Last morning and heading home...

 And I'm ready.  Since the house host didn't have a manual to show what to do with trash, linens, etc., I text'd him last night and asked.  No individual trash pickup (house is still in a development area) so he sent me a map of where to drop it off at.  Gigi's Pizza trash bin or something like that. I may not go hunting for it and put the bag in the car and take it with us.  As for linens and towels, he said just leave and the cleaning people will take care of it.  Ok, fine.  Why can't I leave the trash? I am sure the others have. But I can't cause I asked. Maybe. 

Dinner last night was DQ chicken strips and turtle pecan blizzard (for me).  We couldn't believe that this DQ opens at 7:00am AND they also serve breakfast!  Including biscuits and sausage gravy for $2.99.  We have cereal and milk so will be eating that for breakfast, but plan to stop at Three Bears Cafe on the way out for lunch.  We are to be out at 11a, but (I'm hoping) we may get out by 10-ish and just head home.  I'm ready to be home.

I'm running out of things to talk about since we don't do anything.  Ms. Vicky text'd me last night that I had an order delivered to her house via UPS.  People just can't read numbers on the wall!  Not a biggie, but I'm going to notify Amazon or the Vendor it was delivered incorrectly.  In fact, I may cancel the subscription order because of it; it's convenient to be delivered, but not necessary.  Besides, I'm trying to cut back on my spending.  Today, anyway. :-)

I did the dishes last night and packed up most of my suitcase.  It won't take long for me to be ready to leave.  Mainly need to pack up my books I have here  in the 'front room'.  Not sure where hubby is with his packing.... he always waits - which is no big deal.  We'll go through the 'did you get all your cords' and things that we go through before we leave. LOL

The weather here has been fabulous.  It was supposed to rain all week, but did not rain the entire time we have been here!  Other than the rain and hail (which did chip my car in a few places) we ran into outside of Payson on the way in, no rain at all.  We've enjoyed sitting out and watching the clouds, reading, crocheting, and just being quiet.  That's the best part of the trip; and hubby didn't complain about being hot! HaHa.  I have THAT to look forward to when we get back in the city!

Hubby just got up and asked why I have two bowls out with the cereal.  Breakfast?  "But aren't we going to Three Bears for breakfast?"  Looks like we are.  I can put the bowls back, pack up the cereal and milk, and take with us.  Not a big deal.  The plus is, he will be ready to leave after we do our quiet time rather than dragging it out until 11a.  He said he just needs to pack his books and put shoes on.  That means he is way ahead of me; I'm still in my jammies - but it is only 5:44a!

But the plus for me is I finally slept all night; only waking one time when I felt/heard hubby getting up for his walk down the hall.  I drank very little water last night so didn't get that urge.  I finally got a good night's sleep, which is good.  We both were surprised about the bed... it has a foam top so we thought neither of us would sleep well as ours is harder at home.  But last night we sure did!  I do have a dull headache but again, think it is my retainer being pulled on and off my teeth.  Annoying. 

Only to sit and think of God, Oh what a joy it is! To think the thought, to breathe the Name - Earth has no higher bliss."    Frederick W. Faber

It has been a good week, in that respect.  I have truly enjoyed sitting out on the porch in the cool of the day and either reading, (started and finished the book The Power of Short Prayers by Jentezen Franklin) or just sitting, looking at the clouds, and talking with God.  It has been peaceful and quiet most of the time.  I have loved no TV on, although hubby still watches and listens to things on his phone and I can hear it through his hearing aids.  I think his hearing is getting worse, even with the hearing aids.  I am constantly having to repeat myself it seems.  But the quiet times have been really nice, sitting outside.  I have missed my quiet time in the mornings when I am alone in the room with the door shut and he only interrupts to bring my coffee in.  After that, I have the time to myself and God. 

When was the last time you spent some time just sitting back and thinking about (and thanking) God and all that you have is a gift from Him?  Everything we have, even our children, are a gift from God.  Our children are on loan to us. They belong to Him. Just as we do.  Grateful that we always have a Father in heaven.

Hubby asked me yesterday if I journal in my computer... and if so, what do I write in a book?  This IS sort of a journal, is it not?  I generally tell all my stories in here. But I write IN a journal my prayers, if I am not speaking them out loud to God.  Sometimes I just want to remain quiet and therefore write them out.  I have journals for several things. One, I take to church and write notes in from the sermons.  Another I take to the doctor offices to get Tom's information down (and now have started writing down mine), I use a journal to write down notes from classes I take. I just about take notes about everything.  

Since I started this first again this morning, I need to jump off and do some reading.  Tomorrow I will be back in sync where I do this last - mainly because I have to get on the computer to finish it with work.   I don't think I would enjoy retirement so much.... it's boring.

It's Sunday!  If you don't go personally to church, listen to a good one on You Tube.  I always will recommend Jentezen Franklin at Free Chapel or John Petri at Reclaim Church.  We will watch our services when we get home as I will probably be driving at that time.

Have an amazing day!

Blessings!

A different type of day

 My daughter and SIL got in last night - about ten minutes after we left for church - had a vow renewal service we were attending for friends.  It was a good service.  Hubby commented at one point we should do a vow renewal.... and I immediately said no.... which he must have ignored or not heard....  and gave some thought and said we have already done it.  I remember one time at church (peer pressure, for sure) they had us stand up on Valentine's day and repeat some stuff.   I'll let him hold on to that, for I don't ever want to hurt his feelings, but, in all honestly, I would not do this life again.  And that is what a vow renewal says.  It says "I would do this all over again, the good and the bad."  My response is 'no'.  In fact, it is "NO".  And I'll leave that there.

Had some alone time with my daughter this morning as she came and sat with me as I did my quiet time.  We were able to catch up on some things, and I'm grateful she felt comfortable enough to sit down and chat.  Of course hubby had to interrupt us a couple times, but when he gets focused on one thing, he has to interrupt to get his answer.

We have the dance recital for the great granddaughter this afternoon.  Well, let me back up a bit.  After I get dressed (I'm still sitting here in my pjs in the living room at the table typing this) we will probably head to JiMichaels for breakfast with the daughter and SIL.  I had suggested Denny's but hubby asked if we could go to JiMichaels this morning instead. Not a big deal. Really.  It's just a location, right?  Daughter is in the shower now. SIL is out and dressed and having a cup of coffee.  Hubby is getting dressed.  I'm last. :-) 

After breakfast the daughter and SIL need to run to Costco to take care of one of her hearing aids.  Hers is through Costco so they fix for her.  We will come back home and then I'll clean up (eventually) for the recital. I think it is at 2p so we have plenty of time; don't need to leave until around 1p.  We have paid for 'assigned seating' so we're good.  And, we got the email the other day the entire family wants to have dinner together.... we just don't know where unless someone has checked it out.  I started to check what is in that area for 15 people, but then decided it wasn't my position to 'find something' so I quit looking. I don't know the area anyway.  People live in all different directions.  

This weekend is busy with the recital, dinner today and then tomorrow we will have church, then .... I'm drawing a blank!  I think we have something to do tomorrow afternoon, but I don't remember what it is for the moment.  Old age?  Mental decline?  Lord, HELP!  Don't need two of us with it!  LOL  Maybe tomorrow I will have better thoughts.  Maybe we don't have anything tomorrow afternoon.  OH yeah - now I remember!

We have a trip up north to attend the granddaughter's GED graduation!  How could I forget that!!  So up for that, and afterwards will be coming home and chilling.   Whew.  I thought I was losing it!

I know this is short, but I need to stop, get dressed, and ready to go to breakfast so the day can get started.  Hopefully I will have fun things to share tomorrow. I know in my reading this morning I read something I want to share.... so maybe I'll get a chance to do that.

In the meantime, I hope you have a cool, wonderful, amazing day!  Be grateful for a cool place to sit and rest. Shelter is really important in this hot weather.  And water.  So drink plenty of it.

Blessings!

Turkey day walks and festivities... and they continue on....

 I was only ten minutes late for the 'Turkey Trot' yesterday morning. I really should rename it 'Turkey Walk', I guess, cause there is a REAL Turkey Trot somewhere and lots of people go run in it.  A friend, after I posted our 11th Annual Turkey Trot photo, commented her child had run in the Turkey Trot too.. then I had to explain it was our 'own' Turkey Trot aka walk.  We only walked 2.26 miles but it was a good walk and it was clear and brisk out.  The canal we chose wasn't that far away and very nice - paved all the way.  I sure wish it was closer so that I could walk it on my own.... you know hubby won't go and he won't let me go alone... the boogie man might get me.  I shouldn't scoff, I guess; one never knows what might befell us aa any time.  I could also fall and if I was alone, and if few people do that area, I could be there for awhile.  Oh well. Not going to imagine something that can't happen cause it ain't gonna happen to cause it to happen.  Right? :-)

I turned the humidifier on last night when we went to bed and am grateful my nose isn't all dried up like it usually is.  Hence, that is why I bought them last year.  The humidifier puts water back in to the air that the heat takes away in the cooler months with the heat on.  It does make a difference, so if you wake up with your nose all dried up and all, you might consider getting a humidifier... it does help.

I'm loving having today off work.  I still have a busy day ahead of me.  Our grandson and his fiancee are coming over at 8AM for breakfast and we are going to let them open their Christmas gifts since they will not be here for Christmas this year.  I don't want to bother with shipping.  Plus I like to see their faces when they open.  Not that there is a lot, for sure.  The great-grandchildren are the ones who made out like a bandit this year.  

After they leave to get started on their day, I will need to get in the kitchen and get started with preparations for the evening meal as our friends are coming over for a Thanksgiving feast as well.  I don't plan to over fix as I did yesterday for lunch at my daughter's (we had WAY too much food!), but plan to fix enough that any who want can take some leftovers home.  Since they are single individuals, I don't expect any to take a large amount.  With a 20 pound turkey, it won't be a problem to send home meat.  I don't want to keep ANY.  I'm 'turkeyed out' and don't want any. Now if I hear from someone who was teasing they may be coming for dinner....then I will know if I need to prepare a little more than I plan to ..... just saying.

I'm going to have to dig for receipts in the next few days - we have a very tall, somewhat large, individual in our family for whom I bought a couple shirts for Christmas for.  I had bought 2XL Tall... but as I unfolded them, they seemed REALLY large.  So I talked to his wife yesterday and mentioned it to her... yeah... it's XL in Big & Tall.... 2XL in regular sizes (to get the length.  Ooops.  I'm going to have to go through my orders... since I didn't go out and buy, it's al on computer so will have to figure it out - and then go stand in line with numerous other people who made the wrong choices.  Maybe it won't be too bad just yet - it's still before Christmas.  AND, I'm not doing it today either; got too much to do!

I do NOT go much of anywhere today...the day after Thanksgiving, aka 'Black Friday'.  There is nothing I need, nor does anyone else, that can entice me to go shopping in the crowds today.  Besides, 99.9% of my shopping is done online.  Yeah, I sometimes pay a little more, but I do it all from my computer and home and it's nice.   I remember one year I went out about 3-4PM and the stores were nearly empty of people.  THAT would be the time to shop, for sure!

Philippians 4:12 (NIV):  "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

That is  verse I learned a long, long time ago that has kept me grounded over the years.  Perhaps it has also gotten me to where I am now.  There have been so many times over the years that we have been in need for specific things.  But I learned not to allow it to get the best of me.  I learned that to take those needs to God in prayer will bring about the results I could never expect to receive on my own.  Because of choices - others who affect me, and my own choices, life at times has been very hard and very difficult.  I've never tried to pretend all has been well over the years.  But God has always provided - whether through other people, or just provision, all that we have ever needed.

I often say I learned how to cook from 'scratch' many years ago because we didn't have money to buy food that was already prepared.  Go forward several years and times were so hard that going out to eat at Burger King was a treat that we all looked forward to.  And now, in our latter years, God has placed us with the realization that there is nothing we really 'need'..... because of the above verse, I have learned to be content with what we have.  I don't need a new living room suite every 3-5 years.  Yeah, the one we have is about 5 years old now, I guess, and there is a 'dip' in the seat where I always sit.... but I've learned how to fix it... just haven't done that yet.  It still looks fairly new, why get a new one?  I think it is only at Christmas the entire sofa is filled.  We really have more than we need, but it's nice to have if anyone comes over. :-)  

I'm thinking of that I guess because my little sister asked for the rest of the money I was holding for her to keep her from spending it all.  She is definitely a 'shopaholic'.  I don't know what she is going to do when all this money is gone.  But, her husband has not been kind ... and I won't go there... but she found she could buy Ashley furniture online at Amazon yesterday.... so her daughter in law helped her pick out the sofa and loveseat she wanted (curious, I may go online and see what she paid for it - wonder if it is cheaper there than at the store on sale)..... and she got the 'last' love seat!  Whoo hoo!  She's happy; she now has no money to fall back on... but she's happy.  Just a side note, our little brother had sent us both a little money from our sister's insurance - which he and his wife got... I'm not complaining as I didn't expect any.  Grateful he shared some with us.  And no, other than what I used to pay for our airline tickets to go back there for the funeral and to help clean the apartment, I never told hubby how much I got.  He can be like my little sister; if there is 'extra', let's spend it.  I'm content to keep it saved, unless there is something that is NEEDED.  I like having a cushion to fall in to - never have had one before, and I've done without to build up a small savings account.  I like going to the grocery store and buying whatever I want to buy, without counting the prices as I go through the store.  Ever done that?  I've done that plenty of times, and then deciding what I should take back.  It's nice to get what I want without counting prices.

Sometimes I think God allows us to go through tough times so that we will know what it is like to be in need.  And, in knowing that, we can have compassion on those going through those same things.  But the greatest part of having, and not being in need, is knowing that we are content.  I think I can say that is where I am right now.  Content.

I looked up the word Content in the dictionary.  It is actually an adjective.  Hadn't really thought of that.  Well, the way I'm thinking of the word is an adjective.   I am content.  And another word to use is satisfied.  I am satisfied with what I have.  Just some tidbits based on the scripture.

I am content; I am satisfied.  Can you say that about your life?

Perhaps that is weighing on me right now.  I'm missing my big sister.  I miss our weekly chats.  Her life was saved once, why didn't God save her this time?  Will we ever learn the truth of what happened?  The family still thinks the son did it... but his mental state will not believe he did.  It is just not something she would do, and that is what is so hard to accept.  Antifreeze kills; even just a teaspoon of it.  The pain would be hard to endure... but the more I've learned, is that she went into a coma shortly after arriving at the hospital.  She never knew what killed her.  

But the reason it is on my mind this morning is the question, 'where was she in her walk with Jesus?'   If we asked her, she would say she was a Christian, that she loved Jesus, she was gong to heaven.   But the painful part to me is that when the plug was going to be pulled at the hospital, and the chaplain came in and suggested to my little brother and sister that they remember the good memories as they 'let her go'..... my little brother said, "there aren't any good memories; she was evil".  And my little sister just commented, "well, she was very giving."   Those words torment me, and break my heart.  How can one be declared evil if they say they love Jesus and are a Christian?  

My heart is missing my family that are not longer here this morning.  And those words torment me.  Will I see any of my family in Heaven (as I intend to get there!)?  Oh the thoughts that are going through my heart and mind this morning.  I need my mama today.  I need to hear her say once again, "this too shall pass".  

Having a new home or new furniture may bring temporary joy and satisfaction, but that never lasts.  The home will wear down, the new furniture will wear out.  But what will last is a relationship with Jesus Christ.  I choose Jesus.

I am content, because I have all I need, in Jesus.

Blessings!

Breakfast with my boss -

 Yep - it's time for another breakfast meeting with one of my bosses.  My favorite boss, at that.  It is fun to meet her for breakfast about every six weeks or so.  Funny, this morning it seems like we just met!  Oh yeah, we did!  We met a couple weeks ago for lunch with another friend!  Good thing I like this boss, huh!  I did ask her if she wanted to pass as we had another breakfast scheduled on August 31 (which I have moved out a few more weeks) but she said no, she wanted to meet this morning.  YAY!  

Yesterday was a busy day for work - I think I had eight or so really hard meetings to schedule and then had to find time for other meeting to be scheduled.  I finally told my one boss to 'stop giving me hard meetings to schedule!'  He apologized and said he was getting hit with meetings too.  This guy is too smart for his own good.  And, just like my other boss, everyone thinks they need him in their meetings.  I finally had to set him straight - he doesn't have to go to every one of the invited meetings; sort out what pertains to his area of expertise and go to it.  If it doesn't affect his department or what he does, skip it.  They are just naming names!  And three of you from the same department don't need to necessarily go to the same meeting - one can go and share info with the others if it needs to be. I had another boss who would sit in meetings and total up salaries of everyone who was in attendance.  If they were just listeners and not contributors, they didn't need to be in the meeting.  Many times the salary total was in the hundreds of thoursands - and then emails would come out to reevaluate if everyone needs to be invited.  I have no idea why that remembrance came to mind.

Sometimes we get hung up on God answering the prayers we pray.  I know people who have walked away from God because He did not answer their prayer the way they thought He should, and in the timeframe they thought He should.  I feel sorry for those people, and pray for them, for just because we ask God, it doesn't mean He will answer the way we want.  I think I have shared this before, but it's on my mind from my reading this morning, so will share again.  Sometimes when we ask God for something, His answer is NO.  Or it may be WAIT.  Or it may be YES.  

I've had prayers answered immediately.  I've said prayers that I'm still waiting on answers to.  I've said prayers that I am forever grateful that God said NO.  I don't always see it then, at that moment, but I know that God always answers the prayers we pray.  We sometimes don't see it because we don't want to see it.  We aren't getting the answer I want, so we quit praying, or we quit paying attention to the only One who can answer.  'We'll get even with Him!', we think to ourselves.  'He won't answer my prayer, so I'm not going to believe in Him anymore.'  How many times have you heard that?  Too many, I'm sure.  Perhaps you have even thought those same words.

I John 3:21-22 (NKJV):  "Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those thigns that are pleasing in His sight.  And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment."

The Bible promises again and again that God answers prayer. However, the statement whatever we ask we receive does not imply that if people just pray hard enough, they can have whatever they want.  Their requests must be in line with God's will, and they must be in right relationship with God; as evidenced by their desire to do what pleases Him.

In other words:  Prayer + God's Will = Answer.   Many times we may think we know God's will about a situation or a person, and yet, when we have prayed, our prayer doesn't get answered.  We pray for healing for someone, and really expect God to heal them, cause we asked Him to.  And He takes them anyway.  Some people turn away from God because of the 'wrong answer' to their prayer.  But what if... what if... God had another plan in mind when He took that person?  What if God knew He was going to use the person who prayed the prayer of healing to be a catalyst in bringing life to others?  

Sometimes we have no clue what God is doing.  Seriously.  For example, I prayed continuously for my older sister to be healed of her rheumatoid arthritis and start living life again.  I don't believe she really wanted to be healed. She liked playing the person who people had to make allowances for.  The more I encouraged her to take charge of her health and start eating foods to reduce the inflamation in her body, the more junk she would put in it.  So this last 'episode' - and I still believe she did not do it herself, not intentionally.  She ingested antifreeze.  I prayed so hard for three days, believing that God would do a miracle and she would awaken from her unconsciousness and be totally healed of all disease in her body.  I believed it; I asked for it.  And she died.  When I heard, I went to God and asked 'Why? Why didn't You answer my prayers the way I wanted You to?'... and the thought came to me, 'I did.  I healed her My way'.  God's way isn't always our way, and I needed to remember that.  He healed her by taking her from her world of suffering and pain.  I wanted complete and total healing and 'life as normal'.  And I still believe that God could have done that - if it had been His will.  It wasn't.

God is God and I am not.  My job is to follow Him, no matter what.  No matter what answer to prayer that I receive, no matter if my life is good and joyful, no matter if life is hard and painful.  No matter what, I choose to follow Jesus.  I feel the pain of unanswered prayers.  I hurt because of the 'no' answers I receive.  I struggle because of the 'waiting' period.  I know what each of those are, personally.

But I know that my Redeemer lives, and I know that He loves me and He hears the prayers I pray on my behalf and on the behalf of others.  I believe that no matter what I pray, He hears me, and He answers in His own way.  And He hears your prayers, and He loves you more than you can ever imagine.

But for Him to hear our prayers, we must believe that Jesus is who He says He is - the Son of God.  We must believe that Jesus went to the cross and died for us sinners.  His blood covers every sin you and I have ever committed, and He puts His robes of Righteousness over us.  He stands as our Advocate before His Father, and while Satan stands and accuses us of all our sins, Jesus just says, "My blood covers that sin."

There is power in the blood of Jesus.  Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of the Living God, that He died for our sins, and rose again on the third day, and that He reigns now in Heaven, awaiting the time for His second coming, when we will all rise with Him.  The trumpet will sound soon - will you believe?  Will you be ready to rise with all the saints?

Blessings!

I had a thought....but it's gone now...

 When i came in here this morning I had a thought of what I wanted to write about.  But now, the thought is gone.  Maybe I need more coffee.  It sure is tasting good this morning.  I even slept until 5AM!  Not sure what time it was when we went to bed as we watched - or rather I watched; hubby slept some - through two movies last night.  Both were pretty good movies.  Don't remember at the top of my head what the first one was, but the second one is called God's Compass.  It really is a good movie.  It's a story about a widow retiring, and that very night her life changes.  Her daughter in law goes into labor on her way home from the celebration, her son is a doctor who didn't make it to the retirement gathering but is still at work in the ER and then in surgery.  And a young man tries to steal the very car that the daughter-in-law is in - going through labor pains and unable to drive and had pulled into a parking garage.  It just escalates from there.  He takes her to the hospital; he gets arrested, he has a young sister he is taking care of.... well, you should watch it.  It's a good story.  One that it was ok to go to sleep on thinking about, and I slept well last night, or I think I did.

Yesterday we had a minor catastrophe happen.... Sometime between 2:30-3PM I was on the phone talking with my little sister.  We hung up a little after 3PM and I could hear water running.  Thinking it was our neighbor out watering her courtyard flowers, I peaked out the window, but didn't see her.  Then I noticed.  Water was standing in our courtyard all around the bushes and trees.  I go out the front door to see what is going on and see that all of our sprinklers within the courtyard are on, and the neighbor's courtyard is flooding as she also has one sprinkler that is on, shooting right into the courtyard area.  I come back inside and tell hubby.  I must have wakened him for he was confused for a few minutes as to what I was telling him.  He finally comes out and starts to panic.  He had no clue what to do.  He walked over to two of our neighbors who probably would know, and both were not at home.  Water was flooding over into the front yard and had already made it's way down the side of the street nearly a whole block or more.  Hubby calls the main office and gets the telephone number of our landscaper and calls them.  Left a message.  A bit later, (and hubby is really panicking by now) the manager calls back and isn't sure where it's located but told hubby to find a pipe that is above ground.  We both walked the side of the garage where he told us, but not there.  Then he told us to check the front - and hubby found it, turned the lever, and the water shut off.  Explanation?  We were told when the pipe/lever goes out, it can automatically kick itself on and will run continuously until someone discovers it and shuts it off.  Someone is to come out to fix it and put a new lever on.  In the meantime, my courtyard plants (roses, poinsettias, lemon tree, rosebushes, etc. are watered very deeply.  What is interesting, within a 15 minutes all the standing water had soaked into the ground and it was about 4 inches deep!   What if I hadn't heard the water running?  What if it had happened at night?  This is one of those things that I believe God alerted us to before it could damage something.

We actually have some plans for this morning and it isn't going to the store.  My oldest son invited us to breakfast and I am looking forward to seeing him.  Where we are going has great breakfasts and I am looking forward to it.  Decent coffee too, I think.  It's been awhile since we were there for breakfast.  The last couple times we have been there was for dinner - and that was good too.  They have a bacon cheeseburger salad that is really good.

I'm skipping out of Needles of Hope this morning to have breakfast with my son - and that's ok.  It's not our usual Saturday and I'm still needing to go through these blankets and see which ones I need to add an inch or two on - still, they can be used for premies.  I guess measuring the blanket across my lap isn't always accurate.  Regular baby blankets should be a minimum of 30 inches.... and for some reason I stop at 28" or 29"... but my tape said 30" when measuring across my lap.  Guess I need to lay it flat out and measure... but that means I'd have to get up out of my chair and I am usually in the middle of a movie when I finish something.  Oh well.   Ihave several projects going right now, several blankets and something else I want to give to someone for Christmas.  I just keep crocheting and stacking up.  I'll take the majority of these blankets to Needles of Hope next month, which will be back to the first Saturday.

I am drawing a blank so will close this off... hope that you have a blessed day - I plan to!

Blessings!

It was still a good day.

 We opted out of the gym yesterday and decided all we wanted to do was walk, so hubby walked 1/2 block with me and went one direction and I went on straight the route I wanted to take.  Why?  As I have mentioned before, I take one step to his two, and I have to slow my pace so that we can walk together.  Hubby agreed that we will separate and walk.  We both walked over a mile but I beat him back home.  We had gone to eat breakfast BEFORE taking the walk so my food was wanting to visit again and I decided with the heat/humidity and the walking, well, I would rather be home.  The rest of the day was quiet and we both relaxed and read.  I love to read but don't as much as I would like.  I've been working on Christmas gifts - some times I just need to stop and read.  

We went to church last night @ CCV and really enjoyed the service.  Even hubby says that this is good preaching.  We love how the Bible is preached and how it can be applied to today.  My daughter and son-in-law came too so we ate dinner in the cafe after.  And hubby and I both were good.  We both had salads.  Although I did eat some of the daughter's french fries.  

I mentioned to hubby that Black Bear Diner sent me a free breakfast for my birthday so I think we are going over there this morning to claim it.  We figure about 9AM-ish.  I want to write here, and then read a bit more before getting dressed.  It's nearly 7AM now so have plenty of time for both.  

I woke up at 2:08AM this morning - what is with this 2 AM wake up stuff??  Had a strange dream last night too.  We were some place - not sure where - and sitting with a group of people.  Something happened and someone was hurt, and a man near me jumped up and ran to whomever it was - possibly a small child.  He was heart-broken, and I remember putting my arm on his back to comfort him.  Then we were at a place where we were sitting on bleachers, and when we sat down, he was next to me.  He jumped up, crying, and took off.  Then I awoke.  Have no idea of what that could possibly mean.  You got any ideas?

I do know that when someone is hurting, my heart feels compassion for them and I know that even just sitting with them brings comfort.  Since he was standing, I placed my arm around his back.  Sometimes just knowing someone is there, and cares about what you are going through, is comforting.  Still haven't figured it out - is it something that is going to happen?  Is it something from the past?  Why did I have this dream, specifically of comforting someone?  I'm not always good at that because I'm a crier.  You crying?  Ok, I can cry with you.  My eyes tear up at some of the oddest things.  Get me to read a poem or something heartfelt or meaningful, (like my son's birthday card to me) and the words can barely come out for the tears choking my throat.  But I love the meanings in the card.

Today I was reading in Luke 22 of Peter denying Jesus three times before the rooster crowed.  Do you remember what Jesus had told him in Luke 22:31?  'and the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you return to Me, strengthen your brethren.".

"But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail, and when you return to Me, strengthen your brethren".     Do you catch that?  Do you realize that this statement also applies to you?  You have people praying for you, that your faith should not fail.  And although you may have rejected living for Christ now, you will return, and you will need to strengthen your brethren, your children, your family.  The man is to be the spiritual leader of his home.   Are you praying for your children to live for Jesus? Are you lifting your spouse up in prayer that he or she will be with you in paradise?

Peter denied Jesus 3 times before the rooster crowed.  What is it going to take for you to remember the words of Jesus that He loves you and desires for you to follow Him with your heart, soul, mind and body?  When will you be willing to lay down your will, and pick up His?

Ah- the great question we all face daily.  I must admit that at times I fail... quite frequently, in fact.  Living for Jesus isn't really hard....  unless you let yourself get in the way.  Your own wants and wishes.  I do it, and I'm sure you do too.  But the plus we have is that Jesus doesn't give up on us.  

I John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.  And I am so grateful for His forgiveness of all my sins.  It isn't just some of them, when I confess them, He covers them with His blood that was shed on the cross.  He washes us white as snow.  All we have to do is confess, and ask His forgiveness.  

Let me share a story with you this morning.....

"How long the pastor's prayer is this morning", thought Elvina Hall.  Sitting in the choir loft Elvina's mind turned to our need for salvation and the price that Jesus paid for it. Words began to form themselves. She had to get them down, but she had no paper.  Well, that wasn't entirely true, so she scribbled on the flyleaf of the hymnal, and she wrote:

I hear the Savior say, "Thy strength indeed is small; child of weakness, watch and pray, find in Me your all in all".

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.  Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

Not bad, not bad at all.  After service, she handed the words to her pastor.  Did his face crease into a little smile at the evidence of her 'naughty' behavior?  We may never know.  But we do know that an extraordinary 'coincidence' took place at the Monument Street Methodist Church of Baltimore.  Organist John Grape had recently written a new tune and had given it to the pastor.  The pastor saw that the tune and the poem fit together extremely well.  So he united them, in that way, one of the most beloved hymns of the church came into being.

I hear the Savior say, "Thy strength indeed is small; child of weakness, watch and pray, find in Me your all in all."

(Refrain)  Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.  Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I whereby Thy grace to claim; I'll wash my garments white in the blood of Calv'ry's lamb.

And now complete in Him, my robe, His righteousness, close sheltered 'neath His side, I am divinely blest.

Lord, now indeed I find, Thy pow'r, and Thine alone, can change the leper's (leopard's) spots, and melt the heart of stone.

When from my dying bed my ransomed soul shall rise, "Jesus died my soul to save", shall rend the vaulted skies.

And when before the throne I stand in Him complete, I'll lay my trophies down, all down at Jesus' feet.

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.  Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.

What a gift we have been given.  Jesus Paid it All.

Think about it.

Blessings!