And they are gone!

 The daughter and SIL finally made it over last night and spent the night.  They were up early this morning and headed out - well about 6:15AM I'm guessing it was.  Prayers for them as they head back 'home'.  It's 'easy' to say home, but .... 

You know how it is when someone stays with you; you awaken frequently in case something is wrong.  My daughter has caught a cold and was coughing, although I only heard her twice.  I got up about 5-ish, then I heard them get up shortly after.  She had told me she had set their alarm for 5AM so I knew they would be up soon.  Made up some 'fresh squeezed' orange juice and toast.  And swish! They were out the door.  

I am surprised that hubby came and asked me just a big ago - 'church at home, or go to church' this morning.  I am tempted to stay home and watch it on TV - especially since I didn't sleep well.  But, I suggested we wait a bit before making that decision.  I've heard that several will be gone to a Way2Him conference that was this weekend.  But this is also why we decided to go to the noon service - so that we have all morning to take a nap, or whatever we wanted to do.  Of course neither of us have done any of our 'quiet time' reading and prayers yet.  In fact, I've started with this first (after I ate a piece of toast with peanut butter) and once finished, I will settle down into my bible reading and whatever else I choose to do. I may take a nap.

It's Sunday, a day of rest.  And that is always my excuse for not doing any 'work'.  Although, I still need to get my tax info together for hubby.  I did finish the diamond art project I was working on yesterday and have glue on it to dry.  I'll get it to hobby lobby this next week for them to frame for me. Then it will go into the closet until Christmas next year.  That one was for me.  My next one will be another Christmas one.  I want to hang Christmas pictures up next year.  And if I make them, and frame them, perhaps that is something I can pass on to family.... then they will remember me at Christmas time, at least.  Maybe.

I can't believe I've sat here for about 15 minutes and I can't think of anything to write about.  What's up with that?  Perhaps it is because I didn't sleep well, and I'm mentally and physically tired?  Perhaps it is because I have not done any of my reading this morning - and I have nothing to share?  I guess there is a purpose to my reading first, right?  Let me ponder that for a moment.

Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV):  Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

There is nothing better than being completed surrendered to God.  So many times, even though that is what I desire the most, I fail in that respect.  I desire God with all my heart - and yet, the distractions come and pull me away.  Do you ever have that?  Where you are so focused on this one desire - and then all of a sudden, squirrel!  I get frustrated with myself when I do that, whether I recognize it at that time or not.  But especially when I look back and see how easily I was pulled away.

Which causes me to make the decision - we WILL go to church today.  He should be our only desire today - not staying home and watching on TV.  That's what COVID did to us - we have gotten lazy in our worship - and I love to worship God!  The devil doesn't want any of us in church.  We might 'surrender'.  We might decided to follow Jesus!  The devil certainly doesn't want that - and he will do all he can to stop it.  

Which reminds me - I do need to finish up the message/aka work on the message, that I need for next Sunday.  I think it is the next two Sundays we will be at the RV parks - one here in town, one up north aways - and then the last Sunday of this month will be the last one for this season.  As I say every year, I need to prepare for the following year during the summer and prepare some so I don't have to look for something - but, I never do.  I procrastinate - and here it is a week before - and they will be calling today for the title and scripture.  I'm working on it. I think I have a scripture and a title.  I just have to pull the message together - which will take several hours.  Which means I probably should get most of it done today - and finish it up next Saturday. 

And with that - I need to get started on my reading and quit wasting time this morning.  Perhaps tomorrow I will have something to share.  In the meantime, I pray that you have a wonderful day.  Rest (as it IS the day of rest) and refresh yourself in the Lord.  If you don't want to go to church - listen to a service.  Could I recommend ours?  Reclaim Church.  They record the 10:30AM service on You Tube. It's the one with the backward black flag.  I haven't asked why that logo - but I am curious.  Anyway - not sure who is speaking yet - Pastor John finished up his 8 week series last week on the Healthy Holy Habits - and they were absolutely awesome - I would like to watch them again.  He may have one of the associate pastors speak today to give himself a rest.  Haven't gotten the text yet from the church - we get one every Sunday morning, inviting us to church and who will be speaking - as a rule.  Listen something - you just might like that service.  

Anyway - make it a good day.  Work on attitude, actions, and behavior.  Give glory to God, for in Him all things are and will be.   Pray for our military and for Israel.

Blessings!

Losing track of time

What a weekend this has been!  With starting Friday and meeting up with my boss for the Christmas Idea House and then getting my hair done, Needles on Saturday and getting some things done that I needed to then, to yesterday, speaking at the RV Park, hubby 'wanting' to take me to lunch, then I headed to the hospital to visit my daughter.  She was to have PT/OT come in, but I don't think they made it.  A surgeon consult was to come in, and did not, to my knowledge.  She had a reaction to some of the medication they gave her for pain and had extreme itching - so they gave her a shot of Benadryl to offset it - and she was out.  She came in and out of sleep and when I finally left just before 4PM, she was still out cold.  Her oxygen level kept dropping so my granddaughter, who was staying another night with her, said they had put her on oxygen to keep her oxygen level up.  I will check with them in a little bit; don't want to wake anyone if they are asleep.   I will be heading over to visit again after work, unless something should happen that I need to be there - which I doubt.  Then again, she may be discharged today if people come in to see her as they should.  

My daughter made me laugh at one point; she was going in and out of sleep and she mumbles, "Tell R I want some sweet tea."  Now she wouldn't have been able to drink it - she was too 'out of it'.  I did hear that she did wake up and eat her dinner and was a bit more alert. Still in pain, but dealing with it.  

So that was yesterday.  Well, after I left the hospital I did stop at the grocery store and picked up a few things before heading home.  Made some more protein bars as this week starts the gift giving and I am way behind in preparation.  Got a lot of baking to do as I see my male boss and his Sr. Director I also support on Thursday.  I want to take Morgan her gifts today, but not sure if that is going to happen either. I made protein bars for her as she specifically asked for them.  I had forgotten them and had to go find my recipe.  Coming home, I gave hubby a choice, lunchmeat or hotdogs for dinner.  I even bought buns.  He opted for lunchmeat so I also fixed pizza rolls to go with it - and I had bought potato chips.  A good healthy meal right?  NOT!  I even bought WHITE bread, which I rarely do - but I was craving a soft white bread.  Sometimes it is just 'good'.  Once 'dinner' was over, once I had the dishes cleaned up, we watched a Christmas movie while I worked on the last blanket I plan to give away before Christmas.  Finished it except for the tie-ins.  My youngest great-granddaughter gets this one.

I was exhausted by the time I went to bed about 9PM and slept all night - even came in here at 4:30AM and slept for another hour.  It was nearly 6AM before hubby woke up and brought my coffee in.  I'm slowly coming to life - good thing - I have to work today!  I did tell my boss about my daughter and she told me 'family first' and if I needed to take off work - to do so.  I know my granddaughter is taking good care of her mama, staying with her, so I don't NEED to be there, but when I was there yesterday, my daughter insisted on holding my hand as she slept.  I'm glad I went.  We did have a short time of laughter when she did the 'ooowwww' like Grandma Hanky did when she was in the hospital. 

I have so much to do with work; I have so much to do with here at home. I am feeling overwhelmed with it all.  Things with hubby doesn't help either.  So at some point today I am going to separate out what needs to be done TODAY and what can be done TOMORROW, and the DAY AFTER - and by separating it, focus on what is for that moment, and quit jumping from one thing to another.  I think that is why I feel so overwhelmed.  But, in saying that, I CAN make up the breads I give away and put in the oven while I work, and get that out of the way.  I have two board meeting minutes I need to get done for work and in the folders and create new slide decks for the meetings scheduled in January and February. And I need to schedule board meetings for the new board that just got approved starting January 1, 2026.  Yep, I now support 3 boards.  Wish I was in a position where I could retire and relieve my stress there.  But my favorite boss, Sue, has given her notice to her boss as of last week - July 31, 2026 will be her last day of work.  I think she may take on a school nurse role at some point.  She is amazing and can do just about anything.

Me - if I retired, I'd still need to find something to do; I could not sit at home and do nothing.  But I would love to be able to have lunch with friends on occasion - and I'd have to work to be able to afford it - right?   And I'd love to catch up on my reading. Work on puzzles. Work on diamond art projects.  Paint something. Bake a lot. Crochet. Learn how to knit specific stitches.   Oh so many things I'd love to do!  

But for today, I'd just like to get caught up with work (I'm really getting behind!), get these gifts wrapped and out of this room, get my baking done, and some other things. And with that, I'm going to cut this short..... I need to get out of my jammies and comb my hair; I think I have an 8AM meeting I need to jump on - and although I don't usually turn my camera on, sometimes they ask us to. Makeup is not going to happen - at least right now.

And today is my daughter-in-love's birthday and I have a gift for her.  I wonder if she will be working today and I can run it up to her.  I'll have to see when I can take a break - I should have picked her up a small cake - I wonder if I can get to the store and get one before I go. Will have to get my ducks in a row and see what my day looks like.  I was off Friday - it could be 'bad'. :-)

Have an amazing day - 

Blessings!

and here we are again....

 It's Sunday.  This morning we will be physically going to church.  After I finish this, I will jump in the shower and start to get dressed.  Yes, I do enjoy it when we stay home for I can stay in here a bit more, but God wants us to be in community with each other. He wants us to meet others of like mind (worship Him), and to worship together.  I honestly miss the days when we were at North Hills.  After 30+ years there, it was 'home'.  But God wanted us out of there and sent us on a journey ... and whatever we were to have learned from the journey, I hope we have learned it.  We like our 'new' church and we love the pastors.  We just haven't 'dove' in yet into much (well, hubby has somewhat) to get to know others.  But this Wednesday starts the Wednesday evening class of Revelation with Tony Evans.  It's on 'Right Now Media' that you can download and do numerous bible studies.

I've mentioned before about my going through the book The Awe of God by John Bevere.  I did finish the book, and have now started over - only this time I am going to watch the videos that go with it.  There is a QR code in the book that you can click and watch it for free.  I am about 3 chapters in, but went back to chapter 1 so that I could watch it.  In order for me to grow in Christ, I need to take the time to 'do it right' and listen to the video (3-5 minutes) and apply it as well. 

So what have you been reading and learning lately?

Yesterday was a pretty quiet day.  I did go to Needles of Hope and it was good.  I drove by the old house on my way in - and you would not believe how it looks.  A car was in the driveway so we know someone is living there, but the entire front of the house is covered in bushes and shrubs.  I wonder if the mail person even delivers the mail anymore; the sideway is covered with rosebush growth.  The house has a mailbox that when you put the mail in, it goes into a 'box' inside the house.  It's just really sad to see what was a beautiful landscaped home in such disarray, as is the house next door.  

After Needles of Hope I stopped at Smart and Final to pick up a few things.  Now I don't go to the grocery often, which is probably why I didn't get that much.  But prices are much higher than what I have been used to paying.  I did pick up pudding and vanilla wafers to make my banana pudding sometime.  Got milk, butter.... no eggs (ridiculous prices)... a few other things.  I really wanted to pick up 5 dozen eggs for that would last close to the end of the year - unless I made a bunch of eggs ole and stuff.  But at $29.99 for the box I said no... I have almost 3 dozen still at home.  I know you needed to know that.  I want to do some baking this afternoon.  I just didn't feel comfortable at Smart & Final this time - which is weird.  Ever go into a store and want to leave?  Yeah.... it was a weird feeling.

Came home after that and felt so drained I laid down and took a 15-20 minute nap while hubby watched his football game (Notre Dame).  I felt a bit more refreshed but didn't do much... sat and crochet'd most of the day.  I really need to put that aside and get other things done - and hopefully today I will bake. Need to defrost the freezer too and realign things in there.

And, I do want to go take a quick run to my daughters to celebrate her 24th year after her BMT transplant.  Mama is about the only one who thinks of it, I think. 

Proverbs 1:7 (NIV):  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived - and yet, in his latter years, he lost the one thing that he should have fought to keep.  He lost his fear of the Lord.  His proverbs speak of the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  But by the time he wrote Ecclesiastics, he had lost all fear of the Lord.  He was going with his many, many wives to their idols and bowing down to them.  He no longer feared God.  That was truly his downfall.

Having fear of the Lord isn't being afraid of Him or what He might do; fear of the Lord is to have total awe of Him, to seek Him for all wisdom and to be obedient to Him because you want to, not because you are afraid of what He might do because you screwed up.  God loves you so much, He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for you.  I may love you, but not enough that I'd give up my son for you.  But that is how much God loves us.

And with that.... I need to get off here and head for the shower.  Got to get myself put together for church.  

Sitting here just thinking about things I want to do.... I mentioned the other day I had something I wanted to pull together and share. It will take time and prayer and insight to pull together my heart longing.  I want to bake this afternoon.  I want to run by my daughter's.  I want....  but what will I actually get done.  One thing I know... I need to put down the crochet hook and focus on things I tell myself I want to do... and quit being so lazy.  Making things isn't being so lazy... it's using it as an excuse to not do other things I really want to do.  I want to change things in my life.  Maybe just crochet din the evenings when hubby insists on watching a movie.  (When he leaves the TV off, I get to read). Oh that I could get my thoughts and my life in order!  I need to probably write down on what day I want to accomplish a task and then make sure I follow it - right?  Time will always get away from us when we don't have a plan.

And I got to get off here cause my mind is starting to randomly 'go places'.  Have an amazing Sunday and not only rest, but do something for someone you love.  Be kind. Talk to God for a bit. He's waiting on you.

Blessings!

It's taking time to come to light!

 Yep - when I sat down here around 6AM this morning, and peeked out the window, I still saw darkness.  A month ago I could open the shutters and peek out and see the world; now I don't want them seeing ME with the shutters open - so they remain shut.  It is just now starting to come daylight.  The world is awakening.

I had a good day yesterday.  I met my youngest son early and we did a 'McDonald's run' for breakfast.  My choice.  I didn't 'ask' him to breakfast (yes, he bought) to get a big meal.  I was happy just to spend time with him so suggested we just do McDonalds.  And my sausage mcmuffin, potato cake, and coffee were delicious and just enough!  I went to the register and asked if we HAD to use the kiosk - and the person who was speaking to me said 'Yes' and I just said I don't like them.  She offered to bring someone to the register to take my order for me, but I told her that was fine, we would use the kiosk.  She offered again, but my son was already at the kiosk.  I don't like them!  Don't they realize those things are taking their jobs - even if they don't like working with the public?  Granted, some of us aren't the nicest, especially in the mornings, but still..... 

From McDonalds, my son and I went to the ass-kicking store (that was fun!) and to the base, and then I headed on over to the church to have lunch with the WOW group. Yes, I made it in time.  I didn't eat lunch, but I did eat a small piece of cake with them.  It was nice meeting about 11 other women (it was a very small group) and yeah, there may have been only one or two women in their 40-50 age range, but the rest (I feel) were older than me - I like to think that in my mind anyway.  Their hair was white.  Ok, so mine is colored.  I'll leave that there.  When I got to church and reached in the back for my sun shake - I realized I forgot to leave some things at my son's - so that required another trip down that way.  This morning I realized I forgot to take the box I want him to hand off to my sister and therefore, will need to make another run down there this afternoon.

Today is Sunday and we will be going to church.  Grateful we live north aways of State Farm Stadium as the memorial service for Charlie Kirk is this morning.  No, we are not going; we will be going to church.  The memorial service starts at 11AM and I think they are going to televise it - and we may watch it.  Or may not.  Words spoken at memorial services should be of remembrances and hope for tomorrow; the legacy left.  NOT for promoting oneself or 'the cause'.  I'm probably not saying that right.  Keep it simple, keep it short.  Right?  With so many 'important' people attending, the security has got to be unreal, plus so.many.people..... can you imagine in the three hours allowed to get everyone in..... how packed that place is going to be?  Great for the restaurants nearby; they will be packed afterwards, I'm sure!  And the time it will take to find your car and get out of there.  No thank you.  I'll go to my church, worship Jesus, and come home.  Got chicken thighs thawed out and will throw in the air fryer and find a veggie to go with it.  Unless hubby offers to take me out to dinner.  Doubtful, but he might.

Did I mention that I cancelled Virta on Friday?  It took all of five minutes and my app privileges were cancelled.  Yep. I txt'd my coach and said I wanted to cancel effective immediately. He sent a note back that he would increase my carbs, etc. (isn't decreasing them the choice to lose weight?) if I wanted to stay with it.  Even though I was not paying for it, my company was, there is no reason to continue it if I didn't want to do it.  When I told him it was 'tempting, but no', I was immediately blocked from using the app.  No biggie.  I deleted it.  Now - anyone need lancets or a meter and glucose or ketone strips?  I have about a month's supply left, I think. Oh, alcohol wipes too.  I may just continue to take to keep me in line with my sugar.  (I bought fudge yesterday).  :-)  Insurance pays for it for people who really need it so probably not. 

Psalm 122:1 (NIV):  I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."

I have made it no secret that I am a Christ-follower and I choose Him above anyone else.  But think about this.  When someone says to you, "Let's go visit a daughter, a son, or a grandchild that you haven't seen for awhile, do you not start to feel some excitement inside to get to see them again?  When your spouse or son or daughter come home from an overseas trip; aren't you excited to see them?  (For some of us, it's getting to see Santa Claus as well! LOL)  This is what King David was saying when he wrote Psalm 122.  "I am so happy, and I rejoice, that those with me want to go to worship the Lord God.  Who want to worship the One I love.   David rejoiced in being able to freely go worship His God.  

I admit, some Sundays (as you can probably gather), I groan that I need to get dressed to go.  Since Covid, I have gotten so lazy.  We got so used to watching it on TV (and most times I was still in my jammies) that a cup a coffee, my crochet in hand, was what Sunday mornings were.  I can still get coffee at church (and it is good coffee too!) but I need to make an effort to go.  Take a shower (usually much needed), put makeup on (no comment, please), and do my hair (being shorter requires more work at this point).  And, of course, finding something 'nice' to wear.  Yes, I could wear jeans and fit right in. But I like dressing up.  I do the dress, hose, heels - the entire works. LOL  Just think, if I quit dressing up, I could get rid of a lot of clothes!  But, I am still wearing what I had before Covid so not needing to shop for new ones.  With working from home, I don't buy myself many dressy clothes.

And speaking of showers and getting dressed, I need to do just that.  So off here I am, and shower into I go.  Have a blessed day!

Blessings!

What I wanted / didn't - sorta

 I wanted to get over to Lowes yesterday and pick up more flowers.  I did not.  I was to go to the pool at the rec center with Ms. Vicky - but I did not.  (In my defense, I was going to go, but she said another friend was going with us... so I bowed out.  I told her that I would go with her next Saturday and even put it on the calendar.  I - believe it or not - am somewhat of an introvert when I don't know what I'm doing and around people I don't know.  Yes, I know Ms. Vicky, but I don't know her friend.  Haven't used the pool at the rec center either.  Just didn't feel like learning/meeting new yesterday.

So what did I do?  I cleaned out the refrigerator and scrubbed it down.  Got rid of some expired items in there.  We went to the grocery store (yes, hubby went with me).  I fixed dinner when we got home.  Couldn't believe the rotisserie chicken I bought at Frys was not cooked all the way through. Usually the meat falls off the bone; not this time, it was still pink.  I did pull some off (that was cooked) for us to have chicken tacos last night, but I will put it back in the oven today after church to finish cooking it.  And, after dinner, I made some cranberry/strawberry jam.

It was a nice day - nothing pressing, and I actually got some things done, which always makes me feel good. Worked on a blanket as we watched a couple movies last night.  I think I would have rather read, but 'it is what it is' - right?

I remembered about 9:30PM last night about my son's invitation to come hear him sing at the Post.  But, we were already in bed.  I need to write myself a note ... may not be this next weekend either, but we may surprise him some time.  I always have loved to hear him sing.  

Today is Sunday and we will start getting ready for church soon.  Yes, we are now physically going to church.  We like this church and the people are very friendly and make us feel welcome.  Hubby has plugged into the men's bible study to get to know others, but I haven't plugged in anywhere as of yet.  I will in perhaps a few months, but I'm just not in any hurry.  Perhaps it tis the fear of rejection as I felt at the last church, but I don't believe that would happen here.  I just want to get to know people before I plug in.  If I wasn't working I could be involved in the day monthly things some women do, but I do work so I cannot.  And that's ok.  When it's time, and the desire is there, I will make that decision.

Don't have much on the agenda for today other than church.  Maybe I'll make that trip to Lowes to get more flowers.  I'm not really much of a shopper - in spite of going 'shopping', but can choose a few things.  I usually just tell myself to save money - quit spending it.  There is nothing we need.

I would love to go sit out on the courtyard this morning and have another cup of coffee.  Enticing, but I will get more out of going to church.  Yes, we have a choice - 9AM, 10:30AM, or 12PM.  But, we like going to the early service and then it feels like we have the rest of the day.  Actually, the 10:30AM would probably be best, and that would give us extra time for the 2nd cup of coffee and sitting in the courtyard, but.. well, if we go at 9AM, we are out a little after 10AM and can go to brunch. :-)  You know how 'we' love to eat.

I've started two books by the same author.  Maybe I will share from one of them tomorrow - I need to get off here and start getting ready for church.  But I will leave you with this thought....

"When was the last time you were desperate for God to intervene in your life, in your circumstances, and to help you?"

I don't think anyone really wants to be 'desperate' for anyone or anything... but God is our refuge and our strength, and if I am to be desperate for anyone or anything, I pray that it be HIM.

Blessings!

Gonna be a short one

 as I still need to jump in the shower and get started on today.  Mother's Day.  I loved being a mom, but being a grandma and a great-grandma takes the cake!  I used to say my grandchildren made me feel young.  Now it's the great-grandchildren.  Only it seems to be a bit harder to get down and up to play with them.  But I still do it.  I just wish I saw them more often so that I could stay 'in the habit' of getting up and down! (no guilt trips)

My Virta reporting this morning wasn't good.  We went out for NY Combo Pizza at Streets of New York last night - and I indulged.  Lots of carbs in that crust.  Sigh.  And I obviously ate too many pieces.  Not only did the scare move up several ounces, but my glucose this morning was 114.  OOPS.  It was 94 yesterday.  Yeah, I think I ate too much.  But it was so good!  Hit the spot.  And being Mother's Day - I may - or may not - get back on track today.  So there!

I need to get up and moving this morning as we will be going to the 9AM church service.  Which means I need to jump in the shower for sure within the next 15 minutes or so.  I did go to the Mother's Day Brunch yesterday at the church and had a good time.  This one lady - Vashti - yes, just like the Queen who was de-throned when Esther became Queen, sat beside me.  At the end of the brunch they put four questions up on the screen and asked us to 'make conversations'.  I had to laugh for this woman said exactly what I feel!  She liked isolation!  She loves her family - I think she is a widow as she says she now lives alone - and her children are grown and gone.  She is retired.  But she said she loves being alone and it just being her and Jesus.  I get that!  How many times have I wished for time a-l-o-n-e to where I could just spend it with Jesus?  

You may not get that.  But when you have someone 'with you' constantly - even though you get a break on occasion for a couple hours - the thought of being alone with God and your Bible always takes me to the Hermitages I used to go to.  I've asked hubby to let me go to a hotel alone - and even offered to get him a separate room - for us to be alone with God - totally alone - for two or three days.  Absolutely not!  If we go on a retreat, it must be 'together' and in the same room.  After all, he might be alone..... or something might happen to me, right?  Sigh.  Not saying he shouldn't be with me... but if you know me, you understand what I'm saying.  And when Vashti mentioned how much she loved her alone days with Jesus - I get it!  She said she enjoys her children coming to visit; she loves doing things with friends.  But she loves her days when she can be isolated from the world and just be with Jesus.  I definitely get it.

Our umbrella has been put together and is over the furniture outside.  I decided I need to get protective covering for the furniture for we don't often sit out there, but for what we paid for it, certainly don't want the wind, rain, sun to destroy the cushions.  If it wasn't for church this morning, I'd suggest to hubby for us to go out and sit and have a cup of coffee and maybe read for a bit.  But, need to get moving and get in the shower.

I've received several mother's day greetings this morning.  I hope my girls who are mothers have a wonderful day!  My daughter made me laugh the other day.  She made a comment that she gets it now when we tell our children 'it's ok I'm not 'first'.  If you know me, you know what I mean.  There is good - and bad - in that statement. Sometimes.  And I'll leave that there.  I think my daughter told hubby that they would be stopping by today.  

I don't need gifts and fancy stuff.  I have no plans for today.  I just need to know I am loved.  That means the world to me.

Off to the shower!  Have a blessed day!

Blessings!

A package received...

 I received a package Saturday.  Well, I did, and I didn't.  It wasn't addressed to me.  It was addressed to Mehrdad.  But it had our address.  I checked our HOA list to see if someone nearby had that last name - they did not.  Trying to get communication to Amazon I received something I didn't order is like pulling teeth.  You have to jump through all these 'hoops' of is it this or is it that and did that help answer your question?  UGH.  I read a paragraph that said there is a new scam going with Amazon that packages will be sent addressed to you and you didn't order, to report it.  Now, why would people do that? It makes no sense as to what kind of 'scam' that would be - but the thought occurred to me, since this wasn't really addressed to me personally (addressed to Mehrdad), could someone come by and say 'oops, I sent my package to you...' and give an excuse or reason to find out who lives here?  I don't know - that might be far-fetched, but it concerned me enough that a stranger may come by asking for the package that I did contact Amazon and tell them that I received a package, gave the tracking number, and they had no space to tell them any information.  They also said to not worry about returning the package.  That's fine - it is two children's books - The Wonkey Donkey and one other one, forget what it is.  Not like they are valuable things.  I'll return to Amazon if they tell me to. I may use these for a gift for a small child. Never know when I need one.  

Yesterday was a quiet day, sorta.  We went to church, of course, and Pastor Michael (our worship paster) spoke, and it was good.  I just can't get used to the yelling in to the mic - and he's a white dude!  LOL  He did tell an interesting story.  He had not been raised in church.  His dad hurt his back in an accident and in the surgery, his spinal cord was nicked, which made him paralyzed.  He was flipping through the channels one Sunday morning and Jimmy Swaggert (a Pentecostal pastor) was preaching and Swaggert said at that pause in seeking through the channels, that there is a man sitting in a wheelchair, and if he would touch the TV screen, he would be healed.  Pastor Mike's dad rolled his wheelchair over to the screen (what did he have to lose, right?) and touched the TV screen...... and are you ready for this?  He got up from his wheelchair and started walking.  God still heals, even through TV screens.  They started attending a Pentacostal church and the rest is history.  What a miracle!

Which reminds me, hubby started his 30 day pills on Sunday.  He really made a big deal of it.  He is really scared of the side effects of even this pill, which is to ward off side effects of the shot he will receive in 30 days.  I must admit that some of the side effects are really 'out there'. But I guess they have to list them all. We see these advertisements on TV and listen to the side effects and go 'oh please, can I take that so that I can experience all those symptoms - even death?  NOT!  I realize they have to list all those - but - well, enough, ok?  Anything you take will have some side effect, whether you realize it or not - right away or long term.  

My sister used to take two excedrin every morning to ward off migraines.  She did this for years.  Did it prevent the migraines? I don't think so, but she took them, and now she has issues with her esophagus and well, she can't take them every day anymore.  Oh, the cause of her migraines, which she still gets, by the way.... years ago they did an MRI (I think) of her head and she has a cyst right between her eyes.  Occasionally it will fill up with ? (liquid?) and as the pressure builds, she gets the migraine.  When it is 'full', the pain is overwhelming.  Then it will 'burst' (don't ask me where the 'liquid' goes) and the migraine goes away.  This can last up to a week.  The suggestion was back then that she could have surgery, they will cut between the eyes and remove the cyst.  She refused.  Why?  Because she didn't want a scar on her face.  Even one less than an inch long. She would rather suffer through the migraine.  Now mind you, that was what I was told years ago.  And I do mean years.  Both of her boys also suffer from severe migraines, as do a couple of her grandchildren.  I don't think they each have this problem.  Ah... my mind is wandering.  My big brother, Sammy, had migraines too.  I used to, but God healed me.  He did.  A friend prayed for my migraines to go away, and they did.  I may get a headache on occasion, but not a migraine - and there is a big difference between the two!

Saw an email from my oldest son this morning that made me smile. And read the same comment in his blog this morning.  I read his blog like he reads mine. LOL  I miss it when he doesn't write!  Anyway, a 1:1 breakfast is in my future and I am looking forward to it.

Today I'm back to work - and I can't believe I am already running out of time to write in here!  Not sure why the time is going by so fast this morning, but I sure hope it continues through today.  I have my 4:30PM gym training tonight and she's going to work on my core.  I know I will be hurting tomorrow - and for the rest of the week, probably.  It will help me keep my balance though, if I can work on my core to strengthen it.  Trying to lunges and I lose my balance (putting one foot out in front of the other then going down on one knee, alternating).  Also some side stepping I lose balance - not enough to fall, but enough I can't hold my form.  It will definitely help me, and Morgan has already warned me we will do it tonight.  The last time I worked on core with Trayden, I hurt so bad in my 'core' that I couldn't push down the foot of the recliner and hubby had to put it down!  LOL  Seriously!  

I'm already irritated at my male boss this morning.  Not only did legal send him the pdf he was requesting last week, but I have sent him several emails and a copy.  He emailed me after 5 last Friday that he needs a copy of the pdf so that he could make a decision whether or not to terminate the contract.  I decided not to respond.  I'll check through my emails just in case he READ one of the emails sent to him earlier in the week and respond with the info I need.  That is the last contract I have on the list to terminate. I really want to mark the entire list 'done'.  It was very time consuming and he just makes it extend longer. Grateful he is 'supposed' to go on PTO tomorrow through July 8th. Although he did say that he may work tomorrow (July 2nd).  Will see.  I asked him to please let me know when he was taking time off because I have to move meetings.  How do I find out?  I look ahead so that I can see what is going on and prepare for them.

And with that - I don't have time to even think this morning for it is time to get the work computer turned on and running.  

Today is the day that the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it.   Make today count.  

Blessings!

The words we say....

 My heart has been troubled since I heard it.  A comment was made to a family member that should not have been said - even in jest.  It was crude, rude, and unnecessary, in spite of how they feel about that person.  And the worst part?  I feel it knocked down what they believe they are.... a Christian.  So, yes, I am troubled, and if I have an opportunity, I may say something to them.   Anyway, it has been on my mind since I was told about it, and again later in the day I heard about it again, and I noticed a comment made this morning about it.  People can be cruel, even unintentionally, at times. I know I have done it, or at least thought it, at times.  And I'm sure you have too.  You've had words directed at you or your spouse that should not have been said because it was not spoken in love.  Yes, I may say things about hubby.... but I live with him.  You don't.   I may even agree with your comments. But you have no right to say them to him.  Nor do I have any right to make comments about anyone else's spouse - unless it is uplifting and encouraging.  Does that make sense?  Nor should I say some things about hubby, so I'm just as guilty.

Philippians 4:8 (NIV):  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

The sad part is that it is more of a reflection on the person who said such things than the one whom it was directed at.....and that breaks my heart.

Today is Sunday and we'll be going to church.  I think I mentioned the other day that hubby and I are again discussing going to another church.  I feel, personally, that it is hard to feel connected to the church we are going to - and I have tried to be involved in different areas.  But, and I think it has a lot to what I was raised in - I just can't get used to the jumping up and down, the extremely loud music (so much so that my watch will tell me I am in a 'loud environment') that seems sometimes to go on and on (we sang the chorus 3 times - stop!!) and microphones on full blast - even for prayer!  We are not at a concert; we are in church.  And yes, we can make noise worshipping and praising the Lord; make a joyful noise unto the Lord, the Bible says.  We can do that - but does it have to be at decibel 10?  My youngest son joined us a year ago for church - and even he said it was too loud for him - and he goes to concerts!  My God is not hard-of-hearing!!

We love our pastors, we love the people there.  The messages are great, as a rule.  But sometimes, there is just nothing there.  So is it us?  Or is it the church?  A friend of ours said he couldn't go last week so he watched online and I found it interesting that he said it was disappointing for an Easter service, that it was boring, even the message.  We didn't go nor watch our church as we had the brunch and we watched Jentezen Franklin.  I just don't know what to do.  Hubby and I discussed it the other day and we both feel the same way.... and until we make a decision to go elsewhere and see what the church is like.... we need to still be in church.  There is a fairly new church I saw recently that is small - which I think we both would like - and although I haven't watched a service online yet, I have gone through their beliefs and read what the church was about.  I have mentioned it to hubby but he hasn't responded much about it yet.   Ok - enough of my thought rambling on that.  Bottom line, because our church is so loud, I don't feel comfortable about inviting people to it.  We don't hang out with 'that type of people' who like everything LOUD.  We've gone there three years now and it hasn't changed.  It's been loud from day one but a friend told me it was 'Holy Spirit' filled.  Well, if the Holy Spirit is there, I want to be there.... but.... then I question my own Christianity as most times I feel nothing but the vibes of the music beating against me.  Does that make sense?  Am I not filled with the Holy Spirit?  It has caused me to question my own relationship with God.  Have we put too much 'stock' in what our friend said?  She is perfectly happy with the loudness and all.  I just can't 'feel' it.  Is it just me?  Us?

The sad part?  Because of COVID restrictions in the past, we have gotten so used to watching church online and enjoy the fact I can sit in my pajamas and watch church.  I still sing along with the songs; I still worship and pray; I still have my quiet time with God.  And I had my coffee and could sit and crochet during the commercial.  To 'go' to church I have to get up, shower, get dressed, put make-up on, do something with my hair....... I have to put forth effort.  It became the 'norm' for so many people.  Us included.  I miss it, to tell the truth.  But I also love being with other people.  I miss our 'old' church that was always growing and thriving and had great songs and great messages...... before the pulpit committee brought in a couple pastors who destroyed the body and many saints left the church and went elsewhere.  It took awhile before we took that step, but God kept telling me we were to leave and I just didn't want to leave our friends.  We finally did.  But with our move out here, we needed to find still another place...and we haven't found that place we could call our 'church home yet'..... ok - enough of this.

We've been invited over for dinner at our daughter's today for carne asada.  It's always so good and it's a treat for us.  Looking forward to it.  But, I will need to cook lunch for us; I thawed out salmon yesterday and I need to get it cooked - so guess what is for lunch today!  I think it's called 'brewpub mustard salmon' or something like that.  LOL  

So with my thoughts all over the place this morning I think I will hush.  I will leave you with this - something we have all said at one time or another.....

"If you can't say something nice about someone, then keep your mouth shut."   You have no idea what they are going through.  You don't know what the root of the issues are.  You are not walking in their shoes.  Regardless of our thoughts about them, we are not them.  Keep our thoughts and comments to ourselves.  Right or wrong, be quiet.  Remember the saying I mentioned the other day?  It's better to be thought a fool, than speak and remove all doubt.

Think on these things.

Blessings!

Trying to be considerate

 sometimes causes me to forget.  I have a couple relatives in my life who try to sleep past 5-6AM each morning, and I respect that.  I know that when the phone receives a message, it will ding.  Why don't we turn our phone off?  Because it might be one of our children, an emergency with someone, or well, it could be anything.  My 'dings' during the night can be Kohl's, JCP's, Michael's or JoAnn's.  Truly!  Rarely is it anyone - unless they send a text around 9:30PM.  Rarely do I get a text early in the morning, like after I'm up.  I take that back.  I do have a few as they know I'm up; and LOL, yesterday it was my boss telling me Happy Easter, about 5AM.  And that was ok.  She knew I was up.  She is also an early riser.  So where am I going with all this?  Unless I pause (sometimes) in here, before I come out, and send a special text to someone... sometimes I forget.  I get busy with my day and I just forget to send it.  I realized this morning I forgot to send my middle child and his wife a 'Happy Easter;.  I know they probably don't care that I didn't.... I didn't forget them at all; I just didn't want to send a note early in the morning and then after that, it was church, grabbing things and heading over to daughter's for lunch, clean up, etc. and when we got back home, I got busy with other things.  I respect they prefer messages after they get up - and I know when one works, or can't sleep well, if they can grab a few minutes extra of sleep, it is priceless.  So, with that, Happy Easter to my middle child.... cause I thought of you... but didn't want to wake you nor your wife, and then life just got busy.  I love you  - and Happy Easter - belatedly.

In fact, I wanted to sleep in this morning.  Hubby woke me at 2:43am with his tossing and turning - and when he stopped, he face was right in front of mine.  WAAYAYYAYAY too close!  So I flipped over on my other side and tried to go back to sleep, but finally got up and came in here - where I did fall back to sleep for a couple hours.  Until I  heard hubby shuffling down the hallway, anyway.  Some days I want to sleep a little later too.  Without interruption.  I know if we slept in separate beds we both would sleep better.  But, hubby will not 'allow' it.  His flip flopping keeps me awake many a night... yet, he claims I can keep him awake with my snoring.  He always has a comment about 'me'.  Oh well,  enough of that.

Church ran long yesterday but it was good.  I heard our old church had the wife of the pastor speak and that she was awesome.  Our church had an impromptu baptism what started out as 3 people and ended up as 5.  A father got to baptize his two daughters; another father got to baptize his son.  His son was in the band, and he came down and asked if he could also get baptized (his father baptized him) and then a woman on the worship team wanted to be baptized.  They also had about 8 young women dressed in white who did a 2-minute or so dance routine.  Worship was good, message was good.  I wish I could remember the four points made - but it all was based on Matthew 28.  Great service. And my youngest son and his wife did attend with us.  I told them after that our services didn't usually run that long.  Grateful they came.   Love having my children attend church with me.  

The rest of the day was good too - a great lunch; fun watching one of the great granddaughters hunt for Easter eggs; spending quality time with a granddaughter listening to her plans to expand and grow her little business.  Ms. Amy kept calling me and so did another friend.  I finally got my phone on the second call from Ms. Amy.  She was a little irritated I hadn't answered her call earlier... she just wanted to know if a couple had come over to look at her fruit trees to get an estimate on cutting them back for her.  I don't know if they came or not... I did see a couple guys get out of a truck in front of her house Saturday... assume that was who it was.  She will get their quote today; she didn't need to call me.  Oh well.  Then another friend called the second time so I called him back.. he didn't really want anything either.  Overall, it was a good day... hubby fell asleep in his chair last night and I woke him when it was time to go to bed.

Back to work this Monday morning and I know I have two meetings today, but nothing 'bad'.  The first one at 8AM is my monthly 1:1 with my boss.  LOL we talk frequently 'off the record' and meet up once a month or so for breakfast (we are meeting next week for lunch!) so it isn't like we don't chat.  Then she has a 'direct report' meeting around 12:30PM I think that I get invited to - so that I can hear what is going on within the different departments she is over.  Other than that, sigh, I have about 18 'compliance required training' in my mail bucket that I have to go in and complete before a date in July.  Everyone dreads those - they are time consuming, but if you don't complete them, you get reported to Compliance who has to report it to the IRR, I think it is, and it can and usually does, cost the job.  It's easier just to do them and get it over with.  Which is what I usually do.  They dropped in our mail two weeks ago and I got one or two of them done - before Compliance pulled them out; they had sent out too early.  We aren't to start on them until today.  

Romans 5:6-8 (NIV): "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

I think that scripture pretty well sums up Easter, don't you think?  "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." What a powerful statement that is!  We don't have to be perfect people, we don't have to powerful people.  Jesus loves us right where we are at.  He died for me (and for you) before we were even created.  And He rose to life again, defeating death, that we also might live again with Him.  No other 'god' has risen again.  Never put a 'little god' before our Great and Mighty God.  He is our great Defender, our Redeemer, our Friend.

Oh - in my "Betty Crocker" time on Saturday, I forgot to tell you one thing that I made!  I made butter!  LOL  I don't know what got in to me to want to do it... remembering my 'Aunt Margarine' and the one time we churned butter (in the large wooden butter churn) might have done it.  But I had bought this glass container from Amazon; it has a lid on it, to which is attached paddles.  You pour heavy whipping cream into it and start 'churning' - turning the gadget... for about 20 minutes... and you look inside and you see butter!  You pull the butter out, soak it in ice water to firm it up and get the rest of the milk out of it.  The remaining milk in the container is buttermilk and they say to use it in buttermilk pancakes.  I threw it away cause I knew I wasn't going to make any.  Anyway - I made unsalted butter.  I could add salt; I can add herbs or other seasonings to it; I could add cinnamon and sugar to it.  I could do all those things.  But I made butter.  And it brought back to mind special memories of good times.

What is something you could do today that would bring back special memories?   Maybe it's baking cookies.  Maybe it is writing a note to someone who means something to you.  Maybe it is taking someone out for coffee and just chat about fun times with them.  Take some time today to do something fun and brings joy.

Blessings!

Flashes of Lightening...

 Yesterday morning was a typical first Saturday morning of a month.  I got up, came in here and did my time with God.  I wrote in here about a dream I had had.  I got dressed; ate some yogurt for breakfast, got my things together, and headed to Needles of Hope.  All seemed fine.  It was looking to be a beautiful day.

As I sat in the group at Needles of Hope... the flashes of lightening started in my eyes.  No intense pain, just as before.  But the flashes of lightening seemed worse this time.  I could look at other people and could only partially see them.  The lightening bolts were steadfast and would not move.  My silent migraine, as I call it, was alive and active, and I have no idea what brought it on.  The lightening bolts lasted for about 20 minutes, then went away.  A dull ache centered in the center of my forehead, between the eyes.  It was there most of the day.  .

As the day progressed, I pushed through it.  My daughter and I went to look at 'mom/grandmother of the groom dresses'.  We found a couple but opted against buying anything just yet. In fact, I had already ordered a dress from Macy's and received notification yesterday it was ready for pickup.  I may run over some time today and pick it up.  I'm hoping it will be way too big.  SIGH.  I ordered two sizes larger than what I normally look at because I know sizes do not run true... and the size chart they had ...well, it showed me I needed the larger size.  If it is close to fitting, I'm set.  If not, well, I'll keep looking.

After that one stop I headed home, stopping at Sam's Club to pick up a few things; I had made salsa a couple nights ago, not knowing hubby had already eaten the chips we had.  So - picked up more chips (just what we need, right?) and a few other thigs.  Once home, found hubby asleep.  The TV was on.  He was out cold.  I brought in the groceries, put them away.  I sat on the couch and crochet'd some, waiting on him to wake up.  Finally I got up and came in here to call my little sister and we chatted nearly an hour... and I hear him get up.  He stops by my door and asks "when did you get home?".  He couldn't believe I had been home over an hour and he had slept that entire time.  I was in bed by 8:30PM as I was exhausted by the constant dull pain.  I actually slept all night without waking up, until 4:45AM this morning.  Unusual, for sure.  Hubby stayed up a bit so I don't know when he came to bed - and he slept in until about 5:30AM I think.  Ah... you needed to know all that, didn't you?

Seeing flashes of lightening always reminds me of a chorus in the Revelation Song.

"...Clothed in rainbows of living color / flashes of lightening, rolls of thunder / Blessing and honor, strength and glory / and power be to You the only wise King, yeah....

....Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, God Almighty / Who was and is and is to come, yeah / with all creation I sing praise to the King of Kings / You are my everything and I will adore You / Holy holy, You are holy...."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-Gxjtd6Wp4

Flashes of Lightening, rolls of thunder... what in the world is going on with my head?  I mentioned the lightening to my eye doctor the other week and they didn't think it was anything to do with my eyes.  This is about the third time within a couple months I think.  If it continues to do this, I may schedule an appointment with my PCP to get a referral for a MRI or neurologist or whatever to check it out.  I can always imagine things happening.  I call it my silent migraine.  But I haven't had migraines in over twenty years.  And I'm reminded of a friend who had things happen (don't remember what) that blinded her...and in an eye doctor checking for the blindness... sent her to a neurologist an she was diagnosed with MS.  Don't want my thoughts to go there.  It's just a weird thing.  There was one other time that my right eye lost it's sight several months ago.  But I had gotten a deep massage and he had spent a lot of time on my neck.... so I figured he had just messed with something that affected it that one time.  It had only lasted a short time and did not give the lightening bolts.  Interesting, to say the least.  I'm taking notes so will have if it happens again.

Next Sunday is my last preaching time this season.  Won't have again until November.  I need to work on tweaking the message I've started on.  It will be on John 15.  Yeah, go ahead and look it up if you are curious.  I'll share more later, perhaps.  I usually do when it's on my mind.

Hubby suggested yesterday we stay home today and watch Jentezen Franklin (Free Chapel) for church. I actually agreed, for I'm still not 100% head clear, and with the loud worship, am a bit concerned it might trigger something in the head.  Usually I would say no, we are going (didn't he also ask that last week?)  I think he misses the times we stayed home and watched Jentezen on TV (he is also on You Tube - check the services out!).  We definitely had worship here at home and many times felt God's Holy Presence as we watched the service, and it would last throughout the day.  It was always so peaceful.  I kind of miss staying home and not getting dressed up too.

Don't go to church and don't want to mess with going?  Find a church service you can watch and listen to.  We are called to be in community with other believers, but because of COVID, I've learned that we can attend church via computer live - and Free Chapel / Jentezen Franklin is a great one to watch.  He preaches the Bible and speaks the Word to where you can understand it.  We haven't watched him in months since we have been going to church... am actually looking forward to watching him this morning.  He is just a servant, bringing the Word of the Lord.  I'm not setting him up as an idol... I enjoy listening to him and getting the Word from him.  Just like we do our pastor.   Just realized that the service is on at 7AM and 9AM our time.... next Sunday, March 12th - it changes to 6AM and 8AM our time due to the time change.  They are in Georgia.  (It's 9AM and 11AM in Georgia).

https://www.youtube.com/live/d7TkFPxxeh0?feature=share

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV):  "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."

What words are you teaching your children?  Are they following in your footsteps as you serve God?  

Are you praying for your children, that they will be blessed and follow Jesus?

Children grow up and sometimes will follow in their parents' footsteps; other times they will live life their way.  Never stop praying for them.  Continuously give them to the Lord, for they are but on loan to you.  I think the hardest thing I ever had to do was give my children and grandchildren to the Lord.  It was painful, it really was.  But I had to take my hands off and allow them to grow in their own way.

But I never stop praying for any of them.  Hubby and I both pray for the children and grandchildren ...and we are believing that God hears our prayers and our prayers will be answered in due time.

Never stop praying; never stop believing....

Blessings!

I thought it might be a dud....

 but God.  He took the message that I wasn't quite sure how it would come out - and spoke to people through it.  More people then ever, I think, commented on it as they went out the door, saying that it spoke to them.  I even had one text me afterwards that she felt I was speaking right at her!  And it could only be God.  I was just the deliverer of the message; it was God speaking to His people.  Thank you, Lord.

He also was with us as we went to Mesa.  We made good time getting down to Mesa and stopped for lunch at a Mexican restaurant called Nando's near the assisted living place.  Oh.my.goodness.  We both got the lunch plate... I got the 'Pollo Rico' which is like the El Pollo Asada (whatever it is called) at Garcia's or Top Shelf.  The LUNCH plate was as big as the DINNER plate at other places.  I still had two chicken burros (?) covered in a jalapeno cream cheese sauce and rice and beans... and no, I couldn't eat it all!  Guess what is for lunch today!  Hubby had a steak carne asada and could not eat it all.  I am sure he is thinking he gets it all for lunch today... but I may fool him and eat my own chicken and leave him what he had for leftovers.  It was so good and we were impressed with the place.  It wasn't bad price wise for the lunch plate - $12 for me; hubby, because he wanted steak carne asada, was about $15.50.  More than enough food, our waiter was awesome, and we enjoyed the lunch.

We made it to the assisted living place and went to the dining room where the service was to be held.  Since my boss' dad was the first tenant at the assisted living, he knew everyone, was the 'welcome ambassador', and was so friendly to everyone.... the dining room was full of not only residents, but employees who wanted to honor him.  The service went well; God worked through the words I had to share; and the AL provided sandwiches and fruit, veggies, nuts, sodas, water and tea for everyone as their way to honor him.  We finally left about 3:30PM and headed back home.  It was a little over an hour's drive.  I had told my boss I was doing it because I loved her dad.  I had met him a few times over the years.  I wanted to honor him.  My boss gave me a card when I got there and I put it away until on the way home I opened it to read it.  She wrote a very nice thank you... and had put money in it... which I didn't expect.  I understand why... and it is appreciated... but the thank you note was enough.

Unless the RV park I spoke at yesterday calls me to speak again (They are extending services through Easter), I am done for the season at this park.  I have one more time at the RV park up north, and that is one I will be working on for the next couple weeks.  Then I will be done for the season.  I think November 12 is the start for the next season for me.  Yep, this RV park already has me scheduled once a month for the next season.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV):  "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus."

That scripture has popped in to my mind this morning.  I think back over the past when hubby and I struggled financially for years, and yet, God always provided what we needed.  We screwed things up a lot of times by going after the things we WANTED, but He always met us for what we needed. And He continues to provide what we need to this day.  I am so grateful that He loves us and watches over us.

And He loves you and watches over you as well.  So many people take things for granted.  They may always have lots of food to eat; they may always have money to do whatever they want to with... but do they realize what a blessing that is?  I can remember when going to Burger King after church on Sundays was a treat for us!  We have become a greedy group of people, always wanting things and not seeking diligently after the heart of God.

People do not realize how much God wants to bless them.  All He asks is that you accept Him as Lord of your life, and give Him the honor due Him.  To love Him; to worship Him as Lord.  We tend to put so many other things before Him.... and that is our failure in life.  We may - or may not  - have success in the things we do without Him... but when you dedicate your life and your family to Him,  He will walk the journey of life with you and it will be so much more successful.  You will never be in need, for He says He will meet all your needs.  But our God is a jealous God... He must be first in your life.  We are not to put anything in front of Him.

Anything means anything.  Not money. Not desires. Not projects. Not jobs. Not people. Not anything.  We are not to love anything more than Him.

Sound impossible?  If you love God first, then He will give you the desires of your heart for your enjoyment.  But sometimes also, what you think are your desires may not be what God wants for you and to give you.  He sees the big picture of our desires and if it will be good for us or not.  He doesn't want to harm us or cause us problems; He wants to bless us.  But He must be first.

It really isn't hard to let God be first in our lives.  How I wish I had known way back when what I know now!  If I had put God first... if I had been taught about God when I was a child and knew His ways, oh how my life would have been so different!  But God still watched over me and took me to where I would run back to Him and seek Him only and put Him first.  If all I have is taken away, I still will have Jesus.  No one can take Him away from me.

Back to work today - timecard Monday - but since they took one department away from me - timecards are so easy as they are all salaried employees.  I can approve without them approving their cards as I can see if they put in for PTO or not.  So much easier.  

We are planning a trip to Tucson next Saturday.  I'm still paying a lot for a hotel room, but I want to go see my granddaughter and her family.  I don't want to go all year and not see them until Christmas.  I've got to make the effort to see my grandchildren more.  I know they are busy - as I am - but I need to reach out.  Christmas to Christmas with them being near us is far too long. That is my goal this year - to see them more often.  We'll be heading down mid-day to Tucson, visit our granddaughter, check in at the hotel, go back and visit and have dinner with them.  Overnight at the hotel and in the morning we plan to just stay in and read our Bibles and have a 'retreat' time.  After we check out, will stop by and see them as we head back out of town.  I don't want to be an inconvenience to them; but do want to see them and appreciate them taking time out of their busy schedules to see us.

I hope to be able to contact our former neighbor today.  Hubby has made no effort to return his call. When hubby was in the bathroom the other night I grabbed his phone and verified that I had the right number.  I hope to make contact with John today and see if all is ok.  I really want to see him face-to-face so that I can get information from him and make sure we will know if something happens to him. I know John cares about us and would help us if we ever needed him.  But he and hubby just didn't hit it off... he would try to offer help (wisdom) to hubby - and it was resented... oh well - another story another day.

Need to get my thoughts together for another day.  A new employee has been hired and I need to order equipment for him.  Another part of this job that I don't care for.  So many forms to get a new employee taken care of.  Why can't they just have one form and you put all the information on that one form?  It would be so much easier.  Last time I was told I ordered (and they shipped) a double order of monitors.  I can see how that happened - but daggone it - if I didn't have so many forms to fill out to order equipment and things, it wouldn't have happened! UGH.

Hope that your day is a ...

Blessing!

It was a good day - and today is going to be busy!

 It was a good day yesterday with my daughter and granddaughter and my toes and fingers look awesome with the polish on them.  We three discussed doing this once a month - getting at least our fingernails done. Yeah, we could do it ourselves.... and I have been, but my nails were in really (and I mean really) bad shape.  All my fingernails are about down to the quick as I keep chipping them against things.  Today they look nice for church.  Next week may be a different story.  Found my bag of polish recently, and had some good memories of painting my oldest granddaughter's fingernails in the pink and silver sparkle many years ago.  Yeah...I even still have those... they are probably dried up, but I still have them.

We have church this morning and I'm looking forward to some good praising and worshipping the LORD.  We heard something from a friend - that was announced when we weren't there - our church is going to one service for the summer (if not permanently).  We have wondered about it... is it because it is less expensive to have one service and save on air conditioning in the summer?  Is it getting too difficult for our pastors to fill the pulpit for two services every week?  We don't know.  We heard it will be going to one service at 10AM.  I know they did one service Thanksgiving weekend, Christmas and New Years.  We weren't at any of those services as we were speaking elsewhere.  

We have mixed emotions about going to one service.  There aren't a lot of people in the first service; service is on a timeline as it needs to be completed before time for the second service.  We are out by 10:30am or so and able to be the first ones in line for lunch (as a rule).  By going to a 10AM only service, there will be no time constraints (the Holy Spirit can do whatever He wants to do and won't be stopped), and ... well... we are having mixed emotions because the 2nd service, which started at 11AM before, was a bit longer than what our 9AM service was.  It will all work out.  We still love our pastors and the people we have met there.  Would like to get more involved, but it is in God's timing, not ours.  

Our hallway alarm went off this morning.  Hubby and I 'met' underneath it to stop the shrieking alarm.  We took it down; I am going to believe that the battery has worn out.  We will stop and pick up new ones today or tomorrow.  Can't put that off, for one never knows when something could happen and we need to be awakened.  We have only two I think (will have to walk around and look at the ceilings to check) but however many it is, will need to pick up and replace.  But, maybe it is a better idea to just replace this one - have them 'go out' at alternate times.  Yeah, that might be a better idea.  I could probably order on Amazon this afternoon and have here tomorrow.

My sister sent me a disturbing note last night.... she asked me to look up 'gaslighting' on google.  She said this is what she has been living with for 30 years and she can't take it any more.  She wants to come out here - and of course I extended the invitation.  Perhaps if she could get away for a few days she will be able to sort things out in her mind on what she needs to do.  Yes, I don't think she should be verbally or mentally abused like she has been; no one deserves that.  But I can't tell her what to do and she needs to determine what is important to her.  Our values are not always the same - and material things mean nothing to me... I certainly can't take them with me when I die.  If my children want them, they can have them.  First and foremost, it is important to live in peace.  

As you know, I've had my moments, and I will take 50% of the responsibility of it being my problem. But I think we are at a place now that it is no where near as bad as it has been at times.  (watch the devil stir up stuff now)  We both know that God must be the Center of our lives, of our home.  Yeah, we both fall and say the things - with attitude - that we shouldn't say.  I'm sure that shocks you that I do that. But I'm human too, and no matter how perfect IN Christ I want to be, I fall.

For example, I will confess I made a snarky comment the other day... only because as I write this it came back to my mind.  Hubby got a small package the other day.  He thought it was mine and made his own snarky comment about 'another package' arriving (I've had several books come in lately from Thriftbooks).  Only this package wasn't for me.  It had his name on it.  So I handed it back to him with my own snarky comment of "what did you spend my hard-earned money on now?"  OOPS.  It just came rolling out.  There was no stopping it.  See, I think that's why he always insists on getting the packages and mail - he orders things and doesn't want me to know about it.  His response?  "I put money in the bank too and I can buy things with it!"  And he does have that right.  I just had to get that snarky comment in - especially when he comments on when I get a package.  My things are paid for by me, never him.  I don't deserve his comments either.

Enough of my rambling, right?  Day 15 of our fasting.  It has gotten easier for hubby and I since we added chicken and fish. But I have noticed that we both have been snacking on things other than fruits and vegetables (for him, salsa and chips).  I think we need to chat about that and make a point to cut out the snacking this week.  We've gotten lax, and I want to get back to focused fasting.  What he does is between him and God, but I am going to bring it to his attention today that we need to cut it out. 

Today will be somewhat busy.... church this morning, then I told Ms. Amy I would drive over and visit her.  I need to get her Lexus out of her garage and drive it over there.  Then tonight I want to go to another church and hear someone speak at a conference.  Not sure if hubby is going to go - but I really don't see him letting me go alone.  I'm skipping the Bible study to go... which is another thought process I'm going through.  More on that another time.

Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV);  "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Jesus commands his followers to pray using three imperatives: Ask, Seek, and knock. All three words are in the present tense, indicating a continuous action: Keep on asking, seeking, and knocking. All three commands are also accompanied by a response from God: His people receive; find, and have the door opened to them. God answers prayer.

Sometimes the answers come like we want.  But many times they don't.  Why is that?  Because God sees the big picture and we do not.  Even if our hearts are devoted to Him and we follow Him perfectly, we do not always get what we ask for.  Why is that?  Because God is a loving Father and He knows what is best for us.  

As much as I have grumbled over time about my marriage and about hubby.... I believe that God was in it.  Why?  Because our struggles in marriage led me to Jesus.   I truly believe that if we had not married and moved away, I would not be the person I am today.  I would not know Jesus Christ as Lord of my life.  It took our struggles for me to run to Jesus and seek Him, ask Him for forgiveness, and He opened the door to a whole new future.  He can do that for you as well.  I received Him, because I sought after Him, I have asked Him for things, and He always provides, and there are times I have pounded on the door of Heaven for things, and He responds.  Our God is a good, good, Father.

I can remember being at a youth function (the one I was allowed to go to) at a hotel around the age of 14 and crying in my room - and I have no idea what brought that up - but I was crying because God had allowed my daddy to die when I was 7 years old.  I didn't understand then; I do not understand now.  Why would God take my daddy who would love and protect me, and allow my mother to marry a man who would abuse me? I remember crying and asking God in that hotel room.  I don't know why God takes away people who are good and who love and protect us.  My daddy was a preacher man... a worshipper of God... WHY? I have no answers.  But I know that God loves me and cares for me.  I have learned over the years that my dependence is on God alone.  

Our God is a good, good Father.  He is the only One who loves you beyond measure.  Sit back and think about your life - your hardships; your pain, your loss.... and see God's hand in your life.  Did he not give you someone to stand beside you?  Walk through life with you?   Even if you have no one to walk with you physically, God is walking with you spiritually, so you are never alone.  Trust Him. One step at a time. One day at a time.  Choose Him.

He truly is all you need.

Blessings!

Answered prayers come in all forms....

 Yesterday morning for church I decided to wear one of the rings I had gotten from my older sister.  It was a bit loose for my little finger, so I tried my ring finger on my right hand, and although felt a little snug going on, I left it there.  When coming home from church I tried to take it off - and it wouldn't budge.  My finger had swollen enough that it wasn't moving.  Throughout the day I tried various things, and none of them worked.  I am frequently cold, so I thought I'd wait until my fingers got cold, and then pull it off.  Well, I didn't get cold yesterday.  I tried cold water.  I tried a couple more things, only causing my finger to swell a bit more with all the tugging and pulling.  I wore the ring to bed.  This morning I thought I would try the string trick my SIL had done several months ago when I couldn't get another ring off (and have been smart enough not to put it back on).  The string trick?  Wrapping thread around my finger very, very tightly, and then somehow pulling the string and the ring works its way off.  

Well, my finger had swollen around the ring so much the ring would barely move it.  I started to do the string thing first... but decided to wait until hubby brought my coffee as I didn't need an audience to watch something I was trying to remember from months ago.  I knocked something off the table next to me and when I looked down, I saw lotion.  So I picked it up and even knowing that lotion would not just do the trick, I took some lotion and rubbed it all around that finger.  Then I prayed.  And God answered.  I started working the ring and within seconds it slid over the swollen knuckle and off!  My finger is still swollen and looks like someone did battle on it, but the ring is off, thanks be to God.  Answered prayers.

We had a great message yesterday at church.  We remembered September 11, 2001.  And then our pastor showed us a clip of when President Bush - February 5, 2006 I think he said it was - at a news conference in Iraq(?) and the journalist threw his shoes at him.... do you remember that?  The message went from there 'Don't throw your shoes!'   (I hear rain falling outside!  woot!)  Good message on not letting our anger and our words cause us to 'throw our shoes'.... perfect timing, don't you think?  After church hubby wanted to use the rest of my birthday gift card at a restaurant to have lunch... so off we went.  We have enjoyed our meals there and the only thing I didn't care of, which is funny cause everyone everywhere has said how wonderful this one thing is... the pot pie.  I thought it was bland and without taste.  Didn't even bother to eat it all.  Now their loaded potato soup is amazing - although I haven't had it at this location, but in Indiana.  The rest of the food we've had has been great.

I have got to connect somehow with my middle child soon.  In fact, it will be today I will get this taken care of.  Yes, I have a book for him, which he knows about.  But, when I was at the farmer's market on Saturday, I bought 3-4 packages of sugar-free cookies for him.  They are still in my car, waiting to be driven to him.  I'll either get them to his wife or take them over myself later.  I have a massage at 5:30 so it may be me running them up to his wife sometime today.  (and the rain has stopped already). 

A busy day is ahead of me, I'm afraid.  I still need to finish the minutes.  I received notification that we are going to have another new employee which means I need to order new equipment again.  Then I forgot I have a dermatologist appointment this afternoon for a screening, and then my massage at 5:50PM.  I have a meeting at 8AM with my boss.  And then I have my regular work stuff to get done.  I feel so disorganized today for some reason.  Not that I ever feel organized.

Philippians 4:4 (NIV):  "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

No matter what is going on in our lives.  No matter how busy and disorganized we are - or we feel - there is one thing that we can always do, and that is Rejoice in the Lord.  He is always faithful, always steadfast, always sure.  He is the One that you can always count on - even when you feel all hope is lost.  He is your Hope.  He is your strength.  He is your all in all.  Trust and believe.

Blessings!

Meeting new friends...

 We will be going to church this morning - first time since we made the commitment to make this church (for sure) our church home.  It's multi-cultural in the sense that it is full of blacks and whites, some more than others, depending on which service you go to.  We have a black senior pastor.  To us, as long as he is full of the Holy Spirit, that is all that matters, no matter what color one is.  There are good people and there are bad people, no matter what color they are.  We don't look at the color to qualify them.  We look at the heart.

Today, also, we will be meeting the couple who will be leading our small group.  As I mentioned previously, it sounds like (at least) our leaders ae on fire for Jesus and the Word, and that excites me.  I'm looking forward to meeting them.  We've probably seen them before as it was mentioned they work in the sound booth some Sundays and we usually sit to the right of the sound booth (which is at the back of the church) towards the back.  Yeah, couldn't get hubby to go up further, which is odd.  Every church we've attended over the years, he always insisted we sit up near the front - like the second or third row!  But at least we have decided on a church now, and where we sit is fine. 

Have a full day planned for today and then tomorrow evening.  Totally unlike our usual schedule of church and sit around the house.  No, I didn't get the bed cleaned off yesterday.  I did make a couple dishes to take today to the cookout, but other than that, just finished working on baby blanket and watched movies.  Going to bed around 10PM I had hopes again of sleeping a little later, but alas, 4AM the mind awakes, and no matter how I try to go back to sleep, it won't let me.  I don't know what some days I wake up and can't stay awake, and other days I can't go back to sleep.  I wanted to sleep this morning, but my mind sure wasn't letting me - and I wasn't even thinking of anything!  Ever have those times?  

I read an interesting paragraph in the book  "In Pursuit of His Glory" by Gerald Fry that I am reading.  I read this book many years ago and was drawn to it again to read.  Here is what it says:

"The church was not created for our needs.  It was created to be a redeemed, reconciled family of believers to fulfill God's purpose! But our Outer Court ministry is dependent on the Inner Court ministry, so God puts His priority in the Inner Court.  When we neglect this ministry we cannot hope to meet the challenges of life and enable people to access God's grace in their lives."

It may not make sense to some of you, but I totally get it.  So many times churches get so focused on doing things for people, taking care of the people's needs, they totally neglect the Inner Court of being with God.  The Inner Court is where we need to always be.  The Inner Court is where we get renewed and refreshed in the Spirit of the Living God.  It is where Jesus is our focus and all our worship and adoration is centered on Him.  In reality, being in the Inner Court should always be our heart goal.  To open ourselves up to worship and adore the One who loves us and wants us so very close to Him.

Remember in the Biblical times that the tabernacle had the inner court and the outer court?  People could not go past the outer court as the curtain was there.  Only priests were allowed in the inner court.  Jesus, when He died on the cross, ripped that curtain from top to bottom and opened the way that people such as you aned I, can come into the Inner Court with Him.  Such a precious gift and one not to be taken lightly.

When the Tabernacle was recreated and brought to a city nearby and I was able to go through it, an incident happened that has stuck with me.  There were several of us walking through the tabernacle, led by a priest in their priestly robes.  This woman started sobbing.  Not just tears flowing down her cheeks, but real sobbing.  When asked what was wrong, she responded, "I am a Jew, and as a woman, I would never have been allowed to see the Inner Court of the Lord.  Today, because of Jesus, I can come to the Inner Court and worship."  That comment really made an impact on me and has stayed with me.  There is such great joy in coming to the Inner Court of the Lord and worshipping Him.

You can create your own 'Inner Court' by pulling away from distraction and turn your attention to Jesus.  Spend some time with Him, tell Him what you are feeling, what your needs are, what you want from Him.  Tell Him of your confusion, your troubles, your weakness. Ask Him to make you strong.  Ask Him for His blessings of provision.  His blessings of healing.  Just close your eyes and turn your thoughts to Jesus, and rest in Him.  There is nothing like it.

I have always loved this song, and many times I have sung it with tears flowing down my face.  "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."  There is nothing like being in the Presence of Jesus, and looking full in His wonderful face.  I pray you find His Presence.

Blessings!

It ended up being a 'do-nothing' day!

 I totally forgot we needed to get soil to finish up the pots.  It never even entered my mind.  Perhaps we can run out today and pick it up so that I can figure out what I'm going to do with these plants.  We did absolutely nothing yesterday.  Well, I did fix breakfast. After that, not much else.  I went out side and sat in one of the 'lay-back' chairs and for nearly 30 minutes just closed my eyes and listened to the sounds around me.  The sounds of the cars whizzing by on the street a block away; the birds chirping in the trees around me.  Feeling a soft breeze as I laid there.  It was wonderful.  Hubby came out to sit and I am grateful he remained quiet and played with his phone (that is his addiction, I think) while I continued to keep my eyes closed and was quiet.  It was so nice.  That lasted about 30 minutes or so.... then our neighbor got busy cleaning out her garage and was using a vaccum to do something and the loudness of the machine was in sharp contrast to the quiet I was enjoying, so I/we went inside.  I told hubby I couldn't stand the noise invading my quiet.

I came in and read a chapter in The Book of Signs by Dr. David Jeremiah.  I've been reading it this past week - and the other night I checked to see when did he write it - 2019 - because the things he was describing, including naming V. Putin of Russia and the things he is doing, is happening now.  I had to put it down the other night becuase it was too much to grasp.  I read one chapter yesterday and he described how Islam is taking over the world.... very subtle, but ... the way he described it... I have seen it happening.  It's scary for sure, for all the signs point to we are in the end times.

My sister and I have joked that we hope it is a good day when the Rapture happens so that we will be taken up - but in all seriousness, I hope I do get taken up in the Rapture, for the Tribulation is going to be so great that ..... I just don't want to go through it.  Nor do I want my children and grandchildren - and great-grandchildren to go through it.  How I wish (and pray!) that they will each one turn to the Lord and surrender their lives.  We are to live for Him, no matter what we are going through.  We are to choose wisely the things of this world.  Oh that the Lord will help us in all our decisions and choices!

We plan to go to church this morning.  With the time change, Jentezen Franklin of Free Chapel church comes on at 6AM and 8AM now.  The church we are wanting to go to starts at 11AM so that will work out good.  We have time to watch JF and then get ready to go to church.  I've asked God to show us if this is where we are to go ... the first time we went we weren't feeling any connection.  If we don't get it today, I'm not sure if we will give it another try or look for another.  I really do long to find a church we can feel connected in, and eventually become involved in the groups they offer.  I want to do things within the community and be a part of the community.  I know that if it involves manual labor hubby isn't quite so eager, but I do enjoy it.

The coffee tastes like hot flavored water this morning.  No taste at all.  Not a good way to start my day.  It is hard to find a good cup of coffee anymore.  Even when we go out, most often the coffee is yeck.  I'm too cheap to go to Starbucks (they are overrated) or Dutch Brothers (still have to get flavored), and sometimes even the K-cups aren't that good.  Hubby made a pot of coffee this morning.  And he will expect me to drink a second cup as we watch JF this morning.   Oh well.  The only place I have found good coffee is at the cafeteria in my office in Mesa.  They use Gevalia coffee and I don't know what ratio they use, but their coffee is so good.  I have bought Gevalia, but hubby just can't find the ratio.  I bought Maxwell House, and it just isn't doing it this morning.  Maybe I need to go to 'Death Wish' which is an extremely strong coffee.  I love strong coffee, and try to get a dark French Roast, but hubby doesn't like real strong coffee... so I end up buying medium roast.  Pike's has a great French Roast, as does Seattle.  Oh well, obviously I'm blank on what to talk about if I'm spending an entire paragraph chatting about coffee!  I would rather drink water (and usually do) when we go out - even sometimes for breakfast.  Still haven't gotten back up to my gallon a day, but am working on it.  As it gets warmer, I will be drinking more water.

Today my devotional touched on how we have let things that are dysfunctional or wrong - become the norm.  When couples are in debt over their heads and their marriage is in disarray, their children are out of control.... how after awhile, they seem to think all that is normal.  But it isn't.  Paul says in Romans 12:2 (NKJV) "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

So many times we will leave things be, even when we don't agree with it, just because we don't want to fix it, we don't want to put forth the effort to change it, and we don't want to mess with it.  So we instead, choose to 'accept' it, even though we know it is wrong.  It feels good, so it's ok, right?  Not always.  Well, it isn't me, so it's their problem, right?  No, it may not be your issue, or your problem, but if it is wrong, you are held responsible to bring it to their attention.

We are not to be a part of this world, but to stand out from the world by the way we live.  Not that we are perfect by any means, for only Jesus is perfect.  But we are called to live differently.  We are told how to live in the Bible.  The 10 Commandments that were given many years ago, still apply today.  We are not to conform to the ways of this world, to accept them, but to keep our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfector of our faith.

I'm sure you remember when our nation went through the 'phase' of "What would Jesus do?".  It still applies today.  I remember when that first 'hit' me.  My mother had a book called 'In His Steps' by Charles Sheldon.  I remember how that book began to define how I lived when I first read it.  I have read it numerous times since then (yes, I still have the book), and may take time to read it again.  I am always encouraged to do my best to follow the steps of Jesus.  Sometimes it is so very hard to make that choice, but when I do, it is always worth it.

Today is Sunday.  What if, today, you decided to follow Jesus?  What if, today, you chose to walk 'in His steps'?  How would your life change?  Would it change at all if you followed Him?  What would change if you did?  Maybe that is where you need to start.  

One step at a time.  In His steps.

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!