A good stay, ready to go home.

 I started - and finished - Stop in the Name of God by Charlie Kirk this weekend.  If you have the opportunity to read it, do so.  It is a very good book and gives you a lot of think about.  I admit, the first few chapters felt like they were somewhat over my head, but I pursued in the book and I am glad I did.  He felt the same way I did about spending specific time away with God.  Hence, this weekend.  Yes, I wanted to get out of the house, and for those who don't understand my desires, it is easier to just say 'see different four walls.  But for those who know me, know that I treasure these times when we can get alone, be silent, and just spend unlimited time with God and be still.  I'm glad I already put in place what he refers to - giving God my total attention.  With Charlie, though, he talked about honoring the Sabbath, or Sabbat, which is Saturday.  As often as he could, he would turn off his phone at sundown Friday night and leave it off until sundown Saturday night.  That time, in biblical times and now, is considered the Sabbath. During that time he spent quality time with God, with family, no TV, no work, no texts nor calls.   Could we do that?

I found the book interesting and encouraging, and wanting to be a godly woman, I want to make more of an effort to give God His Sabbath.  Not sure how I can do it.  But, anyway, Charlie said that when he couldn't do it on the Friday night to Saturday evening, he would choose another day during the week where he would turn off his phone (literally!), place it in a drawer and take his focus off things around him and focus on God and family.  Could you do that?  Could I do that?

Something to consider as I enter tis new year fast that starts today. I am still having trouble thinking specifically as to what I will 'give up' for 21 days.  I decided for one, to give up coffee.  Don't be so shocked; I have switched to tea.  It's still hard to give up coffee as I like the taste of it, but I am drinking tea.  Breakfast downstairs (still at hotel, leaving today) I had to make choices.  Now I don't need people dissecting what I chose to eat and what I chose to skip.  I had a cheese omelet.  Really good crisp bacon.  I skipped the cajun potatoes and french toast.  Tempted, on the toast, but skipped it.  Bread is one of my big addictions, as you know. Could I give up bread?  I got a small bowl of oatmeal and poured whole milk on it.  (and nearly gagged; I think the milk was spoiled so in the trash that went!)  I got a small scoop of vanilla yogurt and added granola.  And tea with lukewarm water.  Yeah, breakfast starts at 7:30AM - we were there at 7:40AM - how in the world could the hot water be lukewarm in ten minutes?  I have pretty much decided that as I eat, as I prepare food, that I will let God direct me on what I need to give up each time.  I may not be consistent; I may be consistent (i.e., the bread) - but God knows my heart and knows that I choose Him about all food and all things.  Hoping to lean more into fruits and vegetables and less processed foods.

This cold is really kicking our butts.  Still taking all the meds I brought with us.  Will add some that I forgot to bring once we get back home.  It's been a week now; that's long enough.  We moved our hosting of our bible study to the 14th from the 7th.  Just told the group we have colds and are not over them yet.  They agreed to start back on the 14th at our house.  Gives me time also to get the trees down and put away.  

We check out today and I think I'm ready to go home.  It's been a good weekend, a good getaway, but it is never like I want it to be.  Doing my 'quiet time' with someone in the room sometimes feels awkward, although he isn't watching me, hubby is there.  And I am there while he is doing his, although he has his back to me.  I'm just more conscious he is 'there'.  For now, he is sitting on the couch with me and I'm kinda turned into the corner to almost face him, so that he can't see what I'm writing.  He did ask me (again) if I was journaling in my computer instead of a paper journal, and I just responded "I sometimes do both' and left it at that.  I don't need him to go on here and do reading.  Or maybe I need to 'get over that' as well.

And with that, I think I'm going to close and get off here. I know I haven't been writing much, but, what is there to write.

My youngest son and wife headed to North Carolina this morning and then to Florida to go to Disney World this week with her sister and family.  

My daughter and hubby, along with their daughter in law and granddaughter (who flew in for a wedding this weekend), have text'd that they are on the road heading to New Mexico.  I think they will be there also a week.

I haven't heard from my oldest son, which is really not unusual, but I do check his blog every day, hoping for updates.  At least he is still here in town. :-)

And I'm back to work tomorrow.  Yahoo.  But I also realize that I complain a lot about that.  Maybe that should be something I pray about, that I would quit complaining.  As for what else I am praying for specifically this 21 days, well, I am not going to list. Those thoughts are between God and I.

Psalm 46:10 - Be still and know that I am God.

I think I am going to use it for this 21 days as my focus.

Be Still.  Listen.  He just might have a word for you.

Blessings!

Going home...

 I'm not sure if hubby is ready to go back to the 'real world' today, but I am.  I can only 'not do anything but   read and crochet' for so long.  I don't think I would do good in a retirement setting... unless I got to do the things I like to do... just saying.   Getaways like this always make me grateful for a job to go back to.

We had a fairly quiet day yesterday (imagine that).... and did go down to the Wild Women Saloon and Grill for lunch.  I couldn't decide on a sandwich so a turkey avocado sandwich on parmesea sourdough melt was recommended.  Oh my goodness - it was so big and so good.  I could only eat half of it - hubby ate the other half for his dinner last night.  That was about the extent of our leaving the place yesterday. We did walk around the empty shops again.  And yes, they were still empty.  But at least we got a little exercise.

Today is my little sister's birthday and I did get an ecard sent to her this morning via email and text'd her as well.  I will try calling her after I get home.  Not that she would care if I did or not.. yeah, I'm on her list again.  But I ignore that and do what I always do; pray for her and wish her blessed day.  At least she responded 'thank you'.  LOL  

This morning wil be spent packing things up and loading up the car to head out by 10AM.   If not before. I'm so ready to get home and truly relax in my own little world. I even know where stores are that I can go shopping!  I do need to pick up a couple skeins of yarn (imagine that!) to finish up a Christmas project.  And my granddaughter has mentioned there are websites I can go to that will show me how to make things for Christmas.  So you may get a new beanie for Christmas or a scarf this year.  I told you I am cutting way back on shopping.  I want to prepare wisely for Christmas and give gifts that can be used.

If you know of anyone who could use a 5'6" freezer, I have a friend who is selling it for $400.  Also a Maytag dryer for $300.  Just throwing it out there.

Can't wait to get back to the gym tomorrow and exercising.  I did wall planks last night - lol - don't want to lose the biceps I've gained!   No training sessions this week; I cancelled them all  - afterall, I am on vacation.  But my body is wanting to be worked out so hopefully I will follow through and get my butt over there.

And I'll be so glad to have real light that I can see to read better.  It's really been hard, and I dont' think it is just me. I turned the flashlight on my phone a couple times this morning - it was hard to make out some of the words.  But, with that as well, I did read my Bible and am reminded of God's faithfulness to us when we are obedient to Him.

Matthew 6:24 (NIV):  "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one or love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money."

We all know people who focus only on how much money they have or how much money they make or how much they can buy with what they have.... little do they realize that even that can easily be taken away from them.

We have known nothing... had nothing but food on the table and a roof over our head... but God always provided for us and what need we had.  Even when we had to find another place to live, God provided what we needed for the time we needed it.  We've never had much money; many times none at all.  Burger King was a treat many times.  I look back on those times and know that it is only by God's grace that we made it through those times.  I know why we had those difficult times, and I cna't 'live there'... but must leave it in the past.   But God has continued to watch over us and bless us and provide for our every need.

Yes, I consider a trip like this frivilous... and I've already told hubby I want to shorten it by at least a day or even two.  He isn't in agremenet, and since he saves to do it, I suppose I ought to leave it alone.  But he gets me off by ourselves... and then there is not much to do.  I've already complained about why so won't go there again.  But, a getaway is nice... but sometimes just 2-3 days is enough.  For me, anyway.  I'd be happy with getting a day off someplace by myself just to mediate and spend that time with God and have no talking or TV or distractions.

God must come first.  Did you know that God is a jealous God?  He is!  He must come first; for he doesn't like to share our devotion with anyone or anything else.  That's why the commandment 'there shall be no other gods before Me."  That means NONE.  Nothing that we put ahead of Him - whether it be bible study, ministry, food, TV, children, grandchildren...........nothing must come before Him.  Yes, He wants us to enjoy those things; they are there for our pleasure.  BUT, God must be first in our life.  Sometimes I will admit that is hard... we see something we want and go get it. (yes, I'm guilty of that too).  The problem is, we (I) don't stop and ask Him "Is this something I should buy?  Should I wait?"  Sometimes He wants to GIVE us something rather than us PAY for it.  We just get to be so impatient and want everything.  

How about we try it for a day or so.... stop and ask God if you should do such and such.  Or if you should buy such and such.  Some things ae unnecessary, of course, but the big things... do we really NEED that >>>>> or would one of lessor value work just fine.... I'm thinking of my car.  The dealership where I purchased it in 2019 is STILL contacting me via email, text, and phone calls, wanting me to trade in my 2017 car.  I love my little car.... it's the perfect size for me now.  I don't want to trade it in. Besides, it's paid for.  I dont' need a newer car.  Besides, God provided this one for me and helped me pay it off.  Why would I trade a perfectly good car in for something I would have to deal with payments again on?  I like not having a car payment!  I like being out of debt.  I like having a little extra that 1) we can do trips like this and 2) I can help others as God leads me to help them.  Sometimes I can fix or buy a meal and take over to them.  Sometimes it is just sending them a little money because God has prompted me to do so.  He has been so good to us, I'm happy to give away as He leads me.  

With God, I have everything I need.   I just need to be listening more to Him and less to my 'wants'.  He is more faithful than anyone or anything.  What He provides, always is enough.  What are you holding on to that you have managed to put before God?  Choose wisely.

Blessings!

Final day and packing to head home....

And like most vacations, after 3 days, yeah, it's time to go home.  What's the saying my brother always told me.... something about after 4 days the 'fish begin to smell'.  LOL  I think it is more that we are far enough away from everything (about 25 minutes) and then nothing spectacular other than a Walmart, that one can only do so much sitting - whether crocheting, reading, or watching movies. But that is me, too.  Our days are spent focused on the baby (and nothing wrong with that!) to make sure she doesn't fall down stairs or get into things.  But overall, she has been so very good.  We did watch a movie last night and it was good - Love Guaranteed - on Netflik.  Clean, no language, sex or nudity.  Those are the kind of movies I like.  Good story too.

We did see something special yesterday afternoon!  We had taken a run into town and found the Dairy Queen (gotta love Turtle Pecan Blizzards!) after stopping at the creek long enough for the baby to sit and put her feet in it for a little bit (she wanted to jump in and play, but was restrained).  It was a beautiful day out.  When we got back home we were just doing 'stuff' - when my granddaughter commented she saw 'something'!  We run to look and there are FIVE female Elk at the side of the house - on the other side of the fence that surrounds the back of the house.  I mean, a few of them were within 20 feet of us!  We stood outside on the wrap around porch and watched them until they all walked away, eating foliage, and just looking back on occasion at us.  Weren't afraid of us; they ate and just walked around.  It was really cool to see something besides squirrels!  Thank you, Father!

I managed to stay up on my Bible study this week - and I will work on today's lesson tonight when I get home.  I slept until 5:22AM this morning when the little one woke up, and since they are all up and moving, I do need to get my butt in gear and moving too.  But I have taken time to read my Bible and pray this morning.  My lesson isn't a big deal.  I have a feeling my sister isn't going to do it with me, so after one more time of asking, if she hasn't been working in it, I'm not going to bring it up.  And the reason I love this study is that it has a 'make it personal' day in which it asks the 'hard questions' about life and how do we react to things, how do we think about thinks, how do we do things... questions that you sometimes want ot ignore and not respond to becuase it isn't the answer you know it should be - if you are totally honest.  We don't even share those questions - they really are for our personal benefit.  But last week she didn't want to do them; they were too personal.  Ok... do you want to grow, or not?  I do them and I answer honestly.  And some of the answers, regrettfully, are 'no'.  I would love to answer 'yes, I do that.  I respond that way'.  But I can't.  I fail. I screw up.  I.Don't.Want.To.Do.It.That.Way.  Yet, I know that I should.  It's that conscience thing, ya know?

Heading back home today we will be taking our time.  Since I'm on the north end, I may be the first dropped off, and that's ok.  Hubby will be glad to see me and I can unpack and get things done.  I need to check on what hubby has and hasn't done... he told me my first night here and we chatted... he put bacon in the microwave for ten minutes.  You can just imagine.  Sigh.  It heated up so hot with the bacon grease.... the plate inside the microwave shattered.  He has called the warranty place to come check the microwave and bring a new plate.  I just remained silent.  He knows better than to put it in the microwave for ten minutes.  WHO cooks bacon in the microwave for ten minutes?  Sigh.  It is the little things like that, that can make me anxious when I'm not at home.  Last week we again talked about the little things he does that make no sense... and I begged him to tell his doctor.

I think a lot of it is that he is alone with his thoughts - and he just quits thinking.  If someone is with him that stimulates his conversation, it isn't quite as bad.  And it isn't often.  It's just that occasional 'what were you thinking' or 'why would you do that?'.

Ok - I need to stop and start getting dressed at least and maybe start packing as well. I hear the girls downstairs moving about.  Time to get this show going - we leave in about 4 hours.

Blessings upon your day!