It was a good day!

 Hubby was disappointed I didn't cook him breakfast yesterday (I feel) and opted for cereal instead.  Some days I just don't want to sit down to a 'meal', ya know?  So, we sat down and ate cereal.  It doesn't take me long to inhale my breakfast.... but hubby (I am pretty sure he does this!) s-l-o-w-l-y eats his food (I swear it is because it keeps me in my chair until he's done!!) because I try to be polite and not jump up when I'm finished and leave him alone. And, of course, he wants to talk.  Either I'm in trouble or he has to tell me all the political stuff he has read that morning on his phone.  Sigh. I don't care to hear either one.  Finally he told me that if I needed to get up, I could (thank you for the permission, right?)  I didn't question; I jumped up and went on with what I was doing.  Not to put hubby down... he always eats a meal slow because I am captive.  But then, I've always been an 'inhaler' of food.  When I was growing up, we didn't have a lot of food, so to get food, you ate fast so you could get it, if you know what I mean.  We always had food, but, never an abundance of it that I can recall.  After all, we had a big family.  

Then when I started working downtown for the phone company, we only got 30 minutes for lunch.  Trust me, 30 minutes and going to a deli down the street (or Woolworths!  Yes, I ate at a Woolworth's!) we learned to order quickly and eat fast so that we could get back to work on time.  So I have always been a fast eater - that's my story, and I stick to it!   Why did I feel the need to explain myself?

It's Sunday and I don't have to come out of here for a few hours yet.  Yes, I said hours.  Church will be at noon.  We didn't get up until 5:30-ish or so... I'm enjoying the alone and quiet time.  I forgot to wish hubby a happy father's day.  We agreed several years back to not buy gifts for each other for this holiday.  We used to, way back when.  But finally I had enough and told him I was not his mother nor he my father so I was 'over it'.  His daughters have never recognized Father's day nor his birthday in the past 44 years.  It makes me sad, and angry.  I think, actually, the oldest one might send him a note... but the other two do not.   I hope my children will at least send him a Father's day greeting.  In spite of how he raised them, he does love them.   We are to go to the youngest son's today after church for a 'Father's day lunch' of spaghetti and meatballs.  Hey - it's his favorite meal and I don't have to cook!

I had a good day yesterday.  I went over to my grandson's for his one year old's birthday party.  Got to see my oldest son's entire family and it was so much fun! Got to visit with each one for a few minutes.  My Princess was there with her two little ones (and hubby) and the oldest little one actually came to me for a hug when I called her!  Usually she is too shy - I hope that is the reason! - but she gave me a big hug.  Loved seeing another grandson that I haven't seen in a long while - and he even came outside with me when I was leaving and we talked for a moment.  Met his friend I have heard of for a few years but have never met.  I like her.  I went up to her and introduced myself as 'Hi, I'm 'Grandma' and after a moment I walked away.... my DIL called me over and asked me how old I was. I told her, and then this 'new friend' didn't believe it.  So, yes, I can call her a 'friend'!  LOL I guess I need to keep the brown in my hair instead of letting it go 'all gray/white'.  Maybe it does make me look younger!

My son gave me a compliment!  I had one of the little ones and I was lifting her up and down by my arms. He commented that if I hadn't been working out, I couldn't have done that.  I paused - and he was probably right!  Don't use it, you lose it, right?  But it also reminded me in that moment of the Christmas commercial that always brings me to tears (ok, one of them).  Remember the one about the old man who decided to start working out with a kettle bell?  He would lift it up, and the nosey neighbor called his daughter to tell her he was doing crazy things.  He kept doing it even when it was cold.  Then came Christmas, and he went to his daughter's house with a package.  He comes inside and his little granddaughter comes shyly down the stairs. Such a cutie!  And he smiles.  And he opens the box to show a star to put on the tree.  And with his arms, he lifts his granddaughter up, and she places the star upon the tree.  He looks at his daughter and gives a smile, and she realizes what the working out with the kettlebell was for.  It was so he could lift his granddaughter up to put the star on the tree.  Sigh. Doesn't that tug at your heart strings?

I wasn't hungry when I got home, but hubby asked if we could go out to eat... and admitted it was his fault... all he had eaten all day was the cereal and a protein bar while I was gone. That's what I'm telling you!  If someone doesn't fix it for him.....!  There is lunchmeat in the refrigerator, bread, TV dinners in the freezer... there is food for him to eat. Anyway, we went to Bobbi's cafe not far from here. They only stay open until six on Friday and Saturday, and it was around 5p when he wanted to go.  I was not hungry at all since I had pizza and chips at my grandson's house.  I ordered onion rings (and wished I didn't cause I wasn't hungry, but cause I had ordered them, ate them all!) and hubby got a club sandwich that was about 4" high and they didn't use lunchmeat!  The used REAL ham and REAL turkey - in other words, cut it off cause they were thick slices. He barely could eat it all, but did except some of the bread, and left a few fries as well.  So he got to eat.  And we wonder why we can't lose weight, right?

Father's Day.  I sit here and think about my own father, who passed away when I was 7, and I wonder what my life would have been like had he lived.  He was 38, died February 7th, and would have been 39 on February 18th.  Dates have a way of following you around throughout your life, you know?  Keeps you remembering others.....  Anyway, I was looking at some pictures of my dad, and wondering what would be different.  My growing up years would definitely be different! My mindset would be different. I don't have many memories of my dad, but I know he loved me.  And sometimes that is all we need to know.  My daddy loved me.  

And sometimes we only need to know that God loves us.  God loves me. He watches over me. He protects me from my stupid stuff (unless I just ignore Him and choose to do my own thing anyway), and lets me do what I want to do, even if it is wrong. He teaches me. He strengthens me. He loves me. Just like I imagine my real father would have done.  God loves you too, no matter what the past looks like, He still loves you. And sometimes we just have to hang on to that.

Have an amazing day!  Pause to tell someone 'happy Father's day' or just to 'have a good day'. Sometimes that is what they need to feel valued. And that's something we all need.

Blessings!

I know, finally, huh?

 I think that I have decided - at least during the week, that I will write this from my work computer. For one, it's easier to type sitting at the desk, plus a bigger screen, and a detached keyboard.  It's just easier.  With watching my time in the mornings, and times that I do fall back to sleep, it's just easier not to put the stress on me to type anything.  But, alas, the morning is also getting away from me so I need to 'get on it', right?

Yesterday was a good day.  I enjoyed my lunch with my youngest son and his family.  I laughed - he gave me a cup that says "Not my monkey, not my circus, but I definitely know all the clowns!  Cute!  Plus he came me a box of fudge they bought when they went to Indiana last year (had in his freezer) from Uranus. And I'll leave that there.  I felt my spaghetti had too much tomato taste, but it wasn't bad.  Still have lots and I would suggest for anyone wanting a bag that I have put in the freezer.... either add red pepper flakes or cook up a batch of Italian sausage and throw in with it. In fact, I think I have some in the freezer and next time I take out a bag (probably in a month after two days of eating it right now), I may just do that. It was good, and the longer it sets the better the flavors will meld, but in tripling the batch, I probably should have cut back on some of the sauce.  Still, it was good.

I met with Sue this morning for our 1:1 monthly call - and we were laughing cause she is in the process of telling her direct reports she is retiring and this was 'my call'.  I really will miss her, as you know.  But, I am so happy for her.  Depending on who replaces Brett - who is now completely gone - and Sue in a few months - well, I don't know what I'm going to do just right now.

I'm finally starting to feel better which is a great plus for me.  Hubby is now doing the coughing routine so I've been giving him Allegra like I was having to take.  He sees Dr. Mark on Wednesday for a regular visit so I'm sure Dr. Mark will prescribe for him some of what he prescribed for me.  Didn't this what I had was contagious - but perhaps it was.  I tried to be careful. My antibiotics are now all taken; no longer need the Afrin nasal spray - still taking the Breo inhaler for now until I see Dr. Mark and ask him if I need to stop. Still taking the Allegra so that I can stop this mucus stuff - dry it up. It's for allergies so I'm hoping it will. But at least I feel like I am coming more alive, so that is a good thing.  Still have my occasional cough, but am doing much better.

I have a few errands I need to do after I get off work this afternoon.  Have a bag of coffee grounds I want to drop off at a granddaughter's for her garden - I picked it up at Starbucks Saturday. May take her a bag of spaghetti sauce. Tell her to add to it. :-)  Need to return some things to Amazon so will be making a trip to Staples to drop them off.  My daughter called yesterday and asked if I had my camera up yet (no) so told me she had arranged with her daughter to have her husband come over tonight to hang it up. I text'd my granddaughter this morning to hold off a week since Grandpa was sick.  There is no rush getting the cameras up. If it was, I'd have someone do it - but there isn't.  Those eggs won't hatch until we are gone on Jailbreak - you just watch!

Speaking of - 17 more days until Jailbreak Getaway!!  I decided to take the 22nd off as it is hubby's birthday and will take him to breakfast or lunch - he does love to eat.  Daughter will be flying in that afternoon so perhaps we can do dinner as well.  I don't care. It's his birthday, he will be 89, and since I will be gone for nearly 4 days, I need to let him have his day, right?

I start back to the gym tomorrow with Morgan. I'm letting her change up my schedule as she is trying to eliminate nights now. Bad for me, but good for her.  7:30AM in the morning; then 1PM on Thursday.  Yeah, I'll have to take off work more than an hour - but I can make it up so not a big deal. I chose times that Sue would be busy. She doesn't care, anyway. Of course on Wednesday I will be gone about 3 hours with hubby to see Dr. Mark - 50 minutes there, an hour visit, 50 minutes back.  I may have to retire after Sue does just so I can have the time to take him to his doctor appointments!  Yes, I have to let hubby drive to his gym appointments, which he did cancel for this week.  I can't take all that time off work. When/if I ever - I retire, I can go to the gym and get some cardio in.  If I want. Or I can stay home and enjoy the alone time. Which actually sounds like more fun to me, if you know what I mean.

Well, I've rambled on enough this morning and I'm sure you are tired of reading. I'll get in sync soon - but for now - hope that you have an amazing day!

Blessings!

It was a good day

 Yes, it was a good day for me.  My oldest son came over and ended up staying all afternoon - and even having a little soup with us for dinner!  I loved having him here!  It was a very good day.

I haven't been out yet to see how many quail eggs we have - guess I could run out there. Well, I did, and there are still only four eggs.  Maybe that will be it!  But I am getting frustrated with that quail!  I don't want to disturb the eggs - but she is pecking at the stems of my plant - and they are all falling off!  I'm grabbing them as I find them and putting back in water to root.  Once the eggs hatch, and the quail leave the pot, I can replant the ones that have grown roots.  I started with one plant and it grew to fill the pot - until Mrs. Quail decided to make it a nest.  Will update as we go along.

We go see our tax guy at noon today.  I gave hubby all my figures last week - and in my mind - I have everything labeled clearly.  What is ministry expenses, what is mileage, what is medical/dental/vision expenses, etc.  THIS MORNING he is finally putting my numbers in the packet and is asking me questions.  He is so confused - even with me having them labeled!  I told him he was confused, that perhaps I needed to take over the number sheet.  Oh my goodness - you'd think I had started WWIII.  But - I will push for him to let me do it next year.  I've questioned the numbers he has put down for the past two-three years - I just didn't think they were right - for a large portion of what he put in.  But, I don't know where he pulls all his numbers - and that is why I keep my part separate from his.  I can back up my numbers; I just am not sure where he is getting his.  I know I have missed some things.  I wasn't as thorough as I usually am.  I'm just praying - once again - that we won't have to pay.  Or at least let the state refund be enough to cover the federal.  Then too, I think we may get a credit of $6K each, I heard. I haven't looked into it.  "It isn't all it seems" as I think there are qualifications for it - and I may make too much money to get it.  Will see.  But - for my part, I need to keep better records.  I can go into hubby's bank account (our joint account) and can pull out numbers.  Since this is just March, I need to get a start on that and on my own account as well.  I have a ledger book - might be a good place to start, huh?

I received a sweet surprise from my big brother yesterday. The other day we were talking about hummingbirds, which I think I mentioned yesterday.  Well, the flower pot that he ordered for me came yesterday - it is painted with hummingbirds and flowers - so colorful and fun!  When I get the seeds on Friday from him, I will fill it with dirt and plant the seeds - will leave on the porch so that it won't be burned by our sun - it's to get really hot today and the next few days!

Romans 15:13 (NKJV):  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We may call it wishing, or dreaming, but we all have hope.  And when our hope is in the God of hope, we will be filled with His joy and His peace, because we can believe that He will provide what we need exactly when we need it.  Don't ever turn your back on God, as some in this generation has.  It breaks my heart when I hear a grandchild say 'there is no God' - when I know they know there is!  They just didn't get the answer they wanted.  I can't tell you how many times God has NOT answered my prayers.  Seriously.  Sometimes my kids will say that I have a direct line to God - but the truth is - they do.  All I know to do is to pray and ask God (in my hope of His fulfillment of my ask) to grant what I request.  But His ways are so much better than mine; His thoughts are so much greater than mine.  He knows if He answers 'yes' when it should be 'no' or 'not now' - I could have circumstances I had not planned on.  But when I allow Him to take over the situation, I can trust that whatever the outcome is, it is in His hands because He knows best.  I may not agree with the outcome, but I know in Whom I trust.  And I trust in God.

My prayer is that regardless of what you are going through; regardless of what you may foresee in the future, that you will surrender your hopes and dreams and even all of your decisions to our God who loves you more than any one else could.   Let Him fill you with Hope - that whatever happens, you are in His hands.

Blessings!

A busy morning ahead....

 As soon as I finish here this morning, I need to get on the computer and approve timecards.  Then I need to go get dressed and fix my face and hair.  Yeah, I have a 9:30 appointment today in the heart of the city, which I dislike driving in, so hubby is taking me.  He has gone often enough he knows it like the back of his hand.  In fact he was just there last week.  This is my check up from the last check up after the cataract surgery.  It was a year in March that I had both eyes done.  I still have difficulty from time to time with my eyes, but I just roll with it.  I don't like the ocular migraines I get, but he had said before there is no cure or that.  I still wonder if I have 'something' in my head that is causing those.  Then there was the fence that came up on my left eye halfway one time and totally blocked my vision.  And of course the watering eyes in the mornings, and the tiredness they always seem to feel.  One never thinks about how valuable eyesight is, until it is changed, and things start going wrong.  Staring at a computer 5 days a week for 8-9 hours a day sure hasn't helped them, I'm sure.  But what can I do about that? I do wear computer glasses.

Yesterday was a good day.  The talk at church went well, I think.  As I sat listening to the other women and their talks, I knew my words would be totally different.  And 4 of the 5 ahead of me went over their 7 allowed minutes!  LOL  I still think I was at 4, but definitely under 5!  But as I sat there, the enemy was telling me to 'run away'.  To not give my talk.  I wasn't going to say anything important.  Yeah, the enemy was having a field day with my mind.  I would just take a deep breath and ask God to help keep me calm, to help me speak what He wants me to say.  And He did.  I said my few words, and left them with this:

"As my legacy, I want my children, my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren, to know that I love Jesus, and that I follow Him."  And then I left them with this question...."What legacy do you want to leave?"

I received a text from one of our pastors last night that said I was a good speaker.  But it wasn't me speaking..... it was God speaking through me to everyone there.  We think we have it under control; money in the bank, food on the table and in the pantry, house in good condition, car working.  We think we have it all.  But without God, we have nothing.  That's why I depend on Him so much.

You have sickness in your family?  In your body?  Sometimes that is all it is, but sometimes it is also God wanting your attention, that you will turn your thoughts to Him and ask Him to help you get through it.  He's a jealous God and when we run to others to fix our problems instead of Him, it does make Him jealous.  Many sicknesses would just fade away if we would ask Him to help us.  Of course we have to do our part as well.

Hubby started on his drops yesterday. Yes, of course, he has to do them because I am. You know I can't do anything on my own.  I need to remind him that he needs to pay me for them too. :-)  I am really hoping they will help him 1) be more conscious of all he is eating, and 2) clear his mind of the haze that comes over us when we eat too much, eat too often, or eat wrong foods.  Processed foods have been our downfall, for sure, as a nation.  Yes, I love potato chips. I'm addicted to them.  I can't eat just one.  You open up a bag of potato chips around me and I will sit and eat the entire bag.  But it is processed.  He had me do his measurements Saturday night.  Wednesday will mark two weeks for me - I 'feel' smaller in size, a little.  I know the first time I measured it was 5" overall.  But I'm trying to wait until Wednesday and do a two week check.  My weight is slower - but muscle weighs more than fat so can't really go by my scales.

A thought just popped in to my mind and I think I have shared this before.... when I was married to my children's father, we were so poor that our nights 'out' would be sitting on the floor in the front room, with a bottle of wine and a bag of potato chips, and listen to Dr. No.  Oh my goodness, that has been such a long time ago.  But my love for potato chips has never gone away.  Those are fond memories though.

I have offered a package of these drops to one of my boys and I hope he will consider it. I am really thinking of his glucose getting regulated.  Unstable sugar isn't good for a diabetic and it has been so long since he has felt good.  I just want to help him.  I'm not offering it to him to help him lose weight, although it is a side effect if one even follows a little.  I'm offering it to him for one month for him to see if he feels better, if he sleeps better.  I want him to live the rest of his life pain free and energetic.  It's no fun sitting on the sidelines and not being a part of the fun around us.

As for sleep, I'm curious how these drops will affect hubby.  I know that for myself, I am sleeping very deep every night now. Even when I wake up in the night to take the walk down the hall, I can go right back to sleep and sleep deep again - and struggle to wake up (my mind is awake, the body is not) most mornings because I don't want to get up and go to work. I know what my problem is.  If I was retired, I'd sleep until 5AM and wake up refreshed every morning.  I just don't want to work so I delay getting up - like that makes a difference.  My time in between getting up and getting on the computer is about 3 hours.  I lose my quiet time, not work time. Oh well.

Proverbs 31:30 (NKJV):  Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she will be praised.

Fear in this case doesn't mean being afraid of Him, but in being in fearful AWE of who He is.  I have never been afraid of God.  All He has done has been to direct my path; even when I wonder what in the world is He thinking?!  Sometimes life has been so very hard I wanted to run away.  But because I love God, I stay and cry out to Him and ask Him to work through me and help me understand what is going on, what is happening, what can I do to make things better.  I know He has the answers that I do not have.

I think I surprised my sister the other day as we were talking. I'm hoping it made her get her thoughts off herself and think about it.  She had mentioned her hubby, who has cancer of the bone, is 'not doing well'.  Well, he hasn't done 'well' for several years now. He has been going through this for ten years.  She complains about how he has ruined her life and with him being sick she can't get a job, can't do this or can't do that.... all excuses that come back to his cancer.  Now I'm not saying that I wouldn't be doing the same thing, but I don't think so.  But ... what I am getting at... the other day she was telling me how bad he was (he is now nothing but skin and bones), and I had her pause in her talking with this question..... 

"Perhaps God is allowing the cancer to be in Edward and won't heal him, because He is wanting to use the cancer in Edward to draw you closer to Him?"

She paused her talking.  She said "I never thought of it like that."  Nor do we when things come up against us.  A sickness or death of someone we like or love -  maybe it wasn't for the person to die, but it was for us to live through it.  Maybe an accident happened because God was waving a red flag in front of you saying, "Hear Me, Listen to Me, Come to Me, and I will show you great and mighty things that I can do through you!"   He has saved us to love Him, to adore Him, to glorify Him in everything we do. We are to fear Him, not of what He can do to us with just a glance, but to be in awe of Him, this Mighty and Great All-Knowing One.  He is the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings.  

The best part?  He is always with us, no matter where we are.  He's not like other idols - those that are figures made by human hands.  He is omniscient, omnipotent, all-knowing, all-consuming.  He is love, and joy combined.  That is what I want - that is Whom I want to worship.  He's not cold and unfeeling.  He feels every pain you feel, He sees every tear that is shed.  He loves you.  And all He wants is you.  Will you turn to Him? Let Him heal the broken pieces in your heart.

Blessings!

Another good day..... pretty much

 It was pretty much a good day yesterday.  I must have gotten through all those construction buildings I mentioned yesterday for I did make it to the gym on time - although I was a bit concerned as every single signal light I came up to turned red.  I think I had two minutes to spare.  We worked shoulders yesterday (because I do not have any) and I expected them to be sore today, but they are not.  Perhaps I'm 'destined' to have little shoulders?  If I am, then why is the rest of my body so large?  Sigh.

I still had a little time before hubby came home from his Bible study, though not much.... I'm trying to remember what I did!  I didn't do any more wrapping.  I didn't read.  I didn't crochet. Huh.  I can't remember what I did in that short time.  Obviously I enjoyed the quiet of the moment.  After hubby got home, which was not long after, I headed over to one of the rec centers nearby as friends of ours from a church we attended years ago was playing Santa and Mrs. Claus.  They do this every year wherever they can get hired at.  He is a former pastor.  I haven't seen them in probably 15 years at least.  Oh my goodness.  It was an art and craft sale at the rec center and I had to drive around for a parking spot!  I was beginning to think I was not going to see them, when I found one.  Then I went inside.... but not for long.  It was full of tables and bumper to bumper people.  Uh, no.  I love people, I really do, but that is just too close for me.  And too many.  I walked into the courtyard and walked around, looking for Santa and Mrs. Claus and finally found them.  They remembered me by name and we chatted for a few minutes.  They asked if I wanted to get a photo - but I told them no.  I just wanted to come by and see them.  They are 'old' and his beard and white hair is real.  And he has a lot of health issues as well, so I probably should have gotten a photo, to make them feel better anyway.  But I didn't need one.  From there I stopped at Safeway and picked up a few things and headed back to the house.

Not long after I decided to take some crochet'd washcloths over to the granddaughter so she could put in her shop today.  I just wanted to get out of the house.  Stopped by to visit with the youngest son for a little while before heading back home.  I wanted to catch up on all that is going on with his children and his life.  

Back home I told hubby let's go to dinner as I wasn't cooking.  Headed over to Coco's for the meal then came home - and then of course we had to watch a movie.  It was a nice day and I actually got out of the house for quite a bit of it by myself.  Today I may not be as lucky.  But I do have several things I need to get done today, and a couple of my packages arrived last night so I can get those wrapped and under the tree.   Need to get the message ready for I speak again in a couple weeks - two weeks in a row - at least I can use the same message as it is at two different RV parks.

Colossians 3:17 (NKJV):  "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Have you ever thought about how you live your life, and the words you say, are a reflection of who Jesus is in you? 

I was reading in the book by Frances Chan, Letters to the Church, and I'm reading about what a pastor should be.  Very interesting.  He has broken it out by different types.  The Christian Pastor - which is interesting, as you would think all pastors were Christians.... but that is not always the case.  The ones that are now are 'false prophets'.   Then there is The Praying Pastor - one who prays at least an hour a day, prayer is that critical.  Prayer is not merely a task of ministry; it is a gauge that exposes our heart's condition.  It unveils our pride, showing us whether or not we believe we are powerless without God.  Prayer is an expression of surrender to God and reliance on His infinite wisdom and sovereignty.  Remember, even Jesus prayed before He did miracles.  And especially before He went to the cross for us.  There is also a Humble Pastor, who doesn't let pride get in his life.  Sometimes a pastor can get puffed up when people compliment them on a good message or if they write a book and it does well and he because a well-known, aka famous, author.  Pride is of the devil and we need to be always on guard against it.  (Now I will say that pride is ok in 'I am proud of you' because you are not exalting yourself, but expressing and exhorting the other person.)

There are more pastors he describes in the book, but I stopped my reading and haven't gotten to all of them.  And yes, I examine my own life as I read them.  Although I'm not really a 'pastor'.  I was told years ago by someone that a 'Pastor' was one who was on staff.  Otherwise you are a 'minister'.  Whatever.  I don't care what title I'm given; I just want to share Jesus with others.

But all that I do or say, I am to do it for the Glory of God - for it is a reflection of who He is in me.  Sometimes I fail in that - as I'm sure you do as well.  I let my frustration come out.  Or I behave in such a way that isn't appropriate as a Christian (my definition of one, anyway).  Sometimes we let others bring out the worst in us.  Yes, I said 'let'.  

I was once told - many, many years ago - by a former boss that 'my attitude when I come in to the office each morning set the attitude of people in the office'.  Now mind you, it was a very small office.  But when he said that, I became more conscious of how I walked in - meaning I came in with a cheery 'good morning!' instead of grumbling as I came in.  You know what I mean - and you probably do the same.

In fact- each one of us - how we greet our spouse or children - whichever we see first thing in the morning - gets a glimpse of us in our attitude or words spoken to them.  Our words set their day in place.  If we greet our spouse or child cheerfully (in spite of THEIR attitude that morning), it can change their outlook for the day.  If they hear us being grumpy and snarky in the morning... they can choose to avoid us and get out of the house as soon as they can - which causes them to leave with a poor attitude as well.  Who would have thought one person could have that much effect on others?!

But we do.  And if we allow the love and attitude of Jesus to flow through us, what a wonderful world this would be.

Blessings!

Sometimes it just takes a word

 to bring a smile.  After all my ramblings yesterday morning, late afternoon I get a text from my oldest son that said "Be strong. Be you. Love ya." It made me smile.  Partly because it was unexpected, partly it was because it was from my oldest son.  He does little things like that occasionally, and it makes me smile.  Even if he doesn't know what is going on, that little reach out is good for my heart.  And I am blessed.  

Yesterday wasn't too bad 'after' the outburst.  He really calmed down and later asked me.... did you know it was 'just baptism Sunday'?  Meaning, did I know there wasn't going to be a message, just baptisms... and no, I didn't know.  I watched part of them in here, then went ahead and got in the shower.   Church was good and our pastor spoke on 'Israel matters'.  And Israel does matter.  God created Israel, He loves Israel, and He calls Israel His own.   Think about it - without Israel, we would not have Jesus.  Without Israel, we would not have the Bible. Without Israel, we have no hope.  Sheds a new light on Israel, doesn't it?

The Bible tells us that we are to bless Israel, and not curse her.  Those who bless Israel will be blessed; those who curse Israel will be cursed.  

I picked up a bag at church to fill for a family for Thanksgiving.  There were two bags - one for the meats of turkey, ham, and something else... I chose the canned good bag.  And, I got away for a bit yesterday. Actually, it was a good time.   I got to go to the store all by myself.  And I was gone about 2 hours - and no texts from hubby as to 'where are you'?  Maybe he fell asleep.  Naw, he was watching the Cardinals game when I got home.

Yesterday was also a granddaughter's 19th birthday.  Now this granddaughter has caused many heartaches and headaches, but she is still my granddaughter.  I love her.  She really has never had the love a child should have growing up; never had direction on how to live - all she knew was... well, never mind.  She did not have a good childhood; let's put it that way.  I checked with her dad if she was home; no, she was at work.  I decided to drive to her job and wait for her to get off.  I actually got there right on time, and she soon clocked out.  We sat and talked for a bit, catching up on what she has been doing.  She works every day because she has been basically told she is not welcome at the house.  By February she has to get out. It's a long story, but this little girl is unwanted.  True, she has created some chaos.  But she is still a little girl in need of support and love and not pushed out on the street because of her choices.  My heart breaks for her.  I believe in her.  And with someone to love her and encourage her - even when she fights against it - she will become someone.  If I did not live here where we can not have someone under 55 living with us, I would let her live here.  She isn't a bad girl just because she had a year of wild stuff.  She needs an example.  She needs love.  She needs to be told she is valued and has purpose.  She gets that from her friends.  None from her family.  And we wonder why people join gangs.  My heart breaks for her, but my hands are tied.  I am going to start making it a point to keep in contact with her.  She needs to know someone cares.  They are going to train her to be a GM where she is working.  And that's pretty good for a 19 year old.  

I found out after we were talking that she knew I was coming - how? Her dad had text'd her and told her 'grandma is coming to see you.'   While we were talking, her mother called.  She asked if I had gotten there yet.  How did she know?  A grandson had called and told her 'Grandma is going to go see....'.  And then her other brother calls... yep - he knew I was there too.  Comical, actually, but I had hoped it would be a surprise.  And it was, in a way.  I had not been to see her before at work.  In fact, it has been a few months since I've seen her. And she looked good.  She was happy to see me.  And I'm sure even happier to know that someone still loves her.

John 13:34 (NKJV):  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "

Have you ever thought about loving others the way we are loved by God?  Or even loving others the way we want to be loved?  I admit, I'm not always 'loving' to people when I should be.  Some people just get under your skin because of their behavior (and no, I'm not talking about hubby).  Saying 'I love you' or 'love you' to people when you don't really care about them is lying - and we all know people who do that.  Yet, we are called to love them, even though we know how they are.  We can choose not to associate with them, but we must choose to love them.  Does that make sense?   Ok, just had to erase some sentences cause I am not going to call some people out.  UGH.  Don't you just want to some times, though?

I want to be loved by Jesus... and I am... and I always will be.  But that also means that I must love others with the love He has for me.  Sometimes that is not easy.  But following Jesus was never meant to be an easy road to take.  As Jesus did, and does, so must I.  Share the love.

Blessings!

It was a good surprise....

 Yesterday was a good day.  I cooked breakfast for hubby and I = eggs, bacon, toast, and waffles.  After we ate, I called Ms. Diane and she was awake but hadn't gotten up yet.  I told her I'd bring her breakfast if she'd get up - so she said give her half an hour.    Then I jumped on the work computer to get the boss' meeting scheduled for Monday morning (check, done), and approved some timecards (check, done). Then I fixed breakfast for Ms. Diane and took over to her.  She was thrilled to get it and I sat down with her as she ate - and she ate it all!  Well, except for the crust of the toast.  What is it that people will tear off that crust? I love that part - that's the best!    And then I wrote down everything I brought over for her (same as ours) and signed it and told her to give it to her daughter to prove she had eaten.  They are always telling her she hadn't eaten.  And many times I'm sure she hasn't - she just doesn't want to get up and fix it.

My oldest son contacted me that he and his wife were out doing some shopping not far from us and asked to stop by.  Of course!  It was a good visit and hubby and I enjoyed talking to them both and catching up some.  Then the youngest and his wife stopped by briefly to pick up a birthday gift for a great-grandson they are going up to see today.  I can't imagine the size of this baby who is just turning one.... and being told he is in a size 2 already.... BUT... the outfit I had bought was a size 12 months....  if it doesn't fit - well, it is what it is.  Hoping the 'size 2' is a 'grow in to' size and not current.  The dad is tall... but extremely thin. Maybe it is height? Oh well.

With cooking breakfast, I didn't fix lunch.  After the youngest son left, I laid back and took a half hour nap! (so did hubby).  It actually felt good when I woke up.  I must have needed it.  Cooking breakfast must have worn me out!  Hah!   After my nap, and hubby asking if I wanted to watch a movie (NO).... I asked if he still wanted to go to the gym..... and so we did.  I walked the treadmill for about 45 minutes while hubby did a legs workout and then rode the bike - he said 4 miles).   I did get my steps in yesterday - ended up with over 10,000 for the day - which is what I was striving for.  And today is a new day and the 2nd day of the challenge.  Got to do it again.  Probably will be staying home to do it though.  

We kind of 'blew' our workout somewhat... I was so hungry and I was thinking El Pollo Loco (grilled chicken)... but Popeye's (fried chicken) is 'right there'by the gym.... so I gave hubby the option.  Drive 4 miles or drive 1000 feet.  We ended up at Popeye's and that was dinner.  I was so hungry I ate two legs and two wings!  And it was so good.  Coleslaw not so much.  I lasted until about 8PM when I had a piece of string cheese and cracker.  

Today is Sunday and we'll be heading to church in a bit.  Hubby has had his shower and within the hour I will be in the shower myself.  I could go take it now.. but have I ever told you how much I love being off by myself and alone in the room?   Most days I don't want to leave... this is one of them.  So I have time.

I think I mentioned some time ago that one of my prayers involve my saying to God, "Break my heart for what breaks yours."  What does that mean?  For me, it means 'to open myeyes that I can see with compassion those who are hurting and do what I can to help others in their time of need."  These things do break God's heart.  When He sees His children suffering needlessly, yes, He can put a stop to it, but sometimes He wants US to do something about it.  So I often ask Him to break my heart for what breaks His.  And I read this today in my devotional....

"Ask the Lord to break your heart for what breaks His, and then ask Him to stir in you a sense of active compassion that makes you too uncomfortable to sit by and do nothing."

And then my mind takes over and the song keeps playing over and over in my mind....  I'll write out just one verse of it....  "Hosanna"///

"... Heal my heart and make it clean, Open up my eyes to the things unseen. Show me how to love like You love me.  Break my heart for what breaks Yours, Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause, as I walk from earth into eternity..."

Interesting... as I looked up the lyrics to the song, I saw a blog with the topic... http://handmadebymrsh.blogspot.com/2011/12/break-my-heart-for-what-breaks-yours.html

I found her article interesting and she went into detail about the 'break my heart for what breaks yours' lyric.  Right on target.  You get a physical ache in your heart, when your heart hurts for someone else. And that's a good thing.

Kind of like what I feel for Ms. Diane, I think.  It hurts me to know her son treats her this way.  So I do what I can... and that is love her and treat her with compassion.  With love.  Compassion.  We all have it; some of you have buried it because you don't want to feel anything.... but it's there.  When someone close to you is hurting (a spouse; a child)... your heart hurts for them because you know they are hurting.  Been there, done that, many times before I ever prayed that prayer.  Now I pray that I see when people are hurting and just need a hug.  

So with that.... I'm going to throw out the challenge for you to follow your heart.  When you see or hear of someone hurting....  give that hug, pick up that phone and give them a call, if you have what they need, give to them.  Sometimes we just need to know we aren't alone.  

Blessings!

It was a fairly good day....

 Hubby and I did get out some yesterday and did some walking and looking at things.  But, before we left, we did have a bit of conflict.  I can't even remember what he said to me now, but I do remember how I responded - "I'm doing this for YOU, not for me, to get YOU out of the house."  And that made him feel privileged, I guess.  We went to the farmer's market and walked around.  Saw the granddaughter and her hubby who was helping her, and happened to run into the the daughter, SIL and great-granddaughter who had come as well.  We went on our way from there to Ross, where we picked up a few things and hubby got his journals.  After that we decided to check out a coffee shop that we heard about Monday evening at Bible Study.

It's called Strange Brew and it's at 43rd Ave & Bell... west of Frys (in that strip)... where the building curves.  Wow. It was not like anything I expected!  Tish is the owner/manager and this place is really nice. They make several different kinds of coffee, and have a few pastries.  But what is cool is the set up.  The have comfortable arm chairs and love seats scattered in circles - probably 3-4 of them - big circles too!.  A couple tables where people can work if they want.  Some Christian items that can be bought, and Christian music being played.  It's a place where people can meet and comfortably chat.  Even with the number of people there, we had to look for a seat, it was quiet.  In one location two young men were doing a Bible study.  There were a few couples sitting and having their coffee together and chatting.  There were two women spaced throughout the room, chatting and had books laying on their laps.  It was such a good atmosphere, I wish we had something like that closer!  It is open 8AM-5PM Tuesday through Saturday.  

From there hubby was wanting lunch.. my choice, he said, but no fast food.  As I drove along Bell, Oreganos came to mind and he said ok.  He got the shrimp scampi and the shrimp was nearly as big as half of my palm!  He said it was good.  I got their salad and could only eat about 1/2 of it so guess what I had for dinner!  The other half!  Hubby did thank me for getting him out of the house for a few hours.  What surprised me more than anything was that he didn't complain about anything.  He ALWAYS has something to complain about; the heat, the walking, etc. and this time he remained silent.  Grateful.  We still didn't find him anything to do; he was more interested in getting back to watch the ND game.  So I dropped him off and went back out, meaning to pick up wrapping paper but totally forgetting it and just strolling through the store, picking up a few other things.  And that was yesterday.

This morning hubby woke me by sliding his feet across the floor to the bathroom (he doesn't pick up his feet much anymore, it seems) about 4:15AM.  I laid there for a little while, wanting to go back to sleep, but unable to do so.  I came into my room, wanting to sleep just a little bit more, but soon gave up.  I just love my time in the morning with God.  I love being able to shut the world out, just for a little while, and just come and sit with Him.  There is something special about doing that.  Starting in I Kings today I read about some history of it, and about King David making Solomon king of Israel.  David always inspires me; he loved God and sought Him with all his heart.  Yes, he made mistakes, but always repented (pretty much like me and you), and was deeply loved by God.

Matthew 6:6 (NKJV):  "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."

That has been one of my favorite verses since I heard it many years ago.  I love getting in here and shutting the world out by closing my door.  There have been times when, at at least one of our other houses, that I couldn't go into a room and shut the door.  I remember sitting at the couch and doing my quiet time, and kneeling beside it to say my prayers.

In fact, I am reminded as I think of that, of one time God spoke to me and told me to send my sister $20.  I remember having a little bit more in my wallet at that time, but I was not usually sending my sister any money, but God definitely told me to send her $20.  Without questioning, and without telling her, I put $20 in the envelope and mailed it to her....all because God had told me to. I later found out that she had been praying for help in a financial situation; she needed to fill several prescriptions and had no money to do so.  The money I sent was just enough to cover the prescriptions.  Now I don't share that to brag I did something.  I share that to brag on God.  And to show you that is how He is.  He hears our prayers for help.  Sometimes He doesn't answer the way we think He should, or even answer us at all!  But, in this case, God spoke to me, and impressed it upon me, and I acted.  I didn't know about the need.  I only knew I needed to be obedient.  And God has blessed me many times over because of my obedience.  And my sister was able to tell her boys how God provided just what she needed because she prayed and asked Him.  God gets all the glory.  We all need to be mindful of the nudges that God sends us to help someone in need.

But, back to the quiet times and the secret places I love, I think the one I loved the most was at our first house.  We had windows that came nearly to the floor; long, narrow windows.  That bedroom wasn't used, so I was able to go in that room and I would kneel at that window, looking out at the stars and praying.  I always felt so close to God because I could look up into the heavens.  Windows we had after that were too high to kneel before.  I loved that time and that space holds special memories for me.  

God loves for us to 'step away' from the world for awhile and just spend time with Him.  Even if you just sit before Him and turn your thoughts to Him, it is a start.  Give yourself a minute to start, if you must, but never neglect Him.  Start and/or end your day with Jesus.  It changes everything.

Start today.  You won't regret it.  Go into your room, and shut the door, and pray to your Father in the secret place.  he will meet you there.

Blessings!

Yesterday was a great day!

 Yesterday something happened that only happens at Christmas time.  And I am glad it did.  I got to see all three of my children in one day!  I guess at Christmas time it is two days but yesteday I got to see all three!

It was a lazy start of the morning and hubby and I sat out on the front courtyard drinking coffee for awhile as it was in the 70's and the rain had stopped.  I eventually came in and got ready for lunch.  That was the start of my day.... and it was a great day.

I met my middle child for lunch and he brought me a surprise - his granddaughter (my great-granddaughter) was in town and she came to lunch with us!  What a fun surprise that was and I enjoyed seeing her so much!  She actually began to warm up to me towards the end, I think.  I remembered I had a stuffed animal in the car for her and was able to pass it on - and she seemed to love it. It was a good lunch and I'm so glad my son honors me by meeting up about once a quarter or so in order for us to catch up on life.  Of course he writes a blog and I blab everything on here so he knows about everything, but we still were able to talk about some things.  I remembered the photo/frame that I had for him and I think he liked it - and he told me he had that very photo as a screen saver on his computer.  I love the picture of his granddaughter that I gave him.  I'm glad I had it printed.  It's one I have on my TV stand as well.  It reminded me of a photo I took of his daughter years ago at the park.  A favorite memory.

After leaving lunch I headed over the youngest child's house to celebrate his step-son's birthday a week early.  His birthday is actually next Sunday - don't know why they did it early unless he will be with his dad.  Anyway - went over there for awhile.  Didn't want anything to eat although they had plenty of food - but I was 'gracious' enough to have a small piece of chocolate cake and ice cream.  I wanted to be kind.  Then I was really stuffed!  It was a great time because I was able to spend somewhat quality time with my son by standing with him in the kitchen and talking.  Of course every conversation was listened to, but it is what it is.  I teased him about a comment he made to his brother.... the brother takes me to lunch once a quarter, the daughter and I have jailbreak getaway and meet once a week to crochet/knit, and he gets stuck with doing a 10K with me each quarter.

Yeah - for his October birthday I signed him up for a virtual 'race' walk in which we get a T-Shirt and medal and we walk a 10K anytime, anywhere.  He seemed to grumble about it but I told him that it was something we could do together.  Then he shows me two 'race' medals that he and his wife had that they had done (one together, him one alone).  I'm glad they are doing something together and he is at least walking some.  In spite of he didn't seem real excited about the one I signed him up for.  That's ok.  I can do them alone from here on out if he doesn't want to do them.  I want to keep moving and that's why I do it.  And it's virtual... you walk it in your own time.  I can do that.

With having our Indy trip getting worked out and firming up, I really need to get back into workout mold.  I would like to lose ten pounds at least before I go - and that is still do-able.  But that means I have to quit eating a bunch of things that I do eat.  Sometimes you just gotta in order to look betta.

My day continued on yesterday after the birthday party and we went to church last night - physically and in personn - and it was a great message on the movie The Sandlot.  I hadn't seen it, but it seemed like a really cool and funny movie.  It didn't stir a great desire in me to go watch it, but it was a good movie, at least the parts we saw.  My oldest child (my daughter) and her hubby joined us at church last night where we ate popcorn while watching the movie/service and then we grabbed 'dinner' together in the cafe there.  I was not hungry but did get some tomato basil soup that was really good.  I have to say it because I was over the top surprised.... hubby got a huge slice of pizza, french fries, and mac & cheese.  He never gets all that!!  I asked him if he was hungry and he said yes.  I found out later he didn't see where the hot and cold sandwiches were so he grabbed what he saw.  Next week I'll have to show him where real food is.  That is way too many carbs to be consuming at one meal.

AND.... hubby's tossing and turning - whether from all the carbs or from his shoulder hurting kept me awake most of the night so a bit after 3AM I came into this room and tried to go back to sleep until 5AM.  Hubby brought my coffee in, but I still have had difficulty staying awake this morning.  I barely could get my devotional read because my eyes would not stay open.  I should have stopped way back when to do this for with jump-starting my mind trying to spell words right (and not succeeding in all cases) and make coherent sentences have awakened my mind some.  Not a lot - I could still close my eyes and try to sleep again - but it isn't a deep sleep, but a light sleep that makes you feel that you haven't slept at all.  Know what I mean?  

Psalm 119:60 - "I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands."

Don't we wish that our children would (have) take(n) that statement to heart when they were growing up!  And I am sure that our Heavenly Father wishes WE would honor that statement as well.  

Is there something you know you should do but just don't want to do it so keep putting it off?  Granted, it isn't the same thing as the above message states, but still.  I know I want to shampoo the back room because it smells like dog from Sheeba laying by the back door in between groomings.  Hubby doesn't smell it, but I do.  I've delayed it three days now since I mentioned it to hubby.  And today is SUNDAY and it's a day of REST, right?

But the statement above is towards God, not our parents (or our spouse).  When He commands us, we should hasten and not delay to obey Him.  Do you sometimes feel an urge to help your child or your spouse complete a task - even though you know you don't want to?  Perhaps that is God, urging you to be a helper for that moment.  Does someone's name keep coming to you?  Perhaps that is the Holy Spirit urging you to pick up your phone and touch base with them.  These are not necessarily commands, but when good things to do come to mind, we should hasten to do those as well.  

I haven't read my Bible yet this morning because I couldn't keep my eyes open - but now that I have paused my sleep-reading to type this, and drink my coffee, I am a bit more awake and can do that.  It's the best way to start the day.

Have you opened your Bible lately.... or is it gathering dust?

Blessings!