I really meant to write earlier....

 This has been a crazy busy day.  First of all, I overslept until 4:40AM - which threw me off schedule somewhat.  Then I had to quit early to take a shower and actually put makeup on - I had an 8AM doctor appointment for my yearly 'well-being' checkup.  Which went well, of course.  But then, I had to stop and get labs done before heading on home.

Then hubby had his own stuff, doctor appointments, etc - and of course he has to come in and sit down and want my undivided attention so that he can tell me all about whatever it is/was.  Then work was exceptionally busy today and whew!  I'm taking a minute 'just to explain' my lack of content today..... 

and in another 10 minutes I am off the gym for my hour long workout.  If I didn't have the trainer, I guarantee you, I would be curling up on the couch!  But - hubby wants to take me to dinner (today was my payday) after I get home from the gym - so there goes any extra me time I would have.

I'm surprised I didn't get a question from my son - he did that once before and it made me laugh. Guess he is busy today as well.

So with that - I'm off here - and hopefully will have something to share tomorrow morning.  Got to finish getting ready for my beat - up at the gym. :-)  Lower body (and it took me 4 days to recover from the last lower body workout!) and then some core.  Hubby told me what core exercises he had to do this morning - naw, I don't want to do those.... and when I said that - he actually TOLD me that I WILL do them.  Oh don't even go there with me!  

Hope you had a good day - btw - without my labs - good report from the doctor.  I got my mammo scheduled for Monday.... and my doctor said I needed to see the eye doctor for my silent migraines. I told her one of the techs said it wasn't eye related.... but she thinks it is.  So I called and have THAT appointment on the 20th, I think it is.... I told the doctor's office when I called what I had been told and what my doctor said.... oooohhhh the girl I talked to about had a fit that someone from their office told me that!  Wish I could remember who it was.  Anyway - more doctor appointments this month. Yeck.  I even had another 'silent migraine this afternoon; it does cause problems in trying to work!

Gotta go - have a good evening - hopefully I can get on track tomorrow morning!

Blessings!

When did he get older?

 I know, I know, we all age.  I've very acutely aware of how much older I have gotten, but my children - and today I'm talking about my oldest son, my middle child - when did he get this old?  52 today. It doesn't seem possible.  I can still sit here and think about the morning when he was born... his dad and brother going hunting, me with my big fat belly - and already past my due date (I'm thinking it was August 29th) - sitting in a chair at my mother's and she trying to teach me how to crochet, and all I knew was my tummy felt funny..... and it wasn't long that I 'wet' myself - not from ME doing it, but my water broke.  My stepfather was going to take me to the hospital, but was taking his time around the house, deciding that maybe he should go get gas in the car.... mother was having a fit at him.... I wasn't sure what was going on with my body.... FINALLY, my husband and his brother arrived and we literally flew to the hospital!  The hospital wouldn't give me ANYthing for the pain while we waited on the doctor to arrive..... I'll leave out the details.... but can you believe a nurse told me to hush?!  Yes, I was yelling - it hurt!  I was in the delivery room before the doctor came in and they finally put me out.  It wasn't my regular doctor, but his cover.  I was NOT happy.  

Until I saw my precious baby boy; my husband's namesake.  And the fun part of it all.... he was born on labor day in 1971.  After I passed the due date, I had said he'd be born on labor day - and I was right.  8 lbs 1 ounce, 20 1/2 inches long of pure joy.  Oh the gentle memories of those early days.  Back then I had to stay in the hospital after giving birth.... for this one, I went in on a Monday, and I think I was allowed to go home on Thursday or Friday.  Oh yeah, things have certainly changed now!

So, my son, as you read this.... Happy Birthday!  You have brought my heart much joy over the years.  A lot of pain too, no doubt, but I love you and I will until my dying day... and then for eternity.  I haven't text'd you yet as I'm hoping you were able to sleep in a little, but will text soon.  In the meantime... you know I am thinking about you and wishing you a blessed day, a day full of love, warmth, and special memories.  I love you.

I had a couple hours to myself last night, which was nice.  I did work out at 5PM, and then had to run to my daughter's to pick up my tennis shoes I left (glad I have more than one pair), then came back home.  The youngest called me on the way home to give me updates on his family and we talked for awhile.  Then I heated up BBQ ribs and tore the meat off, making it a sandwich, cut up some watermelon, and that was my dinner.  Hubby was at his men's group, of course, so I had time to turn on a movie I like,  'Sisters of the Groom', and it was nearly over when hubby got back home.  And I knitted. But it was a nice quiet evening and I did enjoy being alone for awhile.

Got another workout at 5:30PM tonight for 30 minutes and then will come home and change clothes real quick before heading off to church for prayer meeting.  My trainer is already talking that we will do 'lower body' again for an hour on Thursday.  I had just told him I couldn't walk for four days last week... and he smiled.  He did say that it wouldn't be as bad this time.... I don't believe him.  But, will give him the benefit of the doubt.  I do enjoy my workouts - even with the pain.  I am just waiting to see more results.  My scales have gone up two pounds; I'm eating less, and working out. He tells me it's muscle.  He wants to do another 'in body' which is a scale that 'reads' your muscle, fat, etc. on every part of your body.  Yeah, the last one I had wasn't too good... over 50% fat, if I recall correctly.....  almost afraid to get on it again.  But he wants to prove to me I may not have lost weight, but am gaining muscle, which weighs more than fat does.  We shall see!

John 14:23 (NKJV):  Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."

Love for Christ is demonstrated by keeping His commandments. Obedience flowing from love is very different from obedience performed out of obligation. Jesus promises His presence as we join Him in His work.

Think of it this way..... we obey our parents because we love them.... ok, sometimes it is because we don't want the consequences of NOT obeying our parents.... but many times, if our parents call us and need something, we meet that need out of love.  Even my tough guy middle child.... I felt loved when he surprised me the other day with donuts and sweet tea.  Ok - that's not obedience, but if a parents asks for something.... and the child meets that need.... (didn't I NEED donuts and sweet tea? I just didn't ask for it...)  they are obeying in love.  

It's like when our parents do something for us - it is done out of love.  Just like Jesus loves us and He watches over us and takes care of us.  He meets our needs, because He loves us.  And sometimes we do NOT get what we want or ask for, because He loves us.  Everything is in His time, not in ours.

Bottom line, because we love Jesus, we obey His Word.... and He comes to us and lives within us, because He loves us that much.  So much that He went to the cross for you and for me.  Broken, beaten, tortured, all for you and me.  That is how great His love is for us.  There is no greater love.

Blessings!

Feeling tired and lazy today....

 I'm not sure why - again - I am feeling tired and lazy this morning.  It took until yesteday for the soreness to wear off in my body from the workout last Thursday - and I'm scheduled to go back for 30 minutes tonight!  I just want to curl up in my chair and talk to Jesus and spend time napping.  But, alas, I must soon get up and get on the work computer and start my day.  At least I know I am not going to have numerous emails to answer because I did get on yesterday morning and approved timecards - and checked emails.

I also made it over to Ms. Amy's 'back yard' and picked up the grapefruit yesterday that were laying on the ground.  Hubby told me he was going to call someone to trim back our tree in our courtyard and pull weeds.... so I did try to call Ms. Amy yesterday to see if he could also trim back her courtyard - it's starting to look wild.  She didn't answer her phone so thought she may have been with her girls.  I'll check back again today for I can't have him do it without her permission - and figure out a way to get him paid.  Which means I will probably need to pay him first and they reimburse me. I think he used to charge her $100 - but I don't know - so will need to check.  If I don't get ahold of her today, will send her son a text - after all, he manages the finances for her.  I hope she is ok and just didn't notice that I called.

We had a good day yesterday at my daughter's.... a light lunch and then we went in the pool with the little one.  Only stahed about 40 minutes or so in the water - lukewarm - but relaxing.  Hubby watched  the latest Maverick movie again - and said he enjoyed it more this time than the first time.  After coming home we chilled for awhile and then he wanted to watch a movie.  Again I tell him "I don't care - if you want to watch a movie - find one.  I was ok with reading or crocheting and just being quiet.  He has to make such a big deal about it.  So he found a movie.....then promptly fell asleep, waking up periodically throughout it.  Granted, it wasn't THAT good... it was interesting though, in some respects.  It was about a young 12 year old girl who's mother had died about 7 years earlier - and then her father had a heart attack and died.... and she had to move in with her aunt and uncle.  That in itself was no problem.  The problem was the young girl and her father were Messianic Jews.... which means they believed in Jesus.  The aunt and uncle were devoted Jews - and did NOT believe in Jesus.  And then there were two synagogues - one for Messianic Jews and one for Jews... anyway, I found the story line somewhat intersting.  The story basically ended with her doing Bat Mitzvah (vs the male Bar Mitzvah) in the Jewish Synagogue and her Rabbi attending, and her finding her father's faith in Jesus.  She even quoted from I Corthinians 13.  

I Corinthians 13:4-8 (NKJV):  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in inquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails.

We've all heard those words before - some of us during our wedding or as we listen in at a friend or relative's wedding.  But what do those words mean to you?  I think we tend to focus mainly on the last three words "Love never fails".  But what is love?  Go back and read the scripture again.  All those things are love.  Do we do them?  Is that how we show love?  Is that how we define love?

The Greeks used four words to refer to love.  Eros is the sensual relatinship.  Storge pertains to family relationships and obligations.  Phileo is the love among friends, as close as brothers or sisters.  Agape is a totally unselfish love that comes from God alone - the type of love that chooses to continue selflessly loving someone even when he or she makes it difficult. Christ's sacrifice and His love model what it means to choose to love.

Agape love.  Unselfish, abiding love.  That's the kind of love Jesus has for us - even when we make mistakes or even when we intentionally disobey Him!  He loves us anyway.  He loves us enough to let us make our own choices.  Jesus is love.  

And that is how we are to love others.  Without motives, without wanting things, just loving them unconditionally, and without motives.  Doesn't mean we have to approve or like their behavior or what they do..... but we are called to love them anyway.  Sometimes that love makes us stay away from them. I get it.  You KNOW about my family life!  Sometimes I have to take a step back - as I'm sure they do for me.  But we are called to stil love them.  And I do.  In fact, I take great joy in defying them when they don't want to be with me - and tell them I'm their sister and there is nothing they can do about it. So there!  lol  Yeah, sometimes they still want things THEIR way.... and I let them be.  I just let them know I love them.

Blessings!

I learned..... a Lot

 An extra day off work.  Got to jump online to approve timecards - which I could/should have done yesterday but talked myself out of - want to go pick up the fallen old grapefruit from Ms. Amy's backyard (now THAT was a discussion between neighbors and hubby and I!) - and am going to the daughter's today for a BBQ later.  That's going to be my day - and the rest will probably be coming home and taking a nap.  I couldn't get to sleep last night; I imagine it is because I took a nap around 3PM and slept nearly 45 minutes - very deeply.  My mind was wide awake with things I wanted to do today - and forgot to write down.  I was supposed to go donate blood at 9AM, but I cancelled it the other day and rescheduled it for Friday afternoon.  Just didn't feel like rushing about this morning.  I know I cancelled it, and I got the cancellation, but I keep get the reminders for it.  Oh well. Ain't going today - will go on Friday.

The neighbor behind us - the big complainer - the one who took pictures last year of hubby planting flowers IN THE GROUND in the back and we had to pull them back up because the HOA doesn't want to use water (which is why they pulled our hedges out that were back there)... took a photo of the back of Ms. Amy's house with the grapefruit on the ground that have falled from the tree during this last storm.  Hubby being the president of the HOA of course got the full lecture about 'roof rats', etc. if we don't contact Ms. Amy and have her get someone out here.  I told hubby that I will go over and pick them up off the ground - which caused this big discussion as to 'why should you do it?'  And I responded "it's the right thing to do."  I meant to do it yesterday - and totally forgot - so it popped in my mind as I was wide awake last night so I asked God to remind me of it this morning - and He has - and I've written it down now and once I do the timecards I will get dressed and go over and pick up all the grapefruit on the ground.  Not that I'm a 'goody two shoes'... but it is just the right thing to do.  Don't you agree?   

Genesis 12:1-5 (NKJV):  "Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan."

Our message at church yesterday was one that I had not heard before, nor had I even thought about it before.  Did you read the above scripture and catch it?  I've read it many times and I did not catch it at all.  

"Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your family and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you."

The Lord had told Abram to not only leave the country in which he was living in, but also all the relatives that lived with him in this community.  It was to be Abram and Sarai, and their possessions only.  BUT.... who also went with them?

"Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son.....

Wait - what?  and Lot his brother's son?  Didn't the Lord tell him from your family and from your father's house?  Didn't that include LOT, his brother's son?  But Lot went with Abram and Sarai on all their travels.

Now the Lord was with Abram during this time, and did not show Abram all the land He was going to give to him until Lot left.  Do you remember how that happened?  God blessed Abram and his possessions, and because Lot was with him, he was blessed as well.  Their herds grew hugemongous - and soon Abram's herdsmen and Lot's herdsmen were fighting over water and pasture rights so Abram told Lot to choose wherever he wanted to go.  

Genesis 13:8-9 (NKJV):  So Abram said to Lot "Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are brethren, is not the whole land before you?  Please separate from me. If you go to the left, then I will go to the right.  If you go to the right, then I will go to the left."

So Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the fertile ground and decided to take the best for himself.  And he moved close to Sodom and Gomorrah.  You remember what happened there, right?  But, I get ahead of myself and what I want to show you in this scripture.   Now read this....

Genesis 13:14-17 (NKJV):  And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are - northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land you see I give to you and your decendants forever. And I will make your decendants as the dust of the earth so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your decendants could also be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you."

Did you catch it?  Did you see what I'm pointing out to you?  Short version - God told Abram to take Sarai, his wife, and leave everything - all relatives included.  Leave them all.  But he felt sorry for Lot, his brother's son, for his brother had died.  So he allowed Lot to go with him.  Big mistake.  Why?

Because God did not give Abram all the land that he could see around him..... until Lot left.  Lot was not to share in the blessings that God was giving to Abram.  Lot was preventing Abram from receiving all that God had for him!  

Which causes one to stop and think..... who - or what - is the 'LOT' in your life?  What is keeping you from receiving all that God has for you and your family?  Is it stubbornness to admit you need salvation and the freedom that comes with that?  Is it addictions?  Is it unforgiveness?  Is it your job?  Is it your recreation?  What - or who - is your Lot - and keeping you away from being blessed?

As I mentioned, I have read that scripture many times and it never once soaked in that God did not bless Abram and give him the land and all the blessings..... until he sent Lot away.  Got Lot out of his life.  Wow.  It opened up a new way of thinking for me.  I'm now weighing what I have allowed in my life - and what could keep any blessing from God away.  I want all of God's blessings, don't you?

So stop a moment and think about what could be the 'Lot' you have in your life that is preventing God from giving you all the blessings He wants for you and your family?  It isn't just about you.... it is about your spouse, your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren - and so much more.  What is your Lot that you need to let go of and get it out of your life?  Think about it.  

I prefer God's blessings far more than I do having 'Lots' in my life delaying the blessing or stopping it altogether.  I'm sure you do too!

Blessings!

Sunday before the holiday

 Yay - we have a three day weekend - and I'm grateful.  Don't have anything planned at the moment except that I am going to get some baking done.  Will more than likely take a nap after church today, since I was awake at 2AM for about 20 minutes - wide awake.  Finally was able to turn over and go back to sleep until 4PM  - and I told myself I was NOT getting up - and dozed until nearly 5AM and finally got up.  I'm getting so lazy I think.  Could it be the weather?  What excuse can I use for laziness?

My thighs and butt are still extremely sore from the lower body workout on Thursday evening.  I'm beginning to think I am too old to do all these crazy exercises.  It hurts just to stand - sitting I'm not too bad, but try to get up and I have to stand in place for a few seconds just to determine where I am going to hurt.  And when I sit for lengths of time... oh my... I can barely walk!  But I do so want to gain better core strength, better balance and better strength overall.  That's why I'm doing what I'm doing.  It's not so much to lose weight - I can diet and do that or do a lot of walking.  I want to build strength so that I won't easily fall and hurt myself later.

I do need to get on the work computer either today or tomorrow morning and approve timecards - I think I will do it today so that it's done and over with. I approved my timecard last week so my boss can easily approve mine and be done with it.  But these others I have to approve.  Oh well.  I'll 'ger 'er done'.

There are two birthdays coming up this week - a great grandson is having his first birthday on the 5th, and my middle child and oldest son, who allowed me to start the monthly celebration with him last Friday, is having a birthday on the 6th.  I am so grateful for each of my children.  I love them 'more than they will ever remember', as my granddaughter always tells me.  Hopefully that comment isn't a prediction of my mental health as I continue to age!

Life sometimes requires good ole elbow grease - do you agree? In families we quickly learn where to put the 'grease' so that things will run smoothly.  We help others when they feel down, we listen when they have complaints, we offer solutions to problems, we are there for them always.  I read a story in my devotional today that I am going to share.

The story is told of a little girl who questioned her pastor when she was confused by his sermon. He'd said she could ask Jesus to come live inside her heart. But then she inquired, "Isn't Jesus a man living up in Heaven?" When the pastor replied that He is, the little girl exclaimed that if she invited Him to live inside of her, He would be sticking out all over. And the pastor responded emphatically, "That's right!" 

The same thing is true for you and me. If we have invited Jesus to live inside us, people should see Him "sticking out all over" by the way we handle situations and interactions all throughout the day.  The apostle Peter, who tended to be an impulsive hothead when he was younger, wrote these instructions toward the end of his life to followers of Jesus:

I Peter 3:7-9 :  "All of you, live as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."

Challenge for today..... "Is Jesus sticking out all over you? How would your family, friends, and co-workers answer that question? Examine your daily interactions. How has God blessed you, and how are you sharing those blessings with others?  On this day, ask God to open your eyes to fresh opportunities to bless peole in the name of Jesus.  Then do so.

Blessings!

Yesterday was a very good day...

 I love surprises - especially when they are for me!  Yesterday morning I got a text from my middle child and oldest son that he would be stopping by.  That's about all the information I had.  I was ok with that. He knew hubby had gone to his Bible study, that I was working, and was home alone.  I was surprised at the text but happy to get it.  It wasn't long when he called and said he was out front.  He was getting out of the car and needed help with two sweet teas - AND a box of Rainbow donuts!!!

I absolutely loved the surprise, the 1:1 time with my son, and yes, I did indulge in a bacon covered donut and the sweet tea.  We had a good visit and caught up on life in general.  I am so blessed that he came to visit - it was so good to spend time with him.   He left a donut for hubby and one for me as well (which, I confess, I nibbled at all afternoon and finished it while I was fixing dinner).  I kept tabs on my work and I wasn't even missed.  It was a very good fun enjoyable morning.   And it made my day enjoyable.

Even when I went to get my flu shot and get that out of the way for the office, I must say I was still in a good mood.  I even 'agreed' with hubby to watch TWO movies last night before we went to bed.  He even stayed awake.  Yes, they are Christian movies...  WWJD was the first one, and the second one was WWJD The Woodcarver.  Hubby says he can stay awake for those type of movies.... it's the same o same o in the romance movies - girl meets boy, and they fall in love and save the farm - that he falls asleep on.  WAH.  Those type of movies let me dream.  My life was never like that... so I can dream, right?

My lower body is still extremely sore from my workout Thusday night so I decided to take a couple tylenol so that I can walk when I go to Needles of Hope in a little bit.  Ever try to walk when the muscles in your glutus maximus are so sore that every movement causes pain?    And the upper thighs too.  Very painful.  Anyway - because I took the tylenol, I decided to cancel my blood donation on Monday and moved it to Friday next week.  Although, I do have workouts scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday next week.... I think I will be ok.

Psalm 119:105 (NKJV):  "Your Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."

Do you ever wonder where I come up with the scriptures I use in here?  Sometimes it is from a devotional I had just read.  Sometimes it is from a message I've heard.  And sometimes I just sit and think about God and His Word, and when a word pops into my mind, I go to Bible Gateway and look it up.  Sometimes I can find it easily; other times I have to use different words.  And sometimes, I just use the scripture of the day that they have.

But today.... I sat here and thought about how His Word refreshes me and helps me know what to do in certain circumstances.  It tells me how I should live.  I could share about submission, which is what I read about in one devotional this morning.  But, the word 'Lamp' came to mind, as did the scripture.  I have prayed this scripture many times when I am seeking direction on a decision.

God's Word, the Bible, is always a lamp to our feet.  It always will give us the answers that we seek - if we are truly seeking the answers.  Things still may not turn out the way we want, but if they turn out the way God wants, then all is well with the world.  His Word not only gives us direction on how to live, how to make decisions, how to behave.... it also opens up the doors to so many things - like a light in a room, our path is opened up to us.

It truly amazes me how so many people can walk away from God to follow the crowd and do the things they do... and walk away from them feeling unfulfilled and without hope.  In God we always have our hope because He always will be there for us, to light up His Word for us, to show us the way wherein we should walk.  Oh that we all could and would, remain faithful to Him at all times.  I sometimes forget to ask Him what to do in circumstances.... or I ask, and then I don't wait, but just run with what I think is best.  I can just imagine God sitting up in heaven shaking His head at me, telling me to slow down and let Him guide me!  Sorta like the Let go and let God - right?  Oh the things that would turn out much better than we could hope or imagine when we let God lead us all the way!!

Today is Saturday - a new day to surrender our way to Him.  Will you pause and ask God to direct your path today?  That even if you forget later to ask Him, that He will still help you make the right choices, the right decisions?  Try it - you may be pleasantly surprised!

Pray for those who don't know how to pray for themselves.  Some people get so busy with their lives they forget there are others that need Him too.  Take a moment and whisper a prayer that God will watch over them, heal them, protect them, be their friend, that they may come to know Him, the One true God.  I'm praying for each one of you who read this... that you will know that He is God above all nations and powers, above all things.  He is Lord of All.

Blessings!

I'm ok, You're ok... really....

 I was up and down numerous times (it seemed, but probably only 3-4 times) during the night to head to the bathroom... why?  because I drank too much water the last two hours before heading to bed, that's why! So I'm tired this morning and had a headache when I got up, (it also may be from the storm that came through last night) but it has finally faded away - I think.  Why did I drink so much water?

I had an hour long workout with my trainer last night.  Normally, for 30 minutes, I just keep water in my car, but  he had told me I was going to have a streneous lower body/legs workout, so I figured I may need water to have splashed on my face when I pass out.  Just kidding!  But I did drink nearly two of the containers while I was working out - and I.do.not.sweat...... I glisten... but let me tell you what.... I was sweating last night and my shirt was even wet!!! What is that all about??!!   My legs were extremely wobbly from the first exercise....I think it was reverse lunches... or was it the 2nd one.... anyway, there were a couple times my trainer had to help me walk.  In fact, one time we took a two minute break and filled up our water bottles so that I could 'walk it out'.  You will get a chuckle out of this one... there is one machine I just am not comfortable in doing; I flat out don't like it.  But he made me do it.  I've always complained when he had me do it, but I attempted to do it - about 3-4 exercises in (3 sets each!!) ... it is called the 'thrust' machine, where you have weights on either side of you and you hook this pad over your lower abdomen, then you use your shoulders to press down and your legs are on this platform, and you 'thrust' your hips up, with the weights.... and I 'passed the gas'.  Loudly.  Did that make you laugh?  I just took my feet off the platform and said 'excuse me' and he never even cracked a smile.  I'm guessing that he 'hears' this all the time.  (I did it the first time we did that machine too)  I made it clear to him that I just did not like that machine; I wasn't comfortable with it.  I'm thinking he will find something else for me to do instead.   I hobbled to the car and drove home - and then we went out for pizza as my prize.  And it was so good!  But I drank a huge glass of water (on top of the two I had drank at the gym) there, and then a glass of diet tonic water (with quinine) to keep my legs from cramping... so of course I got up more than usual during the night.  This mornings I'm sore, but able to walk.  I think.

Friday. Glorious Friday.  So glad it finally got here this week.  I may even get to take off a little early - depends on how much work I have to do.  It will be a quiet day, I'm sure, as it always is before a holiday.  Several have taken the day off.  I thought about it, but then asked myself 'why'... and decided not to.  Hubby has his Bible study this morning and I hear him getting ready for it.  Which means I'll have the morning to myself pretty much.  Quiet.  Still.  Maybe I can take a nap.

I bought myself a bonsai tree several weeks ago and I've left it sitting in water for various reasons.  I finally bought a pot to put it in and I have the soil, so I think I will get that done this weekend.  Hopefully I will remember to water it and watch it grow.  Thought it would be fun to do.  It is a 'weeping bonsai tree - which should be interesting.  But I do need to plant it this weekend - if it still has roots and they haven't drowned in the water.   

Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV):  "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

I used to hang on to that verse and believe that at some point my children will open their eyes and turn them to Jesus.  There was a time that they followed Him, but the world called them, and they responded.  I get it - it's so easy to do.  I did it myself.  I lost all sense of reasoning and when I was able to 'do whatever I wanted to do'..... I did it.  Do I have lots of regrets now?  I absolutely do.  I am ashamed of the lifestyle I took to before I realized how desperately I needded Jesus to guide me and direct my path.  I'm still learning how to follow Him, and I often falter; I'm definitely not perfect at this. But I try to learn from Him, and follow Him.

Unfortunately, I did the same thing my parents did... I gave my kids a 'head knowledge' of who Jesus is... I didn't teach them the 'heart knowledge' - and there is a difference.  I can't go back and change things, so I have to pray that their eyes will be opened and their hearts opened to receive the greatest gift of all - salvation in Jesus Christ.  It doesn't mean life will suddenly change and be perfect once you accept Jesus as Lord of your life, but I can guarantee you that you will have peace in the midst of your storms, that when you choose to follow Jesus, you have a model to follow and the more you turn to Him, listen to Him, seek Him... you will find your feet on solid ground.  You will find the answers you seek.  You will see miracles happen.  You will see life restored.  But you have to surrender, pray, and believe.

God is a good, good Father and He loves you more than you can ever hope or imagine.  And He is so patient with us.  He's alwsys right there; just waiting for us to say 'yes' to Him.  In spite of all that I have gone through the past 40 years ... surrendering my life to Jesus is the one thing I have never regretted.  Trust me, without Jesus in my life, without Him to cry out to, to hold on to.... I would be totally different than what I am now.  I would be a cranky old woman.... and don't you dare say I am one now!  I do have my moments of crankiness, but God straightens me out.

Teach your child the way to live.  Teach them the songs you learned - like "Jesus loves me, this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong.  Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so."  Go ahead, sing it; you know the song.

Blessings!