Some days I'm a real ditz... and Saturday was one of them....

 I wrote about going to a women's function yesterday morning.  I shared about what I was taking for this luncheon.  I showered, dressed, and got everything ready to go.  Even put on makeup!  I loaded up my car and off I went.  Odd, I thought, only a few cars there, but that's ok, people are ALWAYS late, it seems.  I tried the door and it was unlocked so I carried the deviled eggs in and took to the kitchen area.  A woman I know in the church waved to me, and I admit, she did look puzzled when she saw me.  She was conducting a 'worship dance' class with about 10 children.  She continued as I left and then came back in with the crockpot of the dessert I had made.  She stopped the music and hollered at me.... "Is there a meeting that I don't know about?"  I looked at her puzzled this time, and said, "It's for the women's lunch for today".... and then she tells me..................... "It's next month".  And as soon as she said it, my calendar came into focus in my mind, and I knew she was right.  

But we made good time out of the break she took from teaching the class.  She came back where I was and jokingly said I could leave the deviled eggs and cherry cobbler, they would love to eat them.  I said 'no problem' and was agreeable to leave them (I'll pick up my dishes today).  But then we got to talking about things dear to my heart, like wanting to teach again.  We talked for nearly half hour and she said we would continue on a zoom call soon and discuss teaching at the start of 2024.  That would work for me as it would give me time to get refocused on teaching.  I have really missed it.  

So yeah, God took my ditz moment and made something good out of it, and my friend Lisa and I were able to chat about teaching and what was my thoughts and desires in doing so.  She also put me on the 'Hospitality Team" which helps with food and coordinating things.  If one wants to get involved, they just need to let it be known.  Which means I also need to learn how to re-delegate my time again.  In fact, preaching starts up again in November.  I do have one I can do in November, but need to also get started on creating messages for the other months.  I should do that instead of watching TV!  Hubby gave preaching up last year so he doesn't have to do it.  BUt, his fall-spring Bible study starts up in September so that will keep him extra busy with his Tuesday night study and the Friday morning study group.  Which means I will have the opportunity to study more - but I am going to have to get myself focused to do it.  It's all good.

My trainer text'd me yesterday that he agreed we could move my training from Tuesday to Monday this week at 5PM (versus 5:30AM on Tuesday)... and then he will move my other from Thursday morning 5:30AM to 5PM on Thursday.  Just for this week, and then we'll figure it out after that.  He's wanting to get his hours more to 7-6 versus 5:30 and then after me he has about a one to two hour break before anyone else.  We may just go to week to week scheduling.... I'm going to figure out how I can maybe take off during the day and maybe work until 5PM those days... but this week is set - and I dont have to stop in the middle of my quiet time and head over so early in the morning.  Unfortunately for me, evenings I'm usually tired and cranky(ier) so he may get the worst of me.  Or maybe I can go with 7AM and start at 8:30PM and work straight through until 5:30PM... but that messes with MY time... oh well. Yeah, I'm rambling again.

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV):  "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."

That verse is so true.  When I keep my mind on my Abba, on Jesus, on the Holy Spirit.... I am in perfect peace.  It's when I let my guard down and let the enemy get a foothold - whether from a disagreement, or discouragement, or even depression - my peace can get shattered.  But when I let words spoken at me roll off... when I block the words of the enrmy that tell me I'm not good enough... when I keep my eyes turned to Jesus.... I am in perfect peace.

Like yesterday - in spite of my ditzyness.... I wasn't embarrassed that I messed up and took food to the chruch for a non-existent luncheon.  There was a time I would be horrified that I messed up and would grab my things and rush out the door.  But this time - nope, all was well with the world.  I had perfect peace.  I went on to the store as planned and my afternoon pretty much went as I had planned... and I was in perfect peace and at rest.  One, because I was able to do what I enjoyed doing... and afterwards hubby and I just read (he does ask read or a movie... and reluctantly agrees to read when I say so)... so reading it was.  

I started one book but just couldn't get into it... so picked up one I had received as a gift a few weeks ago - a non-fiction romance type book - and now I'm halfway through it!  I wanted to stay up another hour and finish it, but hubby was already giving the vibes he was ready for bed.  He rarely will let me stay up without him right there.  So I quit my reading at chapter 8 (out of 11 I think) and can you believe it - he starts talking to me about politics and stuff!  I sat there and acted like I was listening.  When he paused I just said.... "and that is why I don't get into political things just before I go to bed.  I don't want to think about them. That's why I prefer a movie on 'Up Faith and Family' or read a good good.... I can go to sleep thinking good thoughts and not upset about how this country is going."

He doesn't get it. But he has to give me his opinions on the world and politics.  The only thing I can do is pray for our country, our world.  I can't change it any other way.  I know what the Bible says about all the things that are happening.  In fact, the Bible talks about these things and identifies it as being in the 'end times'.  And yes, we are in the end times.  

If we do not keep our lives living for Jesus, keep our minds obedient to His Word, we will not be taken into heaven.  Yes, it breaks my heart that I didn't teach my children more about living for Jesus and keeping Him first in their lives.  All I can do now is pray for each one, that they will turn to Jesus with their whole heart and mind, and live for Him.  The same for my grandchildren.  Few go to church, fewer even profess Jesus as Lord.  They are wrapped up in their own opinions and their own lives and do not make room for Jesus.  It will be their downfall.  So I do what I can by praying.  And somedays that is praying hard.  I need start scheduling my fast aand pray days again.... an hour a day just isn't enough when my children and grandchildren's souls are at stake.  I want them all to go to heaven.... and not be burned in the firey pit.  Heaven help us!

But for now, I amin perfect peace, for I know that I trust God for everything.  I trust Him for health, for finances, for food, for shelter, for my life.  If I died today, I know where I am going.  I will rejoice with the angels and praising my God.

If you died today, do you know where you are going?  Don't laugh and say "helll"... it isn't a fun place... it is a pit of fire where your body will be constantly burned... and you will be conscious and know it is burning.  I choose life in heaven with Jesus.... and my prayer is that you will too.

Blessings!

A sleepy morning...

 I think I slept good last night... well enough, anyway, but this morning I cannot stay awake.  As I have read, my eyes shut and off I go into dreamland...without dreams... but sound asleep.  Thinking if I stop reading and do this - making my mind work - maybe, just maybe, I can wake up.

I got my test results back yesterday.  I can't believe I received them the next day after the test!  I received a call from the doctor's office yesterday morning.  Getting a bit personal here, but I was requested to schedule another appointment for another mammogram and ultrasound.  Something didn't look right.  Yes, that has been my fear, but when I received the call, I wasn't afraid anymore; I was at peace.  God was totally in control.  I called the women's center, as requested, to schedule another appointment and I timidly asked if there was any chance I could get in today (yesterday).  At first she said they were booked solid, but let her look.  Then she asked 'who is your doctor?' - and found it on my chart before I could even speak his name - and immediately she says - come in at 1:30!  Now that was a bit unnerving... immediately after discovering who my doctor was she got me in?  Or is it that my doctor has a good reputation - and clout - at this center?  I had a 1:30PM appointment on the same day that I called in.  Wow.

And, when I went for my appointment, they did the mammogram and the technician walked out of the room to speak to the radiologist and came back and said, well, we need to do an ultrasound.... and walked me to a room directly across the hall.  Another technician came in to do the ultrasound and after snapping numerous photos, left the room.  She came back in with the radiologist who had looked at the records - and told me everything was benign.  Praise God!  I was told everything is fine, come back next year for the annual screening.  God is good.

What sparked my request to see if I could even get in yesterday was another result that I was told to take care of yesterday.  I was told I have osteopenia.  What the doctor wanted was for me to go get another blood draw - only this time for Vitamin D.  Was it really that low?  I was so surprised that I didn't ask on the phone call.  I was told the doctor wanted me to take Vit D3 -- 2000.  I laughed and told him I have been taking 5000.  He would make sure that the doctor knew that (it WAS in my information, I'm sure, where I had to list my medications).  But I was to go get the blood draw immediately, and then the office would call me to schedule an appointment to discuss treatment.  Treatment of what, I asked.  The osteopenia.  I didn't realize there was a treatment.  Maybe I need a prescription Vitamin D.  Huh. I got the blood draw completed right after the other test as the offices are across the street from each other.

I have never received such service where they are precise and quick.  It actually is kind of nice.  In the past I had to wait two weeks to get test results and then I had to go back into the doctor's office to have him tell me.  The assistant made the call, but that's ok.  He had my information.  If I don't get a call today from the doctor's office on scheduling that appointment, I will call them on Monday.

I wonder if vitamin D deficiency causes fatigue.... I will have to look up and see what it says.  I thought my tiredness came from the vaccine shots because that seems to be about the time I noticed it more.  Plus my headaches, which are now infrequent.  I blamed the headaches and the fatigue on it.  But, perhaps it wasn't.  Maybe these symptoms are the result of vitamin D deficiency.  I also blamed it on work because I stay in front of the computer all day.

So there you have my personal history.  The fears of the unknown that I have recently spoken about and requested prayers for.  Cancer hasn't been much in my family, but my mother did have multiple myeloma in her last few years of life.  At least I don't know of anyone in my family having cancer.

Received word yesterday than an uncle has COVID and is in a nursing home (already)... family is asking for prayers.  His wife is my birth father's last relative alive.  My aunt Rita.  I'm trying to remember what her name really is - Rita is a nickname, I think.  It has been 40 years or more since I have seen them.  We have messaged on FB messenger a couple times.  Requesting prayers for him - they are in their 90's.

The scripture that comes to my mind this morning is this:

Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)   "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."

And I am in perfect peace, because my mind is on Jesus.  He knows my fears, my issues, long before I even am aware of them.  My peace is only because I keep my mind on Him and I trust Him, no matter what.  Nothing can come against me unless He allows it.  I am covered by Jesus' blood.  I am protected.  I am His.

Ask Jesus for His peace.  Only then can you release the things that hold you to this world.

Blessings!