Today will possibly be a big delivery day....

 just saying.  I can hear hubby's comments now of "NOW what did you buy?"  Actually, most of the items today I didn't buy... in reality.  A topic for another day.  But, I know I have several packages arriving from Amazon today.  In fact, one of the packages arrived yesterday.  No biggie... new cushions for one of my rocking chairs.  I'm trying to 'work' with Amazon now and have my packages delivered on 'Amazon Tuesdays'.  Unless it is something I need.  Or want sooner.

Yesterday was a quiet day for the most part as far as work.  Sue & I talked at 8am and she is packing for her trip to Aruba - she leaves tomorrow and will be gone for a week.  I will have no excuses for not getting work done - and can possibly do some studying on things I want to learn during this next week.  I still have my 'other people', but they are quiet right now - but I still need to create some meetings for 2027, come to think of it.  Plus I still have minutes to type.  I'm hoping to get on those today. I couldn't believe I wasted yesterday afternoon... well, not entirely. I did go through some of my folders and deleted some items from 2018 and 2019.  It's always good to clean out folders and free up space - even in our home computers, right?  Today, though, I need to 'make' myself focus on what I can get done, not on what I can do anytime.

We are having the group bible study at our house tomorrow night and I will need to run to a store and pick up a few snacks to have.  Something healthy, and something 'bad'.  Gotta have chocolate, right?  The brownies we had last week at our leader's house were awesome, and she 'made' me bring two home with me - but I took them to Morgan.  After all, I am STILL without my oven.  Sigh.  Meals are getting hard to decide what to fix.  Last night we had tomato soup and grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, sliced tomato and deviled eggs.  I was so full, and even though we ate around 6pm, I could not think about laying down until about 9pm.  Too much food for my belly!  But I forced myself to 'eat it all'.  

I love buying books from Thriftbooks.  Yes, sometimes they may be marked up a bit, but as long as it is not distracting, I'm ok with it. Only once, in all the years I have been buying from Thriftbooks have I contacted them that I had a very bad written in copy. I mean this person had written on nearly every page in very large handwriting, sometimes covering up the typed words. I wrote and complained - and they not only refunded my money, they sent me a better copy; still written in, but readable.  Most times when I get a book from Thriftbooks it isn't even written in, and most times as well, it is almost new!  I like I can pay less than $6 for most of the books I want. And I don't mind reading a book that has been read before.  When I die, I hope my kids don't just 'donate' my books to Savers or Goodwill, but will 'sell' them back to Amazon and Thiftbooks.  We have quite a bit of money tied up in books, trust me! And I haven't been writing in them - well, I would say the majority I haven't written a note... if anything, I underline in pencil things I want to reflect on.  Hubby, I think, has switched to pencil, but he used to use a highligher (yellow) and it drove me crazy when I was wanting to read a book after him and had all these highlighted sentences.... so I'd order my own copy!  With pencil underline, at least we can erase if we want to pass the book on.  You can find a lot of books at Thriftbooks.com.  I guess I just wrote this paragraph about Thriftbooks because I went online last night and ordered a couple books to be sent to me.  That is the danger of someone who loves to read..... we are always ordering books, even when we have plenty of books to read!

Hubby actually left the TV off last night and didn't even ask me if I wanted to watch a movie!  He read some, I noticed, and I was able to as well.  I love quiet nights when I can read.  

When you hear - or read - Jesus' words "Follow Me", what do you think about?  Are they just words to you that are spoken in a movie, or just words to be read and go on to the next line in the book?  What does "Follow Me" - spoken by Jesus, mean to you?  That just popped in my mind as I was thinking of what to write next.  Probably what made me think of it was a book I was reading last night and that chapter was about Matthew.  Yeah, that one. The tax collector, who was a Jew, taking taxes for the Romans from other Jews and overcharging them to make himself rich.  Yeah, Matthew wasn't liked a whole bunch.  Other Jews would have nothing to do with him because they knew he overcharged them on taxes.  Anyway, this story was an 'imaginary' story about Matthew, and about Jesus pausing before him at the table, looking at Matthew, and speaking those very words..... "Follow Me".  And Matthew, not sure what was before him, got up, left everything, and followed Him.

If you should hear the words "Follow Me" while you are out and about, or while you are at home cruising through your computer or reading or doing some activity.... what would you do?  Would it cause you to pause?  "Follow Me" - what does that mean? What would it require of me?

To follow Jesus is the greatest thing you could ever do.  But it also means laying down all that you hold on to.  Most of us are not willing to do that.  To follow Jesus is to literally, follow Him, and give up everything you are, everything you hold on to, surrender it all.... and follow Him.  Could you do that?  I will admit, that as much as I would love to say "I have surrendered all to Jesus and I choose to follow Him".... I know I have failed in many areas.  But that doesn't stop me from reassessing what is important and what isn't, and seeking Him to help me to let go of the things of this world, just to be close to Him.

When was the last time you sought after Jesus?  When was the last time you spent time with Him, talking with Him about what is going on in your life and seeking what He wants for you?  In our busy, distracting world, many of us don't take much time to do that, do we?  That's one reason I love my early mornings. Yes, I would love to sleep in longer... but I've risen early for over 40 years and it is hard to break now.  Even if I do sleep a little later, I still take time to spend time with Jesus. Not bragging. It's just built into my life to where I am missing something if I didn't stop and spend time with Him.

I pray that is what it s for you. That you will get up - at whatever time it is, and give Jesus the first part of your day, even if it is just to thank Him for awakening you that morning, for keeping you and your family safe, for providing for your needs.  The little things that we take for granted, are supplied by Him. You may think it's the government or the job that is taking care of you... naw, it's all Jesus.  He is your provider and He supplies what you need. All you need to do is ask in faith. And open your eyes to see what all He has for you.  Many times we don't get what we want, because we never ask for it.

And with that, I need to get to this job and get to work this morning.  I hope and pray that you have an amazing day!  Encourage someone today, you never know what they may be going through.

Blessings!

It is back to normal - what happened?

 Wow - my blog is back to normal size now.  I wonder if my son went in and worked on it - but then, it would have appeared normal on his computer, cause it appeared normal on my work computer when I brought it up. I don't know - but it's back the way it should be.  Thank You, Jesus!  (It's the little things that make a day great!)

Doctor visit with hubby yesterday was revealing.  Things are going on that even Dr. Mark said he didn't understand - but was sending hubby for tests to get to the root of the problem.  Everything had been on track.  Hubby's memory was deteriorating somewhat (old age), but his health, other than the prostate cancer, was good. Now hubby has lost 12 pounds in last month; of which 6 were in the last week (from his last doctor visit).  Doctor is very concerned. No explanation for the weight loss, other than we have skipped a few meals if we eat a big lunch - but why haven't I lost weight?  And, trust me, I have not.

Hubby is gaining yet another doctor, for which he is somewhat depressed about, but is necessary in order to find out what is going on. He has a 2-4 hour nuclear test tomorrow on his heart. Since it is a test, we are thinking I don't need to go with him. He probably will not see that doctor.  And Friday has another Lupron shot, and I don't need to go with him to that one.  I missed almost four hours of work yesterday, but still was able to get everything caught up by 4PM.  Grateful my boss said I could flex my hours if need be. I will try to always complete my work/meetings before I sign off for the day.  As long as I can keep up with my work, I'll be ok.  If I get behind and can't catch up due to being gone for doctor appointments, I may have to 'retire' to be available here.  Which is an odd feeling; I don't want to 'retire' for that reason - I want to 'retire' so that I can have fun. Does that make sense? Once I resigned myself to the fact that I will work until I die.... I got over my frustration and hurt with hubby telling me I couldn't retire. And I have to admit, I love having my own money to spend - and spend it I do!

Now that I have a grill, I can make it easy on my children for Christmas gifts - lol - order us a package of Omaha Steaks - for $79 you can take care of both of us!  LOL  

Have that dull headache again this morning.  I slept pretty good until about 11:10PM when I woke up - and from there on it seems I just dozed off and on.  If I get a break in things, I may end up taking a nap. Or not. I do have work to do.  Still need to get started on meetings for next year and get these extended.  

One of my thoughts in the middle of the night was that I was to have breakfast with my favorite boss this morning - and then I remembered, we moved it to next Wednesday with my taking off for the doctor appointments the past two days. Wasn't sure how far behind I'd be getting.  I'm not really behind at all, but it's ok to move it out to next week. One of the colleagues that I am covering for will be back today, so that makes it a lot easier than it was.  The higher the leader (and her leader is above mine), the more difficult it is to get meetings scheduled.

Until hubby gets the test results back, I'm not going to write any more.  Our 'assumptions' of what could be - may not be. And I pray it is just false tests.  But my mind is prepared should they are true. But we just don't know.  Hubby is dealing with it fairly well, after the initial shock of the news - which neither of us really expected.  But we will wait and see what the tests results show. I am praying for a miracle, for healing, and for long life for hubby. Yes, 88 is a long life, but I don't want it to end in pain.

My SIL and daughter picked up my grill and table yesterday - I may have it back by this weekend. Then I need to learn how to use it. I have a couple things already planned on Saturday to do, so will see if I can read up on it and understand all the instructions - and then do it 'my way'. :-)

Ephesians 5:1 (ESV):  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

We are so loved by God.  Why is it so hard to be 'like Him'?  Some of us think we ae doing pretty good at following God, but are we LIKE Him?  Are we following Jesus?  Are we 'like Jesus'?  I will admit that I fail many, many times as I try to follow Jesus.  I say I am a 'Jesus follower' or 'I follow Jesus' - but am I consistent with that?  No, admittedly, I fail continuously.  I don't pause and think about how He would react to things - I allow myself to react.  I don't always seek His wisdom to proceed on a task or even in making a decision - until after I have already made the decision (and usually fail) and decide maybe I had better check with God.  Why is that? 

I can probably tell you why I fail at so many things.  Honestly, I used not to be what I am today.  I can remember (yes, I remember!) how sold out on Jesus I used to be when I first followed Him. I memorized scripture, I studied the Bible, I sought Him in prayer continuously, I asked Him about everything.  Then I got hit with a couple whammies.... I won't go into detail with what happen, but one of those things shook me at my very core of who I was. My identity in Christ felt attacked.  And I have struggled ever since to lay everything down and leave it at the foot of the cross.  It is way too easy to pick up the hurt, the pain, and continue to allow the thoughts to enter my head of "who do you think you are?" "You are a hypocrite".  And many other comments.  I know that is the devil putting those thoughts in my mind to tear me down, and some days it is all I can do to declare the goodness and forgiveness and mercy and grace of God upon me and upon my life.  I know God has forgiven my past. I know in these certain circumstances I have done no wrong.  I just didn't do what the other people thought I should do.  I didn't behave the way they thought I should. My Christian walk didn't measure up - when in reality, I would say their walk was the one in question. Pastors have crushed me; family has risen up against me at times.  My tender shell that I once wore has become a bit more tougher over the years.

I know who I am in Christ, and I choose Him.  I will follow Jesus - all the way. I may stumble along the way, but God's grace always picks me up and carries me onward.  All I have to do is confess my sins, my helplessness at being anything without Him.  

Psalm 23:3 (ESV):  He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness, for His name's sake.

And He will restore your soul as well, if you will let Him.  Why not take a few minutes to pause and reflect over your life and see where you need to get it straightened out to align with Jesus.  You will never regret following Jesus. 

There is a movie we watched a long time ago and I have never forgotten it.  Cheryl Ladd stars in it, I believe.  Tho none go with me is the title, I believe.  Once she became a Christian (in the movie), she had some hard choices to make.  But she stuck with it, and I have it written in my Bile as a reminder to myself....

Tho none go with me, still I wlll follow.  I will follow, all the way.

Will you?

Blessings!

It was another good day

 We went to church yesterday and heard a great message from Pastor John.  We do love these pastors at our new church!  As Pastor John was walking out, he stopped at our row and hugged hubby and talked with him a few seconds then reached in and gave me a big hug before he headed on out the door.  As we were leaving the building, Pastor Lindsey was standing by the door, she saw me and grabbed me and gave a big hug and said 'we need to get together for lunch again soon'!  And for me to send her a text to remind her that we need to get it set up.  I mentioned in passing that I wanted to chat with her and Pastor John and was thinking of sending an email.... and she goes "Oh, you want to start a life group?"  I laughed and told her that was something we needed to talk about... but that I had an 'experience' last week that I wanted to share with them.  

I kid you not.  Hubby and I went on to Cracker Barrel for brunch and before our meal even arrived, I had a text from Pastor Lindsey asking what happened and that she didn't want time to elapse on something unsolved if they needed to address it, that groups had been formed while they were on sabbatical, and although they appreciated the 'go ahead' of the staff, there was not training and instructions before they were formed.  I shot back a quick email that nothing was unresolved, I just didn't feel welcomed to join a group and no one seemed to know what another group was planning to do.  She sent a text right back again that she was sorry that happened to me, that they would like to talk with me further, and we will get together soon.  

Someone actually cares what I/we think and feel and experience.  Now that is being a true pastor - one who cares about their people - even though who are new and they don't really know very well!  I can't wait to meet them for lunch - I hope their schedule (and mine) allows for it soon.  Next week we are gone so doubt it will be this week - but will see! 

I don't remember what is on my calendar for work this week, but I know my personal calendar is somewhat 'busy' with two doctor appointments and of course 'work'.  I do have a meeting with my favorite boss today.  We'll catch up on what we did over the weekend, then will talk about work.  It's my 'ARC Review' which means we'll discuss any projects I've done, and what do I plan to do in the remaining of the year.  I've already decided to increase my knowledge in PowerPoint.  Glanced through the book a few times, but that's as far as I've gotten.  She always words it to where I 'walk on water'.  She has been so very good to me.

I heard some snarling outside so opened the shutters. LOL This little tiny dog is snarling at this huge dog walking (with his master) down the street.  It was kind of funny... the man with the big dog just looked back at the woman with the little dog - that, I kid you not, she pushes in a baby carriage like a princess and shook his head.  And it played out in front of our house. I imagine the woman wants to walk, and the dog can't walk, so she pushes in the baby carriage.  It's a hoot.

James 4:6 (NKJV):  But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

I am so grateful for God's grace to me.  Some days it is all I can hang on it, when I go through some very trying circumstances.  What about you?  Have you learned about how precious His grace is?  Have you asked for His grace to sustain you?  Why not spend a little time talking with Him and seek His face and let go of what is troubling you?  When you surrender your life to Jesus, He gives you all the grace you could ever want or need.  Living in grace is much more powerful and peaceful, than living in self and sin.

As I sit here and wonder what to write next, these words come to my attention:

Reimagine what's possible. Rediscover your spark.

What am I reading those words from?  The back of my Virta Health booklet.  I know that it is applying those words to health - and we should imagine in our mind us having good health and rediscover who we can be if we get our health in order and live and move and breathe..... 

But what if we applied those words to all of life?  What if....(by the way, have you ever watched that movie?  I love it and wish I had gone to the theater to see it last week, but did not.) what IF... we chose differently in life.... what would our lives be like now?

But even more so, what IF, we decided that today was going to be the day we took our health seriously and started making wiser choices on what we eat?  I am not one to tell anyone what to eat because I can't remain consistent it seems.  I do good for a few hours and then will sneak chocolate or a cookie or something.  Which is why I can't drop this weight, I'm sure.  It's why I avoid photos for I'm ashamed of what I look like.  My daughter posted a photo of us a few years ago and the current photoshoot one of us... I look like a blimp in the second photo... but as much as I do not like the photo, that is obviously what I look like to others so just sucked it up and let it go.  

If I want to change, I have to make the change. 

And it's like following Jesus.  If I want to change, I need to make different choices.  I love this saying in the movie The Chosen.... Matthew is talking to Gaius, the Roman soldier.  I forget what Gaius asks him, but Matthew looks at him and says (something like).... 

"I have only one thing to do today.  Follow Him."

And that is the one choice each of us have to make today.  What will be your one choice?   I'm choosing 'Follow Him."

Blessings!

I know it's important, but really?

 I can do my own laundry.  There is no reason that I cannot do my own laundry. Except hubby insists it is his job to do it because I work.  RME  He told me Tuesday he would do my laundry; instead he did his.  Yesterday morning I sorted my laundry out on the bathroom floor (barely 3 loads and maybe even 2) and he insisted he was going to do it.  I never said a word.  If he had left the house I would have done it myself and have done it myself on Friday mornings when he's gone - my entire laundry can be done and put away in less than 2.5 hours - and it takes him all day and sometimes two days to get it done.  Seriously.  He stresses over it.  So just now, in he comes to interrupt me and ask if he should put in one load now and wait until he gets back to finish it up.  I told him I don't care; do whatever he wants to do.  I can do my own laundry!!

He has a 7:30AM training appointment.  Now mind you, it is before 7AM and this is my 'quiet time' - and he comes in to interrupt me about doing my laundry.  Sigh.  He plans to go to breakfast with one of his friends this morning after training, which means he won't be home until 9:30-ish.  I could have it all done by then!! Maybe I should tell him to put a load in now - and then while he is gone I finish it.  His focus at times is incredible.

And he's frustrated, I get that.  His hearing aids (one of them) went out while we were in New Mexico.  He made it back to the hearing aid place yesterday.  Sigh.  He was so down last night it would take a shovel to pick him up.  Because he sweats so much, the batteries in these hearing aids corrode within two weeks or less.  These are the expensive ones that 'we' purchased less than a year ago.  At night he puts them in a container to recharge and clean.  Well, they started telling him about a month ago that it is his sweating (and sweat in his ear) that is causing the corroding of the batteries.  They have replaced the hearing aids 3-4 times, I think already.  Ok - I'm getting to the 'sad' part.... 'they' have come out with a new style of hearing aid that has the battery enclosed in plastic so that sweat will not corrode the battery.  That's great!  Right?  Except he doesn't have that kind of hearing aid.  The cost of this new hearing aid? Are you ready for this?  $4200 I think he said.

When he got his first hearing aids I paid $1600.  He was constantly changing the batteries so when he heard about this one with them charging overnight, he 'had to have them' so I paid another $1600 (after insurance this time) for those.  Insurance he has now does not cover hearing aids, so for him to get the newest style - well, it would go again on my credit card for me to pay.  And I have told him 'no'.  Am I wrong?  And, yes, it's about the money.  I'm trying to save for emergencies, and I don't consider this an emergency.  I suggested he go back to the hearing aids he had gotten from Costco.  He complained that he was always having to change the battery (cause his sweat depleted them).  So - I'm going to buy a case of batteries today and tell him to find them and start wearing them. I don't care if he changes batteries every two hours - at least he can hear, right?

So that is what is going on this morning.  I was awake at 2AM and couldn't go back to sleep so finally got up at 3:30AM.  I did fall asleep in here for about an hour before hubby came in with my coffee.  And I'm still tired.  It's going to be a long day, I think.

I was reading in Acts 10 this morning about Peter going to see a Gentile Centurion by the name of Cornelius.  Do you realize that Cornelius is the first Gentile to become a Christian - and henceforth salvation was also given to us?  Yeah, we're Gentiles too.  We are not Jewish. Although my ancestry report says (I think) that I was 1% Jewish. I just say 'Yeah, Jesus is my brother'.  :-)  And He is. 

It really is an interesting story - why not pull your Bible down off the shelf and look it up and read it?  You might find the entire story interesting.  Remember, Simon Peter had gone up on the rooftop where he was staying at Simon the Tanner (people were known by occupation back then) so that he could pray.  While he was up there, he got hungry.  While food was being prepared for him, he went into this trance of all kinds of clean and unclean animals being let down from heaven on a sheet.  He was told to 'take and eat' and Peter protested as there were a lot of unclean animals (i.e., pigs?) in there. (if you read in Genesis, God tells you what you should eat and what you shouldn't.  Fish that swim on the bottom of the lake/ocean scavenging for food and pigs that eat anything - are not on the 'good list'.)  Anyway, by the third time of seeing that giant sheet laid down, Peter was really thinking about what it could possibly mean when the men arrived to ask him to come with them to see Cornelius.  

Acts 10:27-28 (NKJV):  While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. He said to them: "You are well aware it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean."

Wow - what a reality check!  No one should be called impure or unclean just because of race, of color, of nationality.  We are all Christians when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord.  We may follow Him in different ways, according to our cultures and what we know, but as we learn more of Jesus and choose to follow Him with our lives, we find that following Jesus is not as hard as it sounds.  Grateful for a loving heavenly Father who forgives our slip-ups and helps us walk in the right way.

I was pondering some of my choices this morning in my struggle to be 'me'.  Some of you may understand that comment.  Yes, I am a wife, a mother, an employee, a minister, but I am also me.  There is so much I want to do for Jesus and yet, my hands have been tied behind my back for years.  Some day, perhaps I will be able to do some of the things I dream about.  But then, maybe it also isn't God's plan for me.  I mean, after all, if it WAS His plan for me, wouldn't He have already orchestrated things?  Am I just impatient?  I still have so much to learn.  In reading one of my books this morning she shared about how she had a dream and was slowly working towards it when she felt her 'passion' for God shift into another area.  She wasn't sure how to process that.  But she did, and she has found such joy in doing what she felt God was leading her in to.  Perhaps I need to just wait on God's timing and keep learning and preparing myself.  I need to quit making excuses why I can't take classes and why I can't do specific things.  I need to plan and just do it - and leave the rest of to God.

And so do you.  What is your passion?  Where do you think God is wanting you to step up and participate?  One thing I have learned all these years, don't overwhelm myself with the 'doing' for it takes the enjoyment of doing away from others.  Does that make sense?  True, people don't volunteer too often.  And it's the same ones who volunteer and same one(s) who have to do the job, time after time, because they 'do it so well' and 'they have the time'.  Be careful.  Be honest enough to admit that volunteering for some things just isn't 'your thing' and if it is causing you anxiety or stress, perhaps you need to be honest enough to say "I can't do this".  And you know what?  It's ok.  Someone else will step up and do it.  You will feel guilty (been there, done that) about stepping away, but you will feel better about it.

Got to go - time for work!  Hope you have an amazing day!

Blessings!

Changing plans for me

 My 'change oil light' has been popping up on my car for the past few days.  First time it has ever done that - probably because I have never been late in getting things done.  But because the dealership, where I had been taking my car the past five years for anything, put a QR code sticker on the windshield instead of 'at the mileage of xxxxx you need an oil change', I don't remember when I got my last one or when I needed to get it in.  Besides that, every time I took my car in for an oil change, I would be told 'this needs to be flushed' or 'this needs to be done' and I would walk out of the dealership only after paying $500-$600 for work completed.  Well, I found out that the AAA Car Repair place a mile from us does oil changes.  A synthetic oil change, which my car will need, is only $69.95.  So, with the change oil light coming on, I called yesterday and scheduled an appointment for today at 10AM.  

I didn't think it was a problem until I remembered I had a chiropractor appointment at 12 noon.  My plan was to drop my car off early this morning and then go get it when they call and say it's ready.  No biggie, right?  But I would need to get back there.  Yes, I can walk and I am sure I can do a mile easily enough, but without sidewalks, hubby isn't thrilled with that (well, with or without sidewalks).  What really threw a wrench in my plans is that hubby had made plans to take his car in to where he bought his tires several months ago for the free balancing and rotating he gets.  For this morning.  When I shared with him my plans for the car - no problem.  Until he checked his calendar and we were figuring time constraints. We all know that anyone who works on cars can not give you an exact time they will 'get to it' (even with an appointment), nor exactly when it will be done.  So hubby said he would just tell them he needed his car back by such and such time, so that he could come home and get me and pick up my car.  I think I have just figured out what to do and will discuss with him.  

But, what I am telling you all this for is to share what he said when he brought my coffee in to me this morning.  He said "I'm going to change my appointment for my car so that I can make sure you can get to AAA and to your chiropractor appointment without worrying about it."  I told him he didn't have to do that - it won't take 30 minutes to change my oil (and I'm hoping I can get them to check my car out as well).  I don't think it will be a problem for me to get to the chiropractor in time (or I could just change that appointment) - but he wants to change his to make sure I can do what I want to get done.  Isn't that kind of him?  He doesn't have to do that. But he wants to make sure my needs are taken care of.  I need to appreciate him more, right?

I had an extra training last night with Morgan.  I am feeling it this morning, for sure!  We did triceps and biceps on Monday, so I was thinking maybe chest or back or shoulders last night.  Tonight we do legs.  Sigh. Always legs.  Anyway - I get there and she smiles and says 'we are going to do a HIIT workout'. Ok, I've heard of them, but what exactly are they?  I sure found out!  I have a low heartrate normally. Low as in 52-61 range.  On some leg workouts she has gotten my heart rate up to 130.  Usually my (cough, cough) favorite - lunges.  Last night she got it up to 138!  We did flipping the ropes two different ways; we, or should I say 'I', then had to step side-to-side off a step board, then it was take a huge ball and slamming it to the floor and throwing it into a net and catching it from each side, then going on to getting in a push-up position and touching a circle (up, up, down, down with the hands) and going around int he circle, then taking another (very) heavy ball and holding it to my chest, jumping jacks, pushing the ball in the air as I changed position.  Whew!  I'm worn out just thinking about it.  All in 30 minutes!  This morning I can tell I did something different.  Oh- HIIT?  High Intensity Interval Training.  I knew I had worked out when I left there.  But I loved it.  I would rather do that twice a week.  I think.  Or maybe I need to think about that comment.

It must have worn me out as hubby came into the bedroom this morning at 5:05AM and worke me up. I don't normally sleep late on work days and he wanted to know if I was all right.  I was; I was in a deep sound sleep.  But I got up and got some reading done this morning and then jumped on here to do my usual routine.  And, as usual when I get sidetracked in reading or falling asleep, I am running short on time.  

Going to be doing a Bible study with my little sister on the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus.  Today is Ash Wednesday and it actually started today, but because I bought the videos and we aren't having to get on the computer to stream the talk (it was last night and we both missed it - oops), we will watch the video this weekend and discuss it next week. We have questions to answer in our book as well.  I need to get the video and another study in the mail to her today.  Some time today, anyway.  I got the videos yesterday.  This is what happens when I only pay half attention to some of the things I want to do and set up.  So many thoughts go through my mind, and my time constraints and ability to do things always seem to conflict.  You ever have that problem?

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NIV):  These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

I confess.  I failed this as my children were growing up.  Yes, we had them in church every week, but, without going in to detail, life was not perfect.  No excuses.  I failed to do what God said to do.  It's all on me.  But in all fairness, I didn't know my Bible then like I do now.  I was learning as a new Christian that Jesus DID love me, that Jesus DID forgive ALL my sins, that I was HIS.  I had to learn that first, and although I did read my Bible every morning, and say my prayers.... unfortunately, I did not encourage my children to do so.  They knew that I got up early to spend time with God, but they were never really 'shown' what a wonderful experience it is.  I sure wish I had a 'do-over' in life, for there are many things that I would change.  Many, many things.  Thank God that I am much wiser now than I was then.  I was learning as I went, and I still have much, much more to learn.  

Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us, and I hang on to that.  I pray over my children, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren every day, praying they would know Jesus and His love for them.  How I wish my family could worship together and love each other!  But some go here, some go there - and as you know, we never know where we will worship most Sundays.  And that doesn't matter. My greatest prayer is that they will know Jesus as Lord and choose to follow Him.  Jesus told His disciples to 'Follow Me' - and that is what He asks of us.  "Follow Jesus".  And that is all I want to do.  I want others to see Jesus IN me.

And with that, it's time to get ready for work. So much for sleeping an extra hour and giving up my precious time in here!  Spend some time thinking about Jesus and what did He mean by saying 'Follow Me'.  You may decide that choice is the best choice you will ever make.

Blessings!

I love Saturday mornings...

 when I have nothing to rush about and get ready for.  I love laying in bed until 5AM or so, taking my time to get up and make my way in here.  I love hubby has started making pots of coffee on weekends and I can take a break and go get a 2nd cup without using the k-cup (they can get expensive!).  I love being able to come back to my room and shut the door for another hour or two and just be alone.  I love Saturday mornings.  Once I leave this room, busyness sometimes starts.  And I have a long list for today!

Yeah, first I will need to cook breakfast.  Then, being filled with food, I will talk myself out of the things I want to accomplish today and sit down and crochet or sew.  Or read.  I should just sit down and catch up on my New Testament reading.  I'm reading for I Timothy this morning; about 3 days behind schedule.  But at least I am continuing to read.

God is so good.  You probably don't remember but a few years back I had a woman at work that had turned on me.  I may have mentioned this before a couple times, but hear me out.  She avoided me over something I had confronted her about.  This went on for a few months, then she took a year's medical leave for heart issues.  When she came back to work, I left her alone; I did welcome her back, but that was it.  She started speaking to me again.  Then COVID hit and we were sent home.  After a bit, she started sending me emails and asking me questions about church, the Bible, and God.  I responded to her and we began to chat on occasion, especially since we both covered for each other when the other was off work.  She has said this a few times and I've not let it give me a 'big head' or anything, still haven't.  But it just amazes me how God takes things and changes them for good.  

Yesterday I got a message and she asked if she could call me.  I said 'yes', and she did call me via the Teams on the work computer.  She even had the camera on and she didn't have any make-up on!  LOL  I usually keep my camera off if I don't have makeup on.  Anyway - she asked how my hubby was doing as she is covering for me next week when I take a couple days off work for his surgery.  Then she tells me about an issue she is having with one of the women who occasionally attends the women's group in her home.  We talked about it, and my mind is praying as I talk "Lord, help me give her wise advice!".  As we talked, she said this.... "Some of the women ask if I have a mentor and I tell them yes.  I talk about you all the time.  You have mentored me and helped me learn more about God; you bought me a Bible; you give me help when I need it....."   Wow.  No, I didn't let her words go to my head.  I'm actually humbled that she would think I would be her mentor; I was just trying to be a friend who loves God and help her when she contacts me.  God took a difficult situation of her being angry with me before she was a Christian, and helping her to become a Christian, to where now she is leading a group of about 20 women in her home each week. It made me feel humbled that she would think that I would be her mentor.  I just want to help her follow Jesus.

I don't tell you that to build myself up.  I'm just sharing that God can take impossible situations and turn them around for His good.  He gets all the glory, all the honor, all the praise.  And it takes OUR patience for it to happen.

I told hubby last night that I have decided what I want to do with my gift cards from Christmas.  I am going to go to Big 5 and get new gym shoes to work out in.  When I went to Brooks Running (besides them being so expensive) and had my feet measured, the clerk determined I needed wide shoes.  Now, granted, narrow ones I can't wear as my feet has spread over the years of walking in heels.  I loved that I had plenty of room when wearing the shoes.  BUT.  There's that word. BUT.  When working out and trying to do lunges and walk with weights and lunging, my feet 'slide' within the shoe.  Does that make sense?  I don't run, and right now I don't see running in my future unless it is on a treadmill, which is also doubtful.  One may need 'wide' shoes then.  I want to go to Big 5 and pick up a regular pair (or two) of tennis shoes and have one for the gym and one for regular wear.  I do have to buy inserts for my arch is high, but I can use my gift cards for something I need.  And then I may go buy some more yarn.  

That could be one of my organizing tasks today as well (providing I get to it).  I have so much yarn - truly! - but most I have only one or two of a specific weight and color.  Usually I can make a blanket using those two colors - and I do.  But I need to get it out and in order.  Groan. I even have yarn in the garage in a box.  LOL  I only have so much time to crochet when I am still working.  And I'm wanting to read more.  Haven't been doing much of reading except my Bible this year.  I have a long ways to go to meet my 50 goal.   I need to figure some things out.  I moved my cookbooks to the top two shelves of the bookcase in the 'craft/exercise' room so I have lots of yarn in bags too.  I need to find another place for my cookbooks so I can have more room to put my yarn.  I'm getting excited to rearrange things again.  But I still may need to buy a couple baskets to put yarn in and place strategically around the room. LOL  I can do one baby blanket - by crocheting every evening - within about 3 evenings, I think.  But I have other things I want to do too in the evenings.  Like read.  Or sew.  Yes, I still have the two baby quilts I need to finish.  Maybe I need to make that my first project.  After I get my yarn off the floor and put in baskets or shelves.  So many ideas of what to do.  Got to press on!

Philippians 4:8 (NIV):  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your eyes on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

How easy it is for us to watch things or look at things that are not true and honorable, and right and pure, and lovely and admirable.  Reminds me of a video I saw last night on Facebook.  Yes, I was wasting time before bed doing the Facebook scroll.

If a pastor on Sunday morning is preaching, and then takes God's name in vain, continues preaching, and then takes God's name in vain, preaches some more, and then takes God's name in vain again.... would you keep going to that church? Would you not take notice?

On Saturday night do you go to a show or watch a movie that the actors/actresses take God's name in vain and you don't think anything of it?  Do you keep watching?

What if, on Saturday night, you continue to watch this movie and a male and female start kissing, then touching, and then start tearing the clothes off each other.... do you keep watching? 

And what if, on Sunday morning, a couple comes up on the stage and starts kissing, touching and taking their clothes off - would you not protest and leave or try to stop it?  What if it was your daughter?

Do you have double standards for loving and obeying God?  Do you protest when someone uses God's name in vain..... and yet will watch it in movies?  Will you criticize how women dress in church with high skirts and low necks to show their cleavage.... and yet will go watch a movie or program where the women are wearing even less?

I heard a woman speak one time about this issue.... and it kind of stuck with me.  Women of God are called to be modest, not 'women of the world'.  Our boobs should be viewed by our spouses only; not by the world.  Our body should not be put on public display for the world to see; it should be for our spouses only.  Do you agree?  Do you disagree?   I don't care how good you think you look in a low top and a barely covering your butt skirt... save it for your husband in private.

Don't come against me for saying that - I used to wear the low tops and short skirts many years ago.   I wore the hot pants.  I liked the looks I got; I looked 'hot'.  But God impressed on me that I shouldn't dress that way when I became His; my body was not to be put on public display, but only for my husband.  What are your standards for yourself?  Are you watching movies that are full of taking God's name in vain and sexuality?  What do you think God thinks about that?

Something to think about....

And with that.... I think I'm going to get off here and begin my day.  I have a list of things I want to get done today - and know I won't even make a dent; yeah, my list is that big.  But - at least I can get started.  Breakfast first. 

Have a great day!

Blessings!

She wants a dinosaur tea party

 I think it is so funny that two of my great-granddaughters both love dinosaurs!  Our older great-granddaughter's first birthday party was a dinosaur party, complete with a dinosaur cake her mama had made.  I was able to show that photo last night to the woman planning on baking a cake for this great-granddaughter.  Only I think she has decided to do cupcakes and has bought some kind of dinosaur paper that goes around the cupcake to make it a dinosaur... I don't know.  It sounded interesting, anyway.  The party will be at my daughter's as her yard is bigger.  I'm not sure how many people they expect - possibly 2-3 children and the rest will be adults.  All I'm responsible for is getting my teacups and teapots down from the shelf, getting them washed out, and bringing to the party.  Oh, and bring tea, of course.  I imagine I need to bring a big deep pan to heat water up for the tea pots as well.  And tablecloths.  Something was said I was to help with decorations.....  ah, I'll figure it out.  I think I still got off easy and that's ok.  I'm looking at party favors on Amazon and will see what I can come up with.  It won't be a 'normal' tea party.... one with party dresses and all, but I did find a dress on Amazon that has colorful dinosaurs all over it and I bought it to wear.  Hubby plans to wear his 'great-grandpasaurus t-shirt (I bought all of that family and us 'saurus' t-shirts one Christmas.  

A tea party.  I keep saying I want to have one.... but never get around to it.  It is a lot of work for even a regular tea party.  This one will have some sandwiches, but no scones or lemon curd, that I'm aware of.  I still want to have a tea party... some day I will again.  That back area behind the big table is pretty tight even for family.  Some day....

This afternoon is going to be busy as I have the dreaded board meeting that I have to take minutes for.  Once that is done, though, no more this year and I think I have the next one scheduled for March or April.  I need to get those dates together and sent out to the board members and start sending the invites out.  Sometimes putting off what I have to do makes it more difficult to complete.  Ever have that problem?

I feel like I was awake most of the night.  Hubby woke me about 10PM-ish getting up.... and I don't feel like I slept well after that.  I keep thinking about this one grandson who is having a lot of legal issues and he hasn't even done anything wrong, as far as the law.  I keep thinking 'don't take the plea!'.  I may give his dad a call later and mention it.  Not that they think I know anything.

This year has flown by, hasn't it?  According to the countdown on my watch, we have 47 days until Christmas.  No, I'm not panicking.  I've already told everyone I am cutting back this year.  I have some already 'done'.  I do need to get everything laid out and written down so that I don't forget and buy more things.  Which I am prone to do.  I have things I overbought from last year and up in the closet... need to get that down and see what is there.  In drawers too.  Do you do that?  Buy too much for someone and think 'I can't give all that to them, the others won't have as much', so you take it and put it away until another time.  For some, I haven't even started yet.  Others, probably over did and will take some things back.  Maybe.  

Joshua 24:15 (NKJV):  "And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.  But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Have you ever taken a stand for something (or someone) and you and your household stand firm in that belief that what you believe is right?  If so, then you know what that scripture means.  

We all have choices to make in life.  Do we choose to be Republican or Democrat.  Do we choose to go to church or not go to church.  Do we choose to follow the crowd or forge our own path.  Do we.... you can fill in the rest.

But who do you serve?  Are you serving man?  Do you follow man and what they decree?  Do you allow man to tell you what you have to pay or do or follow?

Or do you follow the One who gave His life up for you - willingly, I might add - and is now seated at the right hand of our Heavenly Father?  Life isn't perfect, and following in Jesus' footsteps isn't always easy.  You've heard me cry, grumble and complain - a lot more than I should.  But this I know - choosing Jesus and following Him is the best choice I have ever made.

And it is for you as well.  Can you say, "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"?  Or are you still following man?  Choose wisely, grasshopper.

Blessings!

and the day after that....

 and the surgery site area is starting to come alive.  It's tingling, and I'm hoping it isn't a sign of pain going to be happening as the day goes by.  I found it odd that the surgical site hasn't hurt at all - but maybe that's why they said the 3rd day is the worst?  But I think that is if you get the implant.  I don't know - but guess I will before the day is out!  Right now it is just tingling (and itching on the outside of my jaw).  My headache finally went away towards evening, and my throat got much better as well.  I wonder if the headache was from the weather - you know how I get the sinus headaches when a storm is coming - and we had a couple downpours yesterday afternoon.  It started clearing up after that.  Could be - and nothing to do with the surgery.  It was bad, though.  And I did lay down for a little while.  But, sure enough, the very moment I went into the front room to sit down on the couch to crochet - hubby comes in and plops down in his recliner - and neither of us left the spots the rest of the evening.  In spite of my bad headache, he did turn the news on.... but I told him to keep it low - and NO, I do not want to watch a movie!!   We both went to bed earlier than usual - me because I was tired (of what I have no idea) and him because he was bored with not watching TV.   He had leftover pizza for dinner (yes, he even heated it up himself) and I had another pudding.   I really believe he was stalling, expecting me to get up and fix dinner for him.... finally I told him there was leftover pizza in the refrigerator, so he jumped up to heat it up.  sigh.  

Today I am doing much better without the headache and intense sore throat  so I told hubby I was going to Needles of Hope this morning.  He seemed real surprised.  I just need to get out of here and be with other people.  Sometimes the 24x7 gets to me and if I don't escape for a little while, I can get crazy.   It will be fun to hang out with the women for a bit.  I can probably guess he was going to offer to take me to breakfast since I've had nothing but pudding the past two days.  

We are in the Lenten season, the 40 days before Jesus went to the cross for us.  I usually give up something but this year I wasn't quite on track with it and it was here before I had time to think about it.  I don't take it lightly when I choose to give up some things.  In fact, the devil made sure I ate everything before I thought about it - I had chocolate; and on my pizza I had just about everything that evening.  So it's like - well, I've eaten it all - what's left?  So I'm not fasting this lenten season.  And that's ok.  My mind wasn't focused on the reason I was doing it - and doing it just because it is the time of year many people do it, is no reason.  In fact, and I know it is because hubby forgot, when I asked hubby if he was going to give up anything - he went on a rampage how it is a Catholic thing (have I written about this before?) and no, he wasn't.  I let it go... we pretty much HAVE given up something during the lenten season for the past several years.  It only means something if your heart and mind is in the right place.  My mind wasn't there and his heart wasn't there - so guess we aren't doing it this year.

But I am reading my book "Journey to the Cross" which is a reading for Lent.  It is very good, and asks some great questions and gives great insight.  

Luke 9:23-25 (NKJV)  Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?"

What do we hold on to in this world that we put before Jesus?  For some of us, it can be people, or material possessions, or opinions of others, or - well, I reckon it could be anything that we put before Jesus.  And that is where we fail.  If we choose these things over Jesus, then we may gain the world, but lose our souls.  

Now that doesn't mean that if we have nice things that we put them before Jesus.  What it does mean is that if we choose to work to get those things instead of going to church, or if we collect those things that we enjoy, and spend more time dusting them off than we do reading His Word, yeah, we could say we are putting those things before Jesus.  There are other ways, of course, but I was just giving you a couple examples.

I know the one hard thing for us has been getting physically back into church.  We did go the other week, and I am thinking we may go again tomorrow - depends on my jaw and my head.  We DO, however, watch at least one - and sometimes two - church services on TV (and participate in singing) even if we don't go physically.  I miss being with people though, and although we don't know but one or two at the new place, we won't know anyone if we don't go.  

The next two Sundays we will be speaking at the RV parks so that puts us out for a couple weeks.  After that we are done for the season.  I still need to get my message put together - they will be calling me next Sunday for the title and scripture - which means I really ought to work on it today!  At least get that much of it done!  

But going back to the scripture above.... what do you deny yourself?  What do you have that you really don't need but you 'just had to have it'?  I can see a lot of things around me!  I know of things I have bought "because I wanted it and I can use it" and it is still in the box.  sigh.  I'm thinking I need to give up Amazon Smile. :-)

LOL and you know what - I can! (probably won't, but I can)... I just looked at one of my cards in the box and it says on one side, "God's most precious work of art is the warmth and love of a woman'e heart".  True that.  But on the other side...."God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19.  

So I don't need to worry about what I have - or don't have.  God will meet all my NEEDS (not necessarily all my WANTS), according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.  Our Heavenly Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills - He can provide all that we need.  Hallelujah!

Have an amazing day!

Blessings!

Everything at once... it seems...

 How in the world did I manage to get appointments and schedules to happen 'all at once'?  It seems like dentist appointments, and doctor appointments, and hair appointment, and mani/pedi, etc appointments are all hitting this week.  Well, I haven't made the mani/pedi appointment yet, and I need to.  The two appointments - dental (yesterday) and medical (today) just came about.  I received a gift certificate from hubby for my mani/pedi, etc. and I haven't scheduled it yet... but need to.... waiting until closer to time we go on vacation so that my nails will not look so bad.

My hair appointment is Saturday.  That is going to be a tough one.  As I have mentioned numerous times, hubby does not like my hair long.  It's now below the bra line again.  The last time I had my hair done, I had 3-4 inches cut off.  Not that it mattered; I still have had to wear my hair up.  I am always reminded of my grandmothers as they always wore their hair up in a bun.  I saw my father's mother's hair down one time when we stayed with her and we were going to bed.  We called this one 'Grandma'.  Her hair was so very long, and she wound it all up in a tight braided bun.  She was a very tiny, meaning short, woman and I am guessing her hair wasn't very thick for it didn't seem to be bulky.  Silvery white, and long.  My mother's mother, whom we called 'Granny' was a tall, large woman and her hair was also up in a bun.  I am not sure if I ever saw her hair completely down.  But I have fond memories of both.

I haven't made a decision (now) of what to do with my hair.  I just erased two paragraphs of comments, but I don't need to say them.  I had planned to cut about 10 inches off, keeping it still below the shoulders.  It would make it easier to put up, for sure.  Even now with braiding my hair and putting it up, it isn't always easy.  But I love my hair long... is that prideful?  I should just 'do it' and let it grow back out.  Until I give in and cut it short, I will always have to put it up so what does it matter......

My doctor appointment today is to come up with a 'treatment' plan for the osteopenia.  My sister takes a pill once a month, I think it is; my brother takes a shot every six months.  I wonder what my insurance will cover and what my doctor will suggest.  My oldest sister, with the rheumatoid arthritis, gets infusions ever so often.   Each of us are different.  It's a bear getting older!

Hubby came home from his doctor's appointment and said that he was told he was so healthy that he will live to 95-100.  That is a good thing; guess I don't need to be worried about him!  I just have to pray for clarity of thinking.... sometimes he does or says things that are totally off that wall.  That scares me more than his health... I don't know how to handle the things you can't see or control.  Sometimes that is more painful to deal with.

But one thing I do know.  No matter what is going on around me, no matter what is going on within me, no matter what is happening in this world, God's got this.  When times get tough, all I can do is lean into Him and seek His face.  He is all I have that I can depend on.  Only He knows the tears I cry; only He knows the pain in my heart.   He sees them, and captures each one in a bottle.

Psalm 56:8 (TPT)  "You have kept track of all my wandering and my weeping.  You've stored my many tears in your bottle-not one will be lost.  For they are all recorded in your book of remembrance."

Even when the pain within isn't seen by others, it is seen by God.  And He loves me and comforts me as only He can.  And He loves you and is willing to comfort you as well in your pain.

Sometimes all it takes is looking up and asking for help to get through life.  Sometimes it requires surrendering the part you hang on to.  It's always hard to let go... just like it is hard to let go of my long hair.  I don't want to let it go.  Life isn't easy and God never said that when we follow Him that it would be.  

All He says is "Follow me".

Are you willing to follow Him?

Something to think about....

Tho None Go With Me

A couple years ago we watched a movie called 'Tho None GoWith Me' starring Cheryl Ladd.  I enjoyed the movie, and the movie itself was full of the value of commitments.  There was one thing that wove its way throughout the movie that grabbed my heart.  Hopefully, it will grab your heart as well.  The words are:
                   
                            Tho none go with me,
                             I still will follow.
                             I won't turn back,
                             I won't turn back.

When I commited to follow Jesus, it was with my whole heart and I had determined I would follow Him, even if my husband and children did not.  Even if my siblings, or my friends, did not.

Has my path been smooth?  Absolutely not.  But my commitment to Jesus remains firm, and to this day I still can say

                            Tho none go with me,
                            I still will follow.
                            I won't turn back,
                            I won't turn back.

What has been - and is - your commitment to Jesus?  I encourage you to think on these words and reflect on your commitment to follow Jesus today. 
You will never regret your decision to follow Him.

Blessings!