Still working on that 1%...

 I had really planned to apply that 1% yesterday to my work.... like the minutes I still have to type... well, I am guessing it was the flu shot I got the day before.... but I felt yecky all day.  I still have the 6" round circle under the shot site on my arm although it isn't as hot or hard as it was yesterday, and I don't have that queasy feeling in my stomach.  Just didn't feel real good yesterday.  Hate to give the flu shot credit for it but that had to be the reason.  I'm feeling better this morning, thank goodness.

Hubby is going to the men's breakfast at church (I hope) this morning, and after having a little time to myself, I will head up to the Farmer's Market.  There is no rush; it goes from 9-2PM, but hubby seemed to think I needed to be there at 9AM.  Uh, no.  Going to enjoy some alone time, even an hour since I'll be alone, before heading up there.   

Maybe in that short time I am here at home alone, I should apply that 1% to exercise.  Maybe get on my treadmill for ten minutes or use my hand weights and start to build my muscles again.  I know I need to do it, why not this morning.  At least I can think about it.  Maybe I'll make a grocery list and stop at the store on the way home from the Farmer's Market.  Soooo many things I can apply myself to... productive things.  I just don't get how hubby can sit day after day after day... and do nothing but look at his phone.  And he has no desire to do anything else except go to breakfast or lunch if he gets invited.  Maybe I should get him to read this book after I'm finished!  

I had bought tickets way back in January to attend a Divine Conference put together by Free Chapel church in Gainesville, GA... for my little sister and I.  She never saved for it, although I told her I had bought us tickets.  I can get the money together to go but it isn't right that I pay her way too when she hasn't even tried.  And after being with her some this year and her response after I came home, I'm not sure I want to be alone with her just yet.  The original plan was to fly to where she lives, then we drive together to GA, stay at a hotel, attend the conference, drive back to her place, and I fly home.  I would be out the most expense, obviously.  And airlines aren't cheap right now.  I opted out and wrote Divine Conference a note and rather than a refund, requested they give the tickets to two women who really wanted to go but could not afford the tickets.  I really wish I could go; I need a 'Divine' worship time with God.  

I feel like I've been in a sort of 'funk' for awhile.  Not sure what it is... sometimes really down... sometimes so-so.... it is as if my life has been sucked out of me and there isn't much left.  Ever feel that way?  Sometimes we bring it on ourselves; sometimes it hits us because of others and the things they do.  Not going where I feel it is coming from, I just know that I need to cut the line of 'funk' and get my life back.  I know losing my big sister has a lot of to do with it; I still miss her, and I probably always will, but in a lesser sense.  I still miss my big brother, and my little brother.  A lot has to do with my little sister's attacks on me that come and go... I never know when she will 'overthink' something and attack me with her words.  Most of the time I have no idea of where she is coming from.  But I have to forgive her and let it go or it would destroy me.  I don't retaliate.  

Remember the story of Nabal in the Bible?  And David and Abigail?  I was reading in I Samuel this morning and reading the story.  Nabal means 'fool', and a fool he was!  God avenged David by causing Nabal to have a stroke and then he died, and then David proposed to Abigail and married her.  David was so angry at Nabal because David and his men had protected Nabal's shepherds and sheep out in the plain and when the sheep were being sheared, David asked for some food for his men, and Nabal refused him and said some very unkind things.  David was ready to kill every male in that household.. until Abigail heard about what had happened... and gathered food and met David enroute.  She bowed to the ground and spoke wise words to David.  And David listened and heeded her words.  How different things could have been if Abigail had not interceded!  And what was David's response to her?

I Samuel 25:35 (NIV):  "Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, "Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request."

That is how our God is.  When we intercede for others; when we step up and ask God for specific things, He does hear us and He does listen.... He may not answer us the way we want Him to, but He always answers.  Sometimes the answer is No.   But once we go to God and ask for that healing, ask for that restoration, ask for (whatever), we are to leave it there and 'go home in peace'.  God is always in control, no matter what the circumstances, the trials, or the times.  He will always be there for us.

Isaiah 46:4 (NIV):  "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

Even in my 'old' age and gray hairs, I know that He will always sustain me.  I know He will always be there for me.  I know He will always have my best interest in mind.  I know He will always hear my prayers, and He will also never leave me.

Do you have that confidence in Him?  Do you really believe that in spite of everything you have done, that God can forgive you and toss your sins as far as the east is from the west - and remember them no more?  I do.  I've done a lot in my life that I am ashamed of and the enemy will occasionally bring them to mind and remind me ... but when he does, I just remind the devil that God doesn't remember those sins and therefore I don't either.  My sins do not define who I am in Christ.  And they don't define you.  

God loves you so much that He sent His only Beloved Son to die for all the sins that we could ever do.  When we confess our sins - we lay that sin at the foot of the cross (sometimes again and again cause we keep picking it back up)... and He remembers it no more.... cause the blood of Jesus has covered it all.  Life doesn't get any better than that.  Some of us have to pray this every morning...

Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV):  "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

His steadfast love is everlasting.

Blessings!

It's Friday..... yay!

 It has been a long, crazy, 4 day work week.  I enjoyed so much NOT working on Monday that I have been looking at my calendar to see when I could take another day or two off.  I'm thinking maybe a Friday-Monday off.  I still want to make a trip down to the south a ways.  Not for the entire time, but even for a day.  Maybe go down mid-day on a Friday and come back Saturday afternoon.  I'm in grandchild withdrawal, I think.  Although she does touch base periodically, it isn't the same as seeing her face to face and loving on her and our grand-grandchild.  Oh the G-I-L too. LOL   I know our granddaughter has a birthday soon, so I step back and allow her parents first choice on seeing them.  I tried in July and it didn't work out.  Maybe in October we can make a trip down.  Hubby is so grumpy when I insist that I drive... but sometimes I give in and let him drive.  I just pray for protection of us and the vehicle.  We're in God's hands anyway, it doesn't matter if we are on the road in a car or sitting at home.  

Yesterday was somewhat a busy day personally.  I went at noon to CVS and got my flu shot.  Then a bit later I headed over the the hospital to get my mammogram completed.  I go Monday to the dermatologist for a 'screening'.  Then Thursday, I think it is, I go back to the hospital for my DEXascan to check my bones.  I think I am done then with all the tests and things I have to get done.  And I'm trusting God for all the outcomes.

Matthew 16:2-3 (NKJV):  'He replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.'  You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times."

As I read that verse this morning in my Bible reading, I was reminded of what my mother always told us.  It was a similar saying.... 

"Pink sky at night, sailors delight.  Pink sky at morning, sailors take warning."

And I remember that saying many times when I look at the sky and see the pink hue that God blesses us with in the beautiful sunset.  Or even in the sunrise.   Memories.

Don't have a lot planned this weekend.  A granddaughter is trying to start a new craft business and will be at a booth at the Deer Valley Town Center tomorrow.  She really has put a lot of work into these crafts and I am so proud of her.  I plan to make a run up there to check out the other vendors and perhaps buy some gifts for Christmas.  After that, I may check with my 'reader son' to see if he's home and take the book to him I have.  Just to get out for awhile on my own will be nice.  I don't think hubby plans to go to the 'farmer's market' with me.  

I have another granddaughter that makes a lot of beautiful things too.  Knowing I love the Disney princesses, for the past three years she has given me a t-shirt with a princess on it, each one different.  I have Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Tinkerbell.  Ok, Tinkerbell wasn't a princess.  Fun shirts.  But she also makes clothes and when I've seen some of them I'm thinking "I want that!"  She makes some really cute things for herself in hopes of getting on the cover of a pattern.  She is so photogenic, I don't know why they haven't chosen her yet.

I have about 4 books going right now - and each one is interesting in itself.  One of the books I started yesterday was 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear.  My new doctor had actually suggested - stating that it had helped her form some new habits.  So, I thought, why not?!  It actually is very good, and interesting, and has a lot of stories in it. But what I have gotten out of it thus far is that if we want to change something, shoot to do 1% different every day towards it.  What I 'hear' from that is I want to lose weight.  So - my 1% could be making a better choice on what I eat today. Or quit grabbing that snack that really isn't good for me.  I want to exercise.  So, if I get on the treadmill for 10 minutes, that could be 1%.  It is not being intimated at the goal... but taking one day at a time to make a small change that will get me to the goal.  Does that make sense?  So, in thinking about it, what would be your 1% change?  

I look about this room that is quickly growing into a 'store' with things I've bought for Christmas already coming in and getting stacked against the wall... and I'm thinking that this weekend my 1% needs to get these organized.  Great-grandchildren are easy - they are still small.  Grandchildren are a bit harder to buy for since they are older and most on their own.  My children leave me at a loss each year for Christmas, but I try to pay attention when they do comment about something they'd like to have and see what I can do to get it for them.  Nothing has come through yet so any suggestions will be helpful.... just saying!

I took a spiritual gifts test last week - have I already told you?  I don't remember if I have... but my #1 spiritual gift is 'Giving' at this time.  Last time I took the test it was 'Faith'.  As I looked at the #1 gift of Giving... I knew it was true.  I love to give things to others.  I love to make things for them.  I love to surprise them with little things.  Anything I have that they want, I'm happy to give to them.  But let me know while I'm alive so that they can get it!  Or, if I'm using it, I can mark it that it will go to them.  If I die first, it might be difficult to get some things.... hubby will have a hard time in letting me go - any of my things go.  People just don't realize how insecure he is without me - although he would deny that in a heartbeat.  But I know.  Especially now as he has aged.

Hopefully my 1% for work today will be completing these minutes.  I know I already have meetings to schedule so that takes time too.  Maybe it will make the day go faster.

Go out and look at the sky - is it red/pink?   What would be your 1% for today to change in your life?  A couple things for you to think about this morning.

Blessings!