At least I have coffee.....

 I was pretty sure the clerk had told me when I checked us in that breakfast was 6AM both mornings.  Well, guess what. It isn't this morning (nor tomorrow, but we aren't here then).  We went down at 6AM for breakfast and the doors were shut.  So we grabbed a cup of coffee, the newspaper for hubby, and headed back up to our room, where we are sitting for another 40 minutes waiting for breakfast.  Not a big deal.  I.HAVE.COFFEE.  See, I'm spoiled.  I get up at 4AM, and when hubby wakes up, not too long after, he brings my coffee to me.  I've had to wait two hours for my first cup of coffee while up here!  No wonder I have a dull ache in the head!  Caffeine is a cruel thing sometimes.

Yesterday was a nice day.  I feel guilty somewhat as hubby is trying so hard to let me have the weekend/retreat I want.  It just ain't going to happen.  God did answer my prayers and we had such a beautiful warm day yesterday.  We sat out on the balcony frequently and just relished the warm sun on us. It wasn't so hot that we were hot, but were comfortable.  I loved it when I could go out by myself and talk with God, but hubby usually soon followed.  Can't deny him the beautiful weather to sit out in!  

We did go to the gym yesterday. I sensed that he was getting somewhat antsy (could it be because he was reading about General Patton instead of a Christian book? on a retreat?) so offered to go down to the gym.  It was really weird/interesting.  I can't explain it really.  I did the treadmill for nearly 15 minutes (it was in another room) while hubby went to the cable weights.  When I walked over there to do weights on my own routine, he was pulling those cables like they were nothing, and yet he was huffing and puffing.  I mean it looked like he didn't even have any weight on them, there was no 'straining' - does that make sense?  I'm sure he had it at the correct weight and he was doing what he does at the gym, but maybe it was because he was doing it so fast, rather than slower, like I know I have been shown how to do.  I was able to do about 3 sets of exercises (amidst comments about what weight I was using) before he was 'done' so we left.  We ate dinner about 4PM here at the hotel pub (they had a great tenderloin sandwich!) and headed back up to the room for the evening.  I wanted to do a walk outside, but hubby is unstable enough at times that he didn't want to take a chance he'd fall.  He didn't say that, but I know that is the reason.

Today we will be heading home, and I'm ready to.  Our definition of a spiritual retreat just aren't the same.  I like silence; walking in the beauty of the outdoors; reading my Bible and other Christian books; spending quality time in prayer...... drawing near to God.  Maybe he is a lot nearer to God than I am and doesn't need as much. I'm not putting him down for anything.... we are just at different levels of need and wanting more of God.  He has his Bible studies ... I have my books.  He can share with others and get their thoughts.  There aren't many people who I can share with - not even my little sister.  I guess I really do need to get in a small group and be able to go through a book together.  It's just finding the time that I'm willing to 'give up' ... does that make sense?  If I'm to do anything, God will make a way.

Psalm 136:1-2 (TPT):  "Let everyone thank God, for He is good, and He is easy to please! His tender love for us continues on forever!  Give thanks to God, our King over all gods! His tender love for us continues forever!"

My devotional today talked about having a grateful heart to God.  So many times we ask God for things, we pray for things, we just send out a 'Lord, help!' - and He answers.... or doesn't answer and it is still the right answer.... but we don't pause to give Him thanks for the answer - or non-answer - that came about.  I'm sure I do that at times, for I know that some times I don't think about my prayer being answered until long after the fact.  If it comes to mind, of course I thank Him.  But.... what about when it comes to mind right when the prayer is answered?  Like, us praying for travel mercies to arrive here safely.  We get so caught up in arriving, checking in, unpacking.... that normally we wouldn't pause to say 'thank you'.  (I did thank Him cause I was able to do some 'retreating' when we got here)  Sure, we pause and thank Him for our meals. That's easy, right?  Well, for most of us it is normal.  

When was the last time you thanked God?  There are so many things to thank Him for.  Here are some examples:  Your spouse.  Your job.  Your spouse's job. Your children. Your food.  Your home. Your vehicle.  Bills paid. Health (good or bad... God is still involved).   These are just a few examples, but how many times do we just stop and thank God for them.  

I'm sure hubby is thankful for my job... and for me... cause without me, he wouldn't be able to do the things he does.  Ok, that was a snide remark.  The fact he won't 'let me' retire still irritates me.  Not that I'm really ready to.  I mean, I am, I talk about it enough. But that has to do with my age.  We couldn't do anything if I did retire.  With him having a car payment right now... well, that would stretch us.  And my deal is Christmas.  I spend way too much every year, because I don't go out and choose things while on sale; if I think of something special to get for someone, regardless of the cost (within reason), I will buy it for them.  Why?  Because I want to bless them.  I do try - and am still trying - to cut back on gift buying.  I really am.  I'm trying to get back to buying for my kids and their spouses, and just a small gift for the grandchildren.  Afterall, the grandchildren get the nice gifts from their parents.  But parents are often left out.  I want to bless my children.  But I also know they don't need 'dust catchers'.   (so if any read this and there is something they want, they better speak up so that they don't get 'dust catchers'!!)

Take a few moments now, and just thank God for who He is, and for how He takes care of you and your family.  Even in the little things, He is there.  

Be grateful.

Blessings!

It was a very good day

 This was the first Christmas where we only had one family come to visit, exchange gifts, and have dinner. It really was quite different.  I screw up the meat, of course.  Yeah... I put it on too early.  I knew they said they'd be over perhaps around 5:30-ish... and I had that time in my mind.  So the meat was done then.... and we didn't eat for another hour and a half.  Everyone said the meat was fine, but I found it dry - and it was my fault.  But, a lot was eaten and the rest was divided and sent home.   But let me back up some.

After my quiet time yesterday I baked us eggs ole' for breakfast -and since I hadn't gotten over to see Ms. Diane, I put hers in the oven too.  After we had breakfast, I gave her a call and when I told her I had breakfast for her, she said she'd open the garage door for me.  It is more of a straight shot for her to use her walker versus going to the front door to unlock it.  She said "I'm in my pajamas" and I said "I don't care".  So I took over all the goodies I had for her, along with hot eggs ole.  Once inside, I talked her into letting me fix her a small plate of it.  Took over salsa for it too.  I nearly laughed, and wished I had given her a little bit more of it, for she gobbled it down as if she hadn't eaten in weeks.  I know she has food in her refrigerator, and her daughter makes sure she eats dinner every night.  But that little stinker confessed to me yesterday that she lies to her sons and daughter when they call and ask if she ate breakfast. She always tells them yes.  After she gobbled down the eggs ole yesterday, she looks at me and says, "Now I won't have to lie to Cindy and Jeff; they told me to be sure and eat breakfast because they wouldn't be over today until 3:30PM for their Christmas.... I can tell them I did eat breakfast."  She cracks me up.  I left the pan of eggs ole for her; hopefully she will fix herself some this morning and heat it up.  I also gave her some 'garbage' which she loves, as well.  She raves about my cooking and I laugh at her because when I take something over and give to her, she gobbles it up.  But when her kids bring her food, she just nibbles it. I love Ms. Diane cause she makes me laugh.

About 5:45PM my middle child, my oldest son, and all his family came over.  It was so good to see everyone.  Everyone got settled down after all the hugs and hubby and our little great-granddaughter started passing out the gifts.  I WON!!  I ended up with the most again - 2nd year in a row!  LOL Not that there is a contest.  I understand what my son once told me about it was somewhat uncomfortable a time or two when he and his wife had the most gifts.   I think everyone was happy with what they got.  I know I was - I got so much and it's all useable!  Grateful and loving each one.  

After opening gifts most of us headed to the kitchen to get the food to the table.  Even the little munchkin was helping!  Grateful for the help before and after dinner - it didn't take long for the clean up. I think everyone had enough to eat.  The grandchildren seemed to enjoy their surprise gift of the salsa recipe I have made for the past 40 years.  We had received the recipe as a wedding gift, along with a chip and dip plate.  I felt sad that one grandchild felt he needed to head home before dinner as he was very tired and was concerned he might fall asleep driving if he stayed later. Grateful he let us know he arrived at the apartment safely.  Daytime is hard for those who work the nightshift.  And it had been a full day of play so I'm sure he and his brother were pretty tired!  Once food was divided up and put away and dishes in the dishwasher, they took their leave and hubby turned on the TV to watch his team lose a football game.  I sat down and looked through what I had received for sometimes it goes so quick in opening gifts, one doesn't get a good look.  I love everything.

I don't know what hubby was thinking when he was shopping for me.  He bought me several clothing items ranging in sizes from small up to large plus.  I looked at him puzzled, trying to figure out what his thinking was.  He had no clue what sizes he picked up.  He just saw something and picked it up and bought it.  He had to admit he didn't know what he was thinking.  His comment to me was "I kept all the receipts so you can take them all back."  Uh, no.  I do all my shopping online so that I DON'T have to go to the store, and you can imagine how many people will be back at the stores today exchanging items. I will not be one of them.  I can go online and order pretty much the same thing he bought... probably pay less for it now.... and put these away to give to someone next year. :-)

But I am grateful for his gifts and the thought he put in purchasing them.  He just didn't pay attention this year at all on sizes.  The one gift he gave that fits - a $100 visa card. LOL  Oh, and a bag of snickers, and Dove, candies. What's really sad is that a couple of the sweaters are really cute and I like them, but this fat body will not fit into a small.  Hopefully I can find something similar.

I'm also grateful I don't have to work today.  I slept fairly well last night, but, I fell asleep for nearly an hour after I started reading my Bible this morning.  Could not keep my eyes open.  So now I feel like I am somewhat running behind schedule.  I didn't get up until 5-ish, so one would think that would be my extra hour of sleep, but now, I fell into a deep sleep here in my chair.  It's comfortable at times, what can I say!  

But another reason I'm grateful I don't work today is that my granddaughter and great granddaughter may be over some time today to bake cookies!  We will be touching base around 10AM to come up with a time and I'm looking forward to one on one time with them.  And all the cookies will go home with them.

Our prodigal granddaughter reached out to me yesterday with a text "I don't know if you were planning on doing Christmas with me or not, but I just want to say I love you and miss you."  Do they not know the key to my heart?  I responded to her that I loved and missed her too, and if she wanted to come over today with the baby, she could, and I'd give her the gifts, but her boyfriend was not to come over, because of what he and his family have done.  And, I told her it was her decision what she did.  She didn't respond.  I told my youngest son I had heard from her, and he said he had reached out to her as well.  I'm hoping these tiny baby steps will soften her stubborn heart and she will quit listening to her boyfriend and his dad, and do what her heart tells her to do.  

Jonah 4:6 (NKJV):  "And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant."

If you take a moment and look back over your life, do you see the times that God has provided  for you and you probably took it for granted?  The times when you were so broke you didn't know how you could even buy a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread, and yet, you miraculously came up with exactly what you would need.  The times when your car was setting on E and you still had to get to work and you didn't get paid until later in the week... and yet, somehow, you were able to get to where you needed to go and back home again.  When things happen, and there is really no explanation for it, and yet, it was good.

Those are the times that the Lord God prepared (a plant) for you and caused it to cover you and care for you, to deliver you.  Are you thinking of those times?

I can remember praying hard when the gas tank was setting on E and just wanting to get to the nearest gas station to put a couple dollars in it to get to work.... and the engine shut off just as I pulled up next to the gas pump.   Or digging in my purse to find change to buy a gallon of milk... and finding a dollar instead.  God has always provided just what we need, when we needed it.

And I am grateful for each one of those times that the Lord God prepared a solution for our need, whether it be financial to where we could buy groceries or get gas in the car, to just providing for us in other ways.  I am grateful we have a good, good Father.

And you do as well.  Take a moment and thank Him for His provision for you and your family. For helping you pass an important test. For getting you through high school or college. For walking with you when you needed comfort.  For giving you the peace you need just to get through each day.  It's all God, you know.  Thank Him.  He does for you because He loves you.  Just like you do for your children because you love them.  Be grateful.

Blessings!