I was not only shocked....

 but I was overwhelmed with the news.   It started out as a busy morning yesterday - had lots of meetings to schedule and even a couple to attend.  Early afternoon I attended a quick meeting with one boss who wanted to update his direct reports on the news of us losing a contract with the State.  Then I was grateful I had turned off my microphone on Teams.  He shared that one of our co-workers had passed away over the weekend.  I gasped and blurted out something, not even sure what.  Grateful they didn't hear my shocked response.  Tears came, for I knew this person, not well, but I knew them and had a good work relationship with them.

Let me back up to the first part of November.  I had gotten the news that this co-worker's wife had passed away unexpectedly.  My heart hurt for him and I got a sympathy card and wrote a short note in it and mailed it.  And now, here it is, a short time later, and he has unexpectedly passed away.  I hurt for his family.  But what took me over the top yesterday was when I got the mail.  I opened this one envelope to find a thank you note inside.... from this co-worker - in which he had written, "Thank you for your kind words to me and my family."  I bawled.  Not because I knew him well, but because of the pain his family must be feeling to lose both parents just before the holidays - holidays that are to bring joy and happiness and gatherings.... only to feel the pain of loss.  It broke my heart.   And thinking about it still brings tears to my eyes.

But it could happen at any time for any of us.  My big brother died on Christmas Eve back in 2002.  It was unexpected.  It could happen to me, to hubby, or even to you - unexpectedly.  But the question comes to me of 'are we ready?'   Are you and I ready to come to the end of our life and face God?  We don't have all the time in the world - and as we age - it gets less and less.  What kind of legacy are we leaving our children, our grandchildren?  It's kind of scary because of my ramblings in here, but I guess I'm leaving my 'writings'.  Will one of the grandchildren or great grandchildren read it one day?  What will they think of me?  Will it be thoughts of good or thoughts of 'whatever'?  Hearing of someone's death close to you has a way of causing one to think about the 'what if'.

But the what if also includes the 'will I make a difference' thoughts.  Will people be glad I'm gone or will they mourn for me for a day or so.  I truly do not want people to treat me as a god and mourn forever.  Seriously.  You get one day.  That's it.  Then get on with your life.  Yes, when thoughts come to your mind of me, I will want to be missed, but then get on with your life.  I miss my mother.  I miss my oldest and youngest brothers, and I especially miss my big sister.  Since she was the last one to pass, I think of her often still.  My heart grieves she isn't still here.  I miss her.  But life goes on.  I want to believe that our talks about Jesus and was she ready to meet him - made a difference.  She always said she was ready.  I wish I had pushed a little harder to make sure.  We must always be alert to the wiles of the devil who tries to make us believe that we are ready, when we may have allowed something in our lives that shouldn't be there.  

John 10:7-10 (NKJV):  "Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. "

I don't know about you, but life is so much better with Jesus than it is without Him.   I think back when I chose to not follow Jesus, and I see a lot of pain, a lot of self-destruction, a lot of grief. Not that I am perfect by any means - I still fall off track at times.  You know that if you have read this blog for any length of time.  But when I feel the most alone, and know that Jesus isn't near, I know that I need to run back to Him as fast as I can and give up whatever it is that pulled me away from him.  It may be anger, it may be just life and the way it rolls.  But we are called to rise about those things and be an example to others of the goodness of God.

Jesus loved you and me so much He went to the cross for us.  He took all our sins - known and unknown, and they were nailed to the cross with Him.  He loves us so much that He came back to life again 3 days later so that we could have an eternal home, eternal life, with Him forever.  Satan has been defeated.  Jesus wins.  And so do you, when you give your life to Jesus.  Will you take that step today, if you haven't already?  Will you let Him walk with you throughout the rest of your life and teach you His ways?  His ways are so much better than what the world has to offer.

He is our Fulfillment.  Open the door to Jesus, and let Him come in.

Blessings!

I could post it here.....

 My oldest son posted the song 'Feeling Good' by Michael Buble on his blog and I took the time to listen to and watch it this morning.  I enjoy Michael Buble's songs and have a Christmas CD here somewhere.  Need to dig it out.  "It's that time of year."

Nothing exciting happening right now that I'm aware of.  We had lunch with our trainer and his girlfriend and had a nice time.  He forgot the Christmas gift they had for us - something he made - and offered to show us a photo, but I declined as I wanted to be surprised.  He said he'd bring it tonight - will see if he remembers.  I have training with him at 5PM tonight.  

Church was really good yesterday - the message was titled 'Who are you?' and one would need to reflect on - are we a 'Contender' for Jesus - or are we a 'Pretender'?  Are we really a Christ follower - or do we pretend to be?  Do you not realize that as a Christ follower we have authority given to us to heal, to cast out demons, to do the things that Jesus did when He was here on earth?  So many of us shy back from stepping out in such faith and declaring Jesus is Lord of all things.  When given the opportunity to pray for others, I believe that God hears my prayers and acts on them.  Granted, He has the final authority if they live or die.... or if they stay sick or get healed.  Sometimes He wants to take that circumstance to work in someone else's life.  People die young, we don't understand, we get angry or frustrated because we know we prayed and they died anyway.  But God.  He has a plan in all of it.  We have to trust His plan.  I don't know why my life ended up the way it did, except for the choices I've made.  But God.  He can take the broken pieces of my life and heal them - and He has healed many broken pieces - and I am allowing Him to continue to work in me as well as through me.  I just need to 'let go' of me trying to take care of it all. 

Back to work today after being off last Friday.  I see I have 65 messages in my inbox - but I will quickly get through those when I get online.  I definitely need to work on the SharePoint this week for my boss wants it right away.  I have no clue what I'm doing, but will learn.  Hopefully I can keep my 'I don't want to' at bay and understand the things I read and see.  Lord Help.

Gotta do a run to the post office today and get some packages in the mail.  I'm hoping to stop in at the drugstore in the next day or so and pick up a gift card or something and get another package sent off.  My sister is having a fit - she mailed my package a week ago and it was to arrive last Friday - and it hasn't arrived yet.  Surely it will come today.  I can't believe she threw the receipt away for mailing it - it has the tracking number on it and she also got $100 insurance on it.  I hang on to my receipts until I know they have been received.  In fact, I track every package and let them know it has arrived!  Want to be sure it gets where it is supposed to go!  I tried to figure out the tracking number by going on my PO dashboard and I thought I found it - and if so, it is in Los Angeles - but when I key in the tracking number it says it is invalid.  And no receipt.  I hope she goes through her trash and finds the receipt.    The bed looks a little better as I did get a few gifts wrapped yesterday and boxes taken out of here.  Still have a lot on the bed though.  I need to sit down and figure out who specifically I need to get something for yet - and take a day off work to go out and buy whatever else I need to get.  Maybe one day next week.  People will still be working.  Hmmm  I'm meeting my boss on the 22nd, maybe I'll take the 21st... naw.. too many people will be taking it off, I am thinking.  Maybe I'll just take an extra hour here and there.  Or maybe continue to do things online.  Will have to do something, for sure! Time is running out.

Genesis 22:18 (CSV):  "And all of the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed my command."

How many times have we told our children "JUST DO AS YOU ARE TOLD!"?   We want them to obey us - not smart-mouth us back or just blatantly disobey us.  We believe we know best and we want them to listen to us.  And God expected Abram to do what he was told to do.  Abram (later known as Abraham) was told first of all to leave his father's country and all his family.  That was a hard thing to do, now as well as then, don't you agree?  Abram's father worshipped idols - but somehow, Abram came to know God.  And when God spoke to him, Abram obeyed.

Abram gathered his wife and all his servants, and his nephew Lot, and headed out.  Not knowing where he was going, he trusted God to lead him.  Years and years later, Abram and Sarai had a son - (their names change to Abraham and Sarah)  and they named him Isaac.  And God told him - take your son to Mount Moriah and do what I tell you.  And what was that?  To sacrifice Isaac  His covenant son.  The one that God promised would be the start of millions of people - as many as the sand or of the stars in the sky.  And what did Abraham do?  He took Isaac, and wood, and fire, and went to Mount Moriah and tied him up as a sacrifice and was ready to kill him..... when God called out to him.  Abraham stopped, and listened.  "Do not kill your son, now I know that you love me more than him." (paraphrased)  And a ram was found in the thicket and Abraham instead sacrificed the ram and praised the Lord.

Because Abraham was obedient - even to the point of sacrificing his own son - his lineage and offspring did grow until it was beyond counting - as the sand of the seashore or the stars in the sky.

So what have you heard from God and are obedient to do?  Are you loving our Heavenly Father more than these?  More than your children?  More than things?  More than pleasures?  If God told you - and you knew He told you - to stop doing something or to give up something.... would you?

Sometimes we have to walk away from relationships.  Sometimes we have to give up things we enjoy. God will never lead us anywhere and leave us.  He will walk through every journey with us.  But it requires our obedience.  How are you doing with that?

I think I'm doing pretty well... but the problem is ... it isn't my decision to believe 'I'm doing pretty well."  Does God think I'm doing 'pretty well'.  It's His opinion that counts.  And I tell you what, if God tells me to do it - I am going to do it!  Even if it costs me everything.  I choose to obey.  Do you?

Blessings!  

Got some things done - and the tree!

 I stayed in my room for some time yesterday morning as I knew I needed to work on the message that I will be giving next week.  I guess I spent about 3-4 hours on it - and I finished at least the first draft.  I'll be going over it throughout the week and adding and deleting things.  It is a good message (I don't create these myself; I use my mentor's messages and then make them my own with my own stories as a rule.  But I do need to type the entire messages out and work on them.)  After that I got dressed and told hubby I'd take him out to lunch (to waste time until I needed to leave) so we did.  I had a sandwich and fries and for some reason, they didn't set well on my tummy.  My only guess is that - although they were not greasy, they were fried - and my stomach didn't like it.  I don't know.  It eventually went away.  

The grandson's concert was really good - the students all did a great job and I enjoyed the concert.  I did hang around until the grandson was dragged away from helping anymore by his girlfriend. Yes, I got to meet her too.  Where my grandson (to me) seems shy and withdrawn and quiet... his girlfriend seems to be the total opposite - so they make a great pair!  He's even got a beard going!  And he let his mother and girlfriend mess with it (and me too).  LOL  Sure do love this child.  Yes, he is still a child.

I debated on doing some shopping as I left the concert, but didn't, and headed home.  I am thinking I will schedule a day off work in the middle of the week in another week or so - and finish up all my shopping.  I have ordered so much online, but I have no idea what to look at for some.  I'm just not around them through the year and usually don't talk much to them either.  I have no clue what their interests are.  After I came home, I checked out front and yay!  My new little tree had arrived.  I thought I had ordered a 7' one, but at most it is 6'.  No biggie.  I only paid $60 for it total - and I love it has the lights on it - AND it included a star at the top and plastic stars that I can put on some of the lights around the tree.  And the tree flashes the lights continuously.  Hubby says he likes it.  Didn't take me long to put together - only two pieces and everything was there so viola!  After that we watched two Christmas movies and then off to bed.

Today we have church, then we are meeting our trainer and his girlfriend for lunch at a deli nearby.  I have a couple little things for them for Christmas and was thinking dinner versus lunch and also later this month - but he text'd the other day and said they could meet this Sunday for lunch.  Caught me a bit offguard but we are rolling with it.  She works as a waitress at a nice restaurant and is scheduled to work nearly every night this month as she said she needs the extra money to pay some medical bills.  So this Sunday for lunch it is!  Looking forward to it, though.  They are so cute.

After the lunch, I am going to try to get in here and get these packages wrapped and under the new tree - those that go to other people outside the family.  I think I have everything for my sister's box so want to get it taped shut and ready to go in the mail on Monday.  The stack on the bed is getting higher and higher. And, since I'm the only one who does the wrapping, as well as the purchasing, guess who has a full day to get these things done!  Then I get asked "what did WE buy......"  And they are from both of us.... but sometimes I get frustrated because he likes the recognition but doesn't want to participate in the preparation.  Does that make sense?  Speaking of... he asked me again yesterday about his helping by 'co-leading' the discipleship class.  I finally told him that I don't know what he is thinking he is going to do - he taught the class himself, and if he remembered, only one person is needed to lead it (oh sure, we could divide the lesson plan up, but why?) but he could take attendance if he wants.  We have never taught a class together - and there is a reason for it.  He is controlling and wants to tell people what to do - I tend to keep things in a softer tone. I'm not going to describe the difference, but if you know him and me - you can (hopefully) surely see the difference in personalities.  

John 6:35 (NKJV): "And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never hunger, and he who believes in me will never thirst.""

Some people who read that scripture can really get confused by it.  Jesus isn't saying that He will make sure you never physically hunger or thirst again.  What He is staying is that the hunger and thirst within us for something greater than us, He can supply that need.  He is the only One who can bring us the 'food' that feeds our soul, and the pure, sweet water that waters our spirit.  

Reminds me of the well that was on Granny's property.  I am sure I have written of it before.  I loved going to Granny's farm.  Aunt 'Margarine' and Uncle George ended up buying the property from Granny, but Granny lived there until she passed away in 1968.  My grandfather built that house for her when they were first married.  I think it has been torn down now and the well is probably gone as well.  Anyway - the well - I would run to that well and pull the wood that covered the hole back, and then take the gallon or two size wooden bucket, tied with a long rope to a rolling crank - and drop that bucket in to the well - and listen for it to hit the water.  Then I would slowly roll the crank and it would slowly pull the bucket up.  We couldn't do it fast as it would cause the bucket to swing back and forth and spill some of this precious water.  So we slowly rolled the bucket up, the rope going round and round on the crank.  And when the bucket got to the top - we'd reach for it and pull it off to the side and grab a medal cup that was always sitting there by the well (oh my goodness - can you imagine the germs of it sitting outside and EVERYone drinking out of the same cup?)  But that was only when we were outside - the bucket got dumped into another bucket and it was carried into the house.  But that well water was the sweetest, clearest, coldest water you ever tasted, and it was so good!  Now that is a special memory I have.   I' not sure if my children remember the well as some plumbing was added to the house (and a bathroom!!) in the early 70's - but I still loved running to the well although it wasn't used so much.  At least we didn't have to go down to the outhouse - or go behind the shed during the night.  I was always so afraid of snakes as that path was long and when it was dark, it was also scary.  Yeah, I'm that old.

One thing for sure, for physical hunger and thirst, if you went to Granny's, you never left hungry or thirsty.  (and I loved it as well when Uncle George would make homemade ice cream and hand crank it!  I have an electric one out in the garage that isn't even out of the box.  Maybe someday I'll try making it again.  The last time I did, it never hardened and I remember the oldest boy of my oldest son drinking three of those 'strawberry shakes' before we finally cut him off!  

And my mind has gone down memory lane this morning, thinking about my Granny and the old farm. Aunt Margaret knew I loved her white coconut cake so we always had it when we came.  Just a plain white cake mix and she had this really good icing that she mixed coconut in and put on it.  I remember writing down that recipe a long time ago - never have made it - maybe I ought to look for that recipe and try it.  But I think I like the memory of it better.

Sometimes memories that our own - are better than what others remember.   Don't try to change someone's memory if it is good.  Correct them if they are wrong and it's worth correcting.  I have a sibling who thinks it is their job to correct me on my memories.   But I kind of like (most of) mine best.  

Blessings!

It was a very good day!

 Oh what fun (for the most part!) that I had yesterday!  The drive to meet up with my boss was ok... lots of traffic out for that early in the morning - but it probably just seemed so because I don't have to drive out in it at 7AM anymore (grateful).  Met up and off we went to get the shuttle for the Christmas Ideas house.  We were in the first group that got there.  The breakfast/brunch was awesome - don't know if I could even remember all we had.  Egg quiches, ham (thick too!), hash browns, fruit, broccoli salad, and I'm drawing a blank because I didn't take everything.  And, of course, coffee, tea, and orange juice.  All so good!  (Making myself hungry this morning!)   We then browsed through the house to see what we wanted to buy. There were so many nice things - but I was pretty good at resisting much of it.  I only spent about $73 I think.  Got some homemade blackberry jam and several other small things, a couple things I could put in stockings for the kids.  It was all good - and at the end they had Sassy's cinnamon rolls.  Yes, I blew everything and bought a six pack of already made cinnamon rolls.  They are still in my refrigerator - uncut and uneaten... and will be until I finish up in here.  Yeah... but I'm going to share with Ms. Vicky.  Maybe.  If I get over there this afternoon.  I still need to get over and see Ms. Diane too, but she's a diabetic so don't want to tempt her with it.

My ordered Christmas tree did not arrive yesterday and now they are saying maybe Monday.  I'm disappointed as I wanted to get it up and all that... but, will work around it.  I can still wrap these gifts up in here and pile in the other room to clear this room out.  This room is really starting to look bad with all the boxes and papers and all that.  Oh well.  In another week, it will be emptied.  I hope.

Grandson has a 2PM concert this afternoon that I am planning on going to - not sure if hubby is going, but think he is.  If not, I'm still going to plan to go.   Other than that - declutter and get rid of things.  

Went to a meeting at church last night for those that want/plan to teach a class after the first of the year.  They have given me permission to teach Discipleship, and I'm excited about that.  I wish I had kept all my information - I was so depressed about this one pastor not allowing me to teach anything but what he said I could teach - and I didn't agree with that - that I threw my books away, thinking I would never be allowed to teach again anywhere.  After all, this material is over 40 years old - but it's so good.  The books had valuable information (extra) in them.   I wonder if my daughter in law still has the book I gave her years ago?  It was a white notebook and in it had so much material.  Probably not... I need to go through my 'office' boxes in the garage to ensure I did (and I'm pretty positive I did) throw them away.  I'm hoping I kept some.  Within two weeks I am to turn in a blurb about the class and they plan to start promoting the 2nd and 3rd Sundays in January.  I have a feeling I will be gone one of those Sundays at the RV park.  Oh well.  I want to have the class at the church - and limit it to 12 people.  But if we have to have in our home, we can only have 6 more people.  Sigh.  You know what I have to deal with, don't you?  Hubby said he will be my 'back-up' (as if I go anywhere without him) and 'co-leader'.  I don't want him to.  I'm sorry, but this class only needs one leader.  He is so afraid that I will get recognition and he won't that he will join himself to my hip to get it.  All the way home from the meeting last night he was telling me that after I pull the lesson together, I need to sit down with him and let him know what I want him to do, which parts, etc.  He taught this class before; he knows there is nothing he will need to do - other than attendance.  I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I don't want him "helping" because he is 'too busy with his own bible studies' to lead a class.  UGH.  I'm struggling with all this.  Lord HELP!!  Am I wrong to feel so hurt, angry, frustrated, inside?  I'm almost hoping it will be all women and he will back out.  He's thinking 3 couples.  I reminded him last night it is first come first serve - and if six women sign up, it will be all women.  No, I don't expect 6 men to sign up first... but I did have one of the male facilitators approach me last night and say he would like to hear more about it.  I suggested to hubby that after the first section, perhaps he could start a men's group of discipleship and start over with section one.  Hoping, hoping... but that is still months away.  Lord HELP.

Had three contacts with grandchildren yesterday, which did my heart good.  My entrepreneur one brought over some things I had ordered.  My granddaughter in another city finally found a package I had sent her before Thanksgiving and thanked me for it.  A grandson contacted me yesterday with a 'whoops' - he had said back around his birthday he would get in touch with me so that we could hang out - but he has been busy, I know - and he wants to come out and bake cookies.  Of course, I told him anytime he had open time - even during the week since I work from home.  I can bake cookies with him and keep an eye on the work computer as well.  I miss my grandchildren being small and coming over and baking cookies with me.  For my heart, those are treasured memories.

Psalm 95:6-7 (NKJV):  "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.   For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand."

Oh that we would all bow down and worship our God!  Kneeling before God expresses our humility to our King.  Much like people now bow down to King Charles III.  Or Queen Elizabeth before him.  But God doesn't just want us to kneel and bow before Him, He wants our hearts turned to Him and to worship Him in holiness and truth.  Just like in the 23rd Psalm where it talks about a Shepherd with his sheep.... so we are but sheep to our Maker Lord.  Oh that we we would acknowledge Him as Lord of all, and spend our time worshipping in spirit and in truth throughout each day!  

I am guilty at times of NOT worshipping... I allow life to get in my way and instead of thanking Him for opportunities and pleasures.... I grumble because I don't get my way (ugh - like above).  Sometimes we need to let go of our emotions, our feelings, and just lean into Jesus and allow our Shepherd to bring healing and wholeness to our hearts and minds.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV):  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Sounds like I need to do some presenting and letting go, doesn't it?  I know God can bring good out of every situation - and I need to let go of the things that trouble me and entrust them to God, who loves me, and allow Him to bring good from all things.  Right?  Maybe you do too.  So what has been that little thing that troubles you?  Why not just give it to Him and see what He will do with it?  That's my choice - and remember, it is in His timing, not ours.

Blessings! 

Just looked at my stats cause things looked weird as far as numbers - 311 in Czechia?  What in the world?

Play day!

I am so excited cause I get to drive about 50 minutes to meet up with my boss and we are going to the Christmas Ideas house!  I always find things to give to others for Christmas, and I'm hoping this year is the same.  I'm at a loss for many and as much as I hate giving just gift cards and nothing else, that may be what they get.  When you aren't involved in their lives, you don't hear the little comments of 'I like that' or 'I could use something like that'.  Oh well.  At least I'm thinking of them, right?  Two of my girls I don't have anything for either.  Oh well.  I have 24 days left.

After the brunch and shopping at the Christmas house (more details tomorrow), we head back to our office there and will attend the company Christmas party that is to start at 11AM.  I did bake cookies last night to take for my part of the potluck.  And I do have a white elephant gift, so I'm participating.  Really looking forward to seeing friends I haven't seen for a few years.  I even made one friend her gingersnap cookies as she loves those.

Tried a new recipe I saw on facebook last night - I'm not a fan, but hubby says they are good.  You take a box of yellow cake mix, dry, and add 5 tablespoons of melted butter, 2 eggs, beaten, and 2 cups of chocolate chips.  It showed being spread out in a pan, and that did work better, but you need a small baking pan.  I tried on a large and it didn't work - so I made individual cookies, then made a second batch and spread it out - and they turned out much better.  I still didn't care for them, though.  Then I cut up some of my cranberry pumpkin nut bread and added to the other side of the tray.  And, since I was to make cookies for tonight's meeting at church, I made extra gingersnaps and put on the other side for that tray.  It will be a busy, yet fun, day.  Much needed in my life.

My new Christmas tree should arrive today and after I get home, if there is time, I'll get it put up in the back room.   Then just perhaps, I can get some of these other gifts out of here so that I can work on clearing this bed off.  I'm still waiting on a box to arrive that has the final gift for my sister - that is, until she asked me to pick her up a bag of cinnamon rolls to make and bake at the Christmas house today.  Once I can get those two items in the box, they are being shipped out.  I know, it's barely December 1 - but I want to get these out of the way.  I will be sending a couple little things to my big brothers too - I started that a few years ago.  Usually, they get my bread and I may get something else.   I think I ordered dish towels with their initial this year.  Maybe - I changed my mind, I think.  I don't know.  Anyway - will get it sent out some time next week.  They both grumble that I'm not supposed to do anything, but I want to.  We always text on the holiday, but I want to take it a bit further.  

I want you to know that I did get the board minutes completed yesterday and sent off to the boss to approve.  I will need to focus on learning SharePoint and creating it the way my other boss wants it done - and she wants it next week, if at all possible!  It is enough to stress me, but I'm not going to let it.  I know people who work with SharePoint and I'm hoping I can ask them how do I create items on the SharePoint and add/delete things.  It could be interesting.  I have SharePoint on this computer - I could do a lot of things with it, couldn't I?  A good way to track my shopping orders, perhaps?  Of course that would mean I'd need to input the information.  sigh.  Can't it just read my mind?  I'll get started on it next week - the one for work, not the personal one.  I at least have a book to look at and hopefully can get the information I need from it.

And I definitely will need to work on the message that I give on December 10 and December 17 - I have a title and scripture; it is just pulling it all together.  Which will take several hours to do.  In my personal time, it will be a priority, for sure.

Joel 1:3 (NKJV):  "Tell your children about it, Let your children tell their children, and their children another generation."

That verse stood out to me as I started reading in Joel this morning.  That is what I try to do - a lot - is make sure my children know of our heritage, our history, and they can write it down or share it with their children, who will have that information for their children, and their children for yet another generation - providing the Lord doesn't return in that time.  I love hearing about the history of my family.  I don't know much about my dad's side of the family, but I do have the family tree that I believe all my children have a copy of - from my mother's side.  I hope they continue the lineage on down their line.  That would be so cool to pass on to their great great great grandchildren.  

I think I asked my grandmother, my dad's mom whom we called Grandma (mom's mom we called Granny) , what could she tell me about her history.  Surprisingly she couldn't tell much - but I believe she said that her father was a shoe cobbler.  I'm sure I kept her letter so at some point I need to find it and put it with other 'heritage' things.  It is always good to know from where you came.  (Maybe him being a shoe cobbles explains why I like shoes?  Just kidding!)

What about your life, your parents' life, that you would like your grandchildren to know about?  Why not start writing down the things you remember.  Things that you did with your parents or grandparents.  Time is passing by so fast and our memories fade over time.  Some times it is good to remember what was, as that is what makes us who we are today.  Something to think about.

Blessings!

It just didn't work out....for me.

 I dilly-dallied with the big tree yesterday - and became so frustrated with it - I took it down, stuffed it back in the box and it is now in the back of my car to be taken to Savers.  It is just too big.  I jumped online and found a tree on Amazon that will be delivered on Friday for about $39 and it has lights already on it - albeit optic lights - and it is smaller and thinner.  True, I don't need a tree back there, but I want a tree back there.  As well as the one in the living room.  And.I.Shall.Have.It.  Right?  Had a few more packages arrive yesterday, and I was disappointed one item I thought would be perfect - was not.  I debated on sending it back (which is a pain, as you know) I decided someone else could be the recipient of it.  I rewrote my lists last night and found there are some I don't have anything for yet - well, a few of the grandsons.  I'll figure it out.  Girls are so much easier!

I was exhausted last night so slept sound - until hubby did one of his flip-flops in bed about 4:15AM.  I had turned off my alarm at 4AM as I just didn't want to get up.  I went ahead and got up when he woke me up - and then he slept for another 30 minutes or so.  I have my coffee so I'm good. :-)

I still have my minutes to type from the last board meeting - I've procrastinated very well, haven't I?  And yesterday I got assigned the project of designing a SharePoint site.  I don't know anything about SharePoint, and it took me awhile to find it.  My old boss who retired a couple years ago had me get one created - and they did create it - but then she changed her mind - so it has sat with nothing on it.  NOW my boss wants to start using it, told me what she wants on it, and expects me to have it done within a week or so.  Guess who is going to have to learn how to do SharePoint?  I have a book, which will be helpful, I'm hoping.  So what is priority - the minutes or the SharePoint site?  Yeah - I'll procrastinated too long.  Plus I have a message I need to put together for the 10th and 17th as I'm speaking at two RV parks those dates.  OOOPS.  I do have one started - and I can use the same one at both places - but I do need to get beyond the first page.  I need to bake cookies tonight to take to the potluck tomorrow - but I can work on it while they are baking.  Plus I can devote time this weekend to it.  I just need 4-5 hours to get it done - and I have time.  I only have to give the title and verse this weekend.  

Think I have allowed myself to be overwhelmed with projects I have procrastinated on?  Yep.  I think so too.  But, I will get it all done - I work well under stress.

But I still am taking my day off work tomorrow to go to the Christmas Ideas House with my boss, and then the company Christmas party as well.  I need a play day, right?  But that means I really need to buckle down today and get some things done besides meetings scheduled.

II Peter 3:10-12 (NKJV):  "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the elements in it will be burned up.  Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 

I tell you what, sometimes when standing out in the heat here, we certainly think we are being burned up - but the heat we feel from our sun will be nothing compared to the fervent heat that will come at the end of time.   I can't stand out in this sun very long, but that fervent heat, well, I don't think I want to be a part of it.  I want to be one of the people who will be raptured and taken up with Him.  Don't you?  It is a choice, you know.  I pray you choose rightly.

This room is looking worse every day with packages coming in.  I'll get some packages in the mail by Monday to family back in the Midwest.  That will open up some room.  But I also need to get packages wrapped and under the trees.  Then I can get the boxes out of here.  Some of it is hubby's things so can't take out of the boxes yet.

I love Christmas.  I love celebrating the birth of Jesus, knowing He came to earth to save me and you.  I love acknowledging Him as King.  And I love to make or buy and give gifts to lots of people.  I need to start earlier though, although I am still much earlier than many people.  One year I started in January and was done by December.... and I did start early this year... and I"m still not stressed about Christmas.  Still need to get times sorted out with my children, but am waiting on work details before final arrangements can be made.  And that's ok.

I look forward to having family together with me, even though we do families separate.  We've grown so big that we really have to.  This house is too small to get everyone in it.  But I love having family around and loving on them and serving them and just enjoying them.  That makes Christmas for me.

I need food ideas too - what would they want for their meal?  Breakfast food?  Lunch food?  Dinner food?  I will do whatever they want.  And I have held to my comment of cutting back this Christmas.  It's made it harder to buy for everyone cause I keep seeing things that I know someone else would like - but - I must resist!   I still need ideas for some... but, since I don't see or hear anything... it may be clothes.  Lucky them! :-)

Ok - need to hit the shower before work and my head is hurting still so an ibuprofen is in order as well. I will NOT be sick!  I have too much to do and to get done.  But I enjoy the unwork part of it.  Work, not so much.  Let's party!

Got a question for you this morning - if someone asked you today what you were grateful for - what would you tell them?  Something to think about.

Blessings!

It may be a feeling like long day today...

 On our 'girls night out' last night, my daughter and I did some shopping.  After that, we stopped at Zupa's to grab a bite to eat - and I had tomato basil soup and 1/2 a sandwich.  Not bad, right?  A cup of soup and 1/2 a sandwich.  And I hadn't eaten much all day, so I was hungry.  But 'my' problem turns out that my stomach is used to getting food around 4-5PM and not around 7-7:30PM, which is when we ate.  Which means, when I went to bed last night, the food had not digested yet.  Not used to going to bed with a still full tummy.  I should have stayed up - my fault - but I didn't.  And about 30 minutes after falling asleep, I felt the soup inching it's way back up my throat.  YECK.  Took care of that and tried to fall back to sleep, only I couldn't. So about 11PM I got up and came in here - to my chair - and curled up and tried to go back to sleep.  I did doze off and on all night - but never did get to sleep well.  Why didn't I just climb into the bed in here?  Sigh.  Because it is loaded down again with boxes, wrapping paper, and Christmas gifts.  Guess what I'm going to be working on the rest of this week!  My tummy still isn't feeling quite right - probably from sitting and laying back in this chair all night.  No, it's not the food - it is because I didn't allow it to digest before heading to bed.

And, surprisingly, hubby hasn't realized I got up out of bed during the night.  He won't find out either for I'm not in the mood to be questioned as to 'what were you thinking, or what did you eat again, or you know better than that, etc.'  It's not a big deal.  And I don't want to be questioned.  It just happened, and I'll remember next time to not eat so late - or don't go to bed at my usual time after I eat late.

I tell you what - some things that I 'see' as I'm shopping and think will be cute when they arrive - are not what they seem.  For example, I bought what I thought was a small ceramic Christmas tree that I could use for a 'white elephant gift'.  It was marked down to $11 on Amazon from $19.99 so I thought it would be something to use, and it really looked cute.  Well, it arrived yesterday.  It isn't a ceramic tree.  It's a perhaps a 12' put together tree - but it has everything in the box - so I can't fault them - I just was 'seeing' something that wasn't.  It has the tree you insert in to the stand, it has bulbs - may even have lights; I didn't look.  It even has ribbon to put around the tree.  No, I'm not going to send it back.  I actually bought two as I have two 'parties' to go to that have white elephant stuff.   I always try to take something nice - but sometimes people bring the oddest things.

Now I get it, 'white elephant' means something you have that you don't want any more, right?  But I still always try to take nice things.  Hence the trees.  Last year at one I got a large fragrance warmer - which uses those little blocks of wax and it sends a fragrance around the room.  It's still in the box.  But I can't reuse it as a white elephant gift cause the box has sorta been messed up.  I know, the box is nothing, and the item is still new.  I think what I'll do is take it out of the box for someone else's gift - but I can't take it to the office as the person who brought it last year told me that she had gotten it the year before and I had made a comment on how nice it was - so she was thrilled that I got it.  Needless to say I was 'dumbfounded' cause I certainly didn't need it as I have two if not three fragrance warmers that I don't even use!  They got put away when we got Sheeba.  I've just not brought them back out. 

So guess what one white elephant gift is that I'm taking to the office one on Friday?  I checked with my boss and she said it was perfect.  Me, not so sure.  I have a set of 4 Christmas cups that I do not remember where they came from (probably a white elephant party) and I do not want.  I took them, put in a box, added a package of Starbucks French Roast ground coffee, and a box of Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate (Dark Chocolate, mind you), and wrapped them all together.  My daughter reminded me that a 'white elephant' gift is one that you got that you regift cause you don't want it.  I get that, but I still like to give nice gifts.  But I am definitely getting rid of this one!  I will admit it is better than just a couple dish towels that I have gotten before in a white elephant exchange.  I'll do the tree in the one later this month. 

I put together the big 8' tree I got from Ms. Vicky - and reluctantly checked the icicle lights and they seemed to work - and put them on the tree.  UGLY.  And then the tree stand bent and the tree went sideways (I heard the white house tree fell yesterday too!) so I propped it up with a piece of wood.  Half the lights don't work.  Tree looks crappy.  So I told hubby the lights will remain off.  I will take them off when I have a chance.  I'll put the bulbs on it - but it will be a lightless tree.  I just wanted one for extra gifts to keep them separate from family gifts and out of this room.  But - if anyone wants a nice looking 8' tree - they can have this one - it is really way too big for what I want it for.  I certainly didn't expect such a large tree - our tree is about a third of that that size.  If I could just find someone to take it off my hands.  They'd just need to get a new stand and lights.  I'll figure it out. But I don't think I'll put it up next year.  I'll get a smaller one after Christmas.

Psalm 136:1,26 (NKJV):  "O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  His mercy endures forever."

Have you ever stopped to think about how merciful God is to us?  He not only forgives us our sins when we ask Him, He continuously shows us His mercy.   Mercy is not only NOT getting what you deserve, but getting even more.  It's like a person killing someone and he goes before the judge and the judge plans to give him a sentence... but the parent of the child killed persuades the judge to be lenient to the murderer, to show him mercy.  And that's what God does for us.  He is always showing us mercy in that we do not get the punishment we deserve for our sins.  He is lenient with us.  He forgives us.  He not only shows us mercy, but shows us grace.  Yes, we still need to suffer the consequences of our sins - but He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  He is a good, good, God, and a Merciful Father.

I'm grateful for His mercy and His grace, aren't you?  I can think back over my life and see many times when I could have been killed, I could have been in serious trouble... and yet, in His mercy and love, He rescued me.  How can one not love Him and choose Him?  After all, His own Son, Jesus, went to the cross and died for our sins - and the good news is that Jesus rose again so that we are set free and can live with Him forever.  What a loving, forgiving, faithful Father!  Give that some thought today!

Blessings!