 11:30PM to walk down the hall.  Yeah, I was drinking my water yesterday too late.  Got to stop around 7-ish to avoid during the night walks.  Anyway, from then on, my night was 'different'.  My body went to sleep (I think), but my mind sure didn't!  All night long I was praying about one thing or one person or another thing or person.  Don't know what was going on, not sure I want to know if there was, but I finally gave up trying to mentally sleep and got up at 4:30AM.  I'm sure I slept some mentally even, during that time, but it sure didn't feel like it when I finally got up.  Tried to sleep in here, but the mental alertness continued.  I have no idea what that's about!  

Perhaps it is because when hubby said yesterday he was going to take a 'power nap' early afternoon, I decided I needed a 'lunch break' and curled up in my chair and took a ten minute nap myself!  Hubby, in the meantime, slept about 1-1/2 or 2 hours. Great power nap, huh!  

I did have my training last night and hubby went with me.  Biceps and Triceps - and Morgan worked me hard!  I had given hubby the cookies to give Morgan yesterday morning and I had thought she said that she loved snickerdoodles the most. That's why I always made them for her.  But no, she corrected me last night.  She never liked snickerdoodles until she tasted mine - and she liked them.  Her favorite?  Oatmeal raisin.  Seriously.  And I sent a box yesterday to my little sister as a thank you for her birthday gifts.  Oh well.  Now I know.

Tonight hubby has his bible study with his friend Steve and I usually have 'girls night out'.  We've skipped some, and may skip tonight.  Will see what the daughter has planned, if anything.  If she has work to do, I tell her to go ahead and do it. I'm content to stay at home and read or watch a movie and crochet.  If she doesn't have anything planned, I'll probably go to her house.  And we eat and sit and crochet and chat and catch up.

Hubby is again asking me about planning something for our anniversary this year.  If we stay home, we do nothing. He always wants to be with me, but I enjoy being alone as well.  I told him I'd check out some places. He's wanting to go to Payson - or at least where it is cooler.  Will see.  We won't go the week of our anniversary but the week after, because Morgan is off the week after and that way we won't miss two weeks of training; just one. She'll make it up with extra workouts when she returns.  I don't want to spend the money, but will, to keep hubby happy.  Not to say I won't enjoy being away and in cooler weather where we can sit outside and just relax.  And if we go to a hotel, I don't have to cook meals.  But then we spend even more money. I'm content with lunchmeat sandwiches, but he wouldn't be. Afterall, it's vacation, right?  For whom?

Psalm 119:93 (NKJV):  I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.

Precepts:  A general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought.

You could also look at a 'precept' as a commandment - think '10 Commandments'.  God gives us these rules to help us live life to the fullest!  Did you ever think about that?

Just like we as parents sometimes tell our children (or grandchildren or great-grandchildren) 'no' - because we want to protect them. We want them to enjoy their life to the fullest.  I think you would agree that sticking pins into outlets is not a good thing.  Especially if they are active.  Would you not tell that child 'NO!'?  Just an example, for sure, but we also need to caution our children (and others) about things that we are aware of that can harm them.  We tell them to 'look both ways before crossing the street' because we don't want them to walk into traffic and be harmed.  We tell them 'take your medicine' because we want them to be well.  "Hold my hand" is another line we give our children; all these things because we want to protect them and take care of them.

And that is why God gave us His 10 commandments.  He loves us so much that He wants only the best for us.  If you really look at the commandments, they are not hard words to follow.  They are words that would keep us healthy and whole and well.  So why don't we follow them?  Because we don't want anyone telling us what to do.  Right?  I'm guilty too - you know how often I rebel when hubby 'tells me what he thinks I should do'!  

God loves you, and me, so much that He not only gave us the ten commandments to follow, He gave us His one and only Son, Jesus, to be our sacrifice for the sins of not following Him.  Trust me, I've been on both sides of the fence over the years.  The difference between head knowledge of God and heart knowledge is great.  Once you know God and have a heart knowledge of Him and how much He loves you and cares for you and wants only the best for you.... you realize that there is nothing greater than choosing to follow Him.  

So you don't cheat, steal or lie.  Good for you!  But do you still feel that you are missing something?  That something is Jesus.  Trust me, Jesus does make the difference.  In accepting Jesus as Lord (He never forces Himself upon you), the hole within you is complete.  The pain you carry around in your heart, is calmer. The joy of knowing Jesus is so great that you don't have to say a word and people will know you are 'different' than you were the day before.  It's in how you carry yourself. You are confident. You know you are forgiven. You know you are loved. And you know you will eventually be with Jesus forever.  Life doesn't get any better than that.  

Peace, sweet peace. Peace that calms the soul, no matter what the devil throws at you.  The devil will attack you and cause all sorts of evil to come against you - but Jesus is your Mainstay, He is your Strength, He is your Healer.  When was the last time you asked Him to bring peace to your heart?  Sometimes all we need to do is ask, and wait in faith, and the peace will flow.  Trust Him. Love Him. Follow Him.  You will never regret it.

Blessings!

What is going on?

 We went to bed at our usual time last night and I was awake about every 3 hours.  What's up with that?  I would start to toss and turn, trying to get back to sleep, and finally would.  At the 3AM wake up I really couldn't get back to sleep so about 3:30-ish I came in here and tried to sleep in my chair.  I am sure I did doze off, but it sure doesn't feel like it.  Do I have something on my mind?  Other that laying there praising God and praying over my family.... what is going on in my mind that I can't sleep all through the night any more?  Maybe I need to just sit down before I go to bed and ask God, ya think?  

I was tired when I got off work yesterday so threw a pizza in the oven.  It's the last one I had in the freezer so I (will try) will not buy anymore (at least for awhile).  I just feel so fat and I know it is from all that junk food that I fix for us to eat.  What's that saying we used to say as kids?  Fatty Fatty Two by Four, Can't get through the kitchen door!  Oh my - is that not a saying from my past!!  It's how I feel this morning though; it's how I felt last night.  Yes I did walk a little on my treadmill yesterday and am trying to figure out how I can possibly take a break (like I'm supposed to) and do 10 minutes on the treadmill twice a day.  Of course there is the lunch hour too, but I don't take those either, as a rule.  Yeah, I think I need to start taking care of myself and quit giving all of me to the job.  Right?  

I didn't have training last night, nor do I have it tonight.  This week I have it Wednesday and Thursday.  I did try to use my weights yesterday and I just felt so weak. Seriously.  I used to be able to use my 10 pound weights easily.  I was moving up.  But my trainer doesn't work my arms every week.  The first night is always legs (guess she sees how big my thighs and hips are and are working on those) and the second night she alternates different exercises. Every other week is core, which is ok.  But then one week we will do back; then core the next week, then chest, then core, then triceps, then core, then biceps... at least I'm figuring out that is what she does.  It's been awhile since we have done bicep curls. Not that I need or want big biceps.  I need to do more myself on my own.  And I'm lazy. And I can find every excuse in the book not to go workout on my own. Which is why I have some equipment here at home. I just need to get up off my lazy butt and use it.  Maybe cut my time in here down by 30 minutes and go get on it?  I dunno... I'm usually typing until nearly 7AM and then it's time for work - right?

2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

How many times have you taken a past sin, one that you have already asked God for forgiveness for, and you beat yourself up about it again and again?  I know I do it.  And I know that the very first time I confessed it, I was completely forgiven and God forgot it.  His Word says it is forgiven as far as the east is from the west and remembered no more.  And yet, when something triggers one of our thoughts of a sin of our past, we beat ourselves up - and again find ourselves asking for forgiveness.  

I have news for you.  That is not Jesus bringing up your past, for He has already forgiven you.  It is the devil bringing up your past to make you feel guilt again.  Satan doesn't want you to have a right relationship with God.  He wants to do everything he can - and will do everything he can, to tear down any hope of forgiveness.  The devil will tell you that your sin is too great, that God can't forgive that.  I have news for you if you believe that.  No matter what your sin was.... once you have asked sincerely for forgiveness, God forgives you, and remembers it no more.

Yesterday I had a battle with the devil myself over things of the past that he kept bringing to my mind. I knew (and I know) that I am forgiven of my past.  Did I ask forgiveness again?  Yeah, I did.  But I already knew that I was forgiven.  And then the devil and I had a talk and I told him where to go.  I told him to leave me alone that I was a child of God and he wasn't invited to be on that walk with me! So there!  That ole devil is not a nice person.  You may think he is when he draws you in to sin, but he doesn't care anything about you.  And he laughs at you when you get dragged into his schemes.  His time is coming though - he knows where he will end up.  He wants to do his damage before God throws him into the abyss forever and ever, into the pit of fire.

John 3:16 (NIV):  For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Tell the devil where to go.  Confess to Jesus and live a life of following Him. You will never regret it.

Blessings!

Lazily doing the Friday dance...

 Yeah, I think my 'get up and go' got up and went.  It's been a busy week, but I really don't understand why I am so tired.  Could be because I haven't been eating right this week.  I have eaten a lot more carbs than I am used to eating and I am guessing that is my problem.  Yes, I still eat bread and of course my crackers, but I haven't been eating as much protein to offset it.  In fact, the last two or three days I haven't even had a protein shake.  Just didn't feel like it.  But I did make chicken salad yesterday and ate some of my multi-grain crackers with it - and it was so good.  Only I didn't have any celery to put in the salad.... went to Sam's Club last night and made sure I got some - and six more cans of chicken.  

Just had a memory pop up.  Aunt Sue.  She loved making her chicken salad.  Oh my.  It was good, don't get me wrong, but she loved to put a LOT of dill in it.  Yes, dill is a spice.  Remember when I made the one dip - was it a pickle dip?  I don't remember at this moment, but it had fresh dill in it.  But Aunt Sue would put lots of the dried dill in it and some people would just drool over it.  I liked it, but didn't care so much for all the dill.  And I haven't put in my chicken salad ever...... I wonder if I put some in it - how would that taste?  I have about half of the chicken salad left.... maybe I will sprinkle some dill in that and give it a try.  Stay tuned - if I remember to share about it.

I found myself rummaging through some cookbooks yesterday.  I do enjoy cooking.  I have hamburger I must cook tonight so I think that I will make the crockpot enchilada - remember that one?  I think it is hamburger and beans and something else, layered between tortillas in a crockpot for a couple hours.  I need to find that recipe for that is what I am thinking of making for dinner tonight.  I was going to last night, but did a run to Sam's Club.... and hubby went with me.  Sigh.  Anyway... we stopped at Sonic on the way home and ate our dinner there.  Like I said, lots of carbs.  The best thing I had was a diet coke - couldn't eat all the onion rings; my body was rebelling too much carbs!  I really wanted to get a hot fudge sundae - but did not.  But I bet I will some time; Ms. Diane's daughter told me that Sonic has the best hot fudge sundaes...so you know I need to check it out.

Started pulling together Christmas gifts I've already bought and some I had leftover from last year that I didn't give.  I need to start sorting through them and get things written down and wrapped.  I may get our tree up before Thanksgiving just so I can get the gifts out of this room and clear it out.  I did tell you I 'joined' a decluttering group on Facebook, didn't I?  I have seen their photos of what was and how they took bags upon bags of stuff to Goodwill or the trash and the after look.  I'm not there yet.  I'm not ready to let go of some things, but a lot of it I reckon I can.  You know how I complain about my clutter in here.  Well, add in all the Christmas gifts - yeah, I keep them confined to this room to keep hubby from complaining.  But if I can wrap and move to the front room under the tree, it would clear this room - so it's good thinking, right? 

In my devotional this morning (I Am..... The Unveiling of God by Steve Fry) I read an interesting chapter based on God wanting all the glory for Himself. Afterall, He created us; He gave us of His breath to live; He created all things.  So why does He want all the glory?  Quote:  "To chide God about his desire to receive all the glory shows that we have a warped view of life. First, to accuse him of selfishness is a gross misjudgment. Second, the absurd assertion of our self-reliance - as if there were any life apart from God - is an utter delusion."  Unquote.

Iverna Tomkins was a great preacher and she once said, "God looks down to see if he can find his Son in us."

So I'm going to hush and leave you with that thought today.  If God looked down on you today, or even upon your friends you hang out with, would He find His Son living in you?  

When we follow Jesus.... not as a fan, but as a follower.... God will find His Son in us.  But are we living as a fan, or a follower of Jesus?

Blessings!

I know I missed something good....

 This weekend was the Divine Women's Conference by Free Chapel in Georgia that I signed my little sister and I up for around the first part of this year.  I didn't know how either of us could financially go, but I thought it would be good for both of us. In my mind, both of us could have saved for it, and have it as a goal.  It was something we both needed.  And it would have been so fulfilling and we would  have been blessed.  But, with things happening earlier this year, I knew I couldn't go.  And neither could my sister.  So I donated the two tickets that I had bought, that perhaps someone who couldn't afford to go, could go.  I would have had airline tickets and hotel to pay for too, so it's just not to be this year.  

I'm watching worship with Free Chapel this morning as I write this.  I usually do turn my phone on at 6AM when the first service starts.  Yeah, I get some worship and a message before I even get ready for church on Sundays!  Great worship that is good for my soul.  Remember the song, "What can make me whole again?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  What can wash away my sins?  Northing but the blood of Jesus!   O Precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow. No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus."  Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  He sets us free from our past; from everything.  You can never know life until you have been washed by His blood and set free from the things that hold you.

There is Hope and there is Freedom... speak Jesus.  His name is Power; His name is Healing.  He will bring every stronghold, shine through the shadows, burn like a fire through those things that hold us in bondage.  He can remove every fear and anxiety, and every soul that is held captive, He alone can set free.  Powerful words.  Read them again.  Choose to speak the name of Jesus - He can set each one of us free from whatever holds us - He can shine through the shadows and break every stronghold.  Wow!

My heart is really longing to get away with Jesus for a few days.  No phone, no TV, no interactions with others, just Jesus.  Unfortunately, hubby doesn't understand that feeling I have; he wants to go wherever I want to go too.  Sure, he wants to spend quality time with Jesus, but he wants to do it with me and not let me go alone.  That's the difference between us.... if he wanted to do it, I'd encourage it, and take advantage of my time alone at home to do the same.  Perhaps I need to start out slow.  It's been a few years, but perhaps I can convince him to let me have a Saturday morning alone here in my room - until noon at least - and just have that time alone with God.  I just need to make sure I get it on the calendar so that he knows that is what I'm going to do.  Sooner rather than later.  Stay tuned on that.  

It's Sunday and we will be getting ready for church soon.  Our pastor has been 'on fire' in preaching the Word.  I always walk away with learning something.  I even take notes!  But then I bury the notes in my Bible, and unless we talk about them specifically, that is where they will stay.  I need to get better organized, for sure.  

In fact, I was re-reading Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson this morning, and in it he talks about his prayer journal.  Every time I read that chapter, I get inspired to carry one of my journals around with me.  But, I write a lot of personal things int here and if I ever lost it... yipes!  I need to SPEAK my prayers more than WRITE my prayers.  In fact, in thinking back over the years,, I can remember when I changed from just writing things in a journal versus writing my prayers in the journal.  Several years ago a friend mentioned that she wrote out her prayers each morning so that she could look back and see how God answered her prayers.  That made sense to me, so I started doing it.  Unfortunately, it caused me to use more of my time writing, and less time actually talking with God.  My loss, for sure!  I've been gradually getting back to the 'way it was' when I first became a Christian.  There is nothing like spending time 1:1 talking with Jesus.  Yes, I still write in my journals, but I don't want to write my prayers in there... I want to talk with Jesus.  Journals are a tracking of my life.  My emotions. My feelings about things.  But prayers.... that is when I can lay it all out before God.  Writing it just isn't the same.

Jentezen Franklin is on fire this morning!  He is talking about how Jesus tells us to Follow Him... remember when Simon Peter and Jesus were walking and Jesus told Peter how when he  was a child, he had freedom, but when he grew old, his hands would be bound and he would be led away.  That was Simon Peter's future.  As he pondered that, Simon Peter looked behind him and saw the beloved disciple, John.  "What about him?" Simon Peter asked Jesus.  And how did Jesus respond?  

John 21:22 (NKJV):  "Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain til I come, what is that to you?  You follow Me."

It doesn't matter what happens to us.  It doesn't matter what people do or say to us.  It doesn't matter the challenges we face.  In all these things, Jesus just says, "Follow Me."

"Follow Me."  The lessons we have learned over the years always draw us back to 'Follow Jesus'.  

And that is going to be my challenge to you this morning.  Jesus knows about every trial you or your child goes through.  He knows what is ahead of you.  With each one of these trials and heartaches, each thing you walk through, Jesus is drawing you to Him.  Satan is a liar.   Satan doesn't want you to follow Jesus.  Satan knows that you can stomp on his head.  

Choose Jesus.

Follow Him.  Follow Jesus.  You will never be the same.

Blessings!