What to do...

 Have you ever had someone so insistent on their way, that they can't see beyond themselvs?  And yet, they don't see the insistence ... deny it, in fact.  They draw the line in the sand.  They create the mold.  If you won't step across that line and won't get in the mold they have created, you are not part of their lives. You can say nothing that changes the way they are thinking.  Even apologies for whatever they think of you, nothing gets through to them.  They are the victim. They are the one wronged. And it is all your fault. Ever been in one of those situations?  Yeah.  I got a text from my sister last night - first time in a week, perhaps.  Or more.  I don't want conflict.  I love her.   I keep praying and asking God what to do... and get silence. Am I in the wrong, I ask.  I don't understand what the problem is.  Oh, the issues within families! I cannot give up one family member for another.  I told her the ball was in her corner.... I love her but I refuse to live in the past of what has happened.  She said she didn't either , and how (basically) dare I say she is living in the past!  But that seems to be the only topic she continually brings up.  I do the only thing I know to do - give it to God.  He will have to restore the broken relationship.  I only see from my side, and I have done nothing wrong. I don't know where her mind is.  I just continue to give it to God and let Him work it out. 

Since God is merciful, His children should be merciful. Those who judge others should not be surprised when they are judged in return. The command to 'judge not' does not relieve Christians of their responsibility to be discerning but instead warns against harboring a contempteous, condemning attitude.  Lord Help!!

Enjoyed being with friends at Needles of Hope yesterday, then I went to see Ms. Diane at the facility she is at.  She had slid down to the middle of the bed and I could barely see her.  She was happy to see me and we visited for about an hour.  A nurse came in and we moved her up on the bed and sat her up.  Ms. Diane just went on and on how she hated that place; the food was terrible. So I told her that she needs to eat it and do the therapy so that she could get strong enough to leave. She was fussing she was to get IV for 30 days... she cracks me up.  Her lunch came while I was there - and she cleaned the plate except for one bite!  She even let me pray with her before I left.  Progress.

Ms Amy text'd me not to come by as I had planned yesterday, that her daughter, Maria, would bring her by Monday before she left.  Then last night I received a phone call from Maria and asked me to come next door.  I went over and Maria wanted me to sit and talk.  She gave me a long hug.  She is the friendliest of the daughters. Last night she kept saying how hard it was to come there and have to go through things and decide what to keep and what to let go of.  She also said that she is bringing Ms, Amy over to the 'condo' today, not Monday.  And I found out that she and her husband and Ms. Amy will be flying out Tuesday morning (not Monday)  Maria was a little tipsy last night so was very talkative.  I'll get to see Ms. Amy today.  I bought a small package of note cards, put my address card on the package and added some stamps... that is my gift to Ms. Amy.  It will be in her corner to send the note and give me her address.  I hope she keeps in contact.

I also found how that money is nothing to any of them.... interesting. Maria was talking about selling the condo this fall at a very high dollar amount - don't believe she can get it, but wow, it is a lot.  During the conversation I mentioned that Ms. Amy had a patio table and chairs in her screened porch that when they were ready to have the estate sale, hubby had mentioned he would be interested in it. Maria asked me how much would I be willing to give for it.  I told her I don't know for I really hadn't looked at it, I really do not want it; it's him wanting it for the back patio.  We never go out the back - why put something there for the pigeons to poop on?  Anyway, she asked if we would be willing to give $500 for it.  I about choked!  I told her no... we don't have that kind of money for that, and even if we did, if I was going to pay $500, I'd buy a new set.  She was confused; she didn't think that was very much money.  Where could I get a patio set for that amount of money... so I told her - Walmart!  'Oh'.   She may not think $500 is very much money, but for me, that is a substantial amount for something that won't even be used.  No thank you.  She asked what I paid for the one we have in front - I told her it was free.  A friend's dad was moving so they gave it to us.  'Oh'.  and the conversation moved on. LOL

Luke 6:38 (NKJV):  "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put in your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

The "Law of Investment" - Give, and it will be given - works wherever it is put into practice. A person who puts godly financial principles into practice will know some measure of God's blessing in this realm (He gives back 'running over'.).  Pastors and teachers should never be embarrassed to talk about giving because when we do not teach, people are not convinced, they do not give. And when they do not give, they rob themselves of one of God's richest blessings - the gift of giving.  Ironically, with this subject coming to mind, our pastor has spoken on this a couple times recently.  I wasnt' offended, because we do tithe.  Those who get 'offended' are those that God is working on to tithe.  I have found that God always takes care of things when we are obedient to His Word regarding tithing.  I love to give ... and receive whatever God has for us.  There have been times we could not give... because we had dug a hole and didn't see our way out of it.  But God.  He took what we gave, blessed it, and helped us get on our feet.  Why wouldn't I give back to Him all that I have?  His 'interest rates' are far better than what this world gives!

I saw a video yesterday of 'the Rapture' happening... and people in a church were looking around, seeing people gone, and falling to their knees, crying to be taken up as well.  Even the preacher was still standing there!  Bewilderment, fear, shock - all showed on their faces.  The young children were no longer standing there.  Planes were crashing with no pilots manning the planes.  Cars were banging into each other as the drivers were caught up in the rapture.  Babies in a newborn nursery had parents looking at them... only to have the baby disappear before their eyes.  "In the twinkling of an eye...."  Are we ready for the Rapture?  Are you? Am I?  What do I need to change in my life... what do you need to change in yours?  I don't want to be left here ... I want to be Raptured.  Life will be far worse than it is right now once the Rapture happens... are we ready?  Will Jesus say 'Welcome Home; Well Done, My good and faithful servant."  Or will He say at judgement, "I never knew you."  

A granddaughter and her family stopped by yesterday afternoon and brought us slices of triple berry pie, chocolate pie, key lime pie, and coconut cream pie.  Hubby laughed at me.  Because I wanted to taste each one... I ate a circle in the center (all four were in one pie pan) as I tasted each one (some two-three times).  They were all good.  So after pizza for dinner last night, we had pie. I was soooo full.  But they were all sooooo good.  Got to see our great-granddaughter too and she enjoyed running around and jumping on the little trampoline I have.  

Other than church this morning and seeing Ms. Amy this afternoon, I plan on relaxing and hopefully get some reading done.  Hubby will probably ask about a movie.  Or he will watch the ballgame.  I could go shopping, but there is nothing we need. 

Guess I'll hush and shut this down and get my shower in and get ready for church.  I start my trainer workout on Tuesday morning at 5:30AM... posts will be late - if at all - on Tuesdays and Thursdays here on out.  Maybe I will have interesting things to share when I do write, instead of sometimes, aimless ramblings.

Blessings!

Waking at 2AM is not always a good thing...

 Yeah, it was one of those nights - in a deep sleep, only to be awakened at 2AM.  What caused it?  I was thinking of my prodigal granddaughter.  My heart just grieves over her and her behavior, her life.  How I wish I could intervene and get her straightened out.  But she won't even respond to my emails.  My son says she doesn't always get the emails.  Whatever.  So, being awakened with her on my mind, I did what I knew to do - pray for her.   I still couldn't sleep so finally got up at 3AM and came in here and tried to go back to sleep in my chair.  Didn't happen.  Turned the light on at 4AM (now mind you, it's Sunday and I could sleep later!!) to start my time with God.  Hubby gets up and brings in my coffee.  After he leaves - I fall asleep in a deep sleep and dreamt the craziest dream!  Awakened at 5AM I refused to go back to sleep, but started on my reading.  I really did want to go back to sleep, but resisted it.  Now my coffee is gone and I think I need another cup this morning.

I transported Ms. Amy yesterday.  She sure is a hoot.  She called just after noon to come pick her up.  I drive over, and on the way back we stopped to get her premium gas.  She said she has NEVER pumped gas before.  After her husband died, she got someone to come stay with her during the day and she let her drive the car and pump the gas.  So I pumped her gas and we continued on.  She took three hours to go through her things.  She grabbed a couple tops and some jewelry.  Know what took so long?  She showed me her passport and that it had 80 countries in it that she had been to... and then had to show me things she had bought in some of the different countries.  Jewelry pieces that she will probably never wear again from Egypt, Spain, Jerusalem, and many other countries.  At 1:30PM I told her we needed to 'keep moving' and she said 'it's not 2PM yet' - to which I replied I know, but I need to be back home by 3PM and just wanted to remind you of the time.  LOL  We left at 2;40pm I think.  But she got a lot of things she wanted to take back.  She wants me to come have lunch with her one day at the assisted living place. And she wants to take hubby and I out to dinner at a steak place.  LongHorn is not far from her so I'm thinking I will tell her that.  On a weekday it may not be too busy cause we can go around 4:30PM.  Maybe in the next week or so.  She still plans to go to Florida to live in May.  When she does, I will probably never see her again.  But I ca write and call her.

I received my cookbooks yesterday.... and hubby had to make his comments.  I thought they were all soup but they weren't -  one at least was for crockpot cooking (love those!) and the other was a diabetic cookbook.  No, I'm not diabetic, but two of my children are.  I'd like to be able to make food that is good for them - and invite them over sometime to eat!  Hubby commented something about all the cookbooks I have.... why did I buy more?  How often do I use the ones I have?  I didn't really respond for it really wasn't a question.  I wanted the cookbooks, so I got them.  Enough said, right?  I plan to spend time this afternoon going through them and figuring out what I want to make.  I ought to do that daily - grab a cookbook and cook something from it.  But I need to see what all is needed for I don't usually have everything on hand.  And if I do - it's frozen so then it has to thaw out.  Oh well. - I'll figure it out.

Deuteronomy 12:28 (NKJV):  "Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God."

Some people scoff at the Bible and say it is 'old fashioned' to obey and believe the things that God has said.  Why do they say that?  Because they don't want to obey God.  They don't want to 'be told what to do'.  They don't want to allow an 'old book' to tell them how to live.

But they should.  Why?  Because by following what God says to do - and to not do - is for not only OUR protection, but for the protection of our children.  We are responsible to raise our children to know and love our Lord.  I tried, but I was too late, and my example wasn't the best, I think.  I can see it in my children and grandchildren's lives.  God is not important to them; He is an after-thought, if anything at all.  I have confessed my sin to God many times, and I have wept many tears over my children and grandchildren.  All I can do is pray for them and trust that they will eventually see that living for Jesus is the ONLY way.... it may not fit the people around them... but if their relationship with God is right, then He will provide for them and take care of them and their children will come to know Him as Lord of their lives as well.  I have children and grandchildren who chose God at one time... were even baptized... but each one has chosen to go their own way.  They let the world tell them how to live.  I don't always see joy in their lives.  And it grieves my heart, for there is Joy to be found in the Lord.

Oh I know, I talk about my own struggles, my own battles, my own depression at times..... but I will make one thing clear.  I am dependent upon Jesus.  He is the Rock on which I stand, my Firm Foundation.  I know where I would be if I had not chosen to follow Jesus.  And yes, I was raised in the church and allowed the world to pull me away.  But I ran back to Jesus and although I struggle at times with my own resistance to being obedient, I know that Jesus is the only way to success, the only way to prosper, the only way to have true Joy.  He alone is my Hope, my Joy.  And He will supply that to you as well, if you choose to follow Him.

You may think you are getting by just fine right now... but there is an emptiness within that you keep pushing aside... and I pray that one day you will look at that emptiness and understand that only Jesus can fill it.  Not busyness, not people or family, not other things.  Only Jesus.

....that it may go well with you and your children after you forever.... I read a story about a woman who had 12 children, and every day, three times a day, after she fixed their meal, she would go into her bedroom and pray for each child by name, that they would accept Jesus as Lord.  When she died, 7 had become Christians, 5 had not.  At the time of that writing, the last one was the oldest one.  He was in his 70's when his mother died, and he was now 92.  A neighbor had a dream about him, and invited him to church - he went - and was saved that day, baptized the following week.  I think the story said that only two were left that were not Christians.  Where does it stand with you and your child/children?   Are they following after Jesus?  Are you praying for them, teaching them?  Don't think there is plenty of time - one never knows when our time on earth is over.  It could be today.  Where will your child end up?  Where will you end up - Heaven or Hell.  Hell isn't a very nice place and I don't want any of my children to go there.... so I pray for each and every one... calling them out by name before our Heavenly Father, asking for His intervention in their life.  No matter how old you are, you can still follow Jesus. 

I John 1:9 (NKJV):  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

You and your children are worth it.

Blessings!

Microphones and I don't get along...

 You won't believe this.  I would say out of the last 2-3 years of going up north twice a season to speak, I seem to have trouble with microphones.  It doesn't matter which one I use, something always goes wrong.  Yesterday was no exception.  I've used head sets, and the microphone would get caught in my hair (if I wear it down) and I would constantly hear this scratching noise, as did the audience.  I've used a lapel - and the rubber thingie fell off and it was weird sounding.  I've used a handheld - and had difficulties.  Yesterday I opted again for the handheld - and found AFTER I spoke that it wasn't turned on.  When it was handed to me, it was to be turned on; only they forgot and had turned it off when they finished using it.  I noticed it didn't sound like it was working, but it had before, so I thought it was just me.  I just spoke up louder.  I guess God allowed people who needed to hear the message hear it.  Afterwards I was told the microphone was not on.  I asked why didn't they come up to turn it on - the guy who had handed the microphone to me said that he looked around and it seemed that everyone was listening ok.  The man who manages the soundboard was sitting in the audience and that is odd, and he told me that "I wasn't going to come up and interrupt you!" LOL  Apparently the devil didn't want people to hear the message and did what he could to stop them.  But God prevailed as many told me they heard it fine.  In fact, I had two people ask if I would email them a copy of it!

And.... I'm glad I didn't tell hubby about the bet to myself.  Now I know he hadn't forgotten, nor putting it off.  While we were at brunch after church yesterday, he asked if I wanted to get the plants put in the pots after we got home.  He reminded me he could not kneel (because of the shunt behind his knee).  So when we got home, he wanted to take a Sunday nap first but I said no, the plants were going to be done first.  So I dug the holes and put the plants in the pots; he watered them.  It was a good trade-off cause I enjoy planting.  In fact, I have a few more pots that I need to get more flowers for. Our neighbor next door, Ms. Vicky, is giving us two large pots she has and no longer wants. I'm going to give her a couple of lawn chairs that I don't want.  I may - or may not - get the plants this week.  But the plants I picked up the other day are now planted in the pots!

Ms. Diane cracked me up yesterday.  I hadn't been over to see her in about a month I guess - and I called her after we did the planting.  When she answered the phone it was with "Where have you been?"!  Cracked me up.  She has gotten confused in her mind and I'm pretty sure she is imagining things.  Her duplex neighbor she doesn't like - and yet, she was telling me that every day this duplex neighbor was calling her to see where I was - and if I was ok.  Now this neighbor has my telephone number; she has texted me (but last time was in January), and her husband is the one who came over and yelled at hubby about the trees a few weeks ago.  They know we are home.  But Ms. Diane was sure we were in California and something had happened to one of us and we had to stay over.   I assured her we have been home; only an overnight trip to Tucson a few weekends ago.  She kept going on and on about this duplex neighbor calling her asking about me.  I did go over and visit for a couple hours so she was happy.  Guess I need to touch base more often.  

And Ms. Amy called me the other day too...  she wants me to come pick her up this week as she wants to come back to the house for something.  I just told her that I couldn't do it for a week or so as I was having cataract surgery on Thursday.  If it wasn't an emergency, could it wait - and it can.  She'll call me in a couple weeks.  Ms. Vicky hasn't called as I was there a week or so ago visiting with her.  I enjoy my visits, I really do, but it does take time.  I never got a nap in yesterday, but hubby did, I'm sure.

Romans 8:28 (NKJV):  "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

I have had many things in my life I could see no way how things could work out for any good - and yet they always do.  I may not always know about - or see - the end results... but sometimes the true results don't happen for a long time.

I remember a young woman who wrote me a message a few years ago who commented how much I have helped her - because she remembered things I taught her when I taught 4-5 year olds in Sunday School..  That blew me away.  Others have shared over the years of how things I've said in messages or spoke to them, how that has helped them.  I'm not sure a lot of times how things will turn out when a situation arises, but I'm always confident in God's ability and desire to bring good from what ever is happening.  Even with health issues; it's in God's hands.  No Plan B.  He either heals or He doesn't.  Over time a person learns to trust God for even the smallest detail.  It is really nothing we do or say; but it is God taking what was said and reminding someone of it and give them the desire to bring fruit to that situation.  Does any of that make sense?   Bottom line - trust God, and believe that all that happens is for your good.

Thursday morning is my cataract surgery for my right eye.  What is it that is causing my eyes (both of them) to burn and water constantly in the mornings the past few days?  Well, the burning/dryness is throughout the day, but they have been bothering me.  I just want to keep them closed.  This has been going on for nearly a week I'd guess... is something in the air?  No - I don't think it is allergies as my eyes hurt more than water.  It almost feels like I haven't had enough sleep.  Perhaps it is dryness?  I dunno.  Anyway - surgery on the right eye on Thursday.  Will schedule for the left eye after that.

Guess I have rambled on enough this morning.... hope that you have an amazing day

Blessings!

I fell back asleep....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gotta run, time is short this morning!

Blessings!